Introducing a Puppy to Your Dogs - Theodora Visits With Alvin and Simon

Last weekend the Boyz bid farewell to their buddy Benjy the Bichon, otherwise known as Junior. Benjy moved with his owners to Indiana.

His replacement is cousin Theodora (Dora), a Welsh Terrier pup. She visited this weekend to see the BOYZ for the first time.

Because we've done this dance in the past, we knew to separate the BOYZ and introduce them to Dora one at a time. We brought her outside on the deck and let Alvin investigate the visitor. He circled, sniffed, barked, and posed in his playbow position (downward dog in yoga).

After they were comfortable, we brought out troublemaker Simon who usually hates other dogs at first. We kept him on leash until he decided it was time to stop growling and to start playing. Soon enough, they were all running after each other on the grass.

Introducing a small pup to other dogs in the house is a process. You can't overwhelm a young dog - they can get traumatized easily.

Looks like Dora is headed for the leader of the pack of Alvin, Simon, and Theodora.

We forgot to get a picture of Theodora, but here's what she will look like when full grown: