Multiple Dog Question...

[K9karen]

Kim- you hit the nail on the head...she gets a bit annoyed with puppies jumping on her (they later give up) and it's amazing how the canine system works! I get frazzled, but once Klo lets them know who's boss, all is cool. She likes "the Boys" a lot. Hmmm. I'm getting an early start today with errands..in a moment of weakness, I just may stop in the SPCA. Or John may muzzle and strong arm me and forbid me right now..with me being ill (not to worry..back related of course), the holidays etc...

Oh, it's gonna happen, believe me. Jealousy has reared it's ugly head.

Yep, was thinking of taking the Princess with me when I decide!

[jackmilliesmom]

Well Jack was a lone dog for over a year and the only mixing done was with John's parents dog Snowie another Jack Russell (that was limited though) but he found our little rescue himself and her name is millie hence the sign in name. Jack found Millie in November last year when we went out for a walk and he heard her muffled little moan and made me walk across the road to the hedge opposite (we live in the country) and he found a black refuse sack with 4 pups in it and three were dead and only one survived. I was anxious because I felt if we kept her he would get jealous but get this we called an animal rescue centre and they could not come for a couple of days so we kept her until then and when they came to take her Jack went for them and the guy said that Jack was not going to let her go. now we get less attention from them and they pay more attention to one another.


They still come up for cuddles and kisses (only when they want though and usually at the same time) but other than that I am just the food and drink provider so I am not getting enough attention from them............

so your dog may surprise you and give you less attention and more attention to his new mate/friend - check it out bring him to a rescue centre and see or a breeder and see how he reacts

[gemini9961]

When we added Maggie we already had Sadie and they took to each pretty well. They have their moments but they will share a bed with each other too. When we added Grant it was a whole different deal, it took Sadie a little bit to adjust to him but then again he was bigger than her. Eventually, all 3 got along and Grant knows his sisters are top dogs and he takes a back seat to them in the pack order. I have caught all 3 on the dog bed before but was unable to get the camera soon enough. I think, with time, if you add a new dog Logan will adjust and she just <gasp> might like having a little brother or sister around.

[Pembroke_Corgi]

I'm a goner at shelters, too. The first time we visited the Denver Dumb Friends Leage, we came home with a cat.

Adding a second dog does create more work, but it's worth it for sure. It's so fun to see your dogs interact and play together, plus you have another companion to love. Just make sure you read up on pack heirarchy and understand the dynamics that will take place.

Good luck at the SPCA.

[sumbirdy]

Different dogs react to another member added in different ways. I have 16 dogs and some of them are fine with other dogs and the others have to have a little work (I have to give them extra attention for the first week to assure them that, no, they are not being replaced.) But eventually it all works out.

[ramanth]

I wish you all the luck!

Our original plan was to take Kia with us to meet any prospective dog, but we decided to risk it with Chipper.

[lizbud]

I really never thought of getting a second dog with Buddy. It was me
and him against the world. But with Smokey, after a little while, I felt
another dog would be welcome here. Found Maggie & the brought her home.
It's like Maggie is Smokey's other half.They got along from the first day.

[dukedogsmom]

Oh! Just now saw this. I can't wait for you to do this! Please do it before I get there. I would love to get some good pics of all of you. I'll make sure Klo doesn't fall short of loving

[BitsyNaceyDog]

I'm so excited that you are considering adopting another dog!

I personally don't think I'll ever be without at least 2 dogs. I love the way my dogs interact with each other and they have each other when my husband and I aren't home.

We've never had any trouble adding another dog to our family. My dogs all accept other dogs beautifully. We always introduce them to a new addition or a visitor in the yard. We'll put the new dog/visitor in the yard and then take our dogs out one at a time to meet their new friend. After a few good sniffs they are fine with each other.

When my sister got her dachshund, Molly, she brought Molly over to meet my dogs. We put Molly in my back yard and let Bitsy out to meet her first. Once they were fine with each other I brought out Charlie, with Bisty still in the yard. We continued to do this until all 6 of my dogs had met and become friends with Molly. It only took maybe a half an hour to introduce all of them to her and then they were all running and playing together.

Having a good strict schedule is important in this house. We set a timer and take the dogs outside every 2 hours. We also have a dry erase board chart on the refrigerator where we mark down when each dog goes potty.

They also each have their own crate where they eat. I couldn't imagine feeding the 6 of them without their crates. They sleep in their crates at night too.

As far as exercise goes, they don't each get walked everyday. Even if they don't get walked they get some other form of exercise. They love to fetch balls or other toys and that can be great exercise for them. They also like to chase each other around the yard. I think they are more active because they have each other to play with.