Puppy and elderly dog

HurricaneLane · 2022-09-09T16:17:46+00:00

I currently work from home and we have an elderly dog. I'm at home every day, actually most of the time. We already have a dog who is elderly but in good health and have had him from a rescue when he was 2. He's now 14. He's great, sleeps alot, but does love a great run although slower now. He is impeccably behaved. We have 3 Children and he adores them, loves our inlaws cockapoo. I'm conscious of time and I'm wondering whether he would accept a puppy, like a puppy and enjoy the next few years with. DH really thinks no and it will be pushing him out but I think.it will give him companionship. Has anyone had any similar experience? Thanks

Floralnomad · 09/09/2022 17:26

I think it’s incredibly unfair on an elderly dog to inflict a puppy on them , especially if they’ve been a lone dog for a long time .

Oopsilot · 09/09/2022 17:28

I think it would be awful personally.
Imagine being in your elderly years then suddenly having a toddler jumping on you constantly always wanting to play.
It isn’t companionship, you are his companions. Give him peace and a quiet retirement in his remaining years instead of lining up his replacement.
You would be doing this entirely for your benefit, not his.

ApolloandDaphne · 09/09/2022 17:29

My dog is 10 and she hates young dogs. My DB got a puppy and she does not tolerate her at all as she is too lively and in her face. I wouldn't get a puppy with and old dog.

MsRead · 09/09/2022 17:39

I have two elderly dogs, 1 year apart and well remember our then puppy nipping at my spaniel, ambushing him, swinging off his ears and other appendages. He wasn’t amused and was only 1.

I don’t think an elderly dog would appreciate having to train a puppy into the pack, then being usurped in the pack order. I really understand that getting a puppy while your dog is elderly makes sense to us as humans. I’m not looking forward to a no dog household but know we have to go there for the comfort of the world’s laziest/ laid back Springer spaniel (14) and bounciest Boxer dog (13). Good luck but pls wait a bit.

Shocked33 · 09/09/2022 18:18

Thank you, I really do appreciate and understand your responses. I think they are very wise and probably what I knew deep down. I think I just want to keep him happy and quite honestly keep him forever.

It's hard to think of him not being here, and so yes I think we need to love him whilst we can.

Thank you again.

Spanielsarepainless · 10/09/2022 17:25

My older dog was 8 when I brought a puppy home earlier in the year. It has done nothing positive for his quality of life. I won't be doing it again.

KangarooKenny · 10/09/2022 17:35

I think there’s a big difference between 8 and 14. No, I wouldn’t get a puppy at his age.

Ivedonethisthreetimesalready · 10/09/2022 18:08

Alternative view .

Our old guy loved having the new puppy. It rejuvinated him for a while. However we were already a multi dog household so he was used to other dogs around.

We were extremely aware of the older dogs needs and did keep the dogs apart for periods of the day so he could chill and sleep and just contemplate life (which he loved doing) He would have time with the puppy when he lay on his back and rolled around and the puppy played over him. He could have moved if he wanted to but tail wagging and happy. Play sessions were short.

He would follow the puppy around for a bit then back to his sleeping. He loved the puppy chew toys and would chew them whilst the puppy watched from a distance and the puppy only took them when he walked away from them

It worked well for us but as usual depends on the dog and the puppy and your home arrangements to enable you to give time separately to both puppy and the older dog.

Ivedonethisthreetimesalready · 10/09/2022 18:08

Old dog was 15 year old lab and puppy was a collie

Hauntedmaison · 10/09/2022 22:29

He doesn’t need companionship he needs peace

if you thought he needed a companion why wait until he’s older?
not fair and I’m with your dh on this, let his enjoy his older years as your #1 priority

mountainsunsets · 11/09/2022 09:15

I agree with everyone else - it's not fair on your old boy. If you wanted him to have a companion, the time to do that was about 8-10 years ago - why the sudden change in plan now?

Let him enjoy his twilight years in peace. While some older dogs will accept a puppy, many find it incredibly stressful. Older dogs often have arthritis and sore joints and want to sleep the days away in a comfy bed, not roll about on the floor with a bitey land shark!

youarntaguest · 15/09/2022 20:06

If you were old would want a baby jumping all over you all the time. No you would want to be left alone Ridiculous

Suzi888 · 15/09/2022 20:11

What about an older, calmer dog… I’ve debated it myself as my Lab loves other dogs. I think he’s too old and immobile though. I couldn’t take a new dog out and leave my old boy at home and equally couldn’t not take a younger dog out.

ScattyHattie · 15/09/2022 22:27

Maybe an adult rescue dog instead so are calmer and less annoying than puppy. Have you dogsat the cockerpoo for weekend/ holidays to know what it's like longer-term as some dogs are quite tolerant of short visits but prefer having home/family to themselves.

Elderly dogs can often need bit more time devoted to their care so potentially could get overwhelming with high needs of puppy on top if things change with their health. My girl just has common arthritis, but keeping her mobile costs quite a bit & requires regular trips to vet/physio/hydrotherapy etc.

ScattyHattie · 15/09/2022 22:36

@Suzi888 Many people now use a dog buggy for their arthritic/injured dogs so they can still enjoy being out & about with rest of family and less limited on distance due to mobility. Check out Duggies in Buggies FB group

Olddognewtrick · 16/09/2022 21:50

We got a puppy last year when our old dog was 13.5. We knew he was quite rapidly declining and didn't want to be dogless. Yes, there were times when the pup was a bit annoying, although the old dog was ridiculously tolerant (especially given what a grumpy git he actually was), but he did have a few good runs around with the little one as well. The new pup isn't particularly cuddly, whereas the old dog would have snuggled all day - the puppy could have ingratiated himself more if he'd let himself be a canine hot water bottle more often! They were obsessed with each other's food, and the puppy has a feeder that only he could operate - he used to open it to give the old dog his food 😂

We very much made sure the old dog got lots of attention and always got food and treats first. I don't think we ruined his last few months, and having the little one was a massive comfort to us all when we did have to say goodbye to him 😢

XelaM · 17/09/2022 00:02

Olddognewtrick · 16/09/2022 21:50

We got a puppy last year when our old dog was 13.5. We knew he was quite rapidly declining and didn't want to be dogless. Yes, there were times when the pup was a bit annoying, although the old dog was ridiculously tolerant (especially given what a grumpy git he actually was), but he did have a few good runs around with the little one as well. The new pup isn't particularly cuddly, whereas the old dog would have snuggled all day - the puppy could have ingratiated himself more if he'd let himself be a canine hot water bottle more often! They were obsessed with each other's food, and the puppy has a feeder that only he could operate - he used to open it to give the old dog his food 😂

We very much made sure the old dog got lots of attention and always got food and treats first. I don't think we ruined his last few months, and having the little one was a massive comfort to us all when we did have to say goodbye to him 😢

Awwww those pictures are soo adorable 🥰