Getting a puppy ‘for’ a senior dog?

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Posted for @MurphysMinder
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The ear! ?

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

This is always going to be a difficult one; with our old gal who was a rescue (sadly no longer with us) a few years back, we got little George who was a Lakeland X puppy when she was around the middle-aged mark and she was very jealous of him. No outward aggression, but she was the sort of dog who always wanted you for herself and didn't want to share you with anyone. She was a sweetheart in every other respect but I do think in retrospect that she struggled with having another dog. We got Puppy because we had lost the other dog and at times we wondered if she wasn't a bit maudlin and would be happier with another dog. Whilst she wasn't outwardly horrid to little'un you just knew there was always this little undercurrent of envy and you had to be very careful to give both dogs plenty of attention and a fair amount of attention rather than one at the expense of the other. Not always easy, but we managed it.

I have got an older girl now (rescue, again). She's a balanced sort of dog, the cats adore her and they'll happily go and rub themselves on her in preference to a human! We are having a pup in a fortnight's time and we're hoping that all will be well, she's usually fine when meeting other dogs who go past the farm here and when she comes out riding with me. We will be careful and will see how things go - and of course we could have an issue we might not be expecting and will have to deal with it. But am hoping all will be well after the first day or two.

Ohh and little'un will be Christened "Charlie"............

 

[MyBoyChe]

We are a 3 dog house and I always try and introduce a new pup before the oldest dog leaves us, so at times we have 4 for a while. We have just lost our oldest springer girl and young Harry had 2 weeks with her along with his 2 brothers who are 11 and 8. It does depend on the health of the older dogs and your ability to monitor the situation at all times and keep everyone happy, but for us it works. Coco taught young Harry quite a lot in 2 short weeks but we were fortunate that we were around and able to divert his attention to his brothers when he wanted to play and let him snuggle with Coco in the evening. I do think that having an older dog helps with things like toilet training and recall as they do get the idea from the "pack" but equally I think you do have to give everyone their own space and time

 

[Flowerofthefen]

We got our pup when our other dog was 8. Both labs. We always say that our older dogs quiet and calmness rubbed off on the pup. Older dog taught her a lot of stuff. Unfortunately we lost our gorgeous girl this march but now 3 year old dog is as calm and quiet and very much like her 'sister"..

 

[Clodagh]

We always have old dogs and puppies, and all ages inbetweenies. It’s hard work but doable if you make doing dogs your whole life. Brandy is nearly 14 and has no contact with anything young. We are constantly walking or training or just supervising. It does get boring.

 

[twiggy2]

We have 8 dogs currently, 7 are mostly in the kennels or working but the pups all start of in the house.
The house dog Maz is now about 9yrs old and she loves a run with everyone and she is good with pups but she likes some more than others. Some pups she will play tug or chase with some will get bitey bitey games and some she is less tolerant of.
There are dogs in the household she likes more than others as adults too.
Multi dog households especially with age gaps need supervision, monitoring and time. Some older dogs love pups about and some do not, everyone needs time out though and it can be hard work.