[PackMomma]

Yup.. it's happening, I honestly didn't think it ever would after raising Thumper, but now that he just turned 1, and my Shiba is about to turn 7.. I am craving another.. I have no urge to have kids, ever.. and neither does my hubby, we both just want dogs

I'm just not sure if I'm actually ready for a 3rd, or if I'm wanting another for the right reasons, all I know is that the last two times I had the urge to have a dog, I pursued it and I never looked back. My boys are wonderful.

I'm wondering how many of you have gone through this phase? I kinda always told myself I'd like to have 3 eventually, and maybe even 5 or 6 when and if we ever find land for a reasonable price and are able to build our dream home/acreage. But I like to tell myself I can handle 3, but I Just don't know if I'm being reasonable?

When I originally sought after a dog, I wanted a female.. I ended up with two boys and I STILL really want a female, I don't know why, but I do. I'm on a waiting list for a female black & tan Shiba, she's currently completing all her health testing and will soon be a showing/breeding female for the next couple of years.. my problem is, I don't know if i can wait 2 or 3 more years for another, and not sure I want to spend another $1500 on a dog.. I spend that already on Cash.. he's well worth every penny and I absolutely LOVE Shibas.. but I'm just not sure that's the route I want to go at this moment in my life. I want to 'mix it up'..

I thought about adopting a dog from the shelter, or finding one on Kijiji that's about to be surrended to a shelter.. and I would like a smaller, mixed-breed female..something that's preferrably sturdy and high energy enough to 'keep up' with Thumper, and our active lifestyle..

Now this is my dilemma, I THINK I want a dog for my purpose, I've always craved a small, cuddly dog to curl up in my lap once In a while, but one with enough energy to participate in the activities we do. But in the back of my mind, I think I'm seeking a 3rd for more of a 'companion' for Thumper.. and I'm not sure this is the right thing to do. Thumper, as you can imagine, being a Kelpie/Border Collie, Australian shepherd mix is quite intense, but he's definitely manageable, and very well-behaved for the most part. Cash is getting older, and he really has no interest in Thumper. He tolerates him, but he doesn't bond with him, or play with him, no matter how hard Thumper tries, there's just too much of an age gap. Thumper only tolerates small dogs, he was attacked by a bigger dog when he was young so he will only play with dogs smaller than himself, and surprisingly he plays quite gently with small dogs.

Now, don't get me wrong here, I devote a lot of time and energy into my dogs, especially Thumper, since he is quite energetic. my intention is not to have a companion for Thumper to take responsibility off of me, I give my dogs sufficient exercise, discipline and affection IMO, but I have to admit it would be nice for him to have playmate closer to his age in the household, I feel as though he would benefit from some other canine companionship, since he gets none at all really. I know he doesn't "need" it, but the odd times he does get to interact with other dogs, he's so happy, and absolutely loves to play with other dogs (smaller of course), it just doesn't get to happen as often as Id like, since I don't frequent dog parks anymore since he was attacked. And of course, I do want another for my own purposes too, but I'm just having a hard time deciding if its the right time, scenario, etc.

Anyway, sorry for the extremely long post LOL - But I figured maybe gaining some insight from all you experienced multiple dog owners, and hearing some of your stories as to when you added your 3rd, 4th, etc, and what reason's you did it for, and what benefits or disadvantages you've had, what your lifestyle was like, etc..might help me analyze my urge a little bit more and decide wether or not I'm actually ready for a 3rd right now or not.. or if I should wait a little longer. Maybe there's things I'm not thinking about or considering when adding another dog into our lives that I should be.

Thanks all in advance, and for reading my long post!

 

[bonesygirl]

I don't really have any advice, but I'm in a somewhere similar position. I have a ten year old lhasa mix rescue, and a ten month old lab. My lab is typical, goes absolutely nutso for the opportunity to play with other dogs, whereas Chompey enjoys the company of other dogs, but he doesn't like to actually interact with them. They have never played together and I am quite certain they never will.

Unlike you, I am in no position for a third at this point, in terms of time/space/money/etc. But I'm already thinking about it. It would be fantastic for Bones to have a playmate in the house, someone with the same energy level and play style as her. Part of me is really excited to see how she would interact with an eight week old puppy. I'm a long way off from being capable of adding another, so it gives me quite a long time to think it through.

 

[PackMomma]

I don't really have any advice, but I'm in a somewhere similar position. I have a ten year old lhasa mix rescue, and a ten month old lab. My lab is typical, goes absolutely nutso for the opportunity to play with other dogs, whereas Chompey enjoys the company of other dogs, but he doesn't like to actually interact with them. They have never played together and I am quite certain they never will.

