I have 2 pet dogs that are both 3 years old. They get along famously. Enter me who is now obsessing about a rescue dog I saw but worried about going from 2 to 3 dogs, thus creating a pack, correct?

I'm blinded by this obsession and need your help to point out the things I really need to consider before acting on it.

I drove 3.25 hours today just to meet her. (round trip - but I must confess that I took Pacific Coast Highway down the coast on the way home and it was beautiful)

Please!! I appreciate your help.

PS - If you're interested in my obsession (Greta) she can be seen at:
http://www.sheprescue.org/Greta%20von%20Kern.html

She's beautiful!

For me, it's all about being a pack leader (such as I am) to your dogs. Will you have to step it up with 3? Yes, but it can be done. Groundwork, NILIF, all very important.

 Quote: Cathi Kemp

I have 2 pet dogs that are both 3 years old. They get along famously.

Unless you have absolute confidence in your pack leader skills, and you are present most of the time, then I'd say to think really really carefully about how you would handle it, how your life would be different, if the two now did not get along famously.

Because along with everything else to consider, it's crucial to remember that three dogs who can (or even should) be left together all the time is not at all a likely scenario.

Have you thought that part through completely? If you have, and you can see the ways that you can manage various kinds and levels of separation, then you can probably manage to make it work.

I have confidence in myself as a handler/leader to make it work, but it's not a superiority thing. Loads of people should not have a pack of three -- people who are nicer, more productive, smarter, and all around better than I am. That is, the ability to handle a pack of dogs is not something that decides worth as a person.

I'm just saying: Be honest with yourself when you consider the big difference between handling two and handling three.

And good luck!

Thanks. This is the type of feedback I'm looking for. As Connie recommended I am trying to be honest with myself during this consideration but as we all know, that honesty can be very selective when we really, really want something.

 Quote: Mike Arnold

the human attends to or is often more attentive to the 'new' dog

Yes, I've thought about this and if I were to bring a new, third dog in I would pay extra attention to not make my 2 existing dogs feel any less than the new one.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

Have you thought that part through completely?

I think that I have thought it through - to the best of my ability anyway. Hence the reason I came to this board so that I could ask for experts to come at me with those questions/points that I haven't considered or am kidding myself about.

I have a question; If I decide I want to move forward with Greta, do you think 1-2 weeks is enough time to assess the impact she will have? I will be heartbroken if I determine that there is enough of an upset to my household that I don't think I can manage but if that were the case I would have to return her. I will have 2 weeks to return her as per the contract.

 Quote: Cathi Kemp

If I decide I want to move forward with Greta, do you think 1-2 weeks is enough time to assess the impact she will have?

I think so, but who knows.

Are your dogs are the type of dogs that get along and like other dogs? If so, there should be no problem adding a third. She sounds like a sweet and easygoing puppy, but she is also still very young. May change as she grows up and into herself. Does she seem like a good fit for you and your dogs?

I've had two and three dog packs. Mostly permanent, but also adding a foster. I'm currently at two adult neutered males and a 3 month old female pup. The third dog increases the work load a lot. It's a lot harder to divide your attention three ways and stay on top of three dogs.

For me, there has always been an adjustment period. Some dogs blend more seamlessly than others. On the other hand, it seems very quickly that they start to pack together and interact with each other. Two weeks should be plenty to figure out if it's going to work out or not and if personalities are a good match.

She's a cute puppy.

 Quote: leslie cassian

Are your dogs are the type of dogs that get along and like other dogs?

Yes except for certain dogs when they are on the outside of my front yard gated area. They're perfectly fine when other dogs are inside the yard. On a few occasions, small dogs from my neighborhood who have gotten out of their own home, have come into my yard (due to my wrought iron fence slats being about 5 inches wide) and I've found them sniffing and following each other around the yard without even any noise. I feel confident that they would be perfect with Greta.

 Quote: leslie cassian

Does she seem like a good fit for you and your dogs?

She seems like a PERFECT fit but I realize that could all change once she becomes permanent and enters their domain.

 Quote: leslie cassian

The third dog increases the work load a lot.

I haven't been honest with y'all because I've been selectively withholding information I didn't want to admit. When Boomer (passed away in Oct 08 at 15 yrs) passed I said there was no way I wanted to go back to 3 dogs so I could focus on the 2. I vividly remember it but am ignoring that I ever thought that way because I want Greta. Boomer, however, was an exception because there were a couple of times that my GS attacked him in defense of my Terrier. So, Boomer had to be kept separate unless supervised. I managed that just fine but don't want that type of situation again.

So, really, you know what you're getting into. : )

You know your dogs better than any of us. Only you can decide if this seems like a good idea or not.

I said I didn't want three dogs again, too. Funny how that changes sometimes. As I am in the midst of it... remember, puppies are a LOT of work.

Leslie,

You're so right. I do know that only I can really decide. I did want to see if the experts would force me to make a decision NOT to do it but they haven't. You've all actually been more supportive than I expected.

I do also realize that puppies are aLOT of work.

I'm still withholding information though - my other half doesn't want to do it. I'm working on him right now. I won't do it if he doesn't give in.

Thank you to everyone and I'll post if I get her.