New puppy + old dog - advice please! (*pic*)

[_MizElz_]

Hi guys, I dont often post in here but thought it would be the best place to ask a bit of advice!

My OH is thinking of getting a new pup. Someone we know from the yard has a litter of Patterdale x Border Lakeland terrier pups - right up OH's street, as he is a huge terrier fan! He currently has a 15 year old Border dog, who he's owned since he was a pup. I think at the back of his mind he thinks the old boy (Morse) may not be around too much longer - he's lost most of his hearing now and no longer likes going for walks - and I think he'd like to get a pup to bridge the gap when the Morse goes, as I know he'll be lost without him

Morse is fine with other dogs, and doesnt bat an eyelid at our growing menagerie at home (2 bunnies, 1 rescue cat, and now 2 chickens) - however we're just a bit concerned that if we get this pup, he wont ever leave the old dog alone. OH is a landscaper and used to take Morse to work every day, but now he's elderly he tends to leave him at his mothers each day so he can have a quiet life (sleep and food and not much else)! OH's intention would be to take the pup to work most days - he has a crate which will sit nicely in his pickup, so that wouldnt be a problem.

The only thing we're worried about is home time, when the pup might be nagging at Morse and hanging off his ears, pulling his tail etc. What is the best way to stop this from happening - do we just be very firm with the pup and stop him pestering, or is it best to separate the two of them sometimes so that Morse still has his own space? I only ask because I have a friend who has just got a new pup with an older dog (not as old as Morse though) and they're having a nightmare, the pup never leaves the other one alone and makes his life hell. So we definitely don't want that to happen!

Any advice would be gratefully received - we've both had dogs all our lives, but never really been in the position of introducing a new pup to an older dog before!

Here's a pic of the little terror - 6 weeks old today!

 

[Annette4]

Crates Both of mine have one each and when Quila gets OTT Jack retreats to his or Quila is sent to hers for a snooze. She's pretty much grown out of the pestering stage now so they just play lots and when he's had enough Jack stomps off to his crate and she knows that means he's had enough.

Will stop pup destroying the house when your out too.

 

[emma21]

My dog is 7 and I got a puppy, I was worried about that but my older dog, Skidda, will play for awhile but when he gets fed up he will tell the puppy off. The puppy has learnt to listen so doesnt pester too much, if he does then I either distracted the puppy with a toy put him in his crate for a cool down. This did work really well, but the one thing I would say is make sure the older dog doesnt feel left out; the new puppy needs alot of time spent training etc so make sure older dog gets quality time aswell. That puppy is beautiful!!

This is a pic of my two...

Bet you cant wait!!

 

[_MizElz_]

Thank you both for your replies! Looks like crating will be the answer then!

Emma - your two are gorgeous Definitely going to have to make sure Morse gets plenty of fuss - he's a grumpy old bugger so hopefully it might liven him up a bit, lol!

Just hope OH decides to go for it now!!!!!

 

[Zoey]

Crating is definately the answer to this, we get lots of people phoning work asking for advice on this. But too be honest, if the puppy is kept busy, so out all day and only in for the night, hopefully he would sleep for the majority, but for when he doesn't, try keep him occupied with toys etc. I would not crate the pup, I would buy a very large crate and crate Morse. If you crate the pup when he gets too much, he will see this as a punishment, and crates should always be a safeplace not a punishment, and if Morse is happy to be crated, then it'll probably be better for him as he will enjoy having a safe retreat. Hope this helps

 

[_MizElz_]

Thank you very much Zoey - I wouldnt have thought of doing it that way round but it would be worth thinking about, especially as Morse is beginning to like a comfortable bed more and more as he gets older!

Interesting that nobody has said 'dont get another pup, it isnt fair' - a couple of people I have spoken to are of this opinion, whereas I cant see a problem if (as everyone has already said) Morse remains top dog and is given plenty of fuss!

Thanks all! x

 

[Zoey]

Thats silly, there is no fair or not fair with regards to getting a pup. As long as Morse is kept comfortable, he won't even know the difference! There is no reason why you cannot get another dog. Morse may even enjoy it, it may encourage him to be a little more active, and enjoy the time he has left. Don't listen to the people who say it's not fair, cos thats rubbish!! x

 

[reddie]

We got a 4yr old schnauzer cross last year when our old dog was about 14. She was pretty calm around the old dog and they pretty much ignore each other. I think it has given our old dog a new lease of life as he likes the ladies!! A month ago we got a rescue JRT x aout 8 months old who s very lively. She's very boisterous wth the schnauzer but respects the old dog and doesn't bother him. Agan its given the old dog another new lease of life. I think would get a crate though for the pup to help house train it and give it somewhere safe to sleep etc. i wouldn't crate the old dog.

 

[Brownmare]

I recently took on an 18 month old rescue and my 9 year old dog has a new lease of life just like reddie's. We had no need to crate etc but I would probably get crates for both - maybe put a blanket over them so it feels more like a den for your older dog to have some peace and quiet - my older boy just gets more sofa time now

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Because one of our dogs was PTS very suddenly in the summer, we had a knee jerk reaction and went out and got two to replace (so there'd never be a lone dog again). The puppies rely on each other a lot for play etc but the big dog does get extra privileges, like time alone with us, time upstairs etc but it's like Emma21 said, Brig is 7 and when he's had enough, he tells them and they leave him alone. They were fine together after a week or so although TBH, the pups do hang off his ears if allowed! One puppy escaped his cage and was with big dog all night and no-one died, thank God. Crate all the way: puppies don't realise they're tired and need enforced time out, IMO, and it gives the older dog a break. It has really helped to start the healing process for us although getting the same breed/colour was maybe an odd idea.

One person on here told me it was wrong to get puppies and I ought to concentrate on Brig as he was mourning for his brother too, but it has helped us all and he plays lots (and initiates the play) with the babies.

 

[Luci07]

I can see why some people might have reservations but you do know your own dog. Some get to an age where they just wouldn't tolertate another dog in the house because they have been solo for too long but yours seems to be OK with other animals.

I did try to introduce another younger dog to my previous staffie bitch but she was having none of it despite being a very sociable dog and ditto a friend who has a fairly aged springer bitch - hers is socialable but not to the degree of letting another dog in her house! This time round I got my second younger dog when my bitch was 4 and he was 18 months old.

 

[Smurph]

I had 2 rescue dogs, one of which died April last year and the old dog went downhill from there. I got 2 pups in October and he has new lease of life. Pups did have to have a time out if they got too much for him but to be honest that stage passed really quickly and I have now found that the old dog has started to come for walks with us again (only once a day, but he wasn't even doing that at one point). Go for it, it'll be good for Morse.