Looking for any advice regarding introducing old dog to new puppy

[TreacherousPissFlap]

Dog1 is 12 1/2 and what could politely be called "spirited". She can be very reactive around other dogs, although this is all noise and despite having many opportunities when approached by off lead dogs, she's never actually bitten.

We recently lost our old dog leaving her as an only child for the first time in her life. She really seemed to embrace the first few weeks but has become increasingly quiet and withdrawn subsequently. We've seen the vet and they have not found any medical reason for this so have put it down to loneliness / grieving.

While all this was going on another series of events was occurring and we have a new puppy arriving home on Thursday. Truthfully it's not how I would have planned it but it all seems to have fallen into place. We have both the time (DH is retired) and money to devote to a puppy so we will once again be a two dog family.

I've always had multiple dogs and never had any issues integrating a new one, however due to DDog1's anxieties I'm keen to do anything and everything I can to make things go smoothly.

We have baby gates up and initially DPup will be confined to the kitchen and patio, with DDog1 on the other side. DDog1 will have access to the garden when DPup is in his cage. I'll also make sure she gets plenty of exercise, though I suspect I should be especially vigilant that she doesn't get agitated by other dogs while we're out. I'll also make sure they are walked separately going forward as I don't want DPup to pick up on DDog1's lawless behaviour when outside the house.

At the moment I'm banking on slow and steady, with plenty of positive encouragement for both parties. If anyone has any secret tricks that they would like to share I'd be enormously grateful 🙏🏼

I did everything the recommended way and older dog still tried to kill the puppy. I had to keep them separate for three months. Like you I had had no previous issues introducing a puppy. But never again.

Given the older dogs’ age and anxieties/reacitivity, I would be prepared for them to need to be separated almost permanently.

I really, really wouldn’t do this though. It’s not fair.

I introduced a puppy to a very friendly 11yo dog and I was surprised how badly it went to be honest. Probably took 3-4 months for older dog to accept the puppy but they are friends now. However I had a very easy going friendly older dog and a very submissive puppy. With a reactive dog it’s not going to be as easy. And the first 3 months or so weren’t easy even for me.

side by side walks are meant to be good for bonding. Avoid face to face introduction. Definitely use stair gates. Maybe get a large puppy pen for the sitting room as seems mean to leave puppy alone in the kitchen?

I'm in it for the long haul and I'm very aware that it won't be plain sailing. Ideally we would wait until DDog1 was gone but DH has a progressive health condition. My very real fear was that by the time DDog1 went he may not be in a position to deal with a puppy.

DDog1 seems genuinely excited by the smells on us and the blanket we take when we visit him which gives me a little hope. He's also the most laid back chap I've ever met so hopefully she won't see him as a threat to her.

We'll find out in a few hours anyway 😬

When I introduced a puppy to my 14 month old dog, he hated it. It took me completely by surprise, as he was an annoying 'just wants to play' dog when out and about.
I had to keep them separated for the first three months. We had stair gates keeping them at opposite ends of the house. In the evenings, puppy was inside a big crate inside a play pen, so we could all be together and older dog could start getting used to puppy. We started off with just the crate, but he went for her through the bars, so had to put an extra barrier of protection in. We took them into the garden together several times a day. Both dogs were on lead. Fortunately we had a big garden, so could keep a good distance between them. Over time we allowed them to get closer, but not within touching range. And if older dog reacted, we moved back again. It was extremely stressful and a lot of work, but he eventually accepted puppy.
Second time I added a puppy, older dog was extremely submissive. That time I ensured she had safe places to escape to if she wanted to be away from annoying puppy. We had a puppy sized barrier on the stairs, which older dog could jump but puppy couldn't. Fortunately it went a lot better that time.
Good luck. I hope it goes well for you all.

Well, things are going better than I had dared hope but we've got a long road ahead.

DDog1 is incensed by DPups arrival but has contented herself with grumbling at him, there have been no signs of outright hostility or violence. I suppose taking on a tiny puppy is a big ask of any elderly dog regardless of their temperament.

I don't think they'll ever be best of friends but I'll gladly settle for co-existing without violence 🙏🏼