Introducing a puppy to my 7 year old dog?

[Ashley]

Okay, so my family and I are dabbling with getting a puppy to keep the dog (She's a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier) I currently have less lonely, specifically since my family and I don't always have the time to find her someone to play with.

My dog is 7 years old, and is small-medium sized terrier around 30lb. She has no problems with other dogs, she's very used to dogs her age since she visits a dog 'hotel' (when we leave for more then a day at a time) where she interacts constantly with other dogs, and she's a very happy, sweet dog. She's never had aggression problems (other then the occasional tantrum when she doesn't get to go for a car ride, which results in chewing on something in the house to get her point across that she isn't happy) and she's very good with people and other dogs, as far as I'm concerned. In fact, we think she gets lonely after she returns from playing with other dogs, which is why we are considering buying another puppy. The 'possession' I can really think of that she would worry over is here people, specifically me since she tends to mother me and protect me the most out of the family.

Is this a good idea? Are there anything specific (other then vet. checks on the puppy) I should do to make ensure that it's a good meeting between the two? Should I worry about my dog getting depressed or jealous over the new addition?
When I said 'possession' I meant my dog tends to gravitate towards me the most in the family and shows protective (non-aggressive) instinct towards me, such as sleeping in my room when certain people aren't home or being nervous when I'm gone for a long time. She has no general obedience problems other then tiny tantrums, which aren't bad and she knows not to get into something important.

 

[Maria Maria]

How old is the puppy?
My friend who's also our dog trainer, said its a great thing to bring a puppy and a senior dog together. The senior dog will teach the puppy a lot of things. The puppy will have its puppy moments, try to play bite, and the senior dog will put him in his place.
I would highly recommend getting the puppy. Plus you're saving one more life. But if your older dog passes away one day, you might have to get another dog. Dogs have feelings just like we do and they do grieve over a loved one.

 

[Leila L]

I would meet the puppy before hand, if she is well socialized throughout her life you shouldn't have any problems. I think it is a good idea if you are confident enough however take your current dog out of the house to meet the new one so it isn't on anyone's territory to induce the current dog you have now to feel like this new dog is invading her territory. Best thing would be to get a male puppy as male and male and female and female dogs can fight as they get older. Treat them both the same and show your current dog she isn't being replaced and you still love her the same. Try not to leave her and the new puppy alone for the first few days and if you feel like the older dog picks on the puppy correct her as this is not allowed, do not however make her feel resentful to the new puppy and don't let the new puppy harass her, make sure she has her own space to escape from the puppy for a few hours if needed and always make it a positive experience. We bought a border collie home who wasn't used to living with other dogs whereas our current dogs was up until a month before he always lived with other dogs whereas the border collie hadn't (so the current dog we had lived on its own for a month which he enjoyed very much despite always living with other dogs before that whereas the border collie grew up on her own if you get what I mean). The border collie likes to harass the other dog we originally had but she just wants him to play, as long as the pup is not being nasty to the other dog and visa versus its fine but if actua bullying takes place consider crate training them separately or just crate train the puppy. good luck hope i helped remotely

Also when choosing a puppy, ask for vet checks, papers (if pedigree) and check its eyes nose and ears. Be concerned if the mother or father or both are in the house but can't be met as this could indicate a behaviour problem in the adult dog(s) i.e bad temperment etc. Watch the pups behaviour before you bring it home to make sure it is acting normal. good luck

 

[??????? ?Becca? ???????]

I think you should get a dog thats an adult, or even like a year old. Most the time older dogs don't like little puppies. If the puppy is for your other dog, why not just get an older one that she'd get along with better. Other then that it sounds fine.

 

[dorothy s]

HOW TO HELP YOUR DOGS TO COPE WITH A NEW PUPPY.

Puppies are excitable, lovable hooligans. They have bursts of unbelievable energy, however in order to grow they need lots of sleep. New puppies need a room where they can rest and sleep and the other dogs in the house need respite. Older dogs don’t want puppies biting their ears and chewing their necks, if a puppy does this, the older dogs should be allowed to chastise the puppy. How would you cope with an unruly toddler twenty four hours a day? Would you be annoyed, if you had a toddler thrust upon you who pulled your hair and poked your eyes? I am sure that you would grumble.

Please don’t expect your dog to cope with an unruly puppy and to baby-sit twenty four hours a day. Supervise them for SHORT play sessions, then put your puppy in a quiet place to rest. I am not a big fan of crates, however if you do not have a utility room or a separate place where you can leave the puppy, a crate might be an alternative. Don’t expect your older dog to want to sleep with your puppy or to play with it constantly.

Your puppy will possibly need about four meals a day. Divide your other dog’s rations into four and feed it (or them) at the same time. At the outset you must ensure that your puppy cannot steal the food from your other dogs. Perhaps you can put the puppy on a lead, or create enough space to ensure that the puppy does not steal. However it is important that your other dog, or dogs knows that the puppy is not getting preferential treatment and that they are all being fed when the puppy is fed.

Give your existing dog or dogs extra attention when the puppy is resting and make them feel special.

There will be visitors, who want to see your puppy. If the doorbells rings when your puppy is with your other dogs, put your puppy into another room and tell your visitors to fuss your adult dog or dogs and provide treats for your visitors to give them, BEFORE the puppy is allowed out to greet your visitors.

Older dogs love puppies, with the proviso that YOU stop the puppy from being a pain in the bum. They don’t want a puppy being thrust upon them all of the time. If you do this any dog will object and be confused.

There are people on this site who will tell you to let them sort themselves out. If you leave them to do this, they will probably have fights when the puppy matures.