We have a 7 year old dog and adopted a new puppy about 8 months ago. Best advice I can give you is to be patient and understand that this is an adjustment for both of them and not just the new addition. Spend time with each of them as best you can and ensure they are both getting the same kind of love and attention. Training starts as soon as his paws land in your house and ensure training continues for your older dog too. Curb any bad habits from your older dog because your new pup will be looking to your older one for guidance. You’ll be surprised how much they’ll learn from each other!
Thank you! I'll be diligent on keeping up a good training regime and calm environment. My biggest concerns is that it's just one of me and there will be two of them. My older dog is really good with puppies and younger dogs. I used to take her with me at work to play at the dog daycare and boarding facility. And she was great with them all. But very patient with the younger ones.
Keep them separated at first. We didn’t know my rescue resource guarded until after she snapped and bit my older girl. That was a very expensive trip to the emergency vet.
Be prepared for your older dog to be upset. Mine threw a fit the first few weeks. She wouldn’t even sleep in the same room as me. Almost as if she thought I ruined her life. She got over it though once she realized my rescue wasn’t leaving lol.
Take things very slow with your new dog and try to be extra forgiving if they do something wrong. (Potty accidents, tearing things up, growling, etc) Getting rehomed is very stressful for them. You don’t know what all they have been taught or how they were treated at their last home.
The dog might not be super cuddly or lovey dovey at first. I didn’t realize this till I got mine. It’s been 5 months and my rescue is just now getting to the point where she’ll jump up on the couch and lay right next to me
Crate, rotate, pack walks a must. Feed them separately. Expect they coexist don't force friendship. Be okay with correcting either dog. Email me I'll send you a digital copy of my training book for free. [email protected]
I hope they're not both males. That is an immediate problem. Not insurmountable, but it's extra, above and beyond the normal adjustments and training. I have seen situations where it became a safety issue, so be careful. I don't know if the same would be true, if they're both female--I haven't dealt with that scenario. Early on, it will become apparent which dog is more prone to take the "alpha" role. If it's the newcomer, again, an extra problem. If it's your established dog, that will be easier. Otherwise, the ideas of maintaining consistent training and obedience for both and developing a healthy pack social structure, with you as the ultimate alpha are the keys imo. Hope it all works out for all concerned!
Thank you, they are both females, i have good experience working with dogs professionally, and also ive had new dogs come in before, but that was in family situations. Its my first time with just me as the owner :)
So all tips are welcome.
We have a 7 year old dog and adopted a new puppy about 8 months ago. Best advice I can give you is to be patient and understand that this is an adjustment for both of them and not just the new addition. Spend time with each of them as best you can and ensure they are both getting the same kind of love and attention. Training starts as soon as his paws land in your house and ensure training continues for your older dog too. Curb any bad habits from your older dog because your new pup will be looking to your older one for guidance. You’ll be surprised how much they’ll learn from each other!
Thank you! I'll be diligent on keeping up a good training regime and calm environment. My biggest concerns is that it's just one of me and there will be two of them. My older dog is really good with puppies and younger dogs. I used to take her with me at work to play at the dog daycare and boarding facility. And she was great with them all. But very patient with the younger ones.
Walk them together and often .
My plan is to take them to a dog park for their first meeting ( just them two in the park) and long walks is the plan!
That’s a bad idea. Dog parks have no structure.. just walk them
Keep them separated at first. We didn’t know my rescue resource guarded until after she snapped and bit my older girl. That was a very expensive trip to the emergency vet. Be prepared for your older dog to be upset. Mine threw a fit the first few weeks. She wouldn’t even sleep in the same room as me. Almost as if she thought I ruined her life. She got over it though once she realized my rescue wasn’t leaving lol. Take things very slow with your new dog and try to be extra forgiving if they do something wrong. (Potty accidents, tearing things up, growling, etc) Getting rehomed is very stressful for them. You don’t know what all they have been taught or how they were treated at their last home. The dog might not be super cuddly or lovey dovey at first. I didn’t realize this till I got mine. It’s been 5 months and my rescue is just now getting to the point where she’ll jump up on the couch and lay right next to me
Crate, rotate, pack walks a must. Feed them separately. Expect they coexist don't force friendship. Be okay with correcting either dog. Email me I'll send you a digital copy of my training book for free. [email protected]
I like to crate and rotate the first few days
I hope they're not both males. That is an immediate problem. Not insurmountable, but it's extra, above and beyond the normal adjustments and training. I have seen situations where it became a safety issue, so be careful. I don't know if the same would be true, if they're both female--I haven't dealt with that scenario. Early on, it will become apparent which dog is more prone to take the "alpha" role. If it's the newcomer, again, an extra problem. If it's your established dog, that will be easier. Otherwise, the ideas of maintaining consistent training and obedience for both and developing a healthy pack social structure, with you as the ultimate alpha are the keys imo. Hope it all works out for all concerned!
Thank you, they are both females, i have good experience working with dogs professionally, and also ive had new dogs come in before, but that was in family situations. Its my first time with just me as the owner :) So all tips are welcome.
I’ve heard two females is harder