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For instance, initially my puppy was terrified of going up or down the stairs. This is very true for many puppies since it seems so foreign to them. However, by going up and down the stairs repeatedly, the puppy learned from watching my older dog. The puppy would watch the older dog very carefully, always looking in the direction he looked, as if there was something very important to observe. Additionally, he would follow the older dog around the house everywhere he went, knowing the older dog knew the lay of the land! !Watch this cute video and you will see the hesitation of the puppy until the big dog steps in.
We have all heard the adage: “with age comes wisdom.” If you already have an older dog and are introducing a new pack member, much can be learned from the senior dog. Just like older siblings teach the younger kids both good and bad habits, so too do dogs.
Know that when you have multiple dogs in a home, there will always be a pecking order. My neighbor has 5 dogs. It was complete chaos when someone came to the door. All five dogs would bark excitedly and jump repeatedly on who ever came in, even the family members. When the dog trainer came to her house, they started with the alpha dog and began teaching her a different response. Once she was pretty good, the trainer added a second dog. It grew easier and easier by the time the fifth dog needed to be trained!
Conversely, if you are adopting a senior dog into your home and you already have an adult dog, the senior dog can learn from the dog already established. Indeed, old dogs can learn new tricks because no one, human or canine, is ever too old to learn!
Time after time I see how dogs teach each other. Sometimes its good things, sometimes not, but they do watch and learn from each other. If you have multiple dogs, you must take their relationships with each other and with you into consideration. Dogs are not people — they look at life differently than we do, they communicate differently than we do, and their relationships are different. This is natural because they are a different species. They can’t change how they view things so it’s up to us to adjust and look at situations from their perspective. You know the results when we do.
A Calming Influence
The first few weeks of a puppy’s life in their new home are full of changes, and new experiences and sensations. Dogs are pack animals. So puppies will naturally pick up on the emotions of other dogs (and humans) around them when trying to understand their new world.
A calm, sensible adult dog can help to show a new puppy that your home is a comfortable, relaxing place to live in. And they can also help soothe any anxieties over their new surroundings. If your adult dog is relaxed about traffic, or the postman, or the presence of small children, then this may help your puppy to learn that these things need not be frightening.
Bringing a new puppy home to an older dog?
You may not be able to teach your old dog new tricks, but teaching them to welcome a new puppy into your household might be possible.
Older dogs can be stubborn. They have a set routine in their territory. A new puppy can have seemingly boundless energy. This may disrupt your older dogs normal routines. That can cause mental and even physical harm to your senior dog.
Gauge your older dogâs temperament. If y our senior dog is territorial, they may have a harder time sharing. If theyâre a big dog who throws their weight around, that could prove harmful to your puppy. If the older dog is a small breed, the puppy might harm them while they learn to play. Research your breeds to determine if blending them together is a good fit.
Medical History. Before introducing your dogs, have both of them examined by your vet. Make sure that theyâre both up-to-date with any necessary vaccines. Be certain that they donât have any parasites like fleas or ticks, or any other possibly contagious conditions.
After researching your dogsâ breeds and ensuring their medical history is up-to-date, itâs time for them to meet. The process is slow. It requires patience and attention.
Find a neutral territory. Before bringing your puppy home, take them and your senior dog to a neutral location. Somewhere outside like a garden or on a walk is best. Avoid high-traffic areas or areas with other dogs.
Use a leash. Keep both dogs on a leash with someone calm at the other end. Keeping the leash relaxed and loose will help relieve their anxiety. Take the dogs for a walk at a distance. Let each of them get used to the otherâs scent and presence.
Follow your dogâs lead. Some dogs may warm up to one another faster than others. Thatâs okay. Being patient and waiting for your dogs to make the first moves will promote a safer, more relaxed space for them to become acclimated.
Watch body language. Your dog will show how theyâre feeling with their whole body. Keep an eye out for posturing, fur standing on end, growling, or aggressive staring. If you notice this type of behavior, calmly direct their attention elsewhere.
Drop the leashes. If they are comfortable with each other, you can shorten the distance between the two dogs. Alternatively, you can take them to a neutral and fenced outdoor area to give them the space to socialize. Watch their body language for signs of aggression, but interfere as little as possible.
Take them home. Let the dogs interact in your yard. Since itâs no longer a neutral environment, moving slowly is important. Following the previous guidelines, make sure that they are still comfortable with each other. If they get anxious or aggressive, calmly separate them and try again later.
Take them inside. Once they are comfortable outside, itâs time to take them into your home. Ensure that you have some way to separate them, including specific rooms or baby gates. Your young puppy might start to get on your older dogâs nerves. Having a way to give them a break will help relieve stress.
Keep them apart. When you canât be around to closely monitor their interactions, keep your dogs separated. Keeping your puppy in a crate will help prevent accidents with your senior dog. It will also reduce the puppyâs chewing and help with house soiling.
Set boundaries. Like any healthy relationship, establishing boundaries with your dogs will help them avoid territorial behavior. Each dog should have its own toys and belongings. To relieve your senior dogâs anxiety, you may need to focus on them a little more. Rather than totally disrupting their routines, greet them first, feed them first, and leash them first when going out.
Feeding can be another tough spot when introducing a new dog into your home. They may decide to eat each otherâs food or get territorial around mealtimes. Keep food dishes separated so that they can eat on their own.
Start during the socialization period. The age of your puppy will make them more susceptible to adapting to your senior dog. Your senior dogâs established routines will be difficult to change, but a puppy between 2 and 4 months of age accepts new people, places, and animals more easily.
Provide verbal feedback. As in other training scenarios, verbal feedback when your dogs are meeting will help direct their behavior. Positive feedback when theyâre acting appropriately will encourage that behavior. Negative feedback when theyâre behaving badly, even something as small as âCut it outâ in the right tone, will help to curb bad behaviors. Otherwise, your interference in their introduction should be minimal.
Contact a professional. Between helpful books, local trainers, and kennels, there are many resources to help guide your training. If you donât know much about training dogs or their body language, consider speaking to a professional trainer or your veterinarian.