I've had a handful of clients over the last two weeks who are approaching the end of summer with a bit of excitement, combined with a heaping helping of apprehension, as their searches for puppies are coming to fruition. I work with a lot of puppy owners, so this combo isn't anything new, really. What makes it worth blogging about is the fact that all of these families already have resident dogs who are well into their retirement years, so to speak; that is, dogs who are celebrating double digit birthdays. While I've blogged about adding a puppy to an established dog home before, as well as on the topic of when it's a good time (if ever!) to add in a second (or third) dog, I haven't specifically looked at how the addition of a puppy or adolescent dog to your home affects your senior dog. So, let's tackle that topic this week, just in case you find yourself in this position as well.
Oftentimes for multi-dog families, owners find themselves in the position of adding a new dog into the mix as they are coming to terms with the twilight years of their senior dog's life. And if they've had a couple of seniors, raised together since puppyhood, losing one of the dogs isn't just hard on the human family members, it can also be devastating for the surviving senior dog. Dogs can absolutely experience depression over the loss of a companion, whether that's a dog or a cat. Many were already slowing down and now don't really want to do anything at all except eat and sleep. To see your senior dog no longer enjoying walks, play time, or cuddle time as a result of the loss of one of your other pets is heartbreaking; you're already devastated about losing a family member and now you're worried about your remaining dog as well!
While you never want to add another dog, let alone puppy, just because you are worried about being dog-less, or worried about your remaining dog fading away due to a broken heart, it is something that will cross your mind. There is never a right time or wrong time following a pet's death to add a new pet, you just want to do so with a clear picture of what that entails. Raising a puppy is hard work even under the best of conditions. Adolescents aren't a walk in the park either, pun intended. All dogs require boundaries, consistent consequences, routine, and structure. Puppies and adolescent dogs, even more so in order to get off on the right foot. If you haven't had a puppy or adolescent dog in a while, you might be amazed at how much work is involved! Definitely a lot more work than what is involved with maintaining a senior dog for sure. Still, there are so many reasons you should consider doing it anyway.
Adding a puppy or adolescent dog will often perk up a senior dog. Even those seniors who seem a bit begrudging about the new addition will still find some joy in bossing the new kid around. Some will actually enjoy showing them the ropes. There will even be some seniors who go all in, playing with the puppy, guiding them on walks, and allowing cuddles and sharing toys. Desi was that kind of a senior dog. He raised Ozzie, helped raise Westley, and was a benign presence in Henley's early puppyhood. Desi wasn't much for running around by the time Henley came along, but he enjoyed watching Henley's antics and he definitely hopped in line for the extra treats. When Henley would lay near Desi, he seemed quite content. Ozzie is a bit more of a curmudgeon when it comes to raising puppies. Zelly likes to bug him which I find really funny, Ozzie much less so. She'll lick his face or cut him off going out the door, things that really get under his skin. He'll "grr" in correction and she just blows him off. If she's really bugging him, Henley will step in and redirect her. Fascinating to watch and I definitely think Zelly's presence a couple of days a week is keeping Ozzie's brain active and engaged. And he, too, likes the extra training sessions and treats.
Adding a puppy or adolescent dog means your senior dog, if they are willing, can help you raise them. They already know the rules, the boundaries, and the consequences. They can help you reinforce those with your puppy. Ozzie is all about the rules. When Henley stepped out of line as a puppy, he was right there to say, "Nope. That's now how you do it." Desi, rest his soul, was way more lenient. He was the pushover and Ozzie was the enforcer. They made a good team.
Adding a puppy or adolescent dog means YOU, the human, will have a dog you can walk further, take on longer hikes, etc. when your senior dog's walks have become slower, shorter, and only on flat surfaces. You're still going to walk your senior dog though. I always suggest two walks a day for both the younger dog and the older dog, it's just that the younger dog gets one walk that's longer and by themselves which is good for training and bonding. Then, they get a second walk that is shorter and more about exploring and sniffing in the company of your senior dog. And then there is a third walk for you that is just for your senior dog to meander and show you why slowing down is good for the soul. So, yes, this means you need enough time in your day for three walks. You'll get your step count in for sure!
Remember, you'll want to give your senior dog breaks away from the new puppy or adolescent dog. This will happen when your puppy is taking those required naps in their crate, when your puppy is on their solo training walk, and when your puppy is off at class. But, you will need to build in other quiet time for your senior dog as well and that's most easily and efficiently done with an x-pen. An x-pen set up in your common space means you have a place to put the puppy or your senior dog, rotating whose in the pen and whose got privileges outside of it. This allows your new pup and your senior dog to safely share space without your senior dog becoming overwhelmed and it reinforces the boundaries you are trying to establish.
Finally, adding that puppy or adolescent dog means you'll have company and support when your senior dog does cross the rainbow bridge. And if your senior dog has helped you raise that younger one, it means that dog will have some skills when it comes time to get your next dog. See how that works? A nice, big circle of canine companions in your life sharing their knowledge. Paradise on earth.
As always, if you have questions about your pet's behavior, you know where to find me.
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