Unlike you, I am in no position for a third at this point, in terms of time/space/money/etc. But I'm already thinking about it. It would be fantastic for Bones to have a playmate in the house, someone with the same energy level and play style as her. Part of me is really excited to see how she would interact with an eight week old puppy. I'm a long way off from being capable of adding another, so it gives me quite a long time to think it through.

Yeah I hear ya - I've been thinking about a 3rd since Thumper was a puppy actually, but I knew better and told myself I'm going to raise Thumper without any added distractions and once he's older I'd go from there. To be quite honest, I thought that Thumper was going to be a handful on his own for a long, long time, and that I wouldn't get the urge for another dog, as I thought maybe with time, Thumper and Cash would bond a little more once Thumper matured. But there has been no change. They don't hate eachother, and there are no behavoiral issues amongst them, Cash just prefers human companionship, and he has no interest in anything, really..doesn't play or interact with other dogs what so ever, where as Thumper is cuddly, affectionate, energetic and loves interacting with people and dogs alike. Time, space and money isn't really an issue for me adding a 3rd, as long as its a smaller sized dog, preferrably something a bit smaller than Cash.. so ideally 10-15lbs..essentially, a lap sized dog, but one that's active, playful, affectionate, etc. One that would of course, "suit" our lifestyle, and our dogs.. so I know I would have to do alot of screening. Thinking something along the lines of a Papillion/JRT mix or something.. of course I know I can't be choosy as I would essentially be looking to adopt/rescue, but something with that sort of expected size, temperment, activity level..

I guess I'm just at the phase where I'm thinking it through, need to weigh the pros and cons, but I want to know what kind of pro's and cons I should consider. I thought having two was going to be hectic enough, and that I wouldn't be ready for another for a long, long time yet. But I keep asking myself now, Why not another? Two really isn't that bad, surely three wouldn't be hard? I mean, I'm happy with my two, but I just can't fight this urge at the moment. I still crave a little girl, like I always have from day one. So maybe I'm not completely satisfied, I dont know. It's a tough call, what can I say?

 

[Amaryllis]

Honestly, I'm in the same dilemma. I question my motives, too. Kabota would love to have a playmate. I think I'd love to have a second dog, but I never really considered it. So I haunt petfinder and fall in love with one girl after another but something holds me back.

I dunno. I think maybe when it's absolutely right, I'll know and nothing will hold me back. Or maybe that's just what I tell myself.

 

[bonesygirl]

I guess I'm just at the phase where I'm thinking it through, need to weigh the pros and cons, but I want to know what kind of pro's and cons I should consider. I thought having two was going to be hectic enough, and that I wouldn't be ready for another for a long, long time yet. But I keep asking myself now, Why not another? Two really isn't that bad, surely three wouldn't be hard? I mean, I'm happy with my two, but I just can't fight this urge at the moment. I still crave a little girl, like I always have from day one. So maybe I'm not completely satisfied, I dont know. It's a tough call, what can I say?

I had three for a little while, Chompey plus two shih tzus who were one year and eleven years older than Chompey, respectively. They were a good match for each other, all the same energy level, all enjoyed each other's company but didn't necessarily play together. Walking them at the same time was tons of fun!

The only cons I can think of are related to time/space/money, which you seemed to have already considered. Also, there's the possibility that someone might not get along with someone else. But if you're rescuing, I'm sure you'd do a meet and greet beforehand...My best friend has a female jack russell that would be perfect, she can go all day but then loves to curl up with them and watch a movie.

I'm honestly having a harder time with my current two, because their needs/energy levels/personality are so different, than I ever did when I had three. If you find a good match and you have the extra resources...why not?

 

[zeronightfarm]

With in the next year I'll be adding 3rd, and I plan on getting a show prospect.

My life revolves around dogs though, I don't go out for a night on the town or any thing, unless it includes my dogs.

I say if you have the time,money and space, then go for it! I have a cousin that has 13 dogs, and when I was there for 2 weeks, it unded up at 15 because of my 2. Now you think 3 is to many >

 

[kafkabeetle]

I was entertaining the possibility of a second. I found a dog on the petfinder thread that was pretty much exactly what I was looking for and talked to my dad about it. He was excited and basically said go for it, so I started reaching out to people trying to figure out a transport situation. The next day I start talking to him about my plans and he was not nearly as excited about the idea as he had been the day before. After what happened to our elderly chocolate lab, I refuse to bring another animal into the house that isn't 100% wanted. So we're pretty well off the market for now when it comes to dogs. I'm not going to put myself through that dissapointment a second time.

