Puppies and old dogs?

[poiuytrewq]

Years ago my little terrible terrier died, Doug stepped into the place of dog number one and I decided, as much as I was a terrier person I wouldn’t get another. Fell head over heels in love with Doug and as many know said goodbye to him recently
So I do still have old collie, I have had her since she was 9 and she’s now 15 and as lovely as she is she doesn’t come sit with me in the evenings or want cuddles, she likes attention but when she wants it! She spends her morning sleeping and potters round outside with me the rest of the time. She can’t walk far.
OH has Dougs brother but he’s out at work all day.
so I’d thought I’d get another terrier who could come everywhere with me when collie died.
However she now gets on well with other dogs, and I find myself saying to daughter about her pup “it was easier for us because ours were alongside an older dog”
Over the weekend I’ve found by accident that Doug and Dougs brothers breeder who always had lovely little terriers in the house has a litter planned. The bitch is due to come into season now.
I always liked the terriers they bred, not often as they were gundog/gamekeeper people but the terriers were pets so I often saw them round.
So what do we think?
Is it a good idea, or is it totally unfair on the old lady. I’m thinking she can still have her quiet mornings and I will never have to leave them alone so he won’t hassle her, but will he learn to hang out with us poo picking fields etc as she is only ever a stones throw from me.
Also, humour me.... it absolutely counts as being related to Doug having the same breeder.. doesn’t it!

 

[bonny]

I did exactly that, I had an old collie who was 15 and got a puppy and it worked out really well. She couldn’t be bothered with the pup and he learnt right away to more or less ignore her but she was a great help in him learning about life. He followed her on walks so I never had a problem with him being off lead and because she was quiet at nights etc so was he. I think puppies learn by following other dogs much more than they learn from humans so I would say in your situation just go for it.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Ah ok that’s interesting, pretty much the exact situation!
The night time thing was one my daughter and I were talking about actually. We never had the crying at night because they were not alone.
How did you manage the night time? Did you just leave them loose together?

 

[bonny]

Ah ok that’s interesting, pretty much the exact situation!
The night time thing was one my daughter and I were talking about actually. We never had the crying at night because they were not alone.
How did you manage the night time? Did you just leave them loose together?

Yes, I’m sure he just copied her and she slept so he did, he never chewed anything and I’m certain everything was so easy with him because he had an old lady to copy x

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

When we introduced out latest pups to the remaining 6 yr old Rottweiler, we had the pups in one crate and the Rott in the other next to theirs. Because she is so big and playful, we didn't allow the free access to each other for about 4 weeks, by which time she had calmed down, they were a bit bigger, so less vulnerable but she certainly helped the to settle into our routines.

We introduced a pair of JRT litter sisters to 5 middle aged to elderly Labs with no problems at all, the JRTS were crated overnight and very used to adult dogs, prior to coming to us at 8 weeks. The older dogs mainly ignored them tbh.

Of course you should have a terrier.

 

[FinnishLapphund]

I've heard some stories about people returning puppies because it got too much for their old dog, but I've not expected my older bitches to entertain a new puppy, and haven't had much problems. If they like interacting with the new puppy, that's great, if they don't want to interact with the new puppy, that's fine, too.
After all, it was me who wanted the new puppy, I'm the one responsible for entertaining/occupying it.

A puppy can still learn valuable things from an old dog, even if the old dog turns out to be only moderately interested in interacting with the puppy.
Besides 1) I want the puppy to learn to pay attention to me, not only copying what the old dog do all the time, so I don't always want the oldie to be involved in all training anyway.

Besides 2) won't your OH's dog be home some parts of the day? Potentially being able to share some of the attention your old bitch might get from the puppy?

 

[Clodagh]

Our old bitch quite likes playing with pup when it’s small. She still sometimes tries to play with Ffee but she soon gets too rough.
They are never left alone together overnight, even now, when small pup is in a cage and now as an adult Brandy is behind a gate as she has a special bed and the others kick her out of it. (By trying to share, there’s no malice).

