Your pup is middle-aged, or older. She’s not as energetic as she used to be. The idea that one day your household may be dogless makes you cringe. And maybe a puppy would liven your own dog up. The local shelter has a litter of super-cute puppies. Should you bring one home?
As usual, the answer is “It depends.” Here are some helpful questions to ask yourself before bringing home baby.
Question #1 - Is your older dog healthy?
My old lady Izzy adored puppies, but in her arthritic last few years she really did not need one bouncing off her hips. If your older dog has a chronic health condition or has lost much of her hearing or sight, puppy energy may be too much for her. Talk to your vet if you have doubts.
Question #2 - Does your older dog enjoy other dogs?
If your older dog has plenty of canine friends, it’s an easy call, especially if those friends include any pups who happen to appear. If she’s not the life of the dog party but she exchanges polite greetings with most dogs and has a few friends she plays with, ditto. But plenty of dogs are indifferent to other dogs, or afraid of them, or quick to get into fights. These dogs will not magically fall for a new puppy roommate.
Do Dogs Need to Play With Other Dogs?
And in turn, they may not be so good for a puppy. Very young puppies seem to have a “license” with most adult dogs, who’ll put up with in-your-face, sometimes annoying behavior that they wouldn’t tolerate from an adolescent or grown dog. Now, even the most patient adult dog may sometimes get fed up – you can expect an occasional lip curl, growl, or snap. It’s normal. What isn’t so great for a puppy is life with an adult dog who barely tolerates him, or who routinely aggresses against him. Dogs are social animals. To live with someone hostile to them produces chronic stress, which can alter the brain permanently and have long-term negative effects on their behavior.
Question #3 – Will a puppy affect your older dog’s quality of life?
By the way, before you decide that the villain is the older dog who dislikes puppies, remind yourself that she was there first. Life with a puppy wouldn’t be any more fun for her than life with her would be fun for the puppy. Of course, if you have a large house, plenty of open space for exercise, and terrific dog-management skills, you can raise a puppy even if your older dog isn’t a fan. And it’s okay to adopt a puppy for your own sake. Just make sure that the pup’s presence doesn’t diminish your older dog’s quality of life.
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