- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Adopting another dog may be an exciting time for the people in your home, but your older dog may feel a little skeptical when you bring home a puppy.
Puppies don’t fully understand dog behavior, so their antics may be challenging for adult dogs. That’s why it’s important to introduce new puppies to older dogs the right way.
A little preparation can help your older dog adjust to the new family member and get used to sharing their home—and you! Your new puppy may even reignite your older dog’s spunk and help them feel young and playful again.
Here’s how to introduce a new puppy to an older dog, plus guidance on health considerations to protect both pets and tips to create a fun environment for both dogs.
Is Your Dog Ready for Another Dog?
Not every dog wants another playmate at home. If you’re trying to decide whether to bring home a second dog, try these three steps first:
- Observe them at the dog park: If your dog eventually gets tired of playing with other dogs and wants space to run and play independently on their own, they may not want an in-house playmate, according to Heather (Deneke) Gillihan, CPDT-KA, director of learning and development at Zoom Room, a dog activity and training center.
- Do a pup-to-dog intro: Ask the breeder, shelter, or rescue if your dog can meet the puppy before you make your final decision. (They may say no if the puppy hasn’t had all of their vaccinations.) Gillihan says many people don’t realize their older dog doesn’t like having a puppy around until it’s too late. As a result, you end up needing to spend a lot of time managing the interactions between the two dogs.
- Have in-home playdates: Some dogs love playing with other dogs in the dog park but dislike having them in their home. Paying attention to the way your dog acts with other dogs in your home can make it easier to tell whether they want a full-time friend, Gillihan says.
Health Considerations When Introducing A New Puppy
You’ll want to keep a few possible health issues in mind before bringing home a new puppy.
Puppies who haven’t received all their vaccinations are at risk for serious—often fatal—diseases. Puppies need to stay inside and away from all unvaccinated pets until they’ve received all of their vaccines. You can protect your new puppy by making sure your older dog is up to date on all their vaccines.
On the other hand, the new puppy could have contracted an upper respiratory infection, kennel cough, or the flu at the breeder or shelter, says Dr. Lindsey Petty-Dixon, a veterinarian at Smith County Animal Clinic. These illnesses can become serious, especially for senior dogs. You can protect all of your pets by having a vet check out the new puppy before you bring them home.
Dr. Petty-Dixon also suggests these tips:
- Go through your older dog’s medical records: If you don’t have copies of these records, you can get them from your vet. If any of their vaccines have expired, get those updated before bringing home a new dog.
- Have a quarantine period: If possible, keep the puppy and older dog in separate rooms for two weeks, just in case the puppy has any health concerns. This will also help the dogs adjust to each other’s presence.
- Start socializing: Puppies can socialize with fully vaccinated dogs once they’ve received their second round of vaccines, which happens around week 9. “Their immunity is building, and they can meet new friends,” says Dr. Petty-Dixon.
- Consider the older dog’s health concerns: Some health issues could make it more difficult for older dogs to adapt to a puppy in the home. For example, joint problems could make it painful to chase or play with a younger, more active dog. Older dogs with vision and hearing issues may unintentionally injure a younger dog during play, Dr. Petty-Dixon says.
- Plan your feeding approach: Puppies and senior dogs need different foods, so you’ll probably want to feed them separately to make sure they eat the right meal.
How and Where Should The Dogs Meet?
The right environment is essential when introducing a puppy to an older dog, Gillihan says. Both dogs must feel comfortable, and the older dog shouldn’t feel replaced.
A neutral outdoor space is a good place for a first introduction, but if your new puppy isn’t fully vaccinated, this meet-and-greet will have to happen in your backyard.
Preparing your home
Before your new pup comes home, prepare your older dog for the changes. These tips can help:
- Have the puppy’s toys, blanket, and crate in the house for a couple of weeks before you bring them home. This gives your older dog time to sniff out the new environment. You’ll also want to create separate spaces in your home where each dog can go to feel safe if they need a break.
- Do a scent swap to get the dogs used to each other’s smells. Give the breeder or rescue something from your home for your puppy to sniff and ask for something with the puppy’s scent on it, like a toy or towel, for your older dog.
- Practice routine changes two weeks out, Gillihan recommends. For instance, if feeding times or locations will change, start those changes two weeks early. That way, the older dog won’t blame the puppy for their schedule changes, she says.
- Puppy proof by moving cords, breakables, and dangerous household items out of the puppy’s reach. Also, check with a vet or trainer about any toys you have for your older dog that may not be safe for puppies.
Introducing the dogs
The day has arrived! You’re ready to bring your puppy home.
These tips from Gillihan can help you have a smoother introduction:
- Let the puppy sniff around the house on their own: Keep your older dog in another room, outside, or with a friend while the puppy gets familiar with their new surroundings. Then, let your older dog back in—just put the puppy in their crate or playpen first to protect them.
- Use a leash for the older dog, but drop it: “People can inadvertently cause a reaction by pulling on the leash when the puppy is safely in the pen,” Gillihan says. If the introduction isn’t going well, you can pick up the leash, gently lead your older dog away, and try again later.
- Use the couch as a guard: Young puppies can’t jump yet, so you can pet your older dog on the couch while the puppy sits below. Avoid holding the puppy in your arms during the introduction.
- Make the puppy a reward: Every time you call the puppy, give plenty of treats and love to the older dog. Over time, the older dog will associate the new pup with positive things like love, attention, and treats.
- Get help if needed: Having a trainer work with both dogs together can help speed up the process.
Pay attention to body language
It’s important to stay calm when introducing your pets to each other! Dogs can sense tension, so if you’re feeling stressed by the process, your older dog may pick up on that and become more stressed themselves.
If your older dog becomes nervous or upset, you may notice this in their body language. Important signs to pay attention to include:
- Raised fur on the back of the neck/back
- Prolonged stares
- Growling or snarling
- Displaying teeth
- Hunched back
If your older dog shows these signs of distress or discomfort, you’ll want to end the encounter and try again later.
Always avoid forcing dogs to continue an interaction where they feel uncomfortable, and make sure to supervise the dogs together at all times until they become comfortable with each other.
Takeaway
Your older dog and new puppy may not enjoy each other’s company at first, but that’s pretty common! Creating an environment for your pup and older dog to enjoy together is a long-term process.
Building new routines for your older dog before the puppy even enters the scene can help things go more smoothly. It’s also essential to give your older dog plenty of extra love and affection so they understand the puppy is an addition to the family, not their replacement!
Check out this video to learn more.