243: Adding a New Dog to an Old Dog

Senior dog specialist Helen St. Pierre returns to YFD, but this time she's joined by trainer Kathy Callahan, who focuses on the other end of life- puppies! The two of them are co-authors of the new book "Old Dog, New Dog" which aims to help families navigate living with both senior dogs and puppies. Pull up a chair and listen in for a conversation about puppies, seniors, death, aging, and everything in between! ‪@YFDPodcast‬ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@YFDPodcast Adding a New Dog to an Old Dog Kathy Callahan and Helen St. Pierre are the authors of Old Dog, New Dog: A Guide to Supporting Your Aging Best Friend and Welcoming a New One. Helen St. Pierre is the founder of the senior animal rescue and sanctuary Old Dogs Go To Helen and the owner of No Monkey Business Dog Training. She is certified as a professional dog trainer (CPDT-KSA), a dog behavior consultant (CDBC), and a family dog mediator (LFDM). Helen’s website is nomonkeybusinessdogtraining.com Certified dog trainer (CPDT-KA) and family dog mediator (LFDM) Kathy Callahan specializes in puppies. The author of Welcoming Your Puppy from Planet Dog and 101 Rescue Puppies, she writes monthly on training and behavior for Whole Dog Journal. Her business, PupStart, focuses on helping clients through puppyhood. Her website is www.puppypicks.com.  KATHY SOCIAL: Instagram - instagram.com/puppypicks  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathryn.g.callahan   YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2XrCeyKGTvXvp4l5dSMG1A   HELEN Facebook: Facebook Personal: https://www.facebook.com/lellow.oneplease - Helen Personal    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/olddogsggotohelen - Old Dogs Go to Helen Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/NoMonkeyBusinessDogTraining  - Dog Training Page   Time Stamps -  0:00 Introduction 1:30 Kathy Callahan Introduction - Puppies! 4:45 Helen St. Pierre Introduction - Oldies! 7:15 Old Dog, New Dog 9:00 Learning We Cannot Get From a Book 10:11 Set them up to have their needs met, Young or Old 12:50 Quality of Life Weekly Check List for senior dogs 15:00 Function, Purpose & Joy 17:15 Making the Golden Age Golden 20:32 Things often marketed for puppies are great tools for senior dogs 22:35 Puppies & Senior Dogs 24:15 The Vision (the dream) 25:02 The Challenges (time to step up) 25:46 The Work Arounds 28:00 A Plan with Resources! It can be easier 31:30 “Reels” aren’t Real Life. Great relationships are built in months, not seconds. 31:48 Lots of breaks for the senior dog, they can’t raise the puppy! 32:30 Communication is information, be ready to support the puppy and your senior 35:39 Full Vet Check for our seniors before bringing home that puppy 43:10 We can make most situations work, honoring the oldie and the puppy both! 54:05 What do people miss about changes in their senior dogs? Purpose and joy vs Function 56:23 We sometimes miss that the dog isn’t doing what he has typically done… not coming into the family room (hard floors, more light, etc) cut toenails…. Things that help increase quality of life so our senior dogs can enjoy life with us! 58:50 Preferences shift 1:04:00 Medications aren’t a failure. Ideally, they are preemptive   Stay in the Loop with the Your Family Dog Podcast Mailing Address: Tina M. Spring, 115 Pointers Ridge Drive, Athens, GA 30606-1490   YFDPod Merch TBA    The Your Family Dog Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YFDPodcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-family-dog-podcast/id1163178672 Spotify Podcasts:   Your Family Dog Podcast ON SOCIAL  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/yourfamilydogpodcast/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/YourFamilyDogPodcast/   The Your Family Dog Podcast is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The content provided on this podcast does not constitute professional veterinary, behavioral, or training advice. Always consult with a licensed veterinarian, a positive reinforcement-based professional dog trainer, or a qualified pet professional before making any decisions regarding your pet’s health, behavior, or training. While we strive to share accurate and helpful information, every dog is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. The hosts and guests of The Your Family Dog Podcast disclaim all liability for any actions taken based on the content of this podcast. Listener discretion is advised when implementing any suggestions discussed. This podcast may feature guests with their own views, which do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the podcast hosts. ©2016-2025 Your Family Dog Podcast LLC  For show notes and more, please go to Your Family Dog.