 

[Laurelin]

I'm waiting for a third right now and it's killing me. Especially with Summer being over 8 now and Mia's knees possibly being a problem in the future. I want another agility dog BAD. I could swing a smaller one right this moment and I know I could be happy with it. But I keep telling myself to wait. Wait and get to a point where I can get a dog and it will be everything I want and have waited for and where I can do really well by the dog.

Right now both mine are in classes and doing well in them. May not ever compete but I'm learning through them. I don't think it would be fair to pull either from class right now and I don't want three in class at once just for cost. I'm hoping I can wait out these two years and get settled into a house and not renting anymore. Get a medium sized herding breed pup and have the money and time to start really thorough foundations on it. I think the wait will be worth it. 2 years is awhile but not really that long in the grand scheme of things. If we have to quit agility for a year then... we'll do something else training wise.

I find the more I do with my current dogs, the less I want for a third.

 

[Abbylynn]

I now have a 6 year old, 20 month old and an approximate 1 year old. They compliment each other ... so it works out great! I am lucky. Blu Boy is the teacher, Abbylynn is like a Mom, and Eddee is like the little kid. Lol!

I see nothing wrong with three dogs .... if I had more space and money .. I would probably have more. It seems you have taken into consideration, time, space, money, compatibility ......

When rescuing ... I always go for the ones who seem rowdy! Lol! My Schnauzer mixes will give you a run for your money! Yet they are perfect sized as lap dogs too! ... and can be quite furry!

 

[momtolabs]

Do you have a family member with a dog you could watch for a few days?? If so ask if you can watch their dog and see if you can handle three dogs. Personally I wish I had done that. I love Bentley but some days wonder if it was the right thing. Mae and Tank were fine with it just being them two. But I wanted a more energetic dog that I could take more places with me. Tank was already trained enough to were I was comfortable getting a third dog. So the search began. I was cruising PF and found a few dogs I really liked. I didn't really want a puppy. I wanted a dog around 2-4. Still energetic but has some manners. But I fell in love with Bentley. Found out he was scheduled to be PTS the next day so i got him.


going from 2 too 3 dogs is a big difference. Tank still has his problems Bentley is getting some behavioral problems and it is hard.Have to walk 3 dogs separate, feed 3 dogs, 3 vet bills that have to be paid, more poop. It is a lot of work but also fun. I got the dog I wanted. Energetic, ball drive, can be calm, and can go hiking and other places with me. But as I stated above I wish I would have tried it out first. If I did I probably wouldn't of had that drive for another dog. I will never re-home any of my dogs but from now on, 2 will probably be my limit I can handle 3 or 4 but 2 is easier.

 

[PackMomma]

Thanks for the input, you've all brought up some good points to consider.

I guess everyone's lifestyle is different when it comes to their dogs. Ideally I just want to add one into our current lifestyle without 'cramping' it, so to speak. My dogs don't compete or participate in any kind of classes, so I don't have any worries there when it comes to finding time for their extra-curricular activities. I mean, I do have a pretty busy lifestyle but I always make time for the dogs, and they definitely are a huge part of my life. Ideally just having a smaller dog that enjoys and can participate in all the current activities we do on a regular basis like long walks, running, rollerblading, bike riding, hiking and going to the dog park once a week or so to go swim and play fetch and run around and socialize, I travel quite a bit but I bring my dogs with me for the most part, we go camping quite often in the summer and so far the dogs have made every trip with us, I also do some staycations traveling and visiting family occasionally and they come too. The odd occasion we go on a real vacation for a week or two once or twice a year and the dogs stay behind and I have two boarding facilities at my disposal. Other then that, my life pretty much revolves around my dogs too, I might go out once or twice a week for a round of golf or a yoga class or to hang out with friends but my dogs don't appear to suffer one bit, except Thumper probably drives Cash nuts while we are gone lol. So ideally, I'm just looking for a mature younger, smaller female dog that will fit into our current lifestyle, without having to make too much more provisions or adjustments to have a 3rd.. if that makes any sense? If I didn't feel that was possible, I probably wouldn't do it and I'm still not %100 sure, but I think it might be possible in the near future, and I suppose it would entirely depend on the dog. Its all about finding the right dog I guess.

