I need some good advice/tips on how to successfully integrate a new husky into our content little pack (one husky, dad, mom, three kids). I have some questions that may seem obvious (or really dumb!) but before Laina, I had never had a dog in my life. So many things are still new to me!!

We have had our current girl, Laina, for 1 1/2 years, since she was 10 weeks old. She is well-mannered, super energetic, happy outside (in our large fenced yard) all day long, and sleeps in our annex off our kitchen in her open crate. She goes on one 2-3 mile run/walk with me every day, has another one or two fun play/walks with our kids and husband every day, and gets periodic crazy play periods with the kids during the day. She is super respectful of what she is allowed/not allowed to play with, climb on, etc. in our house, but she is about 80% outside all the time. Her breeder has a 1-year-old for adoption, it was returned due to a divorce in the family, and it is used to living with its sibling ...

So, specifically:
1. How do I handle feeding time? Laina is always fed outside (raw meat and bones diet).
2. I'm thinking I should crate them both at night, at least for the first few months? Separate crates, but in the same room, right?
3. From the beginning we trained Laina to use our woods to pee/poop -- NEVER the lawn, which is really awesome. How can I train the new dog to do the same?
4. What do I do with Laina's current toys? Will they share? Should I take them all away for a while?
5. Will Laina be jealous when I give the new dog attention?

Any comments will be greatly appreciated!!

I'm on my iPad so not sure how well this will go, haha, but I'll try...

1. Definitely a good idea to keep them seperated at feeding time.

2. I'm thinking yes to seperate crates, same room is probably a good idea but once the new pup is there, you can determine better how to work that. I'm thinking there won't be any problem though with the same room.

3. Laina will probably help you in the training department with things like pooping/peeing in the woods, but basically you will take the new one to the same location the way you taught Laina, I also think the new one will follow her there and just by smell and stuff know that this is the place to go.

4. Toys should probably be picked up, I wouldn't let the new pup just pick up Laina's toys right now. New pup should get its own toys as well, as time goes on they will more than likely share but I know all my huskies had a favorite toy and I always liked to make sure it stayed "their" toy.

5. There will probably be *some* jealousy, however each dog will learn that they each have a special place in your heart so for the most part I don't think it will be an issue.

Hope I did ok...I'm hoping others chime in as well, I just know from experience that there will be a time of adjustment, each situation and dog is different but in no time it will be cake. They will just be the best of buds, Huskies are really good at connecting and cohabitating with other dogs, they thrive on it!

Thanks so much!!! So glad to hear so much positive .. I am definitely planning on setting aside the next few weeks to be on hand and monitor their interactions, but yes, I'm hoping that they will be happy to have each other!

Kohdi has been by youngest when bringing home a new pup, he was 1 year old, but Mishka was a puppy so my situation was slightly different. I do foresee a lot of positive, but there is that time of adjustment, you will want to spend alone time with each, for the new pup it will help with establishing a bond, for your current pup it helps her feel more secure about everything and reinforces the bond you already have. It's pretty important that each has its alone time with you. there is also a thread in here about introducing them on neutral ground that is very good, I'm pretty sure it's in the stickies, if you want/need help finding it I can help you, I remember finding it once before. I'm not really good about thinking stuff up to help you, haha, so if you have anymore specific questions, just ask us, there are a lot of people here who can talk you through any concerns you might have.

Thank you!! So glad you reminded me of that post; I read it a while ago and it was helpful for a "play-date" we had.

Great! As I said, any other questions just ask...and congratulations to you on your new addition

Can't wait to see both of your dogs, Laina looks like a happy husky for sure, more pics, haha, we love pics here. Congrats on your new addition, can't wait to see the new one. And can't add to what jimmy gave for advice....

Another question: we would like to re-name the new dog -- is this just an unnecessary and confusing thing to do, or is it ok? Is there a way to do it that's best for her?

And another one -- just trying to be prepared for all situations, and my mind wanders to the worst: what do I do if they are loose in the yard and start to fight? I've heard it's best to turn away and let them sort it out?

