Going from 1 dog to 2, 3, 4...

[NaiceVillageOfTheDammed]

So currently we have NaiceDog and he is very easy going, no trouble at all. So I was thinking about getting a friend for him. We'd go back to the same rescue we got ND from.

ND's got his quirks - no puppies or bouncy small dogs. I woudn't mind an old timer. As long as ND gets' on with the the newbie, I have no preference with sex, breed, size, colour etc...

Be honest, how was it to add dog/s into a steady/set dynamic?

Did anyone at more than one dog?

Anything that worked well or you'd do differently?

I did and it worked well. Remember multiples of everything so no competition, and give both lots of attention - it's easy for new dog to need more attention, training etc. So ensure old dog still gets lots of cuddles. Once a decent recall is in place I found walking then together the best bonding - lots of playing and chasing :-)

We had one dog, a rescue border collie we've owned since she was 8 weeks old. When she was a year old we decided the time was right to add a second dog to the mix and began looking at various rescues for another BC, we found one at a local rescue and went to meet her taking our dog with us. The meeting wasn't great and it was very clear she wasn't the right dog for us and we weren't the right owners for her. A few days later the rescue contacted us to say they had a dog in foster that they thought would be ideal for us but he was a 9 month old spaniel, not a breed we'd ever considered and smaller than the dogs we usually like. DDog and I went off to meet him a few days later and it was love at first sight, a few days later the rest of the family went to meet him and he won everyone over. We collected him a few days later with DDog, took them for a long walk on neutral ground before bringing them home together.

The initial weeks were hard. DDog was quite accepting but had her nose out of joint so went from loving to a bit aloof but she soon settled back to herself.

DSpaniel had been a stray, he was used to fighting for food so mealtimes were an issue, he would literally take your hand off if you weren't quick enough to remove it from the bowl so a lead and the crate came into play. With lots of wor we now have two dogs we can fed side-by-side. I can put the bowls down and he knows he has too look at me and wait for the release to eat, I really didn't think we'd ever get to that stage.

He had no idea how to play with humans or other dogs but she has taught him that dogs are fun and a ball has shown him that humans have their uses too. Watching him play-bow to her now is just heart warming.

He had no recall so for a while he was on a long line while she had free reign on walks but now they run together, play together, if he disappears too far she will 'Go find' and bring him back. When she disappeared from sight the other day he went and found her and rounded her up like a collie would!

I took him to puppy classes, it helped me and him bond, helped with him socialising with other dogs and he needed the basics as he had no idea about any of it.

How hard was it? Probably harder than I was expecting but it, in retrospect, it didn't last for long. We have two young dogs that seem to enjoy each other's company and are great mates.

We've always had multiples and, in all honesty, it's rather a "how long is a piece of string?" question.

DDog1 pined dreadfully when our old girl was PTS (not eating, not wanting to walk, moping about etc) The arrival of DDog2 should have alleviated that, aside from the fact DDog1 loathed him on first sight :o

Today they have a cordial relationship and rub along reasonably happily in the house, though I'm unconvinced that either would experience the same depths of loss if the other disappeared.

In contrast, the unplanned arrival of DDog3 was greeted with a couple days of bemused scepticism followed by outright adoration from both boys. They still act rather like a gay couple charged with a favourite niece- terribly fond of her but not entirely sure what to do with her, but she has relaxed the somewhat fraught dynamic in the house.

Without her I'm not too sure how things would have panned out ultimately

We got a 2nd dog and they are still not friends after 2.5 years, no fighting but just mutual ignoring, ours were both rescue. Try and make sure they have a chance to meet more than once and that they interact (in a good way!). We thought ours would over time but just didn't happen, sad about it still.

If Naicedog is drawn to other dogs when he is out and about then quite possibly he would like another dog to live with.
A friend of mine who recently lost their older dog took their remaining dog to the rescue centre and let him choose his new companion! Sounds a bit bonkers, but while this dog is lovely natured and generally quite laid back he noticeabley stopped and wagged his tail with one particular dog, so she was the chosen one and it has worked out well.

I started out adopting a pair, after one passed away fairly young we all were ready for no2 after a few months. We didn't meet lots of dogs as dog1's sister from another litter was looking for a home. Dog1 was very excited to meet her they seemed to get along ok so she came home. He grumbled at her fair bit in first week, they aren't best buddies but appreciate each others company.
Dog 3 came as a Foster & delivered to us so hadn't met her before. She settled in with usual grumbles from dog1 & was a few weeks in when had few minor scraps, all calmed down after.
Dog4 came for few weeks holiday & then became a long term foster. He was delivered (rescue did homecheck at same time & we did usual introduction of a walk out together. Dog3 needs a slower introduction & didn't like dog4 at first sight but by end of walk could be next to him. Indoors I muzzled dog 3 & left her loose, she was relaxed enough to doze near him. All 3 dogs either told puppy4 off or ignored him for first 2 weeks after that he got an idea of boundaries & gradually they started to play with him, the adults don't tend to play that way together but there all seniors & puppy is a different breed . I remove anything that may cause conflict early on like toys/chews & feed separately, gradually learn what each dogs ok with

Ok then, think I will try Bubbles idea. NaiceDog definitely prefers some dogs to others. Very few get his 'waggy tail' of approval.

Off to call up some local rescue centres

Magenta I think your pooches sound adorable.

It's so hard to predict. Ddogs 1 &2 loathed ddog3 so much when he arrived as a ( huge and boisterous) 10 week old pup, and it went on so long we actually considered returning him to the rescue as we thought we had made a terrible mistake. It took a long time to settle down, but the turning point was bringing in ddog4 who all the dogs adored on sight and completely changed the dynamic.

Ahh, so what you're all really saying is, I need to get more than 1 dog

DH will be pleased...

I've got six. There is no limit ;)