17/02/2026
I feel badly for dog owners who make this mistake, because I’m sure it isn’t intentional but sometimes it is. But this gaffe has long-term consequences for your dog(s), and it’s surprisingly common. An owner has a senior dog and decides to get a puppy. When I interview owners about why they do this, the reasons vary. Some think their senior is bored and could use a companion. Others are anticipating the death of their senior and don’t want to be without a dog. Still others, quite frankly, are getting bored with their senior dog and want more life and energy in the home.
All of these reasons are misguided, and they do your senior dog a great disservice. Look at the situation through your senior dog’s eyes. The dog is living out his final days with a predictable routine, possibly enjoying food, comfort, and lots of sleep. Or the senior may be arthritic or ill, simply trying to cope day to day. Either way, all of a sudden this young whippersnapper comes into the home and all the puppy wants to do is play, play, and play some more. Not only that, the puppy bites, jumps, and does all the things puppies do. Meanwhile, your senior dog is miserable and often ends up in conflicts with the puppy or slinks away and silently endures the chaos. This is called learned helplessness.
Eventually, I get called because the situation has become untenable. What it usually involves, among other things, is the puppy having to spend far more time confined to protect the older dog, creating a stressful and unfair environment for both dogs and the humans as well.
My advice: don’t do this. Let your senior dog live out his days in comfort and peace. When your senior passes, then bring that new energy into your home.
If you have made this mistake, don't hesitate to contact me so we can make changes to the household dynamic to make sure both dogs have quality of life.