04/11/2025
Dog trainers run into this all the time. Heck, we even do it ourselves but we know that every dog is an individual. Please try very hard to not compare. Your dog needs you to accept him or her as an individual.
Don’t fall into the trap known as “my last dog” syndrome!
I was working with someone recently who had a new puppy; this puppy was the same breed and color of their last dog, and they kept bringing up their previous dog when discussing their current dog’s behavior. “Fido was never like this”, “I never had this problem with Fido”. It was clear that the new puppy was being compared to Fido, and that the owner was disappointed.
We dog trainers like to call this “my last dog” syndrome, and it’s very easy to do this if you’re not mindful, ESPECIALLY if your new pup is the same breed or type as your last dog.
I understand that not comparing dogs is hard. When you go from the “perfect” senior who fit so easily into your life to a new dog that isn’t living up to your expectations, it can be so hard not to look in the rear view mirror. But the most important thing you can remember is that “behavior is the study of one”. Your last dog was one individual, and your new dog is someone totally different. They may have some similarities, but trying to treat your new dog as if they’re still your old dog is doing your new dog a disservice, and going to cause even more frustration for you!
So, it’s okay to mourn your old dog and wish you could have those days back. But try not to dwell, and definitely don’t compare your new pup to the old! Soon enough you’ll know your new dog’s strengths and truly be able to enjoy them for who they are, not just how you wish they were!