 

[TheresaW]

Aled (collie) was an old boy when we got Luna as a puppy. Like everyone above, there was never a problem between them, and she learnt a lot from him, and also taught him some bad habits, like ripping up cushions ?

 

[misst]

I had an older jrt and took on a lively 7 month old rescue (?jrt x yorkie??). There were no problems. My sons old girl used to come to me a lot when he worked and she was fine with the pup too. Both old girls were about 12 when we did it. I think the older dogs just let the pups know when they've had enough. I felt they gave the pup confidence in "scary" situations and discipline when needed.
Of course the same breeder counts as family!!

 

[poiuytrewq]

I think I would aim to crate overnight anyway just to be safe. OH lab is lovely but pretty boisterous!

 

[poiuytrewq]

I've heard some stories about people returning puppies because it got too much for their old dog, but I've not expected my older bitches to entertain a new puppy, and haven't had much problems. If they like interacting with the new puppy, that's great, if they don't want to interact with the new puppy, that's fine, too.
After all, it was me who wanted the new puppy, I'm the one responsible for entertaining/occupying it.

A puppy can still learn valuable things from an old dog, even if the old dog turns out to be only moderately interested in interacting with the puppy.
Besides 1) I want the puppy to learn to pay attention to me, not only copying what the old dog do all the time, so I don't always want the oldie to be involved in all training anyway.

Besides 2) won't your OH's dog be home some parts of the day? Potentially being able to share some of the attention your old bitch might get from the puppy?

I completely get all that yes, I wouldn’t leave her to babysit, I have a friend who’s currently doing that and I feel so bad for the older girl sometimes!
I’m lucky in that I can take a dog to work, I don’t take Jess (collie) because when I first got her she wasn’t happy with other dogs and there are 5 at the yard. She also refuses to come out in bad weather ?
Yes the other lab will be here sometimes, He’s out much of the day but I do have him at home from time to time. He would love a playmate.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Aled (collie) was an old boy when we got Luna as a puppy. Like everyone above, there was never a problem between them, and she learnt a lot from him, and also taught him some bad habits, like ripping up cushions ?

Ohhh! Whoops! ?
To be fair she hasn’t got any bad habits other than being a bit selectively deaf and barking at times, and maybe stealing eggs from the hen nest!

 

[only_me]

i have this situation, Nahla is 10 and we got a pup. It does help with crying, and Works well off lead as Nahla rarely goes on one lol.
it also gives pup confidence in new situations, but I am being careful in taking puppy out by herself to yard & in training so she learns to be independent too.

plus Nahla plays with her and can often egg puppy on lol. but we still separate at night and often throughout day to give her a break, we never crated but have a pen in kitchen which is where she sleeps and goes when gets overtired lol.

it is also useful for instilling manners and teaching her how to play, which is invaluable during lockdown. we have met a lot of junior dogs who have not had the opportunity to play or even meet other dogs properly.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

My friend's Tibetan Mastiff, Gem, was about 10 and ageing fast, so much so that she was going for shorter walks and my friend was getting really depressed. Gem is her mental support dog and absolutely adored. She managed to find another TM puppy and it was like a switch being flipped. Gem became energised and is now past 15 and still walking, albeit slowly. It was very much worth doing in her case.

 

[conkers]

I am so pleased to read these stories. I too have an older dog - 11 year old terrier - and am looking currently looking to get a whippet puppy.
My girl absolutely loves puppies and is so tolerant but I have been worrying about making the change.
This thread gives me the encouragement to do so as long as I make sure that there is puppy time out.

 

[Moobli]

We quite often have old dogs (retired workers) and pups (trainees of the future) and have never had a problem. I wouldn't leave young pups alone with older dogs as they might pester them too much but there is nothing like a puppy to help an old dog feel young again and its great when you have an older dog to show the young one the ropes.
Go for it.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I feel I’ve been given the green light!
It’s not a definite of course, the bitch may not come into season or may not have a litter for another reason but I think if she does I’ll absolutely go have a little look (and yes I know what a little look means, has anyone ever looked and decided against ?)
I really love and feel reassured by all these stories, I think maybe I’d been looking at it from the complete opposite direction.
OH may take a little convincing, he had and has had for years his heart set on a Rottweiler. As much as we both like them it’s not a practical choice, I keep trying to explain to him!
Lifting a small lab in and out of tractors etc is one thing but he couldn’t lift a big dog and there would be no room for it to sit on machinery.
He’s not a dog Walker so leaving it at home isn’t an option.
I drive a silly saloon car so no dog friendly boot. I need something little who can sit contained safely inside the car.
?for a successful mating and pregnancy!

