When you bring a puppy into your home, it's important to consider your older dog’s needs and comfort. Many people get a puppy when their older dog is in their senior years, hoping the puppy will rejuvenate them, or to ensure they always have a dog. Some expect the older dog to teach the puppy how to behave. While these reasons are valid, it’s crucial to remember that your older dog didn’t ask for a puppy, and it’s not their job to raise or correct your new addition.
A strategy I like to use is what I call the "Grandma Rule": if you wouldn’t let your puppy do something to your grandmother, don’t let them do it to your older dog. This approach helps set clear boundaries and expectations for respectful behavior between your pets. One of the key elements of successfully managing a multi-dog household with a puppy is management—especially when it comes to giving the puppy free rein of the house.
Allowing your puppy to have unrestricted access to your home sets you up for challenges, especially with potty training and teaching boundaries. Puppies don’t inherently know what’s acceptable and what isn’t. They’ll engage in behaviors that come naturally to them—like chewing on furniture or having accidents indoors—because they’re simply being dogs. Effective management from the start helps prevent these issues.
For young puppies, I recommend using an exercise pen (x-pen). This creates a small, secure area where they can stay in the main living space but in a puppy-proofed environment. You can give them appropriate toys and chews, setting the foundation for good habits. I usually use an x-pen for puppies between 8 and 12 weeks old. After that, I transition them to a tether system.
A tether is simply a leash attached to something sturdy (I use an eye hook bolted to my baseboard). This setup allows the puppy to be part of the family space without getting into trouble, pestering your older dog, or engaging in unwanted behaviors like counter-surfing. It also encourages the puppy to settle when they have fewer options for activity. This calmness is an essential skill for puppies to develop.
The tether has an additional benefit when it comes to your older dog. It gives them the freedom to approach and interact with the puppy on their own terms, rather than being constantly bothered. This sense of security can encourage positive interactions over time. The older dog can choose when to play or when to walk away, teaching the puppy that over-the-top behavior will lead to the removal of the playmate, which helps to naturally curb unwanted actions.
As your puppy matures, you’ll find that you need the tether less and less. They’ll start to make better choices on their own, but the tether remains useful for times when you need them to be calm and out of the way, like during meals or when guests are over. It’s also a good alternative to the crate for nap times or quiet periods.
Ultimately, the goal is to create a space where your older dog feels secure and your puppy learns boundaries and good habits. Not all dogs will become best friends, just as not all people love being around kids, and that’s okay. Sometimes, a peaceful coexistence is the best outcome for everyone
A strategy I like to use is what I call the "Grandma Rule": if you wouldn’t let your puppy do something to your grandmother, don’t let them do it to your older dog. This approach helps set clear boundaries and expectations for respectful behavior between your pets. One of the key elements of successfully managing a multi-dog household with a puppy is management—especially when it comes to giving the puppy free rein of the house.
Allowing your puppy to have unrestricted access to your home sets you up for challenges, especially with potty training and teaching boundaries. Puppies don’t inherently know what’s acceptable and what isn’t. They’ll engage in behaviors that come naturally to them—like chewing on furniture or having accidents indoors—because they’re simply being dogs. Effective management from the start helps prevent these issues.
For young puppies, I recommend using an exercise pen (x-pen). This creates a small, secure area where they can stay in the main living space but in a puppy-proofed environment. You can give them appropriate toys and chews, setting the foundation for good habits. I usually use an x-pen for puppies between 8 and 12 weeks old. After that, I transition them to a tether system.
A tether is simply a leash attached to something sturdy (I use an eye hook bolted to my baseboard). This setup allows the puppy to be part of the family space without getting into trouble, pestering your older dog, or engaging in unwanted behaviors like counter-surfing. It also encourages the puppy to settle when they have fewer options for activity. This calmness is an essential skill for puppies to develop.
The tether has an additional benefit when it comes to your older dog. It gives them the freedom to approach and interact with the puppy on their own terms, rather than being constantly bothered. This sense of security can encourage positive interactions over time. The older dog can choose when to play or when to walk away, teaching the puppy that over-the-top behavior will lead to the removal of the playmate, which helps to naturally curb unwanted actions.
As your puppy matures, you’ll find that you need the tether less and less. They’ll start to make better choices on their own, but the tether remains useful for times when you need them to be calm and out of the way, like during meals or when guests are over. It’s also a good alternative to the crate for nap times or quiet periods.
Ultimately, the goal is to create a space where your older dog feels secure and your puppy learns boundaries and good habits. Not all dogs will become best friends, just as not all people love being around kids, and that’s okay. Sometimes, a peaceful coexistence is the best outcome for everyone
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