I have a senior canine and a puppy—10 years old vs. 15 weeks old.

When you’re very bonded to your older canine and you get a new puppy it’s natural to feel a bit … guilty.

If any of you have experienced this, you’ll have to let me know in the comments or email (Lindsay@ThatMutt.com).

My senior canine Ace and I are very bonded. He is what I think of is that “perfect” once-in-a-lifetime canine some people are lucky enough to experience.

I hope I have much more than one of these dogs in my life, but Ace is special—my running and hiking and agility buddy, the canine who introduced me to fostering and blogging and so numerous pals I would’ve never met otherwise.

So when I spend the afternoon and evening with puppy Remy … taking him to the beach for a puppy playdate … taking him to puppy training class … I can’t help but feel a little bad.

I feel guilty for getting a second dog

I feel like I ought to be spending much more time with my old guy, Ace.

So how ought to a canine owner manage her time between two dogs?

Let me know what you perform in the comments. here are a few ideas that work well for me.

1. stick to a daily routine.

This may be much more for my own sanity than it is for my dogs. Puppy Remy knows he gets a potty break early in the morning and then breakfast and back in the crate for an hour or so.

Ace knows he gets food and a walk as well. then all of us work out in for the workday. (Dogs sleeping, me writing.)

Throughout the day they both get their potty breaks, walks and food around the same times so they pretty much know what to expect.

2. spend time with each dog.

Obviously both dogs need some time alone with me whether it’s a walk or playtime, training or cuddling. Ideally, they each get to do each of these things with me at some point throughout the week so it’s not just ONE thing they get to do separately.

For example, I try to take Ace for a walk by himself multiple times per week. I also play with him many days without Remy around.

3. schedule adventures with the older dog.

I try to plan two “adventures” with my older canine each week. This doesn’t have to be anything too elaborate. It’s typically driving 5 minutes to our favorite park or trail or to a local pet friendly store or even just a laid-back walk around the neighborhood. He seems to really appreciate this time, and so do I.

4. Make sure the younger canine gets lots of down time.

My puppy Remy has discovered to be alone in his crate for a few hours (usually just an hour or so) while I focus on other things, whether I’m home or not. This is essential for him because it teaches him he doesn’t have to be near me whatsoever times and he learns to unwind when alone and to be ok doing nothing (hard for a young weimaraner!).

5. plan things with both dogs.

I have had to be careful because Ace can be very grumpy with the puppy, but there are some things they can do together like short walks, easy training sessions and getting treats (peanut butter from a spoon!).

Of course, some dogs get along perfectly and want to be together all the time. It that’s the case you’ll have no need to “plan” time for them together.

Other dogs don’t get along all that well (like my two), so I have to thoroughly think ahead and manage them closely.

Now that Ace is feeling better (he was sick), I’m planning on starting a routine where I drive them somewhere fun together each Friday afternoon. At the very least, we will go on a group walk. It’s essential for them to have positive experiences together.

6. remember why you desired the second dog.

When I start to feel guilty about adding a second canine to our family, I remind myself why I desired a weimaraner in the first place.

I desired a running and hiking buddy, a canine that can walk to the beach, play for an hour and still walk home. I desired a canine to take to training classes and agility and walks around our town.

Ace can no longer do many of these things (his mobility is limited), and he would get left at home even if we didn’t have the puppy. So really, things haven’t changed all that much other than I’m a lot much more exhausted from entertaining a crazy little puppy!

So that’s how things are choosing us!

I composed about how Ace has been aggressive to the puppy, so we’re closely managing them. There will be ups and downs but it seems like things are getting slightly better. הנה הם.

2018 update: Ace and Remy get along really well these days (12 yrs old and 2 yrs old). They’re not best pals by any implies but they hang out on the same canine bed practicallyכל הזמן!

עדכון 2019: למרבה הצער, אייס הכלבים הבכיר שלנו הלך לעולמו.

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