Old Dog Young Dog?

[Tia's mommy]

I was watching a dog show the other day and a viewer had questioned whether to get a new dog while you had a senior or better to wait. The answer given was it was better to get one while you still had the senior dog. Apparently ithe pup can pep up the senior dog and the senior dog can teach the young one. Our tiy poodle has never been a social dog with other dogs. She's great with people she knows well, not with strangers and not even with dogs she knows well. So in our case, I don't think it's a good idea. Has anyone had any experiences they can share?

[k9Karen]

I absolutely agree that the time to get the 'new' dog is while you still have the old one. I've done this twice, and it worked out well the first time, and absolutely fantastically well the second time.

When Leah was 12, she was diagnosed with diabetes insipidus, and was (quite literally) wasting away. I was selfish, and wanted to get another dog for me, not for her. I expected her to die very soon, although she fooled me and lived 3 more years. I got Mickey as a 9-week old pup - an adorable 5-pound bundle of fluff. While Leah never really seemed to like him, she mothered him and taught him well. When I lost her, having him made it much easier to let her go, and I thing having him around had helped her to stay alert and 'feel alive'.

My second go-round was when Mickey became very arthritic, deaf, and depressed. He was almost 11, and I thought he was near death. He didn't seem to care about living anymore. We got Allie as an 8-week old tiny bundle of fluff (only 3 lbs) and Mickey's face lit up the moment I brought her in the house. He was intrigued and excited. It took him at least a week to begin to show any jealousy, but it was short-lived. Allie became his friend, his sweetie, his playmate, and his companion when we weren't home. Wherever she was, he was there; wherever he was, she was there. I firmly believe that getting Allie added at least 3 years to Mickey's life. I lost him a little over a year ago, at the age of almost 16 - over 5 years after we got Allie, who is now almost 7 and has two other 'sisters'. I got Foxy because I thought Angel was very ill (possible bladder cancer that turned out to be benign tumors), and Allie is a dog who can not be left alone - she has terrible separation anxiety. Foxy has also worked out extremely well. (BTW, I got Angel when I found out Allie was deaf - I wanted a 'watch dog' - ha! she'd let the burglars in and show them to the jewelry!). Foxy, thank goodness, barks at strangers!

[JMM]

I think it also depends on the dog and the situation. If your older dog has a lot of problems that take up a large amount of your time, a puppy might not be the best match (maybe a young adult rescue instead). I've been probably too picky looking at border collie litters because I am very specific in having a dog that is right for Mikey and I'm not first on the pick list LOL But, Mikey comes first because of his health and when I add another dog it has to complement his temperament so we don't cause too much stress.

[MicksMom]

I think it also depends on the dog and the situation. If your older dog has a lot of problems that take up a large amount of your time, a puppy might not be the best match (maybe a young adult rescue instead). I've been probably too picky looking at border collie litters because I am very specific in having a dog that is right for Mikey and I'm not first on the pick list LOL But, Mikey comes first because of his health and when I add another dog it has to complement his temperament so we don't cause too much stress.

Same here- Mick's health can't handle another dog, especially a pup. But even bringing in an adult dog would be too much for our old man (unless it was another geriatric one).

[momPaws]

Thanks, Karen, for you input as I have often wondered this myself..I think you helped me on this.