Getting puppy today - what might I have forgotten for the older dog

[DogGawn]

We have a 6 yr old cocker and we’re getting another one today (rescue puppy). It’s been a long time since I’ve had a puppy and an older dog.

We don’t do crates but I have put back up the baby gates we had when our older one was a puppy and will only allow the older dog upstairs and in the rest of the house. Puppy will stay in the kitchen (which has easy access to the garden).

Any other tips for the older dog? I’ve bought him a giant octopus (his favourite toy 😂) which I’ll give him once the puppy is here and will keep a v close eye on the interaction between them!

Ear plugs ??
Our ddog was 6 when we got a dpuppy. Took longer than I expected for any sort of relationship between them.
Best of luck...

Thanks! Yes I can imagine it will take a while. All ok now with your two?

Houseline on your puppy. As soon as he starts to pester your older dog call him away and reward, and use the line to move him when he inevitably ignores you.

Not sure why you've bought your older dog a high value item to guard and stress over when you're getting a new puppy that's going to want to chew it...

Also, you could start doing crates. Used properly, they can reduce stress for both the existing dog and the puppy.

Octopus is in his bed - he sleeps with it - so it will stay upstairs (dog sleeps upstairs at night on the landing). Puppy won’t be going upstairs for a long time!

The main thing is not to compromise the quality of life your current dog has for the new puppy. That means same amount of attention, same amount and quality of walks. I see a lot of people get puppies and then suddenly their older dog only gets walked with the puppy...so 15 minutes twice a day etc.

Best of luck 😊It can go beautifully, but it doesn't always. Just watch the puppy and your adult dog like a hawk.