Need advice-is time right to introduce a new puppy to our 12 year old girl?

[Sheltiemomma]

Hi all. Looking for thoughts, advice, experience, etc. We have an almost 13 year old Sheltie - our first Sheltie - and we absolutely love her to death. We decided that our next puppy will be another Sheltie! The question is do we get a new puppy now and introduce her to our girl, or do we wait? She's in decent health - she doesn't look like a 12 year old - she does however have some minor health issues: arthritis, limps occasionally depending upon activity levels, on thyroid pills, her hair stopped growing and started thinning about a year and a half ago (not due to thyroid levels which are kept in check by meds). She's a very lovable girl and is close with myself, my husband and our only child - she doesn't pick favorites! She is on the shy side when introduced to other dogs. We are wondering if introducing a new pup now will actually help extend her life or if it may send her into depression? Any thoughts on this? Have any of you had any similar experiences in introducing a new puppy with a senior dog? Thanks in advance!

 

[trini]

When our Sheltie girl, Misty, was 14 and still doing well health-wise, we got our Fable (13 week old blue merle sheltie). We took Misty with us when we went to see the pups and she took one look at the pups and jumped back into my car and refused to come back out. LOL But once we got Fable home she gradually warmed up to her new little sister and she even shared her bed with Fable on our chilly upstate NY nights. Fable, however, was one of those very easy puppies who would read Misty's moods and leave her alone when Misty was obviously tired and didn't want to be pestered. I suspect that getting Fable at 13 weeks (rather than the more typical 8 weeks) had taught her more advanced "puppy manners" from her Mom and the other adult dogs at the breeder's home.

I think as long as you don't expect instant bonding between your older dog and a puppy, make sure to provide peaceful puppy-free time for your older dog by having a room where your older dog can go and not have a tag-along wee brat and you spend some one on one time each day with your older dog (without the pup) doing the things you have always enjoyed doing together so your dog doesn't feel she has been displaced in your affections, that most (not all) dogs will enjoy the company of another dog.

There are some dogs that truly prefer to be only doggies...you know your own dog best and can make your decision on based on her personality. There really is no "one answer fits all" on this question.

Trini

 

[MissyGallant]

The best thing that EVER happened to our Bonnie Bell was when the two puppies, Clara and Tara were born. Clara wound up being Bonnie's caregiver. When Bonnie couldn't hear anymore, Clara would "go Fetch her". Clara and Tara both helped keep Bonnie out of trouble when she couldn't see well anymore. Clara and Bonnie kept each other's ears SPOTLESS. And when Bonnie was 15, she and the puppies would play in the yard constantly. It was fun to see the old girl lifting her hiney to get Clara to play.

 

[Sharon7]

We went through this exact same dilemma years ago when we had our 13 year old Skye. We put off getting a second dog that long because Skye was just perfect and we didn't want to jinx it. At a healthy 13, it was then or never. We got Asta at 10 weeks old, and it was the best thing for Skye once she adjusted to it. She became young again, and she taught Asta so much.

Mind you, Skye always liked other dogs. The first week or so both she and Katie our senior kitty at that time were nervous, but Asta was also a respectful pup and never mauled Skye. So maybe try and get a mellower pup, not a "high drive" model. A slightly older pup might be a good bet, as Trini says. Good luck with your decision. Just make sure you make time for both dogs separately.

Now I have 3, a rowdy 2 year old, a 9 year old and 13 year old. Faith keeps the older two interested in life!!!

 

[MissyGallant]

So maybe try and get a mellower pup, not a "high drive" model.

I agree with that statement completely! Cooper and Casey or Cooper and Bonnie probably would NOT have been a good mix. Cooper is ALWAYS into something. We knew he was going to have puppytude when we chose him. In order to handle the Belles, we needed a pup with a bit of 'tude. We had our choice of Cooper or a MUCH mellower puppy. Fortunately, Clara is low maintenance and very easy going. (Although we have some squirrels that would disagree- but I digress)