Introducing a puppy to an older dog

It is always wise to think about how to introduce your new addition to the family to avoid any issues before they occur.

It’s important to be honest with yourself when deciding on getting a puppy; will your resident dog be happy about their new living arrangements? Lots of dogs take some time to adjust, that’s normal, but for some living with another dog, especially a puppy can have a detrimental effect on their wellbeing and/or pose a risk to the puppy.

It is recommended to arrange some sleep overs with known doggy friends if your dog has never lived with another dog before. There are plenty of dogs who are sociable out and about but have no desire to share their home. It’s better to discover this ahead of time and seek professional advice.

If you’re resident dog is elderly, or has existing medical issues, it’s even more important to think very carefully about getting a second dog.

If you decide to go ahead with introducing a puppy here are some tips to help.

Picking the right puppy 

Breed is important. They need to fit your lifestyle, and your resident dog’s preferences. Size is a key consideration when thinking about a bouncy young puppy and a senior pet. Your elderly Cavalier King Charles in unlikely to appreciate a Great Dane puppy (and teenager!).

Personality matters too. Talk to the breeder and take time observing the litter. If your resident dog is big and bouncy, the shy puppy at the back might not be the one, equally if your dog is cautious around other dogs or a little timid perhaps don’t pick the most outgoing and boisterous pup.

What to do before you bring the puppy home

• Ensure your older dog’s vaccinations are all up to date. Puppies are very vulnerable before their vaccination programme has been completed. The same applies to worming, flea and tick treatment.

• Don’t forget puppy insurance for your new pup so you can rest assured that vet fees for any potential illness or issue your puppy develops can be covered.
• Give your older dog the option to get away from the new arrival, this should be in their usual resting areas. Set the puppy up in a separate room, or pen area with their own food, water, bed and toys.
• Fit some baby gates in the house to help separate the dogs when required. Introduce your adult dog to these before puppy’s arrival.
• Tidy away toys and chews. Your older dog’s possessions could cause a flashpoint for conflict. Avoid problems by putting toys out of the way until your older dog and puppy have got used to each other.

Introducing a puppy to your older dog for the first time

Do not just walk into the house with a puppy.

Discuss with the breeder if they have an area where you could bring your dog to meet the puppy before they come home. If not, you want to pick a neutral area that is still safe for your unvaccinated puppy. If required you can use your garden.

As your puppy is unlikely to be used to a collar and lead yet you could pop them in a crate or pen. Bring your older dog out on lead and keep your distance. Take your time and ensure they have seen the puppy before getting closer. If either of the dogs look worried or anxious, barks or growls take them off separately for a short break before bringing them back together again.

Allow your dog to get gradually closer to your puppy. If they both appear calm, allow a sniff through the bars and then calmly call your older dog away. Give them a treat or some fuss and allow them to approach again.

If the dogs are seeming quite comfortable with this, it’s probably time to go inside.

Do not rush. If either of the dogs isn’t too sure yet, keep them separated and try again later that day, or the next.

Bringing the puppy into your house

This will be easier with more than one person to help.

Have one person take the puppy inside and to their area (pen or room as mentioned above). Someone else can then bring your adult dog in on lead. Let them observe the puppy from a distance. Give them plenty of praise and tasty treats. If they seem calm, you can let them off lead, but ensure there is a barrier between them and the puppy initially.

Do not rush. If either of the dogs isn’t too sure yet, keep them separated and try some more garden time later that day, or the next.

Once they are relaxed around each other, try having them both on lead in the same room. Again, having two people is ideal, one to sit with the puppy and another with the older dog. Like you did outside, if they are calm, allow them to get closer, have a little sniff and then call them away.

Gradually provide more slack on the leads, and longer greetings between the dogs. If either look worried, call them away from each other again. When you are happy, you could drop their leads or take them off.

Keep these interactions short and sweet, no more than 10-15 minutes and then separate them again using the baby gates or puppy’s space. Over the next few days start to increase the duration of these sessions until you are happy to allow the dogs to interact freely whilst under close supervision.

If you have any concerns it’s always best to seek professional advice from a qualified behaviourist.

Find out more about our pet insurance for older pets including coverage for older dogs

From how to train a puppy to exercising a puppy, we've got plenty of useful guides to help you with your new pup, as well as common dog health issues to be aware of when they get older.