You can rename her. It will take time but if you just use the new name a lot she will get it. So, give a command followed by the new name. Or say the new name and give her a treat or her food.

Fights can be tricky situations. Some fights are simple pack establishment and will close quickly, and others such as possession or discomfort can lead to a very hurt animal if you don't step in. Until you know how the dogs will get along it is hard to say what if anything you will run into. If your old dog hasn't been socialized well with other dogs you may have some encounters. I live by the thinking that it's my house, my rules and I don't let them fight. Fights that break out at a distance can be hard to intervene though and having something loud to help you snap them out of it such as a rape whistle or a stick and metal trash can lid. Reaching in to grab a dog isn't advised unless you know what you're doing.

On that note though it is important to know the difference between a fight and what is normal husky play. Huskies play hard and loud and that is normal.

Gina, I will add, that I have read that using a water hose and spray them may also work to stop a fight. So along with Jenn's suggestions, the water hose would be another safe approach. Like Jenn said, they play like they are fighting, so you need to watch how they interact, and listen. They make so much noise and their playing looks vicious but they really are just playing. I am thinking that if you look up on you tube huskies playing may help. The biggest thing to know if it is not playing, is the pinning, one will pin the other, if after a few seconds they get back up and run around they are playing, if the pinning is not in a way that the one on the bottom can not get up, then I would use the whistle approach or banging approach. If they are just playing, you stopping them with, say, the whistle they will continue with a chase. If it is a fight, you will see snarling, and a much more intense growling, then it is time to remove them, crate both and have them calm down.

There will be a pecking order, and like Jenn said they do need to work the whole Alpha and Betta amongst themselves. Knowing how huskies play, will be beneficial to you. They love having a buddy, so overall, you shouldn't have issues. Also, I think the majority of us on the forum will agree, huskies do much better with another dog in the house, they are pack animals, so having a second will only make the home a happier, more enriching home for everyone. Enjoy your new dog!!

Thank you all so much for your comments and advice. It's been so helpful -- we picked up our new girl, Lilah, today and the afternoon and evening have been .... Interesting!! They have had several battles, which I have had to break up, and they both have a couple bleeding scratches -- but they go for long times in between just being chill and sniffing each other. Lilah lies down a lot and let's Laina sniff her all over, They have not played together at all, which is really unusual for Laina because she loves to played with dogs in our neighborhood and at the dog park. I have never seen her not play with a dog. I'm trying to be hopeful, because Lilah is a sweet and affectionate girl! And she is beautiful; I'll post some pics if I ever get to my computer again!!

Lilah on the left, Laina on the right.

Playing with unfamiliar dogs can actually be very rude in canine language. Give them time to settle.

Oh my goodness, they are so beautiful!!!

Do you have someone to help you walk them together? A good way for them both to bond with each other is going on long walks with them both together.

They look great! They will come around with time. Smelling and the willingness to let smell is a good thing. I second Jimmy, walks together help out so much.

Hi all--thanks so much for hanging in there with me! We had a successful evening with them in their crates and we kept them separated until we went on a long long walk together --which they loved. Their interaction was minimal but positive. Things went well back in the yard but after about 20 minutes Laina initiated a battle -- short but fierce. Questions:
1. They have still not played together. Laina has never met a dog she has not played with from the very first greeting.
2. I am sad for Lilah-her tail had been down this entire time except for in our walk.
3. How long is a realistic time to give this? I feel like I am being cruel to both of them, disrupting their content lives to force their friendship.
I'm on my iPhone but will try to post a pic from our walk.

A few posts up, jmscott explained the playing thing. Like he said, give them both some time to settle. Time-wise it's hard to say, it more than likely won't be just a week or two, it's an adjustment for both of them. As you noticed, Lilah was "happier" when you guys went on the walk, keeping things like that up will definitely shorten the time frame of the adjustment period. It WILL all fall into place .

The two girls are getting along famously!!! Thank you all so much for advice and encouragement!!!

They are so cute together!!!!