Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Greetings.
I have a very important question:
Intro-
My good friend has a female fixed PitBull that was locked up in the Pound 12 months for a crime she did not commit. She has been cleared of the charges and is home now, but was only 8 months old when first locked up. She's been home now for a few months and is 2 years old (same age as my Dobe). She has never been around any other dogs other than her father (who is still locked up for the same false charges) and other dogs in the Pound and needs to be socialized. I would like for my Dobe and her to be able to hang out when my friend and I visit eachother. My dobe loves other dogs as long as they respect him.
Question-
We're ready to introduce the 2 dogs, but want to do it correctly to maximize the chances of them getting along.
Any suggestions or proven techniques would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you.

>>Greetings.
>>I have a very important question:
>>Intro-
>>My good friend has a female fixed PitBull that was locked up in the Pound 12 months for a crime she did not commit. She has been cleared of the charges and is home now, but was only 8 months old when first locked up. She's been home now for a few months and is 2 years old (same age as my Dobe). She has never been around any other dogs other than her father (who is still locked up for the same false charges) and other dogs in the Pound and needs to be socialized. I would like for my Dobe and her to be able to hang out when my friend and I visit eachother. My dobe loves other dogs as long as they respect him.
>>Question-
>>We're ready to introduce the 2 dogs, but want to do it correctly to maximize the chances of them getting along.
>>Any suggestions or proven techniques would be greatly appreciated!
>>Thank you.

>>>>>>>>>

Is she aggressive toward other dogs? If not, since the two are opposite sex, you might just start with them on leash in a large, fenced area, two handlers, one holding each leash, walking the dogs around at a distance from each other. Gradually bring them closer and watch their reactions. Eventually if all looks well, you could try them off leash. Don't allow play to start with them on-leash, since that can lead to them giving and getting confusing body language signals due to the leash tension. But while they are still on leash you may want them to have a chance to sniff enough that they know they are opposite sex.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series at www.veterinaryforum.com

I would certainly start in neutral territory. I might even see if both of them will stay calmly in their own ex-pen placed near each other just to see the other pits reaction and to get them used to each other. Take them out one at a time so the other can watch that this dog is "okay", and then introduce them.

My guess is that the pit probably doesn't yet speak dog, so the signals that your dobe might give might not be correctly interpreted, initially. My guess is that this dog isn't very leash trained so that keeping a loose leash will be difficult (hence the expen).

If you let them sniff on leash, be sure that neither of the leashes are tight. You might be able to get the expens close enough so they can sniff each other there.

don't go too fast too soon. If day one is just seeing each other and getting a sniff, that's not a bad thing. You want to stop and call it a day before either one feels the need to overreact. You will have to see how they do and remember that being overly cautious and going slow will help ensure long term success.