The title kinda sums it up.

I have a seven-year-old English Springer Spaniel spayed bitch. Sweet as pie, loves people, loves kids, the whole deal. She is very -tolerant- of other dogs and what I mean is this... the poor dog has been knocked on her ass by rude dogs multiple times and completely ignores it. She's never been one to snarl back or 'complain' about it, and honestly, I wouldn't blame/correct her for doing so in these types of situations. The only times I have seen her snarl at another dog are when she has been completely cornered by a boisterous dog, or when a dog tries to come into her crate with her. I am quick to come to her defense and get the other dog away from her, because I know that as her pack leader, I need to protect her from these other dogs.

In early winter/late fall of this year I plan to introduce another ESS puppy to my household. Tessie has been around puppies and is as tolerant around them as she is with adult dogs. My concern is this -- would a puppy pester her so much that her quality of life would be lessened?

Tessie is crate trained, and the new puppy would be as well, so each would have their own 'safe haven'; as well as time away from one another during training. When the house is empty, the puppy would be in the crate until I know he's capable of not chewing things/completely house broke/etc.; so my older dog would have reprieve there.

The dog would be a show prospect and therefore not spayed. I am working with a breeder on this one and will almost definately be getting a female puppy, although if the opportunity comes up to get a male, I think Tessie would fare better with male dogs(she seems more willing to assert herself with them).

Thoughts/comments/answers are appreciated.

You might do well to read Ed's article on introducing a new dog to a home with existing dogs. This would apply to a puppy as well. Never assume that all will be well due to the fact that it is a puppy moving in. Puppies on a continual basis can be a real pain in the butt to an older dog & eventually cause a loss of patience to even the most patient of dogs. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> This is still a new dog moving into your pack & your adult dogs existing territory. They both need time to get acquainted with barriers between them (gates,crates & kennels) & a great consideration for the safety of the pup, due to the difference in size. The fact of the pup being another female could create additional issues. Take the time to due this introduction & keeping them seperate for as long as it takes...don't try to rush the process. I could take many days to many weeks depending on the dogs. Error on the side of waiting longer than putting them together sooner & having the puppy get hurt & or scarred emotionally for life if things go wrong. JMHO Good luck with you new pup. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I've read and re-read that article. I plan on combining Ed's methods with one I remember reading from Cesar Milan -- take your dogs out for a walk together, one on either side. In fact, any time I petsit, this is the first thing I do with the new dog.

Tessie is actually good about disciplining new puppies (I will be getting this dog at 8 weeks) and I think she will do well. I just need to make sure she gets plenty of puppy-free time. She is more of my mother's dog, and the puppy will be more of mine, so I think that may help somewhat in that, if she's looking for attention, she can go find my mother instead of getting all antsy with me. In fact, one thing I worry about is Tessie becoming jealous of the attention my mother will give the new puppy. I will be stressing the "no one is allowed to fuss over my puppy except me" rule of Ed's. Petting is fine, pottying is fine, cuddles and ball-tossing aren't.

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I've read and re-read that article. I plan on combining Ed's methods with one I remember reading from Cesar Milan -- take your dogs out for a walk together, one on either side. In fact, any time I petsit, this is the first thing I do with the new dog.

Tessie is actually good about disciplining new puppies (I will be getting this dog at 8 weeks) and I think she will do well. I just need to make sure she gets plenty of puppy-free time. She is more of my mother's dog, and the puppy will be more of mine, so I think that may help somewhat in that, if she's looking for attention, she can go find my mother instead of getting all antsy with me. In fact, one thing I worry about is Tessie becoming jealous of the attention my mother will give the new puppy. I will be stressing the "no one is allowed to fuss over my puppy except me" rule of Ed's. Petting is fine, pottying is fine, cuddles and ball-tossing aren't.

I am taking in a foster rescue next week. I printed out Ed's article and plan to follow it to the letter.

Here it is for anyone who hasn't seen it: http://www.leerburg.com/introducingdogs.htm

That's a big point that Ed (and Anne) stresses and that I plan to heed: There is no rush. Keep them separated and go very, very slowly..... you have their lives to get it right, and getting it wrong can be a disaster ---- one that may not be overcome.

So that's my plan, too, Katherine! <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />