[t393]

I have an 11 year old oversized male shetland sheep dog (neutered). Last October we lost our other sheltie of 13 years. We have been talking about getting another dog and my friend has a 6 year old yorkshire terrier that she might have to give up and I said I was interested in adopting the dog. The yorkie is very attached to her and I am wondering if we did adopt her: 1) would she be able to attach herself to us; 2) what would be the possible interaction between our dog and this dog and 3) what would be the best possible way to introduce this dog to our dog and bring the new dog into our home? I feel bringing home a puppy would somehow be a different process then bringing home a 6 year old dog.

[Silverfoxkit]

With enough time and love I'm sure she will be able to bond with you, but it may or may not be much harder for the adult dogs to accept each other.

Are they well socialized? Are they use to meeting strange dogs? If they are not this will not help the matters. Have they met each other yet? I would suggest introducing them on neutral ground such as a local park so they can meet without either feeling that their territory has been threatened. If they accept each other outside of the home it will go a ways toward your dog accepting her into the home.

Once you actually do bring home the new dog you need to make sure that your dog still receives a fair amount of attention.