Ok so my new girl is flying in tomorrow morning

I was wondering what I should do with her for those first few hours. She is 9 months...has never been crated before but when she arrives, she will have spent around 5 hours in a crate on a plane (a very small and loud plane).

I have a 15 minute very bumpy jeep ride to my place. Then when we get here, I have my very large black male Lab which I will eventually need to introduce.

Where to start? Should I leave her in her crate for a while to settle in? Should I introduce her to her new dog house in the back? Should I pet her and give her treats to reassure her or should I take her for exercice to get some of that stress taken care of?

any ideas?

Well, according to Google, you're setting in the middle of a large body of water just off  Hudson's Bay.  I'll stash my curiousity since I'm really here to see what I can do for your questions.

Five hours in a crate in a hedge-hopping airplane (will he have made many stops before he gets where you are?)  I think it's going to be safe to assume that she's going to be scared to death.  I think the first thing *I'd* do is to bring her into a hangar, as far away from the hustle and bustle as I could and just set and talk to her for a while - even *you* are going to be new to her.
Even leashed, I wouldn't want to try to 'uncrate' her until she's had a chance to settle down - a lot!  You do not know what her reaction is going to be coming out of the crate, and I'd prefer a dog who's had a chance to calm down from *that* ride before releasing her.  She may be upset - hmph, she will *probably* be upset! - I wouldn't want to add insult to confusion.  If she's calm and friendly when you get her away from the plane then I wouldn't worry about uncrating her, I wouldn't be so concerned but I'd still take the time to 'introduce myself' to her with the bars between you --- she's had quite an experience, I'd take it very slow and easy.

Once you have her on a leash, out of the crate, I'd take the time to go for a walk.  She'll probably need to squat and 15 minutes is not too long to take to say "Hi!"

I presume you're going to recrate her for the short trip upcountry - an unknown dog loose in a Jeep is definitely an unknown.  The crate is safer for all concerned.  No matter how close, you don't know how she's going to act so safe is always better.

Introduction of two strange dogs - there have been some books written on that here so I'll do the short version.
If you can arrange it between now and when you get home tomorrow, I'd have a friend out casually walking the lab someplace away from home (a park, a friends farm) so that he (I think) isn't in possessive mode.  "Who are you and what are you doing on *my* property?")  Let them walk with the two of you, sniff and become acquainted before you head back to your house.  For this first meeting, you want to make everything as neutral as possible.

Now one thing I did note in your question is "her new dog house in the back".  Now, I know from what you've said that this is a mix Husky/Malamute (do I have the right dog?) and they are typically house dogs.  If you have her outside, be prepared to be serenaded - long and loud.  Huskies, in particular, want to be *with* their pack - if you're inside, that's where they'll expect to be and will be happiest.  If you're outside - well, ditto ....

Anyway, that's how *I'd* handle it .....

Hey Al...thanks for your answer....

I live smack in the middle of the James Bay area....nearest town is 350 km away....

I am not expecting any hustle or bustle at the airport because usually, only one or two people get off the plane here if any...So it will be easy to quickly get her in a calm environment...

She is Husky/Malamute and all of my dogs always lived inside with the family but I spend most of my days outside when I'm not at work. My labs are loose with us all the time but I read so much about never leaving your husky (especially one that is still untrained) of leash so I made sure she would have a comfortable and very large area where I can tie her near us while we go about chopping wood and such...

I want to make sure she understands that I am the boss around here but also that she will be very well taken care of and I want to make sure she feels welcome and safe. This is her new yard...

cannot wait until tomorrow!!

Huskies are notorious for running - well, that *is* what they're bred for, right.  There are exceptions and I thought I had one.  She'd come home when I called - until one time she didn't.  The pleasure of watching them run - and that is a joy - isn't worth the heartache of not knowing what happened with them.

My Sasha goes out walking off lead with me - simply because she stays close to me - if she starts wandering, she'll go back on lead.

Wait a minute!!  are you living in a teepee??? We have a few people around here who live in teepees or yurts, but I couldn't picture that in your country.

Anyway, what I came back for was to remind you that *I* expect pictures of your young lady (and maybe your old man as well)

It's really bad being one of the few who aren't out and about over the weekend.  I feel that I have to type something in response to these messages or new members might just feel they're being ignored.

oh I get that people are out on the week end....and thanks for making sure I have answers to my questions....

I don't live in a teepee of course but I cook and spend a lot of time in it....and I promise to post many pics of my new girl.....and just for you Al....here is my old man...

I'm about to leave to take my two on a walk, but don't want Al to feel all alone in answering questions. In the *Training* forum, in the list of stickies, the very last one on the list before recent threads start, is a sticky on introducing a new dog to the house, author is Harisse. You can probably find some great information in there you may be able to use.

Congrats on your newest addition ...pics are beautiful

Karine, I like the looks of the old guy - who really doesn't look *that* old. I've had two labs in the last 25 or so years and miss both of them.

Of course, I'm waiting anxiously to hear how the trip and the introduction went.