Hello All~been a while...loving the updates to the site Ed and Cindy and staff!

I am getting ready to introduce 2 senior dogs to my household which currently is the home to a highly territorial GSD and a cattle dog mix who ignores other dogs, both of which just turned 4 years old in May.

The two senior dogs 12 and 10, have never been in crates, though I do have a plan for introducing them, all positive, etc. Also, I am completely revamping the current crate arrangement of my dogs when the new dogs move in to (hopefully) dismantle any territory issues there. All the crates will be in a new room. And the old dog room will be emptied and bleached down.

Aside from crates, pack structure, and strong leadership, and keeping the dogs on tag lines for some time when out of the crates, any additional advice or suggestions, tips, etc?

Thank you in advance.

Hey Michele, great thing, adopting the two older guys.

Not sure how mobile the older two are, especially if they've been "crated" as you say. I generally haven't found much need to crate a 10 or 12 year old in my home but again, not sure what you're referring to. If this was a lifestyle or if they're just crate trained.

In any case, I've found that introducing them on neutral ground, away from the home and then heading out on a fun walk, something new, if possible, for all of them, the introductions seem to be a bit of an afterthought and they tend to get along quite quickly, now having the fun pack bonding exercise in common.

As well, for a new dog coming to my home, a solo walk around their new neighborhood is one of my first bonding journey's with them. I think it helps with their orientation as well. They learn the new smells and get to hear where other "barks" may be coming from.

Just a couple of things that have worked well for us.

And I'm sure you know to keep any territorial toys or food bowls out of sight. When it's hot, the water bowl may be the focus of a more territorial dog as well.

Don't make too big a deal of it. Lots of normal, regular attention to your existing dogs.

And again, yay for you!! I absolutely adore more senior dogs. Have fun with them.

THanks, CJ, for your response. Actually, as I stated, these two dogs have *never* been crated. I know it seems odd to start now, why bother...but, like I said, I have a highly territorial GSD in the house now. I do not want her pulling any rank and want everyone to have their safe place, comfort zone. We are building the crates into our space, with shelving, etc...it will be really nice when the project is complete.

The dogs are moving in to my house with their owner. (thanks for the kudos though! I would adopt 'em all if I could!!! Used to be involved with fostering...

We have walked together many times and the dogs all get along well. We have had them over and in the house on leads, and my GSD pulled a bit of a "T", or tried, and I nipped that with a correction. Zero tolerance. She complied and has not tried anything since.

The crates are for protection when we are gone and unable to supervise, and plan on rotating the dogs until they are conditioned and acting normal.

I am looking forward to this, and what you said about keeping things as normal as possible, lots of fun stuff is great advice. Water bowls will be in each crate and will continue feeding dogs in the crates.

Ultimately, we will have a pack, and I believe their meets and long walks over the last several months have been beneficial and will ease this transition. Was just curious about any additional thoughts, insights, etc. The last time I lived with 4 dogs in the house, I had NO CLUE and the dogs ran the show. I was 17. AGES ago.

Oh my gosh Michele, did I ever get that wrong. A quick response on a busy morning. Just re-reading it now, you must of thought I was from another planet. My words fit into your situation about as well as living on Saturn.

For some reason I thought these guys were coming from a full time crated situation. Sorry about that. And yes, any new dog coming into my home would be crated or at least contained the first little while, probably a shorter while with a new senior.

Older dogs in my home have little need for the confining restrictions however often enjoy one of the open crates.

Now that you've provided a bit more of the situation, (I hope my understanding is a bit better this time) I would be looking at each behavioral issue individually. If the seniors came in, good as gold, and my shepherd was the one causing the issues, he'd be the one I was dealing with (crating, desensitizing, up'ing the obedience).

Once he learned that the space was now being shared with the new faces, that they are just as much at home as he is, then he would be slowly be given additional privileges.

I don't have any dog on dog issues but all three of my boys are different. Where one may really enjoy playing or spending the day with another dog, one may not and I would separate them accordingly.

All the same rules apply to each of them but they may be at different stages in the way they're interpreting or understanding them.

Personally, I wouldn't be crating my senior just based on the fact two new seniors had joined the pack. If the baby was having issues with trying to get them play, he may need some extra crate time while the others were relaxing. Once the novelty wore off, he'd be back to his regular routine. And same with the seniors, depending on what kind of understanding or issues they came with, would determine how I would be treating each of them.

And of course, it sounds like you have their owner in the mix. Now that's a totally different set of training tactics. Good luck with that one.

Sounds like a houseful. How's it going?

Hey, Cj, glad you got some coffee!!! Ha!

Thanks again for your insight...I understand busy. So busy here!

This move in will not take place until on or around the 1st. As for the crates, again, it is mainly for comfort and safety. Comfort for the seniors to have a "place" as they have never lived anywhere but where they have been for the last 14 years. My dogs are both crate trained.

Safety, to ensure all dogs are safe when not supervised, and have a place to go, not underfoot, etc, 4 is a pack!

My plan is, on the day they move in, to get my dogs out of the house. Bleach down my old dog room where their crates are now and which leads to the door to the outdoor dog run. (bleach down the door too!) Then, place all 4 crates in the new room (positioned just so, as the new furniture it will be!!! Next, take all four dogs on a long hour walk on completely neutral territory, and return home to a pig ear or bully stick in their new crates.

Any additions and/or suggestions for this plan? I've wondered about moving my dogs out to the new area first, but do not want to feed any territorial issues with the GSD.

Solid leadership, as you stated, solid ob is going to make this all happen peacefully. The other dogs' owner has been reading up on the free ebook on why crates are a good idea. I believe we are on the same page with our dogs...never know until you're in it though I suppose.

Eventually, as the dogs settle, we can move the crates back to the dog room and they can use them as they wish.

Bump--for additional thoughts about the crate moving plan listed above...thanks in advance.

Also, I just learned the new dogs are actually 14 and 15 years old. I sure hope this transition keeps them young and spry like they are...they have lived in the same place for 14 years!