Introducing a new puppy to an older springer spaniel

by Sue Brown
(Bushy Park Teddington)

Lilly

Hi,

I would like to know the best way to introduce a new puppy to an older dog already living in the household.

Sue

From Anna@love-springer-spaniels.com

Always make sure the older springer has a space to get away from the puppy, that is purely his. You may also find him growling alot and even snapping at the new edition, thats ok, they are finding their place. George used to really snarl at Fidget and after about 4 weeks they started to play together.

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Introducing a new puppy to an older springer spaniel

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Dec 16, 2011
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Best Friend ESS's NEW
by: Anonymous

Our springer was 7 years old when we decided on another springer puppy. It took about 4 months for them to finally bond, but now the almost 9 year old and 16 month year old are best friends. The only thing I can not master is talking them for walks together with my husband. The puppy wants to jump and play. Any suggestions?

Dec 16, 2011
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good luck.. NEW
by: Anonymous

I added a new pup to my 3yr old dog and hell has broke loose lol....The puppy wont train right when the older dog is there..which is always...and now the older dog is seeing her have accidents in the house and has now decided to join her..(even though he has been house trained for 3 years!) I'm going to lose my mind.

Dec 14, 2011
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Introducing a new puppy to an older springer spaniel NEW
by: Sasha

It depends on how your dog is with other dogs and puppies. If your older dog is quite good with new dogs then an open area like the garden is ideal. Try to avoid areas with things like door ways or narrow passages where the dogs can't move away from each other easily. Just be outside with your dogs and have a family member or friend bring the puppy in to the yard. Avoid picking up the puppy and fondling and cooing too much over any one dog. Just let them sort it out. As long as both dogs can move around each other without feeling trapped they should be fine.

If your dog is not used to other dogs try a neutral area like a park or even a friends house. ideally it would be great if you could walk them in the park together, let them play and sniff here, but obviously watch out for the puppy if you let it off the leash so it doesnt run away. Then if you can you should walk them home together. Let your dog into the house and garden first and then bring the puppy into the garden and leave them to determine where they stand with each other.

Dont worry if your dog snaps or growls at the puppy but just watch that it doesnt bully the puppy and act possesively towards you(by this I mean just make sure that if your dog snaps or growls, if the puppy moves away or flops belly up as it should that your dog doesnt continue snapping or growling at the puppy). My dog is fine with puppies as long as he has enough space to move away once he gets tired of them. And with some very active jumpy puppies I know my dog struggles with them so I just take them to the park and let them play there untill they are both too tired for further nonsense.

Puppies are strange yappie, snappy things with pointy teeth and it will take a while for them to get used to each other. But once they are there is nothing quite like seeing your big dog go silly and puppy-like again!

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