introducing 2 dogs

The best way to introduce two dogs is on leads - as loose as possible - walking in parallel somewhere quiet.

Start off without them sniffing, just walking in the same direction a good distance apart. You might get some feeling of tension but ignore it and keep relaxed yourselves. Chat, laugh, be happy, and let the dogs relax and snuffle. If either dog pulls towards the other, encourage them to keep apart, maybe calling them away for a treat or something, then go back to the quiet snuffling.

What hopefully you'll find is that they get used to this a then gradually drift together. Keep walking, don't stop and let them sniff as that's often when a flash will happen if it's going to. Once they're close enough, if they drift together and stop for a joint sniff at a wee spot, that's fine but until you can feel their muscles have relaxed and all their body language is saying 'hey, what the hell', try and avoid direct sniffing, especially head on.

If at any point you feel tensions rising, just drift apart again, settle then allow them to come back together.

If it's not working at all, increase the distance, get them relaxed, then call it a day.

After the 2nd or, if you think best, 3rd walk, find somewhere neutral that you can let them off leads (if they go off lead outside) or go back to your garden so Betty's not on her home patch. Don't encourage play, just let them chill together. If they do start to play, let them for a short while then call them back and quieten them down. Really, you just want to avoid it potentially boiling over through excitement in the early days until they know one another better.

I would probably leave it for a month or so, give Duke's hormones time to subside a little, just in case he does get a little too interested in her, which she might not like.

Sound like a plan?

That sounds like a perfect plan. Thank you
We live on a farm so have fields for dog play so that part will be easy.
I have not let Duke off lead in a public place apart from once on a deserted small beach so he could play in the sea.

Great advice as always Liz Hope it goes well Shirl, I have to do this with Katy as she can be reactive to dogs she doesn't know

Thanks Jen, I hope it works. I have to patient now until Duke recovers from his op but it will give us chance to plan it properly.

I can't think of a more ideal situation - a whole farm! Lucky Duke.

I'm going to try the 'not letting them sniff gizmo'' when he's on the lead. I'd noticed he was getting more and more tense about it but wasn't sure why this was.

I use the no sniff when out lead walking too.
When he was younger and stopped to sniff it usually ended up in him getting excited and jumping on the other dog so I usually walk somewhere quiet. And now we just walk by other dogs and don't stop.

To be honest you can't really blame them for not wanting a strange dog rushing up and sniffing their bum......I don't think l would like it either

The advice that Liz has given is exactly what I would suggest, only Liz writes it so much better than I could

My Flo doesn't like the butt sniffing, she will tolerate a hello sniff but you get some dogs that are just so persistent and then she tells them off.

Really helpful post guys, we're introducing Sox to a potential new friend later today (Dogs Trust Rescue another SBT) and I wasn't far off the things you suggested. . Phew!

Hope everyone and pooches are well!