They say you can’t teach old dogs new tricks. However, you can introduce them to your new puppy without any trouble.
It’s a well-known fact that older dogs tend to be stubborn about their territory. Moreover, puppies usually have seemingly boundless energy that can disrupt your older dog’s regular routines. It can result in mental and physical harm to your senior dog.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to welcome your new puppy to your senior dog without any problems:
Step 1: Find a Neutral Territory
Before bringing your puppy home, you should take your senior dog to a neutral location, such as the garden, or out for a walk. Be sure not to engage in high-traffic areas or places with lots of dogs.
Step 2: Get a Leash
You should keep both dogs on leashes, accompanied by someone at the other end. You should also keep the leash loose and relaxed to relieve them of their anxiety. Take both dogs for a walk with a distance in between and let them get used to each other’s scent and presence.
Step 3: Follow Your Dogs’ Lead
Some dogs warm up to others faster, while others take the time. Both are okay, and the important thing is that you be patient and wait on your dogs to make the first move. This promotes a safer and more relaxed space for them to be used to one another.
Step 4: Observe Their Body Language
Your dog will show what they’re feeling with their body. So, you should observe their actions and body language. Watch out for standing fur, posturing, growling, or aggressive staring. These behaviors indicate that the introduction isn’t going as smoothly as planned, so you should divert their attention elsewhere.
Step 5: Drop the Leashes
Once both dogs are comfortable with each other, you can gradually shorten the distance between them. If not, you can also take them to a neutral and fenced outdoor area where they have the space to socialize. Beware of their body language and any signs of aggression, but only interfere when necessary.
Step 6: Take Your Dogs Home
Allow the dogs to interact in your yard. Since this is no longer a neutral environment, you should move slowly and follow the outlined guidelines. Ensure that they are comfortable with each other. Any signs of aggression or anxiety should be interfered with, and you should calmly separate them. You can try again later.
Step 7: Take Both Dogs Inside
Once your dogs are comfortable outside, you should take them inside your home. Ensure that you have a way to separate them, such as specific rooms and baby gates, if something goes wrong. Your new puppy might start to get on your senior dog’s nerves due to its boundless energy. Give them a break to relieve their stress.
Conclusion
Introducing a new dog, especially a young puppy, to a senior dog must always be done cautiously. At times, you might need to keep them apart to help avoid accidents with your old dog. Moreover, boundaries are essential for any healthy relationship, so establish this for both to prevent territorial behavior.
At Dog Obedience Training, we know that every dog is unique. They each have their own set of quirks, routines, and more. However, no matter how different dogs can be, certain habits are almost universal among them. They can be territorial, anxious, aggressive, and so on.
This is why we devote this site to providing helpful information in dog obedience training. If you want to know how to house train a puppy or learn hand commands for dog training, visit our website! We hope you find something to ease your worries as a dog parent.