I agree 2 will always be easier than 3 or 4, but I feel as though my current lifestyle can accomodate one more smaller dog, maybe I need to wait a little bit longer and allow Thumper some more time to mature a bit more but I still think having a playmate closer to his age would benefit him, and at the same time fulfill my long time urge to have a small, female dog of some kind. I'm definitely done with puppies, I do not want a puppy, but aiming for a 2-3 year old female, that is just no longer wanted and needs a stable, loving home and is hopefully good with other dogs. I guess that is one thing to always consider is that with rescueing or adopting an unwanted dog you just never know what to expect. That is definitely one of the main reasons i'm on the fence. Everything else, seems to be feasible for me.

I really wish I had family or friends with dogs I could take for a weekend. I dogsat my girlfriends pug/eskimo mix a few times, her and Thumper grew up together basically and every time I took her, her and Thumper just played and played and played until they dropped, but they were both puppies so obviously they were a handful. My girlfriend ended up giving her away and that was Thumpers one and only doggy friend, so its unfortunate they don't get their frequent playdates anymore, she of course asked me if I would take her since her and Thumper got a long so well and she knew I could provide the best home for her dog, but at that time I just wasn't ready for another as Thumper was still pretty young and I was still working on basic house training with him at that point. But now that he is fully house trained, and behavoirwise has turned out excellent, I think another would be good but I think I still have to do some more serious thinking about it. Definitely don't want to rush into a decision like that. Give myself until next summer maybe, get through one more cold winter here with Thumper and see how it goes now that he's no longer a puppy. Last winter was brutal with him, not being able to provide enough outlet for his puppy energy when its too cold to go outside.. although, I must say, the treadmill I eventually broke down and bought him was a lifesaver. Its not an ideal form of exercise but it sure helps when our temps drop to bonechilling -35C to -40C in the winter

 

[Hallie]

I've been wanting another for a long time. Hallie's 4 and taken advanced rally and obedience classes, and to be honest... I've done all I can do with her. I really want a breeder dog that I can go even further with. Hallie would also love a playmate. The only thing that's holding me back is that Hallie is perfect for me, and another dog may end up conflicting with the balance I have right now. Hallie's perfectly trained, and it's hard to imagine getting a dog that isn't.

 

[KodiBarracuda]

I live in a 3 dog household (well, two indoor, one outdoor) and it works well because they are not all together at once. I think if they were, Lady would go nuts. Lady is an ol' Lady, or at least she thinks she is. She is 8 but has a spinal injury that makes her backend/hips really sore some days. If Kodi were with her 100% of the time, she would be a grouchy girl.
Which leads me to think about:
Thumper may sure love a new puppy friend, but what about Cash? He may tolerate one pup irritating him/wanting to play, but how would he feel about two? Especially if said pup wants to play with Cash rather than Thumper.

I don't know Cash so I don't know how he would respond to a new puppy AND Thumper at the same time, and I have no idea if you have already considered this, just something to think about.

 

[BrittanyG]

I wanted another so badly! I recently puppysat..puppy craving gone. May I suggest fostering to adopt?

 

[ThoseWordsAtBest]

Brittany (I miss your face) beat me too it. Foster! It quells the urge and gets a dog out of the shelter or off death row. You might end up stumbling upon a dog you must foster fail. Not that I've done that twice or any thing..

 

[dagwall]

Brittany (I miss your face) beat me too it. Foster! It quells the urge and gets a dog out of the shelter or off death row. You might end up stumbling upon a dog you must foster fail. Not that I've done that twice or any thing..

Haha yep I'm planning for a foster fail in my future. The current foster won't be that failure but it feels good to be helping him become more adoptable and getting him out of the shelter environment until his forever home is found. You potentially have the ability to really see how the new dog fits in with your current dogs without the commitment of an adoption. If they get along well enough but just don't fit the way you'd like you are only committed until an adoptive home can be found. If they really don't get along the rescue will find another place for the dog and you can try another. And best of all if the foster is just perfect you can adopt them yourself.

 

[PackMomma]

I actually have considered the issue about a second dog being too much for Cash, but he's odd that way because he's pretty good at laying down his rules so to speak, and, don't get me wrong, Cash does play the odd time, he goes into these playful spurts that last about 20 minutes and it happens about once a week lol. He will play tug with Thumper in the living room, or when we go to the dog park, Cash will sneak up on Thumper, nip him, and entice Thumper to chase Cash around the park while Cash zig zags like a mad man all over the place..Cash never chases, but he likes to be chased lol.. and when he's had enough he's quick to let Thumper know its time to stop - Cash has got Thumper trained pretty good, and other dogs for the most part. I've seen a lot of dogs purposely avoid Cash, its like he gives out subtle warnings like "leave me alone..or else" However, the only time Cash ever seems to warm up to other dogs is if they are mature females. He was a stud dog, so he likes the girls. But that is a good point, even though I would be ideally aiming for a mature, small female (about 3 years old), I don't really know how the relationships will work, I'm ideally looking for more of a buddy for Thumper.. but I don't necessarily think it would be a loss if the dog ended up warming up to Cash, he does have the potential, I just know its not with Thumper. It could go both ways and either way I would be fine with it I guess, so long as the dog was still playful enough for Thumper, too.

