Has anyone come across a really good article on how to introduce a new puppy 'safely' into a household that has two (established) older and grumpier (growlier) dogs please? No, it is not for me :) Or maybe there is a good book out there? Any recommendations would be appreciated.

I think in reality we would have to know the breed, as I know in my breed it would be a big no, no to introduce a new pup to a growly oldster.

This is an interesting topic. As far as I can understand, there seem to be two schools of thought about this;
1. A new puppy will rejuvenate an older dog.
2. Puppies drive older dogs up the wall! (A bit like noisy children and some old ladies, I suppose:-) )
However, in real life every situation is different, isn't it, and the important thing is to know ones dog (s) and to prioritise the comfort and well-being of the existing pet. Difficult when one becomes really broody for a puppy, though.....

I've never seen a book, or even anything in writing anywhere, that tells you what to do, but then I haven't read that many dog books ;-) The only place I have seen anything is on this forum.

However, I do have a grumpy old so and so that really doesn't like anything that changes her comfy lifestyle. :-p

When I bred a litter 3 years ago she was very put out and would hide when they were let out to play. She eventually accepted the one I kept, but it took a long time and lots of patience before she did. So long as she has somewhere to call her own she is happy.

Most dogs will tolerate puppies and if they have enough or the puppy oversteps the mark then they will tell the pup off. It is always advisable to be on hand and seperate them when the pup gets too over zealous but in most cases after a settling in period most dogs accept newbies without too many issues. I would also suggest an area where the older dogs can also go without the puppy being able to follow so they have their own space.

I think the level of 'grumpy' is so variable.  I have one that doesn't much like the undiscipined pinging phase of younger bouncy pups - but he tends to harrumph under his breath then make himself scarce.  My older dog finds them fascinating but weird - like waves on the beach, they are really interesting til they are under his feet! :)

If these dogs are generally reasonably tolerant and or accepting of older dogs it may just be a case of managing the puppy stages extra carefully, and for longer.  This article is quite useful

If these older dogs are not at all tolerant of any new dogs then I'd think twice about introducing a puppy

If they do decide to go ahead it will be worth doing as much preparation as they can so I'd get the older dogs back to class to brush up on their dog skills, and invest in a few baby gates. 

I think it can also depend on the breed, my labs will happily accept a new puppy or adult dog straight away, but some of the wires are not keen so I dont push them, they can see the new arrival through gates, kennels etc and get taken for lead walks together, eventually they will get used to the new arrival. Also some of the adults can be a bit rough so dont want pup to get hurt unintentionally.

Tracy

I don't know of any books on this and like others have said due to the variations in breeds it would be difficult and probably foolish to give generic advice but when I did it I got my advice from here!

My staffy is very grumpy with other dogs and lacks patience and tolerance.  Puppy licence doesn't exist in her world!  I did it very slowly and used a large pen and a stair gate so she never had to be too close to him but could see him, hear him and smell him without him totally intruding in her world.  He got used to her ways and she slowly got used to his. 

I would say that she tolerates him rather than any deep love ins going on but she lets him sniff her lady bits, lick her ears and mouth and in return he woofs loudly at GSD's to keep them away as she is scared of them!  She would never allow any other dog to do this but she has set clear boundaries and he knows not to overstep the mark.

That makes it sound far more simple than it actually was but in retrospect I should have been braver in letting them together sooner so she taught him manners quicker.  I would advocate the use of stair gates, crates and pens so none of the dogs are backed into a corner where they feel they can only resort to using teeth.  I also didn't let the pup upstairs (and he still doesn't get there) so the older dog could escape to somewhere that doesn't even smell of him.

It may not be the right way for everyone but it worked for me.

I agree, it will depend a lot on the breed. I am currently dogsitting an 11 year old springer, and I have a 7 week old Cavalier puppy (and her mum of course). The springer was a bit grumbly about the puppy at first, and I always supervise and stop the puppy bothering the springer, but today I caught him lying on the floor ignoring her while she climbed over his head! I also have an 8 year old American cocker who isn't overly keen on very young puppies, but is gradually getting used to her arrival, and he will be very handy teaching her manners as her mother lets her do anything to her!

There's nothing wrong with being grumpy.

>There's nothing wrong with being grumpy.

With most grumpy dogs I would tend to agree, but when one of my bitches attacked a puppy and caused significant bite marks on the head I really think that this statement needs clarification. My bitch gave warnings, but I wasn't quick enough to separate them. This bitch had been fine with the rest of the litter, but for some reason disliked this one pup. He made a full recovery and they were never allowed to meet without someone close by. Though she didn't like him at all right to the day she died. Thankfully he went to a good home.

Pups don't know that the old grumpy so and so isn't going to act like mummy did so do need to be supervised until they are accepted into the family. Pups have been killed, though thankfully rarely, but it can happen.

Selfish I now but I was talking about meself.

Thank you for the link dogs a babe :)

My advice would be for the older dogs to have an escape route from the pup, so as soon as they have had enough they can leave.  A baby gate or crate means the pup can have the company but the old dog the peace It wants.

My oldest does not like puppies, and I do have to ensure that when we have a litter she isn't allowed to be too harsh in making that clear.  Interestingly by the time they reach 12 weeks, if they are staying (or she thinks they are, as in the one we kept longer until it could go to Australia), she will grudgingly allow more interaction, lying within two feet, even the odd acknowledgement, and when I am not looking some tentative play ;)

> Pups don't know that the old grumpy so and so isn't going to act like mummy did so do need to be supervised until they are accepted into the family.

Now this is where I have found having a multi generational canine family so invaluable when rearing puppies.

My pups do learn before they leave that other dogs do not react or tolerate whet Mum does.

they know that grumpy old Kizi will near on take their heads off if they go near her, Jozi although 10+ in years will tend to play rough games, Myka will mother them as she just loves puppies, and that Inka will poke them ;), and by and large by 6 weeks, Mum Lexi will leave puppy education to the others while she acts like a queen, it all being quite beneath her, except if one yelps when she will suddenly show her maternal side.

In the past the Grumpy one was Kizi's grandmother, the Mummsy one her mother, and she was the Queen who only did what was needed with her own pups.