Adding a new member to an older dog pack

[Nathanb]

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Hi,

We're new here and are looking for some advice ideally from people who have been in the same situation that we find ourselves.

We've got 2 older dogs - Zak (a Collie/Lab cross - he was a rescue dog) who's 17 and Toby (described by the vet as a 'special something!' - we think some terrier, Springer, something quick like a whippet and a few others for good measure - he was a stray) who's 13. Zak unfortunatley has hip problems and doggy dementia (and the associated problems that go with dementia) :- ( - he is still very sociable and friendly dog both with people and other dogs; we had a difficult conversation with the vet last week and he's been completely honest that at some point in the next few months we're going to have to make a difficult decision.

Toby is a very very active 13 year old (13 years going on 13 months!), we've had Toby since he was about 9 months and he's always had another dog around him - he gets very anxious if he's left on his own, so if Zaks in the vet for a day or something we 'borrow' another family dog so he's got company. We're starting to consider do we get another dog at this point so Toby has a friend when the inevitable happens with Zak. Toby like Zak is very sociable and very good with other dogs - our dog walker usually uses him when she's got a new dog to walk to see how the new dog gets on with others as Toby gets on with pretty much every other dog (he does like to be dominant dog).

There are a couple of rescue dogs we quite like the look of - what we're looking for is advice from other dog owners who have been in this position - what did you do? Did you expand the pack to 3 or did you wait? What age dog did you get? Did you get a male or a female? If you expanded to 3 how did you work it and how did it work out?

Hope someone has got some advice

Nathan and Kathryn

 

[gypsysmum2]

I have introduced new dogs into my household of dogs several times. The one thing that would worry me about your situation is the age and health situation with Zak. Would he find it very confusing to have another dog move in? Only you will be able to answer this.

New rescue dogs often have a honeymoon period and then show their true colours. This could all be a bit much for both Zak and, when he is gone, Toby to cope with. Will Toby cope with a new friend when he is still grieving for his old one?

If you decide to wait then what to do about Toby when he, eventually, is left on his own. Could you borrow another dog again for a short period? Would the rescue centre let someone foster your new rescue dog for a short while? Just while Toby adjusts to life without Zak. I am sure you know this but it is a good idea to let the surviving dog/s sniff the body of the departed dog. It helps them to understand what has happened to their old friend.

Then there is your grief. How are you going to cope with a new dog while grieving for Zak. I have found this aspect very difficult myself.

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As to choice of new dog it is almost always better to mix the sexes. Much less chance of conflict. Most rescue centres encourage you to take your existing dog along for a meet and greet session. Sometimes a completely different size and breed works best.