Oh, I see. I was able to have the existing dogs meet prior to adopting and that was even a requirement by the rescue group. The problem with Greta is that she is being fostered about 80 miles from my home. I think even if I was willing to subject my dogs to an 80 mile drive to meet her, it could be a whole different story when she got into 'their' territory at home.
Sometimes dogs meeting first is the worst idea. Cathi is right about the territory thing. You have strange dogs from different packs, on someone's turf. I have a sad feeling a lot of dogs aren't adopted because the initial meeting between strange dogs doesn't go peachy. So you have to be careful here Michelle.
I have a foster who is very tolerant of DOGS HE KNOWS (members of his pack). He does NOT tolerate dogs he does not know.
If someone were to bring their dog over to "meet" him, it wouldn't go well. However, if they were introduced according to Ed's introducing dogs article, they would probably get along just fine.
Mine got along because I walk them together and I'm in front so as to show who's the pack leader.
I agree with Angela.
Dog dynamics, and pack dynamics of 3 dogs, are a lot more complex than this. I have 3 dogs and while they all get along it comes down to a multitude of things. And there are some situations where dogs just hate each other. I'm not in one of them, but it is naive to think that they don't exist.
Cathi: I know what you mean. I have always wanted a standard poodle, but that just didn't work out. I still long for one as I come in contact with them on the street.
However, I have my dogs now and believe in doing the best for them.
I know it will all work out for you. It is a wise decision to wait and not to rush into anything. It would be horrible to get your pup home and get all attached to it and it to you, and have it not work out.
Have you read Ed's article on getting the third dog? I can't remember the title of it, but it really helps you to look at the situation realistically.
THings will work out for you, I just know it, because you are starting slow and using your head and not just your heart.
Sharon
Have you read Ed's article on getting the third dog?
Do you think it's the 'Introducing Dogs Into Homes With Other Dogs?' If so, yes I've read it before but I read it again just last night. I do know what to expect after spending the past 2.5 years reading the threads on this website and Ed's articles. It's a matter of how much I'm willing to alter my life to ensure a safe and sane household whether the 3 dogs are great together or cannot live together.
A smidgen of background: I had 3 dogs from May, 07 to October 08 and lived in the world that I previously stated I don't want to go back to. That was a world where my existing 2 lived in harmony and my old guy lived separately unless supervised. It wasn't difficult by any means but then my old guy was 15 when he passed and was low maintenance.
A 5 month old puppy will mean a completely different world that I haven't lived in before.
I must have just lucked out by having mine meet first. They did meet at Petsmart for about an hour first and then we came to my house. That was on a Wednesday I got him the following Sat. I don't want to sound too sappy about destiny or fate or whatever you want to think of it as, but maybe if you wait til you're absolutley sure, she will still be there. I began looking at pictures of Bolt in Jan, but knew I we weren't ready for another dog yet. I'd check each week and there he was...still.
Well I'll spare any details and just tell you that Greta is a member of my pack as of about 3:00 PST today.
They were introduced by walking separately across the street and gradually coming together. This worked very well.
Everything is going well. The only thing making me a bit nervous, on occasion, is my GS mix (Nika) - the female. It's like we discussed, you never know what is going to happen until they're interacting. We'll need to keep a sharp eye on that interaction.
I'm starting a new thread on Greta's diet because I've already screwed up and I think fed her too much or didn't keep it simple enough and she vomited her food about 10-15 mins after eating.
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Re: Going from 2 dogs to 3 - Need help!?!?
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