Puppies
and Senior Dogs: Keeping Peace in the House
Article by Kelly Marshall of Oh
My Dog Supplies
Deciding
on getting a puppy if you already have a senior dog is a decision
that needs to be made with caution. Not all senior dogs are good
with puppies and most puppies are not really good companions for
senior dogs, at least when they are in the puppy stage. Puppies
tend to be very playful and actively, something that most senior
dogs are not.
Puppies
can be a great addition to the family even with senior dogs. By
taking time to work with the puppy and the older dog you can have
a peaceful house and have both dogs living happily together. To
make the best possible introductions use the following tips:
-
Introduce the puppy to the senior dog away from the mature dogs
“space” in the house. Introduce them in another
room, outside, or somewhere that the current dog doesn’t
see as his or her territory.
-
Keep the introduction time short initially and supervise the
interaction between the dog and the puppy. Usually a good idea
is to keep them both on a leash with two separate handlers.
If you are the person the senior dog has bonded with then you
should work with the senior dog. If you are working with the
puppy the senior dog may become jealous or possessive and this
may be an additional problem that you will have to deal with.
-
Spend time equally with the mature dog and the puppy. New puppies
tend to get a lot of attention and older dogs may begin to feel
left out and isolated or abandoned by the family.
-
Watch for any changes in behavior with the senior dog that indicates
they are becoming aggressive or anxious about the puppy.
-
House the senior dog and the puppy away from each other until
you know there are no problems with keeping them together.
-
Remember that puppies will have a lot more energy than most
senior dogs. Provide a room or area the puppy can’t get
to that the senior dog can when they need some space and time
away.
-
Don’t expect the senior dog to share toys, food dishes
and bedding areas. Get separate items for the puppy to avoid
any problems.
Many
senior dogs are very interested in the new puppy and quickly adjust
to having a new addition to the family. For those that don’t
keeping the puppy and dog separated unless supervised is very
important for the safety of the puppy. Senior dogs that have vision
and hearing problems may have the greatest difficulty in adjusting
to a new puppy.
Be
sure to monitor the older dog and the puppy in play. You may have
to step in and restrict the playtime to avoid over-exertion of
the older dog, especially when the puppy matures into adolescence.
Remember that both the mature dog and the puppy need regular exercise
so you may need to have two separate nightly and morning walks
to accommodate their different physical exercise needs.
Article
by Kelly Marshall of Oh
My Dog Supplies
Click
Here to return to the article directory
