I think if you only take one thing away from everyone's experiences, let it be that all dogs are different. I've met 5 of the dogs in this thread, and they're all totally different individuals.
If you are worried about 3, why are you worried? What behavioral problems are you working on now? What sorts of dogs do your dogs like; and is that the sort of dog you want as well? How do your current dogs get exercise and how will a new dog fit there - if you're biking with one, can you add another if you want a higher energy dog?
How crazy are you willing to go with intros to make sure things go smoothly? Starting things off on the right foot makes the difference between three happy dogs and three where two start fights and one intervenes and gets nicked. With my last multiple dog housing situation, I knew what a little asshole my dog was, and how bad he was when introduced too quickly, so we went to a park in a snowstorm and ran for 2-3 hours. I then filled him with food and a Benadryl and a Dramamine to make him tired, and his first introductions to the girls went so well I confirmed our move in date that night. He loved them and even played tug and chase. We lived there a year and a half and never had a fight. But two of the dogs were very laid-back and dog-savvy, the problem pup was managed properly for the most part.
I kept him in down stays during stressful moments, when there were high value treats, or ball playing. He got separated from them a lot to give them all a break. Exercise sucked. All three had SA, and mine was the only one leash trained. The other two were so shitty on leash that I took them to the park 1/4 mile away by car. They were wonderful off leash, whereas Middie was not. He got runs and they got park time. Someone was always left behind. They were very reactive in a group- I could call mine away from fence fights, but the girls would not listen.
Snuggle time was a resource-guardy mess for months, but instigators were promptly locked in a bathroom alone for 3-5 minutes, and it worked. Dog hair was a food group. Place commands were utilized. Toys were dropped into my breakfast more than once. Winter when my roommate was out of town was warm and pillows were shared. Coming home or bringing someone over was chaotic. Accepting deliveries was a feat of epic proportions. Neighbors were all broken into, but not us. Dealing with one dog's bad habits is way easier than 3, so train all you can before you get another.
Two were attention-whores who could NEVER BE PETTED ENOUGH EVER. One wasn't really very assertive, so she got a little neglected when my roomie was away for weeks. I would do two of my own, not three. Not unless someone else was caring for one. It was very hard to work full time and give them what they needed. But it was over all a fun experience.
Oh, it was a lot louder. Did I mention it was louder than one?
If you are worried about 3, why are you worried? What behavioral problems are you working on now? What sorts of dogs do your dogs like; and is that the sort of dog you want as well? How do your current dogs get exercise and how will a new dog fit there - if you're biking with one, can you add another if you want a higher energy dog?
How crazy are you willing to go with intros to make sure things go smoothly? Starting things off on the right foot makes the difference between three happy dogs and three where two start fights and one intervenes and gets nicked. With my last multiple dog housing situation, I knew what a little asshole my dog was, and how bad he was when introduced too quickly, so we went to a park in a snowstorm and ran for 2-3 hours. I then filled him with food and a Benadryl and a Dramamine to make him tired, and his first introductions to the girls went so well I confirmed our move in date that night. He loved them and even played tug and chase. We lived there a year and a half and never had a fight. But two of the dogs were very laid-back and dog-savvy, the problem pup was managed properly for the most part.
I kept him in down stays during stressful moments, when there were high value treats, or ball playing. He got separated from them a lot to give them all a break. Exercise sucked. All three had SA, and mine was the only one leash trained. The other two were so shitty on leash that I took them to the park 1/4 mile away by car. They were wonderful off leash, whereas Middie was not. He got runs and they got park time. Someone was always left behind. They were very reactive in a group- I could call mine away from fence fights, but the girls would not listen.
Snuggle time was a resource-guardy mess for months, but instigators were promptly locked in a bathroom alone for 3-5 minutes, and it worked. Dog hair was a food group. Place commands were utilized. Toys were dropped into my breakfast more than once. Winter when my roommate was out of town was warm and pillows were shared. Coming home or bringing someone over was chaotic. Accepting deliveries was a feat of epic proportions. Neighbors were all broken into, but not us. Dealing with one dog's bad habits is way easier than 3, so train all you can before you get another.
Two were attention-whores who could NEVER BE PETTED ENOUGH EVER. One wasn't really very assertive, so she got a little neglected when my roomie was away for weeks. I would do two of my own, not three. Not unless someone else was caring for one. It was very hard to work full time and give them what they needed. But it was over all a fun experience.
Oh, it was a lot louder. Did I mention it was louder than one?
