HOW TO INTRODUCE A PUPPY TO YOUR OLDER DOG

By Jarrett Parker

Over the years, Raja and I have created a system for introducing a rescue puppy to our family of two rescue dogs as our oldest reaches 11 years. The reason for this system is so our middle aged dog (in this case Bailey at 7 years) won’t be left alone when the older one (Jasmine 11 years) passes. It is a circle of life that has worked wonderfully well over the years.

Seven months ago, we found Oliver through Companion Pet Rescue (cprdogs.com). My amazing niece, Kelly Tyrrell, works for them and introduced Oliver to us. Next thing we knew, we were on a flight to Tennessee to scoop little Oliver up and bring him back to Las Vegas. This first step was crucial. Bonding. That first day of being taken away from his mother and siblings with two strange humans must have been terrifying. Being scared and confused, it’s essential that the puppy bond by constantly holding and reassuring with love that the pup is in a safe place. That bonding time is everything, and from that, trust is gained. To keep Oliver calm, we also made sure to keep a small blanket with him that his mother had slept on. A security blanket, so to speak.

When we arrived home, we made sure that all the dogs met outside for their first encounter. This was extremely important so that Jasmine and Bailey did not feel threatened. We had them get acquainted in our courtyard in front of the house for the sniffing party. But, we would pick up Oliver every few minutes and reassure him that he was safe. This is important, so that the pup won’t feel abandoned. At the same time, it was important to reassure Jasmine and Bailey of their roles in the family. We spent an hour letting them get comfortable with each other. Then, we moved the party into the house. Soon the dogs would start to settle down. We kept the blanket with Oliver at all times. We had a large cage with a bed in it waiting for him. This was kept in the bedroom. We could tell right away that, like Bailey, he was a sensitive pup. He didn’t want to be left alone in his new bed. So, he slept in our bed.

We started potty training immediately. This has been quite easy for all of our previous pups as they learned by following their older siblings. We have a dog run area that we built for them as a relief area. Oliver just simply watched the other two use the dog run and did as they did. This is a blessing when you have other dogs!

The next step is sharing. It is so important to share everything equally! The treats, the toys, the kisses, and the love. No one gets special privileges. The only thing we do in a specific order is how we set their food bowls down. First is Jasmine, then Bailey, and then Oliver.

The last step is puppy training. We have always taken our pups to Smarty Paws Canine Coaching. Training is essential so that you don’t have a wild pup running all over the house. Pups learn so much at this age and with proper training it makes managing three big dogs easier.

Oliver is now 8 months and loves his new family. The three dogs really are brothers and sisters now. They’re inseparable! I think the greatest gift that a new pup will give to your existing dog(s) is activity! Bailey has actually lost weight with all the playing he does with Oliver!

If I could sum up with two words that make for a successful integration of a new pup with your existing dog(s) that would be “Patience & Love”!

Reality TV stars and critically acclaimed magician and pianist duo, Jarrett & Raja, are currently the headliners at the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino. Known for their theatrical magic and strong musical content, the guys are unique stars on the Las Vegas Strip. www.JarrettandRaja.com