Introducing Dogs

 I think you are on the right track, starting on neutral ground.  I also think, if in general they get along, often (not always)  once they learn the dog is now a part of their pack - by sleeping in the same house - they calm down around one another.  So think positive!

 Bichons are easy, so I'm not the best person for this sort of thing.  When I've introduced 2 dogs, I also start out in the fenced in back yard.  First I let the newbie sniff around - s/he picks up on the fact there are other dogs here.  Then I bring one of the others out of the house and observe.  In the early days I'd have a water squirt bottle handy, but now I don't bother, bichons just don't have any sort of prey drive to bother.

If it's a nice day, have a water bowl out too so they can get a drink without one having to ask go in the house for that.  

Then, let the newbie in the house to poke around while the already lives there one stays outside.  So the newbie gets the layout, finds the water bowl, etc.  Back outside for a bit, then go in and take both in with you.

I'd be interested to hear what others say as Dino barks at big dogs; they may suggest keeping one on leash, for more control?  Usually the dog on leash feels more confined, more protective.  But if Dino is going to run about barking his fool head off with you trying to get his collar to get him to hush and focus on a treat . . . I dunno.  Not had to deal with that.

 

When we are out walking in the field at the farm mine will bark at certain dogs, I just keep walking and call them with me.  EVENTUALLY they break off and come for their treat.  I'm probably not handling that right lol.

 

Sounds like a very typical JRT greeting to a larger dog. :)   Ari's good with dogs so that's certainly going to make the introduction easier. 

I've introduced a lot of dogs to each other over the years.  I've done it in just about every way you could imagine.  Sometimes it was well planned out and done like the experts advise (neutral territory and all that) but most of the time it was just bring the new dog in the house and stand back and observe without hovering nervously.  I always go about the usual routine and don't make any big deal over it. I can't think of one single instance out of probably multiple dozens of intros that there's been any serious problem that the dogs didn't work out without any problem.  Nine times out of ten, when there was tension in the form of snarky behavior, it was quickly over and often brought on by human stress and anxiety. Twister being smaller but feistier than almost every dog he ever met was the dog that challenged me the most when it came to staying calm and seemingly unconcerned. 

The field by your house sounds like a good place to let them loose (if it's safe).  You might have them both drag leads, just in case.  I'd suggest you and your mom say nothing to either dog except good Ari or good Dino when they interact in a positive way.  If there are any hackles or such I'd stay out of it unless you really think things are going super bad.  I doubt that will happen.  There's always a chance that Dino has had a previous experience that makes him defensive around big dogs.  That doesn't mean they can't become friends.

I don't know that I'd consider one night a true test of how they're going to get along.  Lots of changes going on for Dino, your mom, you and Ari.  Not to mention your SO.  That's your call though since you've got to be the one to live with the situation. 

I just brought a dog to stay with us for two weeks. Pigeon doesn't get out to see others much, and she didn't care. She met him outside, and inside she could care less about him. Luke can be a snarky idiot at times, but is generally friendly. Luke also met outside, and has been fine. Him and Luke actually are the only ones who really interact much in the house. Callie was the last to meet. She is friendly, but rough, and he's small. She also freaks if a dog approaches her and she didn't see it happen. Everyone has been fine. The first night, didn't let the visitor sleep in my room. He slept out in the other room in a crate. Since then, he has been in my room in a crate. Luke and Callie don't care. Sometimes he pesters Luke to play and Luke is done, so I do just crate him away for a bit. All of the resident dogs have a crate to hide in if they are tired of him, and Luke also hides under the cat tower. I never let anyone, animal or human, bug them if they go to those places.

Ari is good with other dogs, not food possessive, shares toys and her water without complaint.  For this I'm grateful.  Good to know that it sounds like typical JRT behavior, with his barking!  I'm really unfamiliar with terriers.  Never had one, never worked with one, never knew anyone who even had a terrier mix! I will say he is a SMART little bugger.  He has taken the crazy situation of the past week in stride.  He seems to flow with the situations with good humor actually.  As long as he has his chew toy and his tennis ball, he's a happy boy!  Oh and a blanket to curl under to sleep ha! 

We have had other dogs in our house and that went well.  Nearly forgot about that (we have visitors but nearly all our visitors are dog-less folks!)

I can't let them off leash in the field, unfortunately.  But, I do have a couple of ridiculously long lines I can use.  That's a good call.  I forget that not all dogs are comfy with on leash greetings.  

I think ME is more the person I have to worry about.  *wry grin*  The dogs will probably figure it our for themselves without incident.  Ari knows how to put HERSELF into timeout if she gets too ramped up and we can figure out a quiet spot that Dino can go to too.

 

I think it will be fine. :)

 Another point I meant to make earlier is that they don't have to become best of friends.  As long as they tolerate each other you're fine.  I do avoid opportunities for resource guarding until I know a new dog or visiting dog.  I feed separate too to avoid any possibility of conflict in this regard. 

Yeah -- actually I can tell you what will work likely seamlessly! It IS worth the effort in a case like this.

Take an old washcloth or similar and drop it in Ari's bed (or shove it UNDER while Ari's asleep). Have your Mom do the same thing tonight. Swap washcloths and do the SAME thing. Toss Ari's in Dino's bed. Toss Dino's in Ari's or put it undner Ari's head.

Suddenly -- we have instantly become "a pack" -- because we have "slept" together. This is a trick I learned from Bonita (Bwana?) years ago and I've used it twice now with absolutely astounding results. They virtually don't even SNIFF each other other than to identify "yep -- slept with you!".

