I would also look at the temperaments of the dogs. I currently have 3 Females and 1 male in my household. 2 permanent girls and one foster. I have a 2 year old female husky who is VERY submissive. So much so that I have to protect her from more dominant dogs as they can become aggressive to her as they see her as weak. I also, have a 2 year old female Leonberger who is the Alpha Female and a 3 year old Papillon/Cocker Spaniel mix(Foster)who is somewhere in between, but I could see her attempting to take the Alpha role. We separate the Leo and the cocker mix when outside in the pens, but inside they all get along perfectly and they all walk and play together in the yard. They are always crated separately when I am not home, when they eat or when I can't supervise them.

Because of the different temperaments within each dog, they were able to take their place in the pack without any fighting. It helped that we got the two 2 year olds together as puppies. Also, I do not tolerate aggression and fighting within the pack so they have 2 choices: 1. Get along nicely or, 2. Face the consequences

It is a great risk that I would be taking by bringing a 3rd into my currently peaceful situation.

Well, Mike, thank you for saying exactly what was in my mind.

Kudos to Cathi for really thinking it out first, BTW, particularly with the entire family not being 100% on board.

 Quote: Mike Arnold

One thing I'm not a fan of is the taking and then returning a dog to a shelter or rescue. I know it happens, and for good reasons, every now and then, but...

Very good point (as always Mike!). Unfair to the dog, extremely disruptive, confusing, etc, etc, etc....

 Quote: jennifer mullen

 Quote: mike arnold

One thing I'm not a fan of is the taking and then returning a dog to a shelter or rescue. I know it happens, and for good reasons, every now and then, but...

Very good point (as always Mike!). Unfair to the dog, extremely disruptive, confusing, etc, etc, etc....

I'm sure that everyone here agrees and wishes that it was not a fact of life. Sometimes it just has to happen with some dogs or they would never find their permanent home. I hate it; the dog hates it; we all hate it. But the reality is that there are "difficult" dogs whose best shot is going to be a little trial run.

Rescue and adoption and shelters -- not a perfect world, by a long way.

In this particular case, that's really not even the biggest problem (JMHO).

 Quote: cathi kemp

I will be heartbroken if I determine that here 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 want to make sure my earlier comment is not taken out of context. I would never return an animal to a rescue group unless it was under extreme circumstances that I felt were beyond my control and I felt it would be in the best interest of the animal.

I've volunteered for a cat rescue group for about 7 years now and I want to vomit everytime someone returns a cat.

I really appreciate all of your feedback. I asked for it, I'm thinking about it, but I've got to be honest, it's just not penetrating, YET. I can't get past feeling there is an animal in need and I can provide a great home with a great diet and I should give it a shot. If it turns out that things go bad between the dogs, then that changes the "provide a great home" statement in a previous sentence. But, until I've ruled that out shouldn't I try? I can take the honesty so bring it on.

But, until I've ruled that out shouldn't I try? I can take the honesty so bring it on.

Two major strikes against it: Family not all on board; not ready to keep dogs separate if necessary.

Two major strikes are too many for me. One big hurdle is enough to handle going into this commitment.

All JMO, and I admit that I have not limited myself to two. But if I had those two challenges, I would (limit myself to two).



BTW, family not all on board means not fair to the family OR the dog.

Can I have a do-over?

Are you saying that you don't think the chance of it turning out to be a good fit is worth the risk of it not?

What I meant to ask was:

Are you saying that you don't think the chance of it turning out to be a good fit is worth "MORE" than the risk of it not?