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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Going to view a puppy this week, woke up in a cold sweat this morning

81 replies

FireAdvice · 01/12/2025 07:47

I know that new puppy blues/panic can be a thing and iirc I was a bit like this last time I got a puppy.

So I currently have a 12yo dog who is the light of my life, best behaved dog ever. She is getting older and really slowing down and struggling to walk.

I have been in 2 minds for a bit about do I wait to get another dog until after she's died or get one now. My feeling for getting one now is having that older dog around to show a new puppy the ropes, be company for her.

I wfh 3 days a week and am in the office 2 days a week, although some weeks I wfh all week. If I do go into the office I am home mid afternoon and have a dog walker who comes in mid/late morning. DH works out of the home 5 days a week. No kids. I have money for extra vet bills, insurance, food, etc.

I think I'm just slightly panicking about as older dog deteriorates having 2 dogs with different needs. We do have a massive garden and older dog is happy these days pootling around there and having a short walk to the park. I just think I'd feel bad leaving at her home while walking the younger dog a longer walk? I can walk the younger dog first thing and then take the older dog/both of them out at lunch time for a short walk. Older dog is small and I do also have a dog buggy for her so I can walk one and push one though it might be chaos???

Any ideas of names for a boy terrier? 😁

I've never had a terrier before apart from when I was younger and lived on a farm, we had a JRT which was totally feral and used to be self sufficient and just roam the barns and stables ratting. Nobody ever walked it so not 100% sure what their energy levels are compared to my current couch potato. But I know to expect higher energy. Think I'm most worried about needing to puppy proof the house from a potential chewer. Current dog has never chewed anything but a previous dog was awful for wrecking shoes!

OP posts:
Throatsore · 01/12/2025 07:48

I wouldn’t introduce a new puppy into the home of a 12 year old dog

Throatsore · 01/12/2025 07:48

I think I'm just slightly panicking about as older dog deteriorates having 2 dogs with different needs

so wait

Arghhhhggggggggggg · 01/12/2025 07:49

Throatsore · 01/12/2025 07:48

I wouldn’t introduce a new puppy into the home of a 12 year old dog

Me either. The puppy will be so hyper it will stress the older dog out. Older dogs don't tend to like hyper giddy puppies

Wait until your older dog passes away OP. Don't let them live their last few years stressed out by an annoying puppy that harasses them

It's such a bad idea. It's like putting an 80 year old with a toddler. It's just a terrible idea

Throatsore · 01/12/2025 07:52

Arghhhhggggggggggg · 01/12/2025 07:49

Me either. The puppy will be so hyper it will stress the older dog out. Older dogs don't tend to like hyper giddy puppies

Wait until your older dog passes away OP. Don't let them live their last few years stressed out by an annoying puppy that harasses them

It's such a bad idea. It's like putting an 80 year old with a toddler. It's just a terrible idea

Edited
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Exactly

I’m a bit concerned the op is even considering it tbh

EleanorReally · 01/12/2025 07:53

seems very unfair
does she generally like puppies?

notacooldad · 01/12/2025 07:54

Please dont get a puppy yet!
As others have said, it really isnt fair on your dog at this stage in their life.

twilightermummy · 01/12/2025 07:54

Yes, the 80 year old with a toddler comparison is spot on.
I just wanted to add that when your older dog eventually passes away, your new dog will have become accustomed to having company therefore, you will be looking for a new puppy perhaps sooner than you'd like.

HopSpringsEternal · 01/12/2025 07:58

Throatsore · 01/12/2025 07:48

I wouldn’t introduce a new puppy into the home of a 12 year old dog

We introduced a puppy to our then 15 year old dog. It was the best thing all round. The 15 year old became much happier, would play with the puppy, would walk further and they slept together despite having a bed each. She was definitely top dog and taught the puppy how to be less of a dick!
She lived to 18 and it made it slightly easier losing her.

Arghhhhggggggggggg · 01/12/2025 08:03

HopSpringsEternal · 01/12/2025 07:58

We introduced a puppy to our then 15 year old dog. It was the best thing all round. The 15 year old became much happier, would play with the puppy, would walk further and they slept together despite having a bed each. She was definitely top dog and taught the puppy how to be less of a dick!
She lived to 18 and it made it slightly easier losing her.

Edited
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It's such a risk to take though isn't it. It's not often an elderly dog will take to a pup. How sad for the pup when the older dog died too

I personally wouldn't risk it as I wouldn't want to upset my elderly dog but OP knows her dog better than us

ThePoshUns · 01/12/2025 08:03

I have a 13 year old dog and we thought about getting a puppy but decided it wouldn’t be fair on our dog. She has been a terrific pet all
her life and now she is slowing down we didn’t think it fair to introduce a puppy into her life, who may pester her and demand attention.

Mauro711 · 01/12/2025 08:04

I wouldn't get a puppy at this stage either. Focus on giving your older dog a nice calm life for the last years you have them. Also, you most likely can't really leave a puppy home alone (even with a dog) two days a week with just a dog walker popping in. I'm on my third dog and neither one of mine would have been able to cope for hours alone for the first 6 months or so. It needs to built up gradually to avoid them developing separation anxiety.

