Old Friends Senior Dogs: New Friends at Old Friends

We often have new dogs join our pack. Because of the differences in each dog's previous experiences and temperaments, we have to introduce each dog in a way that we feel is best suited to their personality. Some of the dogs who have come in have already been with a family, so we know a something about their reactions to other dogs and new situations. On the other hand, some of our dogs have been picked up at a vets office or a shelter, or even off of the street, so we have no idea of what to expect.
In the first situation, with a dog who we know is well socialized and used to being with other dogs (Maggie for instance), we simply allow them to simply walk in and join the group. After a few minutes of sniffing, they have acclimated and are part of the group.
For the more sensitive, fragile dogs (Lucy, Rosie or Hunny Bunny), we let them into the back yard with no one else there. We start introducing dogs to them one at a time, always starting with Gracie, our self appointed welcoming committee, who immediately sets the dog at ease. There is nothing frightening about goofy, happy Gracie. We follow with Ginger, the tour guide, who shows the new dog around the yard and then add the rest of the pack one to a few at a time. It is again, only a matter of minutes before everyone is acclimated to one another.
It becomes more difficult with some of the others. We are worried more for the safety of our pack than for the newcomer. Especially considering our smaller dogs, Asteroid and Belly, we do not want to put any of them in danger. We will first leash walk the newcomer in a neutral area with a couple of the more concerning dogs; Gracie because of her energy, Toby because of his large size and excitement, Belly because of her small size. Once all goes well, we will walk the dogs back into an empty yard and will proceed from there adding dogs a few at a time. This was how we successfully introduced Leo to the pack just a few weeks ago.
In our most concerning case, introducing Layla to the pack, we were much slower and more careful. We did not know how Layla would react to being with a large group since she had never been with one and everything that we had read about German Shepherds made us worry about how well she would acclimate. During Layla's several weeks of recovery, we transitioned from a solid door to a chain link gate between her and the rest of the dogs. After some barking between her and Toby, the others started to sit next to her on the other side of the fence. They became familiar with one another through sound and smell and visually. During this time, Layla took walks with everyone, a different dog every day. When it was time to fully introduce her to the pack, we walked her with Toby, walked them both back into the empty yard and then let everyone else join them. The introduction was perfect and within moments Layla was part of the group.