Hendrix & Cooper, an introduction

So, there’s lots written (and *gasp* even conflicting opinions) on how to introduce new dogs.  Initially, I really wanted Hendrix to travel with me to Louisiana to pick up Cooper.  I thought it’d be great for them to ride home crate by crate.  However, it was such a long drive & it’s July hot.  I thought trying to juggle both dogs on such a long/hot trip might break us all.  So, Hendrix got a long play day at Rover Resort on Monday.  Then, she hung out part of Tuesday (while we were driving back) with dad as he worked from home.

As we neared home, I asked Ronald to walk Hendrix to one of the parks near our home.  I met him and Hendrix there with Cooper in tow.  Hendrix was thrilled to see me.  I think we’ve actually only spent one other night apart.  She was a little more suspicious about the little black fur ball I had with me.  I set him down, and he enthusiastically went for her.  He was sniffing and licking submissively at her muzzle and under her neck.  She stood sort of still & indifferent, but tolerated this behavior pretty well.  So, then Cooper, Hendrix and I took a short walk together (about a block) back to the house.  Hendrix was aloof and sort of led the way…she seemed slightly like “Mom, WHAT have you done?!”  Cooper enthusiastically trailed along.  When we got home, I took everyone in the back yard and we had a little short off leash visiting time.  We should’ve known to be armed and ready with the video camera.  There was more submissive & calming behaviors displayed by Cooper, and Hendrix seemed to accept him and started to give some play postures.

We did capture this footage, but we missed the cute doggy donut laps Hendrix started doing around Cooper & the yard.  She kept buzzing him as she whipped by, and he looked truly impressed with her speed…maybe thinking “Whoa…none of the litter mates could do that!”

For now – they seem to be pretty accepting of and interested in each other.  I don’t think it’s age appropriate for them to have more than a few play minutes here and there.  Hendrix has staked her claim to higher rank, and she is clearly rating her play to be more gentle with the puppy.  Cooper currently accepts this scenario, but I’m sure it would only be days before he started to test her.  In the last 2/3 days, he has gotten a lot more comfortable in the new setting and has shown increased “feistiness”.  I’m sure she’d put him in his place…but I don’t want to be constantly managing that rank game.  More importantly, I don’t want him spending TOO much time bonding with the other dog in the house because I want him to believe all the awesome stuff comes from me.

So, *I* think we had a successful introduction.  We’ll see how it goes…I’m convinced the toughest part of this whole scenario is going to be juggling the two dogs at the same time.  Wish us luck!