Original poster
FireAdvice · 01/12/2025 08:06

I do get peoples points. But she genuinely loves other dogs so much. She often meets a younger dog in the fields where we walk and it's the highlight of her day when we see him and she bounces around playing chase with him like a mad thing. It really perks her up.

OP posts:
NarnianQueen · 01/12/2025 08:06

Agree with the pp. I see a lot of people get s as young dog before their older one died and it just seems to add stress to the older dog’s last days 😞

Also it will be sad for the puppy when their older companion leaves them!

Whinge · 01/12/2025 08:09

FireAdvice · 01/12/2025 08:06

I do get peoples points. But she genuinely loves other dogs so much. She often meets a younger dog in the fields where we walk and it's the highlight of her day when we see him and she bounces around playing chase with him like a mad thing. It really perks her up.

That's lovely. But there's a big difference between a quick 10 minute play session with a younger dog, and having to live with a puppy pestering her 24/7.

Mauro711 · 01/12/2025 08:09

FireAdvice · 01/12/2025 08:06

I do get peoples points. But she genuinely loves other dogs so much. She often meets a younger dog in the fields where we walk and it's the highlight of her day when we see him and she bounces around playing chase with him like a mad thing. It really perks her up.

Maybe get a young dog in that case, but not a tiny puppy.

PInkyStarfish · 01/12/2025 08:10

Your old dogs life needs to be centred around them not a boisterous puppy. How is the old dog going to show the young dog the ropes if it’s struggling to walk?

Do not get get a puppy whilst your old dog is still alive. If your old dog was fit and active it would be ok, but as yours isn’t then it would be cruel

Original poster
FireAdvice · 01/12/2025 08:14

PInkyStarfish · 01/12/2025 08:10

Your old dogs life needs to be centred around them not a boisterous puppy. How is the old dog going to show the young dog the ropes if it’s struggling to walk?

Do not get get a puppy whilst your old dog is still alive. If your old dog was fit and active it would be ok, but as yours isn’t then it would be cruel

Sorry when I say struggling to walk that's probably not come across well.

She is still doing a 2.5 mile walk most days but she is just walking slower and wouldn't be able to do longer walks at weekends like she used to do.

She is stiffer going up and down the stairs and uses a reebok step to get on and off the sofa. But she runs round the garden ok.

OP posts:
Twinkletwinkly · 01/12/2025 08:17

I’ve seen it recently with a friend whose Mum died unexpectedly. Her grieving Dad visits her most days with his 10 year old dog and she has a 6 month old puppy. The older dog is constantly pestered by the puppy. The older dog just wants to chill out and the puppy can’t walk past him without giving him a slap in the face or nipping his ears.

iSage · 01/12/2025 08:18

If you're having puppy blues before you've even got the puppy, that suggests it's not the right time for it.

I think a better time would be some time after your existing dog has gone - you will be grieving and a new pup is then just the thing to fill the dog-shaped hole and focus your mind on something other your loss.

Vintagegoth · 01/12/2025 08:18

My Dad did this as he did not want to have a gap between dogs and he thought the puppy would help him emotionally once the older dog passed. All that happened was he had an old frail dog fighting with a new puppy and it was clear the old dog was threatened in the one place he should feel safe. The puppy was attacking the older dog as well as people and the whole situation was stressful and out of control. Let your dog have their final days in peace.

whattheysay · 01/12/2025 08:20

If you’re not at home all the time I would not do it. I got a puppy when our girl was 10 I kept them separated a lot and supervised all the time. The puppy would jump on her wanting to play etc and be hanging off her ears if I left them to it and I wouldn’t allow that for my older dog. If I went out I generally took the puppy with me so they wouldn’t be left or if I had to leave I put the puppy in the (large) kitchen with the door shut and the older dog had the rest of the house. The puppy grew up and they had more then 2 years together but still those years the younger dog was much more active and playful and I still had to supervise them.
When that puppy was 8 we got another dog which was a rescue and not a puppy and they get on fine because the new dog just wanders around and doesn’t jump over him. I’m still at home all day so they’re always supervised, it was a long time until I left them alone together.

littlebilliie · 01/12/2025 08:20

I would wait and my 4 year old dog would be horrified at a pup arriving

Letthemeatgateau · 01/12/2025 08:22

FireAdvice · 01/12/2025 08:06

I do get peoples points. But she genuinely loves other dogs so much. She often meets a younger dog in the fields where we walk and it's the highlight of her day when we see him and she bounces around playing chase with him like a mad thing. It really perks her up.

It's a bit different when that young dog lives with you though. Elderly grandparents love to meet up with young grandchildren, but they might not want to live and spend every moment with them.

FlatWhiteExtraHot · 01/12/2025 08:52

If you must get another dog, get a young dog from a rescue. Take your older dog to meet it multiple times and ensure they get on. Take them for a walk together and see how they interact.

Terriers are not for the faint hearted. Why on earth are you getting one when you’ve done no research into the breed and know nothing about whether it’ll be a good fit? I assume because some backyard breeder has cheap cute puppies.

Shessweetbutapsycho · 01/12/2025 08:53

I’m a bit more concerned that you’ve got to the puppy viewing stage without any real research into the breed in terms of behaviour, energy levels etc. This is probably the best place to start.