How Do I Feed My New Puppy & My Dog at the Same Time?

Feeding time may be one of the major concerns about bringing a new puppy into a home with existing dogs. There is the worry that the older dog will steal the food that the puppy needs, or even that a fight could occur. To properly train your dogs to eat together without having these problems, you will need a new routine for feeding time.

  1. Introducing Your Dogs To Feeding Time Together

    • When you go to pick up your new puppy, feed your older dog about half of what you would normally feed it. This will prevent hunger from driving its instincts when you do try to feed the new puppy. Introduce the two dogs in an area where the existing dog will not become territorial, like a dog park or even at a neighbor's house. Once they are acquainted, which will involve a lot of sniffing, take both dogs home. At feeding time, put both dogs in the room where you keep the food bowls. Feed your older dog the other half of its usual serving. Allow the puppy to watch, but keep it away from the older dog and the food. Once your dog has finished eating, pick up its bowl and set it aside. Fill the puppy's bowl and allow it to eat. Keep your older dog in the room, but do not allow it to get close to the food or the puppy. This will teach the dogs to respect each other at feeding time.

      Continue this feeding routine until the dogs are able to sit and stay away from each other while eating. Feed the older dog ahead of the puppy, as problems are less likely to occur during the puppy's feeding when your older dog is not hungry. Once mutual respect is apparent, feed them together. Keep a close watch so you can intervene if either dog tries to fight or take food from the other.