When you're ready to add a puppy to a family that contains a senior dog, you should carefully consider your senior dog's needs to make sure the puppy fits in. Your senior dog may be grumpy when first meeting the new puppy, but she should eventually accept him and, hopefully, discover a way to stay young at heart.
Instructions
1. Evaluate your senior dog to make sure you choose a puppy that fits into your dog's life. Watch especially how he reacts to dogs he meets on walks or at the park. Notice which dogs he's naturally drawn to and which inspire fear or submission. For the happiest household, you need to choose a puppy that has the qualities your dog finds attractive.
2. Introduce your dog to the puppy in a neutral space. If you're adopting the puppy from an individual or facility, bring your dog to the adoption with you. If this isn't possible, have someone meet you with the puppy at an unfamiliar park. Allow her to meet the puppy while both of them are on leash.
3. Talk to both the puppy and your dog, but pay more attention to your dog. Talk in a positive tone so he associates the puppy with a good experience. He'll likely sniff and greet her. Give them both a treat after they briefly greet each other.
4. Be positive, even if your dog growls at the puppy. Puppies push limits, so your dog may just be setting a boundary for the puppy. However, interrupt the interaction if growling continues or if you see aggressive body language from your dog.
5. Take the puppy home with you in a different vehicle. If that's not possible, crate the puppy to curb her natural energy and enthusiasm. At home, let your senior dog enter first.
6. Monitor interactions between your senior dog and the puppy for the first few weeks. The puppy is bound to irritate your dog, so you should expect growling and snarling. These behaviors help socialize your new puppy and are a positive experience for him. If your dog tries to act aggressively, intervene immediately but don't punish your dog.
7. Set up a designated puppy area and ensure that your senior dog has her own retreat. If possible, keep your new puppy primarily in an area that your senior dog isn't attached to. This way, your dog won't feel as if her life is being marginalized by the puppy.
8. Keep the rituals that you and your senior dog have created, but include the puppy in them as often as possible. You want to make your dog feel like he hasn't lost any standing in his family, and help him see the puppy as someone he can find happiness with.
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