My older dog is scared of new puppy. How can I help them get along?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Hi, We recently got a new puppy and our older dog is scared of the puppy, the adult dog runs away from puppy, as well as being very unsociable with the puppy and humans in the house. What can we do? Regards,
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on July 23rd, 2019
Congrats on adding the new puppy to your household. These things can take time and patience but most pets will come around. Here is a helpful link: https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-tips-to-introduce-a-puppy-or-dog-to-your-older-dog/ Other things that will help including walking the dogs together, giving the older dog some alone time and keeping the puppy from getting too rough with the older dog. Also praise the older dog when she approaches the puppy or exhibits positive interest in the puppy. Please feel free to post any additional questions.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on March 20th, 2019
(continued) Don’t Leave them Alone -Depending on the dogs, you should keep them in crates or separated until you are confident that there is no potential for them to display aggression in your absence. -For some things to look for in your dog’s behavior, watch body posture, lip movement, and ear movement in order to determine how your pet is behaving towards another animal. Discuss with your veterinarian any potential problems. If you have any problems or concerns with introducing you pets, you can always contact your family veterinarian for personalized tips. It is very important to establish an ongoing relationship with a veterinarian to take care of the physical and emotional well being of all of your animals.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, I recently got a new puppy and my older dog has had some difficulty adjusting to her. She is scared of the new puppy and when the puppy barks she runs upstairs. She doesn’t come down to eat or drink water, even if we hold the puppy away from h
A pheromone product, such as the Adaptil collar or DAP plug in diffuser, may decrease any anxiety. A gradual introduction may also help. Do not "force" her to interact with the puppy. Allow her to progress at her own pace. Praise and reward her as she progresses. Be patient and always supervise them when they are together.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
New Pet
I am having a new 2 months old retriver puppy today and i have a 10 yrs old shitzu. what should i prepare for their first encounter? how do i make them get along together so that one wouldn't feel lonely and sad?
Congratulations on your new puppy! It’s best to have both pets exercised before they meet. Being a little tired will help to smooth out hyper excitibility. Also have them meet in a neutral area and have them both on a leash. Then just make sure that the older dog can have a break from the puppy if the puppy is annoying him at home. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Is it true that dog like of my dogs age are tends to get aggressive if i bring dog lf same or elder age to home and if i bring puppy to home they can adjust with puppy but hard to adjust with elder dog
This can be a difficult question to answer because it will vary from dog to dog. The dog's personality will determine whether or not they adjust well to a new housemate. It does not necessarily matter whether the dog is older or younger. Some things you can do in the home when introducing new dogs are keeping the interactions very limited and making sure the dogs are under supervision the whole time they are getting to know each other. Also avoid feeding the dogs or giving them treats while they are together as this can sometimes cause aggressive behavior. Just be patient and work with the dogs individually and together and they should be able to get along fine. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Boop by Petco. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Our new puppy (female) and our 3 yo male dog don't seem to get along. She's more high energy and he's on the lazy side. How can I help them get along?
