A puppy and an arthritic dog?
We have just gotten a 7 month old male labrador from a friend. We already have a 5 1/2 year old female labrador mix with an arthritic shoulder. They get along just fine but my older dog is growling a bit and showing her teeth to the younger pup.. I understand why.. she’s older, she’s sore and she gets tired quicker. Occasionally the puppy plays too rough with my older dog and she yelps in pain (because of her shoulder) and goes after him to tell him off. We have gotten the puppy from a friend who wanted him to go to a good home for their own reasons and we said we’d try it out for 2 weeks at least (to see how both dogs get along.) All I’m asking for on here is a second opinion… is it too cruel to my older dog to get a rambuncious puppy when the older dog has lower energy and arthritis.. or will it be good for her to get her active and motivated more? I just don’t know what to do.. whether we should keep him (the pup) or not. Anyone else been in a similar situation? If anyone has any advice that would be greatly appreciated!!
What type of arthritis medication do you have your dog on.
Talk to your vet, perhaps it is time to try something else for her. Clearly she is in pain.
Pain is a cause for lower energy. She would be motivated to do more if she did not HURT SO MUCH.
If you have not bothered to take your dog to the vet to get pain relief for her arthritis then I suggest you return the puppy and spend your time, energy, and money on the dog you have had for 5 1/2 years.
i wouldn’t say it was cruel i got an 8 week old puppy and we have a 10 yo german shepherd and if the pup gets to playful the german shepherds just tells him off by showing his teeth, growling or nipping him the pup will soon get the idea and you could also give the puppy a time out when he is being to rough this way you can keep the pup and the older dog will be happy as well, also the pup could help motivate the older dog to do more exersise with may help with her arthritis and make her more mobile it also might be a nice friend for the older dog as puppies do get worn out aswell and when they do they can curl up together. hope this helps xxx
First off, a five year old lab shouldn’t be sufferinf from that much pain if it is a simple case of arthritusin her shoulder. My10 y.o. lab has inoperable problems (damaged ACL, large “fat pocket”, small eye cyst) and he can play frisbee with the best of the seniors. See your vet for pain meds and double check that it is indeed arthritus . (Ours suffers with that in his leg) Another thing to think about if it is a svere arthritic condition – Physical Therapy. I do this with my old boy twice a week and it helps loosen him up and relieve tension.
I understand that it will be pricey, but our canine babies need that medical attention. She should live to be12 or so and you don’t want her to suffer that long.
Once you have that under control, you need to help that puppy learn not to be rough on his new sister. (We have a 5 month old Dobie who is learning he can not push his older sibling around too) It will take patience and time. Unfortunately you will need more than a mere two weeks to get that thru to a puppy. Whenever he is too rough on the old girl rattle a can of noisy beads or an obnoxiously loud sound like that. He will learn thru that and a constant “NO” in a low tone that it is not acceptable to play so rough.
Good luck and do get that old girl the meds or therapy she needs!