How to introduce a puppy to your senior dog?
Issac Trantow
2025-06-26 16:05:43
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Before you bring your new puppy home, put away your older dog’s favourite chews and toys, to avoid territorial behaviour. Create spaces in your home where both dogs can get away from the other. Buy separate food dishes to prevent possessive aggression. Ensure both dogs are up-to-date with their vaccinations. In order to prevent territorial aggression, find a neutral area to introduce the older dog to the new puppy. Put your older dog on a lead while another person holds the puppy on a lead. Do let them sniff and meet each other, there’s no need to hold them tightly to your side. The initial introduction should be relatively quick. Stay calm throughout the meeting. Your dog can sense tension within you and is more likely to be stressed if you are. Do allow them to get used to one another at their own pace. Do introduce them to each other in a neutral area.
Oceane Champlin
2025-06-20 21:19:53
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Supervise carefully. A puppy socializes differently than an older dog. Puppies usually don't understand that playful biting and growling may not be fun for an older dog. Keeping an eye on the dogs while they interact doesn't just protect them from injuring each other; it also sends a reassuring message to your older dog that you will not allow the puppy to behave inappropriately. Keep your older dog on a routine. Disruption in eating and walking rituals can cause territorial issues. As you go about your normal routine, implement each step with the older dog before the puppy, including putting the leash on, filling the food bowl and having playtime. Quality time is key. Spend some alone time with your older dog so they feel loved and less jealous of the new addition to the household. Puppies won't always pick up on your older dog's social cues, so keep a close watch on their interactions.
Rosetta Feeney
2025-06-10 14:06:45
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Gauge your older dog’s temperament. If your senior dog is territorial, they may have a harder time sharing. Find a neutral territory. Before bringing your puppy home, take them and your senior dog to a neutral location. Use a leash. Keep both dogs on a leash with someone calm at the other end. Follow your dog’s lead. Some dogs may warm up to one another faster than others. Watch body language. Your dog will show how they’re feeling with their whole body. Drop the leashes. If they are comfortable with each other, you can shorten the distance between the two dogs. Take them home. Let the dogs interact in your yard. Take them inside. Once they are comfortable outside, it’s time to take them into your home.
Berneice Grady
2025-06-10 09:59:29
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: 9
You’ll need to set everything up ready for your puppy; providing beds and water bowls for both your puppy and adult dog.
These can be in separate areas to allow for time apart, especially in the early days while they’re getting used to each other.
Remove toys and food Before bringing your puppy home put all toys and food out of reach to avoid potential conflicts; you want your puppy and adult dog’s first meeting to be a positive experience.
The first meeting is better done outside in the garden or on a short walk close to home, though be sure to choose a low dog traffic area to limit the risk of infection.
Have both dogs on lead and allow them to sniff and investigate one another.
If your puppy or dog becomes worried or a little too excited for the other, take small breaks and continue to walk or explore the garden or environment in between interacting with one another.
Bring the dogs back in the home together but leave house lines on both of them, so you can easily separate them at any point.
It’s a good idea to have a baby gate set up which can be used to separate your adult dog and puppy if they need some time out from one another.
Supervise their time together until they are both comfortable in each other’s company.