When to get a "replacement" ?

[halfpenny43]

My wife has had a Springer since he was a puppy. He's now nearly 15 and health issues and old age are starting to become prevalent.

She is dreading "the moment" but would like another dog.

The question is she is not sure if she should get a puppy now - or wait for a bit.
The good thing she feels is that a puppy may give the old fella a bit of a lease of new life

Any thoughts ?

Thanks
1/2p

[moorx]

My parents always had one older and one younger dog, and I agree that it can be beneficial for both.

The difference in their case being that the older one was generally middle aged or just over, and the younger one was not a tiny puppy.

I'm not sure that I would get a young puppy with a really old dog. I would prefer to let them live out their final years in peace and quiet and being thoroughly spoilt.

I should say that I too have adopted younger dogs when I've had an older one. But they have been pairs - in one case a 2 and a 3 year old to live with a 12 year old, and in the other case, two 8 month olds to live with a 12 year old. My theory was that they would bond with each other and leave the other older dog in peace, which is exactly what happened.

Edited by moorx on Thursday 8th October 21:36

[spanner10]

My feeling is that it would be best to wait . Your springer is a very good age and am sure would be happier to live out his retirement free from the attentions of a hyperactive puppy .

There are 9 years between my dogs and with hindsight I think that was too big a difference. 5 years on at best they tolerate each other.

It's fine to consider a new dog and I know the house will feel empty, but plan for the future?

[sociopath]

I agree with the others, with such an old dog I'd let it live out its life in peace. Can you imagine having a toddler foisted on a nonagenarian?

[bigmowley]

My experience is that the young dog can have an amazingly good effect on the old dog. We had a border collie who was 15ish almost blind and a bit deaf. We got a golden retriever puppy as a replacement and the border collie really came alive again in a big way, playing and interacting with the puppy. He went on to live another 3 happy years as the top dog and had a great relationship with the golden.

[Catz]

Our last dog, a Flatcoat Retriever, was full of fun as an older dog but we did notice she really couldn’t be doing with any youngsters she met while out on a walk. If dogs could roll their eyes and mutter f—k this then she would have.

I know it will be heartbreaking for everyone when the time comes but I’d say let your 15 year old pupster live out their final moments in peace.

Our current bundle of joy is just over a year old now and you do forget how much time and effort a new puppy takes. Time that would be taken away from your older dog.

[rxe]

I don’t think there is a right answer here. We got a pup when our older GSD was 9, and it’s worked really well - the older dog was not pleased initially, but they are good friends now and the pup has encouraged the older dog to remain active. Older dog is definitely the boss, and there is no question of the younger dog trying to usurp her. I think with some breeds (especially something like GSD) having an older dog to knock some manners into the pup is a really good idea, The pup is now really good at handling situations with dominant dogs, whereas the older one (who never got the training) instinctively tries to start a fight when confronted.

[Jasandjules]

It depends on your dog. Some like a younger dog and will be happy and playful (and it keeps them younger) but others will be dour and peeved about a little dog running about.

Basically you know your current dog best.....

In our case many years ago our dog was still quite happy to meet others on a walk so we got a puppy and it worked like a charm, she got a new lease of life.. These days we don't have fewer than three dogs at any one time.....

[Berlin Mike]

We are faced with the same dilemma. We had two Parson Jack Russells, a dog who is now 16 1/2 and a bh who would be 11. Unfortunately the bh (or do I have to write lady-dog?) died in August of a stomach complaint. We were expecting her to outlast the old dog.

Old dog is nearly stone-deaf and has slowed noticeably over the past few months. He doesn't want to go round the park if it’s dark and when it’s light, he’ll only do half a lap. He missed the other dog when she died and keeps close by now, rather than showing the terrier nonchalance.

Mrs. Berlin thinks a new puppy would give him a new lease of life, I’m worried it would wear him out in no time. It might also be too late for the old dog to teach the new dog any tricks.

[BoggoStump]

Agree with everyone else, my worry would be if the new puppy would annoy the crap out of the old dog by wanting to play 24/7.

Could always get a young to middle age dog instead or even another oldie. (from a rescue)

[halfpenny43]

Thanks all for the advice - something to think about for sure and not rush into.

We'll wait for now - at least until Spring and then see what happens

Thanks again

[Who me ?]

Alternative view- new pup arrives in home . Older dog accepts pup and pup sees old dog as a friend. Then one old dog is gone. Dogs, in my world do grieve.

[so called]

This topic had me looking at myself.

One of those cold call insurance companies called me a couple of weeks ago.
The Indian chap kindly informed me that, as, at 62 years old and the UK life expectancy for men being 75, I needed to take out insurance as I only have 13 years left.
Your thread reminded me that, as an 'old dog', I really enjoy playing with my Grandkids.
(and resting when they're resting).

Maybe your old dog would enjoy it too.
Wuff, wuff.

Edited by so called on Tuesday 13th October 15:41

[rxe]

[quote=Who me ?]Alternative view- new pup arrives in home . Older dog accepts pup and pup sees old dog as a friend. Then one old dog is gone. Dogs, in my world do grieve.
[/quote]

We are worried about this with our two. The older dog is (from a human perspective) horrible to the younger dog, but that are absolutely a “pack” and respond to each other in the garden - whichever one woofs first will be backed up in seconds by the other one.

Old dog is now 10 and the young dog is 1. When old dog goes, the youngster will be bereft - we will need to get a pup in very quickly indeed.

[Marniet]

Uft it’s a very tough and sad thing to have to deal with . My younger dog died unexpectedly before my older dog . It wouldn’t have been right for her for us to bring any dog in at that point . Down to the individual dog and their personality.

[BoggoStump]

rxe said:

We are worried about this with our two. The older dog is (from a human perspective) horrible to the younger dog, but that are absolutely a “pack” and respond to each other in the garden - whichever one woofs first will be backed up in seconds by the other one.

Old dog is now 10 and the young dog is 1. When old dog goes, the youngster will be bereft - we will need to get a pup in very quickly indeed.

I dunno if it would be better for the young dog to grieve abit, a new dog may piss it off. i dunno though.