Multi Dog Family
- Thread starter Dogmamax3
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I have two dogs of my own (one female, one male, both altered, both adults)...I also regulary foster dogs...I currently have three fosters, two male, one female...
My best advice for introducing new dogs to each other is to first pick a neutral territory, i.e. a dog park, a regular park, somewhere calm and quiet without distractions. If the new dog is a puppy, you'll probably have a lot of luck with that - most dogs will accept a puppy sooner then an adult dog, especially if the puppy shows submission - dogs need to know the pack order, and will try to settle that as soon as they can.
If you have any questions, just PM me!
-Rosefern
My best advice for introducing new dogs to each other is to first pick a neutral territory, i.e. a dog park, a regular park, somewhere calm and quiet without distractions. If the new dog is a puppy, you'll probably have a lot of luck with that - most dogs will accept a puppy sooner then an adult dog, especially if the puppy shows submission - dogs need to know the pack order, and will try to settle that as soon as they can.
If you have any questions, just PM me!
-Rosefern
I have two dogs, both spayed females. The introduction went fairly smoothly. Sophie, the younger dog, was only 11 weeks old at the time and is very submissive. She tends to follow Beauty around and try to imitate her.
The only thing I wish I could have done differently is to introduce a second dog while the first was still young. As it is, Beauty is getting older and doesn't have the energy to play as much as Sophie would like.
The only thing I wish I could have done differently is to introduce a second dog while the first was still young. As it is, Beauty is getting older and doesn't have the energy to play as much as Sophie would like.
I have two...a neutered male Dachshund 4, and a spayed female Corgi, 4. We did have another male Dachshund for several months who we rescued from a shelter, but he was so aggressive to our male dog that we couldn't keep him.
He now has a wonderful home where he's the only dog and spoiled rotton. I really miss him though..he was really attached to me.
He now has a wonderful home where he's the only dog and spoiled rotton. I really miss him though..he was really attached to me.
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lol BP... that's what I do, and that's what works for me!
When I got Missy, I was real nice and talked to Maddie and asked her if it were okay... And it was
Now its like... look, I'm watching or fostering this dog for a week or whatever. Live with it LOL
I have two "forevers" Maddie my Cocker Spaniel was first, and Missy the GSD came next.
I've also had Charlie, a foster, for quite some time. My 'normal' number of dogs is about 3 because I usually do have at least one foster. Right now I have 4eek because I am dog sitting a Chocolate Lab (Riley, again). I had 5 at one time [3 forevers (Nikki RIP) and 2 fosters], but I doubt that'll ever happen again, ROFL
I always introduce them at a neutral spot, whether at the park or several feet down the sidewalk. I like to hold the newcomer's leash, and let a friend or family member walk my dogs to me - they seem to accept them faster that way, because I am holding the leash and I seem to be okay with it...
I usually keep them on a leash, and walk home together. It depends on the dogs how long I keep them on a leash. Sometimes its 15mins or an hour (then again sometimes its a couple of days. . . ) then I let the newcomer off leash with one of my dogs. When they're fine, then I'll let them both. Then all... So they're not overwhelmed instantly.
I've found that since Maddie (and Missy is learning quickly) is used to me fostering dogs, she never really has a problem with other dogs that come into the house. If/When she learns that they are staying for a long time, possibly forever, then I have to watch and see who is going to be more dominant or whatever. That hardly ever matters, though, because they know I'm in charge, and behaviors that I do not tolerate
When I got Missy, I was real nice and talked to Maddie and asked her if it were okay... And it was
Now its like... look, I'm watching or fostering this dog for a week or whatever. Live with it
LOLI have two "forevers" Maddie my Cocker Spaniel was first, and Missy the GSD came next.
I've also had Charlie, a foster, for quite some time. My 'normal' number of dogs is about 3 because I usually do have at least one foster. Right now I have 4
eek because I am dog sitting a Chocolate Lab (Riley, again). I had 5 at one time [3 forevers (Nikki RIP) and 2 fosters], but I doubt that'll ever happen again, ROFLI always introduce them at a neutral spot, whether at the park or several feet down the sidewalk. I like to hold the newcomer's leash, and let a friend or family member walk my dogs to me - they seem to accept them faster that way, because I am holding the leash and I seem to be okay with it...
I usually keep them on a leash, and walk home together. It depends on the dogs how long I keep them on a leash. Sometimes its 15mins or an hour (then again sometimes its a couple of days. . . ) then I let the newcomer off leash with one of my dogs. When they're fine, then I'll let them both. Then all... So they're not overwhelmed instantly.
I've found that since Maddie (and Missy is learning quickly) is used to me fostering dogs, she never really has a problem with other dogs that come into the house. If/When she learns that they are staying for a long time, possibly forever, then I have to watch and see who is going to be more dominant or whatever. That hardly ever matters, though, because they know I'm in charge, and behaviors that I do not tolerate