I have a 13 year old female chocolate lab. She is a great dog. However, we just got a new puppy. It is 9 weeks old. My 13 yo dog (Shaye) hates the new puppy (Rory). Shaye just seems sad, confused, and upset. I am feeling really guilty about this. I hope she does not die. Does anyone have any advice?
Yes lots of experience from last year when we got our puppy. Our then 10 year old didn’t want to have anything to do with her. They get on fine now but it took months of hard work. Kept them separate for a long time, then gradually got them together - firstly in the evenings, then afternoons and evenings, then eventually all day. They sleep in the same room now. I felt huge guilt and really thought we had made a terrible mistake for ages. My older girl is such a gentle loving dog. Felt awful. She’s fine though now and in lots of ways has benefited from having another dog in the house. She is happy and healthy and content.
Keep them separate as far as possible, using baby gates and a crate or puppy pen. Give your old dog LOTS of love and affection, and time alone with you without the puppy. Maybe one of you can play with the puppy in the yard for instance, while the other showers the old dog with attention. Give your old dog special treats, and don't allow the puppy too get too physical with her. It's damage limitation at this point, I'm afraid... I did the same as you, got a new puppy while my old dog was in his last year of life... He was gentle and sweet with the puppy, but I didn't like her for quite some time because she was so rough with him. I felt terrible... With time, they became good friends, but it took a few months. Good luck!
My oldest dog was 13 when we got a new pup second oldest was 10. The oldest dog was deaf and had lupus. He was a very laid back boy and although he was a little put out was ok with the pup he'd taken in a puppy waif before and just took it all in his stride. He was a very steady deep thinking clever dog. My 10 year old female went in meltdown refused to eat and got on the sofa and wouldn't come off. She Hated the pup and went into a Victorian lady attack of the vapours. I kept the older dogs separate from the pup and supervised carefully. If the pup was there they got treats cuddles and praise. I made sure the older dogs all got loads of my time didn't feel as if their routine had been disturbed by this little invader . I just kept at it little bits of chicken and praise lured the old girl off the sofa I kept every calm and normal. On the 3rd day she started to encourage the evil puppy monster to play. Is Shaye deaf infirm or ill? The way she's feeling and experiencing pup can affect how she responds. Is she arthritic? is the pup jumping up and hurting her or is she just depressed by Rory.? Is she withdrawn or aggressive towards the pup?
Tilly was 9 when we go Cooper three years ago. I wish we had done it when she was younger, but it has worked out OK. They have very different personalities within the Lab spectrum, but they some times sleep on the same dog bed, and they play bitey face or tug almost every day. Cooper spent the first few months with us mostly in a pen, when we weren't actively playing with her, so Tilly got some time away from her. Cooper still occasionally flattens Tilly, especially when they are playing in the snow. Tilly seldom goes at more than a trot, while Cooper could be a deer. I try to keep Cooper from blocking Tilly outside, but occasionally she still does it. They both get feed at the same time, only a couple of feet apart, with no issues. They share the job of pre-cleaning the dishes before they go into the dishwasher. I have to take two tennis balls if I go to the park or lake, because Tilly will never have a chance to get one, unless Cooper is far away retrieving one. Cooper is very competitive and very fast. Tilly is neither anymore.
My Gavin was 15 when we got Tatze. He didn’t let her near him unless she was sensible - his old bones were not up to puppy play. But he did tolerate her when she was calm. I wouldn’t be looking for ‘enjoy’ at all, just that she’s comfortable round the pup, but do all you can to be sure your older dog can get away from the pup whenever she wants and spend quality time alone with her too. .
