I hope someone can guide me. We are retired and have an adopted 3yo neut labx who is a wonderful dog. Not hyper and loves to please plus sweet with other dogs. Due to our age etc we don't want another youngster and also would love to give a home to an older dog. Have met a nice beaglex 7yo neut male. Seems sweet and when the dogs met at the facility although he didn't want to play with my dog, they sniffed and he seemed compatible with him. When I petted him and my dog came over there was no growling or snarling. He is in a shelter situation (would have preferred a foster) but has been there for over a month so they know him pretty well, he loves people. They said he doesn't really interact with the other dogs but tolerates them well. If too many come at him in play yard he has growled but never snapped. My biggest fear is that I adopt the wrong dog for my dog and they don't get along which would make me sad. While my dog would probably love a playmate I think he would also be happy with a nice friend around vs none? Thanks for any input, appreciate it. ann

Many shelters will allow you to take the dog home for a few days or over the weekend, just to see if all the dogs will be compatable. I just adopted another dog myself and tried him for a few days. He was great with all my other dogs (including the grumpy 10 year old chihuahua).

Everyone wants to adopt the puppies, but it takes a special person to adopt an older one. Good luck (and I hope you take him home!)

 Quote: annhishmen

My biggest fear is that I adopt the wrong dog for my dog

Ann, please don't take this the wrong way as I foster for an agency and would love to see a deserving shelter dog get a great home.

But it seems to me you are going about this the wrong way. You do not adopt a dog for your dog. You adopt a dog for you and your family. Above all you and your family (as well as your other dog) has to be happy with, and want, the new dog.

Please read Ed's article on introducing a new dog into a home with other dogs. Dogs should be introduced gradually. Even though they might get along well on neutral territory, the existing dog may not take well to a new dog on his turf and the new dog will certainly feel unsure of himself and out of place until he gets settled.

Please don't rush, and please rethink your expectations. Things can and most likely will work, and this dog might be a great fit, and the dogs might be best friends in the long run, but it may not happen overnight. Be prepared to do a little bit of work on introducing the dog into your home. I would hate to see you toss the dogs together, someone shows some teeth, and the new dog gets brought back to the shelter. If you introduce them gradually you will GREATLY increase your chances of having the dogs be great friends.

Article is here: http://leerburg.com/introducingdogs.htm

Edited by Angela Burrell (04/27/2009 01:28 PM)
Edit reason: link

I understand your concern and just wanted to add that I am adopting the dog for us (the humans) but wanted to make sure our current dog is not unhappy because of our decision I have had some experience in the past with having two dogs but old age is kicking in and making me more wary. I wish I could just bring the shelter dog here for a trial/foster but they don't do it that way. If I follow through with adopting they will however bring him here and I would meet outside with my dog leashed, walk a little and then bring them into the yard. My dog is used to new dogs because I have several relatives/friends who visit with their dogs. I have read Ed's article. Don't want to sound stupid about all this but just thought I would ask if, based on how their two meetings went, you think its a possible match? Thanks again.

I wanted another dog but wasn't sure my dog would like it. Hambone (11 yo) and Lucy (unknown) had two meetings on neutral grounds and did ... well, okay....for him. He is aggressive and territorial.

Here is what I did when they met...

http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=134&Number=228433&Searchpage=7&Main=22426&Words=Jo+Harker&topic=0&Search=true#Post228433

http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=134&Number=229350&Searchpage=7&Main=22508&Words=Jo+Harker&topic=0&Search=true#Post229350

http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=120&Number=227872&Searchpage=8&Main=22389&Words=Jo+Harker&topic=0&Search=true#Post227872

but, he is different from your dog. However, I now have two dogs who get along...and Hambone is actually calmer. I followed Ed's protocol mostly, but had to wing it on some things.

But, it was a LOT of work. I am still exhausted...

My dog is very sociable with new dogs and the beaglex is known to be sociable with other dogs too but perhaps from what I have read now on the forum I am taking a chance of having serious problems Guess I have been very lucky with the family/friends dogs that have visited and even stayed over night here etc. I have lived a long life but never had any fights between dogs. I was feeling comfortable about adopting this older dog but now not sure. Will say that at their last meeting we were in a room and I was sitting on floor with them both next to me, seemed very tranquil together, both rolled over to get their tummies scratched while I was speaking with the personnel at the shelter. anne

You know your dog. Sounds like they got along well. At least yours didn't have a problem with another dog near you, both submitted for tummy rubs, etc.

Think it over. If everything feels right go for it. We are just concerned that someone doesn't just go adopt without thinking things through. Apparently you have and feel good about it.

Good luck with your beagle!

LOL I haven't slept well thinking about it and worrying about every little thing. One thing for sure I want to give the little dog a good furever home and no way do I want it to ever leave if it comes here. I take adopting very seriously, as I have in the past but the older I get the more cautious I am and think about all the pros and cons. I also am dedicated to helping homeless dogs but as I mentioned I don't want my dog to suffer in order to do so. Ideally he would probably love a pup or a youngster to race around with but thats not what we want. Thanks for your help, its appreciated

just a thought for you, ann (fr another ann). don't expect the beagle (if you do adopt him) to be as obedient as the lab. once a beagle gets his nose to the ground, he forgets everything--especially the "come" command, lol.

my parents bred beagles, i love the breed (esp now i guess you can get them in flourescent red, haha ), but they ARE a hound, and they do think w/their noses.

i completely understand your commitment to your rescue dogs, that's all i had until 3 yrs ago, and i actually currently have a rescue GSD plus the one i paid for, lol. i wish both you and the beagle the best of luck--i don't think i could resist a beagle....

ditto on the beagle nose...gotta love my Lucy though! I just don't let her go free.