I understand! Many adult dogs aren't thrilled at first to have a new puppy in the house. You can help this by making sure that your older dog has a safe place he can go when he wants to be left alone, such as a crate or a spot on the couch - when he goes there to get away, make sure to keep the puppy from bothering him. You can also keep her on a leash if needed when she's feeling rowdy, and reward her for calm behavior around the other dog. Be ready to redirect her to some other activity if she is pestering him when he wants to be left alone - you can play with her using one of her toys, or give her a bully stick or rawhide to chew on. As she gets older and learns better social skills, she and your older dog should begin to get along better. Just be patient and consistent in the meantime, and always supervise to make sure that she isn't harassing him.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a 13 year old mixed breed rescue (50lbs). Our other dog passed away 2 years ago and we are now thinking of adopting a 8 mo. old female high energy mixed breed. Our resident dog has not had another dog in the house since his "brother" passe
It can be very difficult to guess if new dogs will get along. I always recommend discussing with the adoption group if you can have a trial period to test the dogs together for compatibility. Meeting on neutral ground is always a good idea. Go to a park (preferably NOT a dog park with other strange dogs around) or other semi-private area that does not belong to either dog. Keep both on a leash and let them see each other. If there are no signs of aggression (lunging, lip licking, raised fur, rigid tail, etc) then get closer and see how they get along. Here is some more information: https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-tips-to-introduce-a-puppy-or-dog-to-your-older-dog/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi, i just got a 10 week old male Siberian Husky, and brought him home to 4, three year old Havenese dogs. The Havenese are a pack, and don’t do well with other dogs. The husky is very sweet but every time we introduce him to the other dogs, he bites
Introducing a new puppy can be difficult but is not impossible. Here are a few helpful links: https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-tips-to-introduce-a-puppy-or-dog-to-your-older-dog/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/getting-acquainted-for-life-bringing-home-a-new-puppy/ Also make sure to give the new puppy a lot of exercise prior to meeting the other dogs since being physically tired will make things easier. Just take it slow and be patient. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a 2 year old pitbull he gets very excited when other dogs come around and shows little aggression to big dogs. I am getting a 7 week old puppy in a week. I wanted advice on how to introduce them and what behavior should be tolerated. I am worr
Below is some information to help you with the introduction process. Congratulations on your new puppy. If you do notice Tyson behaving aggressively sweperate then immediately. The most effective long term plan will be to reward Tyson when he is "gentle" with the puppy. Have that word as your command goal.
Bringing a new puppy or dog into the home can be a great way to help revitalize your older dog's routine. Many owners often find that a second dog can help reduce stress and anxiety, and provide a playmate for their current dog. When introducing your new dog, taking things slow and following the below steps will best ensure the two dogs get along from the start!
Provide a Personal Space
Before ever bringing home your new dog, be sure to set aside a personal space for both the new dog and your old. This can include spaces such as a crate your dogs feel comfortable in, separate food and water bowls, and enough bedding for the two to each have their own spot at any time. Making sure
Updated on September 24th, 2025
New Pet
New 5 week puppy, both have sniffed each other and younger one licked my current 3 month puppy on the cheek- introduced with a window with bars between them being big enough for Jack(older one's) head to fit between gaps. They were calm but when put
I assume Jack is the older one? It sounds like you are going to need to be very careful introducing these two, and be sure to keep them crated when you are not able to supervise them. Here is an article you may find helpful: https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-tips-to-introduce-a-puppy-or-dog-to-your-older-dog/ And an article on crate training which I would highly recommend: https://www.petcoach.co/article/how-to-crate-train-your-puppy-or-older-dog/
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
How do I get my older female dog to accept the new male puppy she shows jealousy and a lot of aggression towards him
It may take some time for her to accept him. If she is being aggressive toward him than you should not allow them to be together unsupervised, espeically around feeding time or any toys/bones that she may protect. Give her extra attention, praise, and treats while the puppy is around so she knows he is not there to replace her. You could also try an Adaptil collar or diffuser and see if that helps. If she doesn't start accepting him than you could talk to your vet about trying an anti-anxiety medication, like Prozac or Trazodone and see if that helps.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
How do I get my old dog to get along with my new dog. I have a 9yr old hyper (not neutered/boy) dog, but 3 days ago I got a 2yr old calm (neutered/boy) dog,for 3 days my old dog has only cried and wanted to be with him(be in his face, lick ,hump him)
I'm sorry to hear that things aren't going well with your new dog. Unfortunately, it sounds like this may not be a good match - just like humans, some dogs have very different personalities and may simply not get along. If you want to try keeping both dogs, I would really recommend getting in touch with a veterinary behaviorist who can evaluate the dogs in person to give you a better idea of whether this is a fixable issue - if so, he/she can help you put together a detailed step-by-step plan to work on the problem. You can search for a behaviorist in your area here: www.dacvb.org In the meantime, I would recommend keeping your older dog on a leash or physically separated from the other dog with a baby gate or other barrier. This will allow the younger dog to relax a bit without being harassed. If things go well like this for a few days, you can gradually allow short periods of contact between them. Reward both dogs when they are together, and particularly praise and reward your
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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