Gun Dog Forum

We have a 4yr old pudelpointer and will be getting a second one as a puppy next month. Is there anything to be aware of or something I might not have considered about how to treat either of the dogs during this time?

About the only thing we enforce between pups and older dogs is that each others food bowls are off limits.

We allow the dogs to pretty much sort things out for themselves - within common sense limits. If the older dog gets too rough with playing with the pup, we intervene; if the pup annoys the older dog we let him do the corrections as the pup needs to learn pack dynamics and respect. But if the annoyance pushes the older dog past his limits, we separate them. Our dogs have nice even temperaments, so the older ones give lots of fair warning before we know things will escalate. YMMV.

Each dog has its own bed, but if they want to share that’s up to them.

As far as attention and affection, we don’t let the dogs dictate who gets how much because IMO, that can set the pushier dog up as head honcho between us, and they need to remember who the Queen B is around here

Good luck with your new pup. That 4 year gap seems to work out very well.

Take pictures!

Thanks shags, that's really good advice. We'll take plenty of pictures Steve007... only have about 900 of our current dog

I think you should wait about 6 yrs for the second dog. I didn't with Squirt and Bodie but that the first time. Reason being dog's have a terrible habit of dying on you. I lost Bodie at just short of 10yrs and if Stormy hadn't been here and Squirt, Don't know if I could have got another right away. Another point is when a dog hit's about 12 yrs, I like to retire them to pretty much pet's. If there's anything I don't want is watching one of my dog's go in the field. My dog's all come home after they die and are buried here at home. It's comforting to be able to go out and visit them when ever I want.

DonF wrote:I think you should wait about 6 yrs for the second dog.

Well, too late for that

DonF wrote:Reason being dog's have a terrible habit of dying on you.

Best to introduce them initially not in your home.

+1 Shags .
Kennels or Home

Opposite sexes usually get along better than same sex dogs. Neutral territory introduction is important. Keeping the older dog happy by taking him solo a lot helps too. Pup also needs to be solo a lot.

Posted this on another thread too, but applies here as well, and I added a bit

Good conversation everyone. I haven’t been on the forum in many years but came back to read posts like this. I have a 10 year old lab that just had a great season. That being said, I’ve decided to get a new pup and am on-line trying to figure out how to manage any aging dog (who is my first and it tears me up that I have to be thinking about this) along with a pup.


One thing I’m really worried about is the amount of attention a new dog needs. My current dog gets plenty now, but the new pup will require so much more. I’m happy to give it but will have some twinges of guilt for the old timer. Guess I’ll have to step up his play time....

Don't over think it. Dogs thrive in multiples. Just make sure they each get individual attention too.[img]//uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201803 ... 126b5d.jpg[/img]

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