Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey all,
I have recently been offered a puppy from the owners of this west highland terrier I took care of after it had been hit with a car. I loved the dog, it was very nice and gentle considering it had just been in a hit-and-run.

My main problem is I have a siberian husky that is really aggressive to anything smaller than her. I had her in training and she has never really been around small animals (no small breeds in her class either) so its my fault for not socializing this aspect of her more when she was little.

Has anyone had any experience with trying to introduce a small dog into the pack after a husky has an established rank? The Westie would be primarily indoors, while Sapphire (my husky) would be in and out, but outside during the day when Im not at work.

Any input? I would really like to have this pup as part of my family but I dont want to see it hurt either.

To find out, they need introduced, but you need someone there to help you if they need separated. If initial introductions work they will most probably be fine, especially in time. But theres always the possibility that it wont work.
Personally, my sibe loves other dogs, he loves small dogs, and puppies, its an instinct for them to baby anything that resembles a puppy. Believe me thats no guarrantee with an individual, especially small animals and huskies.
I have family members that have a westie, theirs was not socialized when he was young with other dogs (except maybe 2), he sees either of my 2 (sibe and sibe/mix) and he runs into their bedroom barking, and pees on the floor. I believe that he is frustrated from not being able to socialize with them, and wants to be part of the "pack" but not being socialized with other dogs he feels intimidated. I read in an article on dog behavior, he feels inadequate to protect his family or himself, but that is because the owners raised him and did not set enough boundaries, instead he runs the house, so he feels he must protect it.
They forced him to get used to a vizsla (their sons dog) on occasion, the westie complains, and acts out but they make him put up with it.
The primary reason that they are afraid to allow their westie around my dogs has to do with Dukes appearance. The first time they saw him he looked to them "like a wolf", so they are dead set that their dog is not safe to be around him. That their dog is afraid for his life and will never change, even though they are the reason for their dogs frustration, because they wont allow contact and time for them to get used to each other.
My 2 dogs meet and play with dogs of all sizes at a dog park, dogs from 6 lbs to those over 170 lbs. In fact my husky Duke protects most all small dogs there from larger dogs when they are in together.
You may want to have someone who trains dogs be there to introduce them, and to check up as time goes by if you dont feel comfortable doing so by yourself.
Good luck, hopefully it will all work out good.