When we got Tink -- we mailed them back and forth and I will never forget -- Billy had stayed with Megan and Pirate and I drove over to Smyrna with "new puppy" in MY car so MY dog had to get into a car potentially "claimed" as territory by this newbie pup???

She was on the seat -- he lept up IN the car NEXT to her ... barely said Hi to me ... and literally they were in an instant CUDDLE! I was blown away. I was prepared to have to be really careful yada yada ... and Megan and I were trying to tap dance around this "meeting" and before we could even get Tink OUT of the car, Billy just lept in next to her (FRONT seat = "Billy's place";) as though they'd ridden together a zillion times.

 Yup, I'll pull up any toys and food until I figure how they behave.  I know Ari willingly shares her belongings with other dogs, even food - but Dino is an unknown.  I could care less if they become friends.  I just want acceptable coexistence! 

Callie - I wish we could do that, but my mom (where I am now) is in Massachusetts and I live a 2 hour drive north in New Hampshire!  If things hadn't gone the way they went with my mom, I might have thought about doing that beforehand!  As it was, wasn't really thinking. 

I think things will be ok, if *I* don't make a big to-do about it.  I have to remember that Ari feeds off my emotions very keenly.  

 

Depending on how soon you're going to do this -- it would truly be worth it to overnight each other washcloths. A pita?? yes ... but you can't believe how incredibly well this works even in a high stress situation. If you called her and did Saturday delivery you could have them to each other by Saturday. It would simply make this *so* much easier given your circumstances. It would reduce stress hugely. It's not just the initial meeting -- it literally instantly creates a pack bond.

pita = pain ... in ... the ... a$$

the_gopher

I think things will be ok, if *I* don't make a big to-do about it.  I have to remember that Ari feeds off my emotions very keenly.  

 

That's the best way to handle things.  Dino has had some time now with you and your mom and he may be feeling a little bit like you belong to him.  Terriers can be quite possessive of their people.  I tend to ignore all the dogs when a new dog is introduced.  I don't make a fuss over the resident dogs or the new dog.  This way I can be sure I'm not adding to a dog's desire to get my sole attention.  I know this won't be easy when you and Ari are reunited. lol   My challenge was reminding my DH to do the same as he's not usually thinking of the "what ifs" when it comes to dogs. 

JackieG

Terriers can be quite possessive of their people. 

My only experience with a terrier mix is Ruby, but boy, is this true of her!  She's super attached to DH, and even when we're with one of her two "dog friends" (who she plays with and knows quite well), if DH spends more than a split second giving some affection to the other dogs, Ruby is there instantly, and she gets a bit snarky.  You can almost hear her saying, "Hey, that's MY Dad -- get away from him!" 

I don't have any good advice for you -- introductions with Tonka went smoothly because he stayed calm, regardless of the other dog's behavior.  The few intros we've done with Ruby haven't been ideal, so I'm interested to read all these posts to educate myself for future reference.  Not that we plan to bring a new dog into the house, but the tips you guys are suggesting would be helpful for when she meets dogs belonging to friends and in the general public.  For me, the hardest part is remaining calm myself, so Step 1 for us is usually to have DH handle it and me to leave the area!

I'll be eager to hear how it goes with Ari and Dino.  Keep us posted!

 Callie - overnighting is not an option.  The significant other is pulling very long hours at work right now and wouldn't have had time to overnight anything.  We go tomorrow to NH to formalize the adoption.  I've been running around like a mad women between doing some work stuff from my mom's house and helping my mom out with stuff around the house or outside the home. I'm lucky to remember that today's thursday!

Good to know about terriers possibly being possessive over their people!  I'll need to get my mom a book about terriers.  I know so little about their breed quirks and characteristics.  He's such a great dog so far.  Rides well in the car, drive thru bank or food is no biggie (just looks out the window wagging his tail), listens and responds to his name.  He has been testing the limits though.  He looks at us though when he's doing something questionable and will immediately stop if you say no, then trots over to a toy and brings it to you instead of doing the naughty thing lol. I swear his look says, "hmm lets see if I can do this....ooops human says no, let's try a toy instead"  Taught him to shake in about a minute and working on a down - that seems to be confusing him.  Gotta get my mom a clicker for this boy, I swear I can see the wheels turning in his head as he tries to figure out what you want from him.  I think he would LOVE clicker training and it'll be a good activity for my mom too!

My aunt and cousin stopped by today and he hammed it up for them.  So, I just need to be nonchalant tomorrow and I think things will go well.  If I'd be happy for peaceful indifference toward each other.  There's a chance the intro may not not happen tomorrow, so if that's the case I will do the scent thing! 

 Just want to wish you good luck and calming vibes as I agree that Ari will pick up on your stress if you have it.

I don't have any advice as B is excellent with intros if not slightly slow to realize that the other dog isn't keen on him LOL Sounds like Ari is similar in being happy to share. FWIW B is more tolerant of small dogs and of course you said that Dino is young so may get a puppy pass anyway.

I say grab a camera and share the meeting with us :)

shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh -- I didn't want to have to figure OUT that today was Thursday. Trust me -- I get it. that's the deal -- we all know each other "on here" but truly? There's a big element of "reality" that we miss ... like someone saying to me "well stop on your way home to ________ and get ...". Um ... no. Do you have ANY idea what it takes for me to stop, get from *maybe* a handicap place into some business ... stand there, get it, get back to the car?? Right now getting from the elevator to my desk is *max* -- cos it's *me*.

You live *you* ... and right now you're adding a Mom who is ill, her *new* dog into your already over-the-top-almost-not-do-able life. Piece of cake? Nope.

But like Jackie says ... vent, because that's what we're here for.