Introducing a minature Dachshund puppy to 10 year old Staffy

Hello,

I'm a bit nervous about posting as I've just joined and I'm not sure I'm putting this in the right place so I hope it's ok!  

I Don't have a Staffy but my Dad does, he has a lovely 10 year old Staffy who still acts like a pup at times. I have  got a miniature wire haired dachshund puppy, 11 weeks old now, and I'd really like to introduce the 2 dogs so that I can continue to walk my Dads dog.

My Dads Staffy is unpredictable with other dogs, sometimes he's fine and wants to play, other times he wants to jump on them growling! He has never bitten another dog and when we have been with friends who have been happy to let the dogs work things out he has always become settled and gone on to be absolutely fine with the other dog, however he doesn't often get that chance as we walk him either on the lead or off lead but well away from other dogs now.

I live a short walk from my parents house so the new puppy isn't living in his space. I'm wary as I don't want the new pup to have a bad experience of the introduction either and because he is so tiny I guess it could be a bit scary for him meeting a bouncy Staffy but I'm almost sure that if we manage the introduction well then there won't be any major problems.

If anyone has any advice on the best way to introduce the two? That would be brilliant :-) Also if anyone has any ideas of ways to help him have more of the happy interactions and less of the growly ones? Or is that just the nature of some Staffies?

Thanks so much xx

Hello welcome to the forum

I have no experience introducing new pups to staffies, esp ones that small. I would do it very gradually over time though and to start with i would get someone to walk your dads dog then on the way home (say at the end of the street) meet with you and your puppy and walk the rest of the way home together. Do this for a good few days increasing the distance they walk together (not too much considering the age and size of your pup) then start to meet at your dads hourse and eventually your dads dog should see this as totally normal friend to walk with and not get wired when they meet.

Hi, Thanks so much for your reply. Sounds like a sensible plan :-) I had wondered about introducing them at the beach, my Dads Staffy absolutely loves the sea and tends to be more interested in running in and out the waves than anything else so I'd wondered about joining my Dad and him at the beach while he's doing that? But maybe that defeats the purpose of introducing them! I definitely like the idea of doing it over time and at the end of a walk where he's had time to burn of some energy, I hadn't considered that. Thanks again

No problem. I think the beach will be a good idea when your dads dog and yours have met a few times and you can see how they get on. Keep us updated and we would love an intro and a few pics too

https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/f7-new-member-introductions

It's always a good idea to make any introductions on neutral ground like in a local park they can then have a walk togther with both owners still present. Take some toys aloong with you to act as a distraction if need be, I'm sure they will get along just great.

Great advise above, hope it goes well, do let us know