 

[Clodagh]

Rottie or terrier!? I'd go for the terrier!
My OH always had a tractor terrier. . Now he has a mini lab.

 

[splashgirl45]

i had my collie who is nearing 15 and my terrier who was 3 1/2 and a friend got a puppy and i took both of mine to her place so her puppy got some socialising as he hadnt had any vaccinations. i was amazed that my collie seemed to like the puppy and was happy playing with him. i had always intended to get another dog as company for my terrier once my collie had passed away but her behaviour made me decide to get a puppy straight away. they all get on really well, the 2 little terriers rough house quite a lot and i make sure the puppy doesnt get too boisterous with the collie. the puppy is in a crate overnight and if i go out during the day i leave her in a pen so the collie isnt bothered. the crate is inside the pen so puppy has her sleeping area. its all in the living room so the dogs are together..its worked really well for me as i am retired and can be around to make sure the collie is happy and allowed to sleep when she wants to...

 

[TheresaW]

I think if nothing else, this post shows Collies are the best ?

Aled was our first, but am a convert.

 

[millikins]

Not just collies My poodle was 11/12 when daughter got a beagle puppy. Although they didn't live together they spent an awful lot of time with each other as daughter and I reciprocate doggy day care. I was concerned he'd be mean to the pup as he was never a sociable dog but they got on really well and as others have said puppy livened up an old boy and he taught her a lot of manners.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I particularly love the idea that a puppy might make an older dog perk up and be happier! That would be amazing!

Rottie or terrier!? I'd go for the terrier!
My OH always had a tractor terrier. . Now he has a mini lab.

yes, agree. I’d love a Rottie but it would have to be as OH dog, not mine. I could take over it in the evening ?

 

[Hexx]

I have a new terrier puppy - one of the things she learned first was "leave" - so that I could call her off when she was getting a bit lairey with the oldest dog - he is 16. He's tolerating her well, tells her off when she needs it and lets her use him as a cushion for afternoon naps! The other one is 9 and he's started to play with her properly rather than just chase her off his toys - he can be a miserable so-and-so sometimes, so its nice to see him find his inner puppy and actually play.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I have a new terrier puppy - one of the things she learned first was "leave" - so that I could call her off when she was getting a bit lairey with the oldest dog - he is 16. He's tolerating her well, tells her off when she needs it and lets her use him as a cushion for afternoon naps! The other one is 9 and he's started to play with her properly rather than just chase her off his toys - he can be a miserable so-and-so sometimes, so its nice to see him find his inner puppy and actually play.

That is just gorgeous! Good tip thanks! Leave is a handy one for lots of reasons, so I’ll definitely do that.

aww, reminds me, Doug used to snap peoples hand off if he ever got given food by hand. I taught him “gently” which he did beautifully, never quite sure how or why but “gently” and a hand on his cheek made the treat taking process done in super slow motion with complete eye contact.... it was hilarious and something I always meant to film ?

 

[poiuytrewq]

Discussed this with OH last night and he was surprisingly up for it which is fab.
So I messaged the breeder again and asked a bit more. I’ve had photos of mum and a previous litter, not sure when from but just what I’d like luckily! Also enquired about money just incase as I can’t justify thousands but I’m happy with the asking price.
So I’ve asked her to put me down for a boy as and when ??

 

[Moobli]

Exciting news ??

 

[poiuytrewq]

Exciting news ??

Really exciting yes, it’s going to be an incredibly long summer though ?

 

[Moobli]

Really exciting yes, it’s going to be an incredibly long summer though ?

Definitely ?

 

[misst]

Something to really look forward to - there's not been much of that lately

 

[splashgirl45]

how exciting for you....