new dog /old dog advice please

[amymay]

hi everyone
After a bit of advice please......This coming Friday I am taking our current doggy a staffie cookie ,to meet a greyhound we are hoping to re home .
We have been home checked and new doggy has met my 5 year old son and im hoping all will go well with the two dogs meeting on Friday.
I have done research into introducing them both to the home for example meeting in a park and walking back to the house ,letting new dog in first ect .
Just wondered if anyone has any other tips to make it as relaxed as possible for both dogs?
Thanks amy x

[sueb]

Hi Amymay
Look forward to hearing how they get on and all about your new addition.

Once home be mindful that your staffie may be a bit put out by an interloper at first. Remember that dogs are pack animals (no matter how soft they are with us, or each other after they know each other) and they need to decide who is top dog, so that may result in some growling etc at first. I would advise close supervision and keep feeding bowls completey seperate at first ( this can be a potential flash point, as can toys, treats, bones etc if either dog is/becomes possessive over them).
Try not to put them together in a confined space at first.
Having said all that they may be perfectly fine right from the outset, but I personally think its best to be cautious at the beginning.
We muzzled our 2 at night just to be on the safe side for the first week, and our really soft wuss of a grey did lash out at the new girlie a couple of times, but they get on really well now.

Good luck, Im sure they'll get on famously once they establish the pecking order, though some dogs don't seem to need to do this!

[amymay]

thanks for the reply
The dog weve chose to bring home is very quite and sweet natured ,dosnt seem to be fussed by anything, we went for him as cookie our current dog pretty much ignores other dogs as so person orientated would rather play with me than another dog so we wanted a dog that wouldnt be all that intrested in her either .
My plan is to muzzle the both of them for the first week or so at night and when my son is at home eves and just before he goes to school only because i dont want to risk him getting caught up in a disagrement!
Also having a staff im concerned she really would hurt my new doggy so want to avoid this, shes never shown any dog aggresion but being a heavy breed want to be careful .
Im sure all will be fine ,just super nervous as cant bear the thought of having to return newbie