Will an older dog accept a new dog?

[Disney01]

Our two dogs have been together their entire lives. They are both 13-14. Our border collie just died, leaving the little dog alone. This little dog was very dependent on the Border Collie and hates to be alone. I'm wondering if we introduced another dog into the scenario, how that would work. It would probably be a slightly older, retriever type dog around 2-3 years old. (We believe in rescue.) Part of the reason we want another dog is also for my son, who loves to play and interact with them, and the cockapoo is not really a "play" type dog. Just wondering what others experiences have been. The cockapoo is very healthy, and being a small dog, could conceivably live another 4-5 years. My son is 11 and the perfect age to have a dog for a buddy.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I think it would be great. Esp. if you can rescue an older dog who might not otherwise be adopted.

Have your dog meet the new dog in neautral territory. For instance, introduce them in a park or a friends house. That way, neither will be as likely to get defensive.

I hope it works out!!

Dogs are great aren't they?

 

[NMAmy]

I've always gotten a pal for my older dogs when one has passed away. There's been a few tense moments but they've always gotten along. One thing that helped us was to get a puppy--the older dog takes the puppy under it's wing. It's great with the potty training as well.

The funny thing was to see a big german shepard mix (the younger dog) kowtowing to the older, tiny cocker spaniel mix.

 

[CBRorBust]

I think it will depend on the new dog's size/sex/breed.

We just introduced a large female lab to my small female shih tzu and they get along great!

 

[Chicago526]

You won't really know until you try. Dogs are like people, they all have differant personalities.

Explain to the rescue/shelter you want to adopt from that you want to "try out" the new dog to see your little guy will accept him (and vice versa). The shelter should understand completely, and will make the adoption conditional upon the two dogs hitting it off.

I did this, unfortunatly, my Missy did NOT accept the new dog. She was just too jealous of me. She gets along with other dogs in neutral areas, but as soon as I pay attention to another dog, she attacks the other dog. The shelter understood and found another home for the stray (a very sweet girl, I wish I could have kept her!) Missy is going to have to be an "only child", I'm affraid!

 

[Christine]

I have successfully done this. When my Shepherd/Collie Mix was about 6 years old, we introduced two other dogs into the family that were about 3 years old. It took about 6 weeks, but they all found their place in the "pack" and got along well (and they were all females).

My latest attempt was with my 1 year old hound mix. I brought in a Jack Russell puppy. This had been fine, but the older hound mix dog is very aggressive and really gets on the Jack Russell sometimes. I feel kinda sorry for my Jack Russell because she has to be so submissive. But all in all, it has worked out.

As others have said, just look for a dog with a gentle personality and a playfulness and you should be fine.

 

[Pin Wizard]

I have a flat-coated revtriever...great dog!! When he was 5 or 6, I got a puppy...boxer/lab. The retriever is such a sweetheart, always has been. He puts up with the little one who is a year old now, but he likes his own space too. When I tried to leave for a while and put them in two separate rooms, the retriever actually looked for the little one. The little one, however, is GLUED to the retriever. LOL! Loves to be with him. They are both males.

 

[krissy3483]

We had a mix breed who was 14 or so and really starting to slow down. Our vet recommended getting a puppy to help make her more active, so we adopted one from a nearby shelter. It really did help Misty to have the puppy around to look after, and she lived for another 3 years before we had to put her to sleep.
So obviously, it depends on the dogs themselves, but in general I really think it is a good idea for somewhat older dogs to have younger ones around.

 

[mrsstats]

Last year my 15 year old dog had to put to sleep. I also had another 15 year old dog at home. He was very lonely, crying. So we decided to adopt another dog. We went out looking for another dog but brought our dog with us. We finally found a 3 year old chi/mix (the same breed that we have) At the adoption place they got along fine. We had to wait 1 day to bring her home as they needed to check refrences. We went back, brought home our new dog. Well, things didn't go smoothly at first. The new dog was aggressive especially with food. However, patience paid off. And while I won't say they are best buds, they do get along. The new dog will even bark to let us know the older guy has to go out or come in. Neither will bark to come in. So, I say, give it a try. Things should work out fine.

 

[Serena]

My lab mix accepts anything I bring into the house. She ignores the snakes though. She helped raise 5 week old kittens, and various other temporary rescues I've done.
She taught one puppy how to climb up the back stairs to come into the house.


I'm thinking of getting another dog or a cat even. I think my allergies would handle one cat. Maxie needs something to be a mom too. She gets lonely.

 

[Kallison]

It's great that you are doing a rescue. I wouldn't get a puppy though, I think it would be too rambunctious. My 5 year old labbie does not like when I babysit puppies -- but he loves the 5 year old girl lab that I watch occasionally. They snuggle and kiss, so cute!

 

[Disney01]

We got both these dogs when they were between 1-2 years old. We are definitely not puppy people.

 

[mtblujeans]

Originally posted by NMAmy
I've always gotten a pal for my older dogs when one has passed away. There's been a few tense moments but they've always gotten along. One thing that helped us was to get a puppy--the older dog takes the puppy under it's wing. It's great with the potty training as well.....

This was exactly something I was wondering. We have a Lab mix and he is getting older. We thought about getting a puppy and hoping the older dog would help teach him to stay within the borders of the property, show him to stay away from the kittens, teach him he can't go in the barn, etc. but wasn't sure if that would really happen. Plus, we are not traveling this summer, or having company, so we can spend time with the new dog, too. But, I have been calling the "pound" every week and they have not had puppies this summer.

 

[janette]

We've done this with varied success. It really depends on the dogs. We had a Border Collie and a Terrier Mix, when the terrier died our Border Collie was miserable. We got another dog a (Catahoula) and although they weren't friends our border collie was still happier. We then added a puppy (Bichon) to the mix, the border collie was about 14 then and frail and just ignored the puppy. The Catahoula really enjoyed the puppy, it's always been fun to watch them. It's almost like she decided that he's her baby. They played together and she put up with him biting her ears and whatever. Here's one of my favorite pictures of them. She definately has been more active since we've had him, seems to have reversed some of her aging.

Our Border collie died and we added another Bichon from the pound, she's also about 10 about the same age as the Catahoula. They seemed to get along okay, we slowly introduced them. About 2 months after we had the older Bichon our Catahoula bit her pretty badly. Not sure exactly what happened, but both are alpha dogs. She might have nipped at the puppy and that would have upset the Catahoula also. Since then we've kept them separated. It's worked out okay, gets kind of complicated sometimes but we couldn't give up either and knew that it was more mix than the personality of either dog. Since they are both older there are also limited options. The vet suggested a behaviourist but I know even with that I probably wouldn't trust them together. The Bichon is definately an alpha personality and will get in the face of other dogs when we are out walking, doesn't seem to faze her that they are 3 or 4x bigger then her . The Catahoula is an alpha also. The younger Bichon doesn't have any alpha tendencies so I'm sure that's why he gets along with both.

Hopefully you'll find a good mix but it can still work even if you have to make some adjustments. We really enjoy all of our dogs even if they all don't enjoy each other.