For now, until the pack structure improves, I would move the dogs in and out of their crates on a two hour rotational schedule.

Since you are working on pack structure changes with both dogs, two hour blocks in the crate, and tethered to either you or your husband when out of the crate is probably a very healthy, helpful learning experience for both dogs.

Both dogs are old enough for two hour stretches in the crate, followed by two hours out of the crate.

At night, both dogs should be crated.

I would keep the crates seperate, for now at least not in line of sight of each other. Keep the crates in a room with a door so while one dog is out free, you can keep it from pestering the crated dog.

Just getting the dogs used to crates will take a little time, especially since it is new to you and your husband as well. It's not fair for a dog that is already stressed by the new crate experience to be pestered and growled at through the door- and we certainly don't want that sort of negative association with the crate.

Once you have some solid pack structure established with BOTH dogs, you can begin following Ed's advice about introducing dogs. The advice given in that article (Introducing Dogs) assumes that pack structure is already in place with the existing dog.

Until then, they don't need to see each other at all.
Frankly, if it was logistically possible, I'd keep the crates in seperate rooms for the first week or two of crating and pack structure changes to make it less stressful for all parties.

Once the dogs seem to accept the new changes, re: furniture, behavior, crating, eating, respect, etc... then I'd consider putting the crates in the same room, but not in direct line of sight of each other.

No one here confused anything you wrote with prong collar.

It was this we were asking about:

 Quote: Shell Chamberlin

I took him out of it on a dominant collar

This is all exactly what I would do too. I just wanted to add that this is not as complicated or cumbersome as it might look.

In fact, it's much less stressful than what you have already experienced.

Thanks that should help get me started. I have been attempting to watch the streaming video, but I have a slow connection and it keeps freezing up on me.

I understand that this takes time and effort, my husband seems to think that you can introduce them and that should be that. Wow! He doesn't have a clue about our little girl dalmatian to think that. I have witnessed her agression firsthand on numerous occasions and I don't think he has.

He is retired military and yesterday when he came home and Kacy (our dalmatian jumped up wth her feet on the counter waiting for her daily hug and kisses from him, I said to him, COngratulations she is now the Senior Chief and you have been dmoted to Private Third Class. I think that actually was the terms he needed to hear it in to get it. Lol. I'm frustrated.

If you know what you're doing it might be less stressful. Obviously I don't. I read Ed's article on introducing a new dog into the home, thought that I could handle it and went for it. We really want this to work out, this boxer is all my husband has left of his son.

 Quote: Shell Chamberlin

If you know what you're doing it might be less stressful. Obviously I don't. I read Ed's article on introducing a new dog into the home, thought that I could handle it and went for it. We really want this to work out, this boxer is all my husband has left of his son.

Shell, deep breaths...

Take this time while both dogs are sleeping to collect your thoughts. You've received some excellent advice here, and you should re-read Ed's article on introducing dogs (and any others dealing with basic pack structure, for that matter) until you can repeat each step to yourself in your sleep. You're right, this IS going to be a long slow process, but don't assume that it won't work out - if you and your husband are committed to keeping both dogs, you can find a way to make it happen (you already know one of the biggest factors here is actually your HUSBAND'S behavior, so making sure he knows the seriousness of the situation, and helping him get on the same page as you, will be part of your task).

Baby steps. Also remember that with each new step in the process, if you encounter ANY resistance from either dog (in the form of aggression, challenges to you - the pack leader, or excessive stress/fear), it will be in everyone's best interest to go BACK a step and reestablish order before trying to go forward again. No need to loose faith after one rough day, just go slow and steady...

Best of luck - and don't be afraid to keep asking questions here.

~Natalya

{"if you and your husband are committed to keeping both dogs, you can find a way to make it happen (you already know one of the biggest factors here is actually your HUSBAND'S behavior,"}

That is the crux of the problem, lol.

 Quote: Natalya Zahn

You've received some excellent advice here, and you should re-read Ed's article on introducing dogs ...

Yes.

Such as: The most important part of this process is to get and use dog crates. We have a dog crate for every dog in our house. Just because your current dogs don’t use crates is not a good enough reason to not use them in this process.

and
If you have a rank problem between you and your dog then you are going to have to deal with that before you introduce this new dog.

and
There is no reason to rush the introduction of a new dog into your home. It can take weeks or even months for that matter.

and
During the period that you are introducing an adult dog into your home you will have times when your existing dogs are in their crates and the new dog is on a leash in the house. This is the time that you establish your relationship with this new dog. This is done through grooming, walks, play, and obedience training and pack structure training.

The big point, and even more so for a less experienced handler, is there is no reason at all to hurry the process and every reason not to.

THis boxer whines and cries a lot, what can I do to stop him from doing it? Is he doing it because I am not addressing a need?

 Quote: Shell Chamberlin

THis boxer whines and cries a lot, what can I do to stop him from doing it? Is he doing it because I am not addressing a need?

Tough love, Shell. Barring obvious pain and discomfort, you don't need to know exactly why he's crying, you just need to let him settle in your home and realize that he's safe and secure (he DID just have the crap scared out of him by your dalmation, so I'd be worried about my new digs if I were him too...) - just like a brand new puppy, you'll likely listen to a whole lot of fussing but the key is to ignore most of it, praise when he's good and quiet, and remain a calm, consistent pack leader through every second of his day (this includes ignoring pointless crying) - calm and quiet will come when he knows the pack leader is in complete control and will make sure he's taken care of.

~Natalya