 Barked: Mon Nov 26, '12 5:15am PST |
 | |  | | It depends on what you want as a dog owner. If you're looking to have 3 dogs because you're used to having three, and enjoyed the way they all just coexisted... Finding and acclimating a new dog now is probably going to be difficult for you. It will knock your routine out of whack for at least 4 months while everyone settles and gets used to eachother, and there is a possibility of grumpy old dogs not appreciating a newcomer. In this situation, your best bet would be to adopt another senior so their energy levels are all lower, but this can get very difficult emotionally.
If you're looking to introduce some young energy to your home because you want to exercise and educate a young dog again, then go for it! It's only unfair to your old guys if you let the young dog take over their home. Make sure they have their own safe spaces to retreat to, and commit to teaching the newcomer it is NEVER ok to pester the elders! This may mean keeping dogs in separate areas of the house much of the time, even if they can technically be together some of the time... It totally depends on your dogs.
I rescued Ember fresh off the streets when she was 2.5 and Vance was 7.5 with arthritis and an attitude problem. It worked because I let him keep "his" home. In our case, it was the bedroom that was his. She slept crated at night, and was not allowed in the bedroom otherwise - until Vance decided to let her in. Even then, the bedroom was a no-play zone for napping only and no matter where we were, when Vance said "no more" it was final. I worked hard to give her other outlets for her energy and need to socialize while also keeping my one-on-one time with Vance. I'm still glad I chose to take Ember in - It was a TON of work, but I wanted it and it was worth it to me.Edited by author Mon Nov 26, '12 5:16am PST
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Dogster Obsessions: The Starter Kit for Dogs by Wildebeest
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