The last two times I got a puppy I had an older dog. The first time, I thought my older dog was ready to die and actually ended up living another year and a half. I think because the puppy brightened up her world( she had gone deaf and kind of arthritic). The puppy was very confident and turned into a lovely dog. My second puppy I got, my older dog had died about a month before. My sis lived with me and she had a nice, but slightly goofy male dog. My puppy loved him and they played well together. This dog has also turned into a nice well mannered dog who likes other dogs and animals. I think it helps them learn boundaries and confidence to have a “leader”.
I might have the lone, bad experience. My old dog attacked the 8 week old puppy as soon as my back was turned. I don’t mean he snapped at him either, he bit him hard in the face and it was a vet visit. They did fine with the intial intro, etc. He previously lived for 5 years with a female doberman who died of bone cancer, so it’s not like he was never with another dog. The new dog was a male, however, and I had (not on purpose, just how it worked) only seen the old man with females. He is neutered.
We tried again at six months and it was good for a day, they even played, and then when I relaxed my control of the situation on day two he suddenly turned on the pup (who wasn’t even looking at him) and tore into his neck. Obviously, there is something socially wrong with my old dog (he’s a rescue, I don’t know what his life was like prior to age two). It’s not worth the risk of the young dog, who loves all dogs, becoming dog aggressive, so we will not try again. I can control them under strict supervision, but how relaxing is that?
After that I don’t even trust him around female dogs (like my in-law’s) that he has been good with for years.
So now I rotate dogs. Sucks. However at this point the old man is very sore and arthritic (on Rimidyl) and the vet said yesterday she thinks he has a brain tumor (started having small seizures in the last couple months, so not when he attacked the pup almost two years ago). I can control their behavior, both are obedient, but if the old guy hates it, why make him be around another dog? The old man loves being alone with us (he really wasn’t upset when our female died, even when he saw her body–totally happy to have 100% of the attention).
I would do it, but not if the old dog is having age troubles. Or if he is just indifferent to dogs. I’ve owned two dogs now (doberman and water spaniel) who tolerated other dogs, but never actually liked them or sought them out. Also, my puppy was a bit of a monster energy-wise, not a good match for a quiet older dog.
In general I think it is a good idea though!
My experiences weren’t all perfect either. When I lost my first sheltie my lab was beside herself with grief as was I. I wasn’t ready when we got our Pom puppy three months later but I couldn’t stand to see the lab so sad. She hated the puppy and now she was sad and pissed! Took about a month for her to start to warm up to her and they eventually became great friends.
We got our BC mix, as a puppy, when our ACD/JRT mix was 14. Old dog was really starting to show her age and we didn’t want to be dogless, so we started looking for a puppy.
Well, having a puppy to boss around breathed new life into the old girl! Being ACDish, she LIVES to tell other critters what to do and having a puppy to get after all day perked her right up. Surprisingly, given that she has a lot of arthritis, she was gentle with the puppy and didn’t beat her up when she transgressed, but scolded her verbally and with pretend snaps. Old dog was helpful with potty training, showing puppy how it’s done. She taught the BC mix some good things…and some not so good things, like barking a lot and being snarky with other dogs.
ACD mix has turned BC mix into a codger before her time. At only 4 now, BC mix believes that the way to be a grown up dog is to lie around sleeping all day, (unless there’s something to bark at). She doesn’t display the energy level you’d expect from a young BC and hasn’t since she was about 2. I have to watch her weight and take her out for long hikes to get her enough exercise. Once she’s outside and away from the old dog (who scolds her for moving much at all in the house or the yard) she acts more like you’d expect.
ACD mix is still here, at 18! I believe having a minion has contributed to her continued desire to stay alive ;).
Aw, cute.
[QUOTE=Laurierace;8025262]
Not to mention you get cute pics like these! The puppy becomes the wise older dog.
Aw, cute.
