Taking Puppy to Christmas Dinner

[Anastasia]

On Christmas Day our puppy will be 10 weeks old. My Aunt hosts Christmas dinner every year and she has two labs one is old and really couldn't care less about much of anything the other is 2 or 3 years old. These dogs are loving and not really trained. Well they were trained but there was no follow up and continuation so the youngest is as good as not trained.
I asked my Aunt if we could bring the pup with us to dinner knowing she wouldn't mind so my question is this.
How should I introduce the pup to the labs.Should I carry him in and let the labs come to him? Just not sure which would be the least upsetting to the dogs of the house. I want to do this to give them the best possible chance of getting along and playing together.

My reason for taking him is because we will be gone for 4 to 5 hours and I think that is to long to leave a 10 week old pup? Am I wrong?

[juliejujubean]

i would bring his crate just incase, plus it may be a tiny bit overwhelming.. I don't see a problem with bringing him though, just bring lots of toys and a nice christmas dinner for him

[jocoyn]

For his age and how long you will be there I would keep him in the crate with the other dogs and let them sniff him through the crate.

When bringing a puppy into my house the old guys dont get to meet the puppy outside of the crate until they are comfortable sleeping next to it and interacting nicely with the puppy.

Wtih noise and people etc. he will probably already be getting some sensory overload. If there are kids I would also contrl one on one and limit time.

[Kaity]

Don't think that's too long to leave a put considering we work 8 hour shifts and leave pups for that long if we have to.. but when we absolutely don't have to.. we don't!

If you don't want to bring a crate or a kennel, just keep your pup on a leash with you at all times to prevent ANY accidents (not just potty!!) Vida was 10 weeks around Christmas time too and we had that at my sisters.. everybody loves the puppy! Also be careful that nobody tries to slip your pup any food it shouldn't have.. I know my family would go behind my back like that, I hope yours doesn't!

My pup is now 2 and my sister is telling me to put her on a tie out on Christmas.. while my moms dog comes in side. Ha! No way! My rule is, if Vida can't come.. neither can i!

[Liesje]

When I have a puppy I bring it to all family dinners/gatherings for the first several months (while it is still cute and thus acceptable to my family, who for the most part don't care about dogs one way or the other). It's never been too overwhelming for the puppy but so far I've had pretty mellow yet bold and confident puppies. I do always bring a carrier as they are babies and do want to nap (and then I can chat and not have to be constantly watching).

[Anastasia]

I am definitely planning on bringing the crate. I never thought to introduce the puppy in his crate. I figured we could use it when we sit down to dinner and in case the labs object, I could tuck the puppy in his crate in a bedroom.

[BlackGSD]

Personally, I wouldn't want a baby puppy of mine subjected to an untrained young adult. Way too easy for the puppy to get hurt.