Introductions:

 We thought we were through adopting another dog due to our age but here we are adopting Rex. When I was writing articles for Mother Earth News I wrote several on dogs including one on how to introduce a new dog into your pack. 

Normally we would make first introductions at the shelter by taking our family members to meet the new addition there. In this case the shelter is a thousand miles away so that is not possible. We will make the introductions here but at a distance from the house/property on what could best be described as neutral ground. 

We will introduce our present pack one at a time based on the order in which they were adopted and then walk them for a short walk, each singular, along with Rex and then return our present pack to the house to wait.  

I will then take Rex into the fenced back yard to check it our by himself and relieve himself if necessary. The rest of the pack will be allowed into the back yard one at a time until they are all comfortable with each other. They will all relieve themselves and their excitement and any tensions at this time under our watchful eye. The usual routine is that where ever Rex goes potty the others will mark his spot which will tell him where he is on the pecking order. 

Then we will let them all into the house together but with the leash still on Rex.  This will tell the pack that he in now a member of the pack and tell him he needs to conform to be a part of the pack.  Proper introductions are very important to introduce a new member and it also conveys who are the alpha members, (myself and Carol) which avoids conflict later on

This has been our method over the years and it has worked well. A good start usually means a happy pack and less trouble/problems and tension. Rex will then take all his cue's from us and the pack.