Thumper does stress Cash out the odd time, but its not a regular occurence, because like I said, Cash is good at laying down the ground rules. Thumper is actually pretty respectful of Cash, and even a little terrified of him sometimes. For example, Thumper won't come within a 5 foot radius of Cash while he eats, sleeps, or if he's chewing on a bone, and he also will not attempt to eat Cash's food if he's left some from a meal. lol He learned his lessons as a puppy, but he must have taught him well because Cash rarely snaps at Thumper these days, they respect eachother well, and tolerate eachother but they just don't have that close bond most people would hope for in their dogs.

The fostering idea is actually a really good suggestion - something I have thought about as well, but at the same time there things about it I'm not too sure of, either. I'm not %100 sure how fostering works, I'd have to look into it a bit more, but if I could screen the dogs and choose to foster one I think I might actually like to adopt, or would work for us, then I would consider that route for sure. I couldn't just foster any dog, it would have to be the age, sex, size and personality I'm hoping for. I'm definitely okay with re-establishing basic commands, house training and obedience, but I couldn't handle a dog that required a lot of work. So providing I could do that, fostering might just be the way to go.. atleast its a good way of ensuring you are getting a dog that works for you.

But, like some have mentioned, I will know when the time is right, I'm still on the fence so I'm not going to make any hasty decisions or rush into it. Maybe I'll just have to let the right dog find us But, one thing i do know for sure is that the next dog will definitely be a rescue or adoption of some kind, I'd like to do my part and save the life of an unwanted or neglected animal.

 

[xxxxdogdragoness]

i have that feeling all the time LOL every time i get shares on FB saying 'share this dog they need out fo the kill shelter' or when i go to petfinder (which i try not to do but i cant help it) when i get to a perminant place, i will rescue ONLY... i used to want a cane corso & still love them as a breed, but i think i have a real calling for rescue.

 

[dagwall]

The fostering idea is actually a really good suggestion - something I have thought about as well, but at the same time there things about it I'm not too sure of, either. I'm not %100 sure how fostering works, I'd have to look into it a bit more, but if I could screen the dogs and choose to foster one I think I might actually like to adopt, or would work for us, then I would consider that route for sure. I couldn't just foster any dog, it would have to be the age, sex, size and personality I'm hoping for. I'm definitely okay with re-establishing basic commands, house training and obedience, but I couldn't handle a dog that required a lot of work. So providing I could do that, fostering might just be the way to go.. atleast its a good way of ensuring you are getting a dog that works for you.

How fostering works really depends on the group you are fostering for. It's good to get all the information you can about the rescue/shelter and how they run their foster program as it can vary greatly. Ask tons of questions until you feel that you would be comfortable with any situation that came up or have a plan for what will happen if a situation you wouldn't be comfortable with comes up. Really depends on the group but I think most are willing to work around your needs/wants to some extent to get dogs out of shelters and into homes.

With the group I'm fostering for I did pick out the dog I wanted to foster, it wasn't a 'free pick' out of the ~100 at the shelter but they gave me the option between about 10 different dogs who had been out at the shelter for a long time and would probably be a good fit with me and Jubel, who also fit into the rough size and type guidelines I prefer. Actually the dog I had been thinking about fostering got adopted a week before I brought Jubel out to meet potential fosters so I didn't really have any specific dog in mind. I picked Duncan to meet Jubel mostly because of how long he'd been at the shelter and I felt his needs where within my ability to help. He's doing great overall in a home environment and I think it will really help get him adopted finally. Jubel tolerates him but I think he will be happy to see him gone and I'm getting him out there as much as I can to help the process along.

If Jubel and Duncan ended up not being able to get along he would have ended up back at the shelter at worst and with another foster at best. I'll have to discuss it with my brother but once Duncan is adopted out I'll be ready to step up and pick out a new foster shortly after, or if my brother agrees adopt our own 2nd dog. I'm fine with either option, I figure if we keep taking in new fosters eventually we'll end up with one who just fits perfectly and we'll adopt them.