Introducing a 3rd Dog
Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2023 9:04 am
Hi all -
My husband and I were recently presented with an opportunity to add another dog to our family. We presently have two family/hunting dogs: a 9-year-old Labrador/Weimaraner mix and an 8-year-old English Setter. Both are still in good health (Thank God!) and actively hunt with us come the Western PA pheasant season. We also have 3 children who both enjoy and respect dogs and are comfortable around larger, rambunctious breeds.
A local hunt club recently sent out a memo to members about a family that is in need of rehoming their newly 1-year-old Slovakian Rough Coated Pointer due to owner health issues. After doing some research on the breed, it seems to be one that we would enjoy. I've been thinking for some time that it's time for us to add another bird dog to the mix as ours are getting older and, while in good health right now, they're reaching those ages where things can come up. Our oldest has endured a TPLO repair on a CCL and still hunts but she may require shorter stints in the field as she has some lingering discomfort from the hardware after long days putting up birds.
My question here is what's the best way to introduce a 3rd dog to an existing two-dog home?
He's just over a year old, neutered, and the owners said he's still very much got that puppy personality and "doesn't have a mean bone in his body." Our oldest dog is certainly a dominant female. She's spayed, but she makes it known when she first meets another dog that she's in charge (a little growly, a little pushy, but after she's got her point across, she's usually fine with it). Often her biggest issue has been with other dominant female dogs. Our Setter is somewhat aloof. He'll say hello to other dogs but often ignores them as he's just much more interested in what's going on outside (his "bird" brain literally never stops...).
I've been told that going from a 2-dog household to 3 can create a good bit of bickering between them. I was just curious about what the best approach is from folks who have done this...If there are any red flags we should watch for during the initial introduction at the "meet and greet" between them? What the best form of introduction might be?
Any insight is appreciated.
Thanks!
My husband and I were recently presented with an opportunity to add another dog to our family. We presently have two family/hunting dogs: a 9-year-old Labrador/Weimaraner mix and an 8-year-old English Setter. Both are still in good health (Thank God!) and actively hunt with us come the Western PA pheasant season. We also have 3 children who both enjoy and respect dogs and are comfortable around larger, rambunctious breeds.
A local hunt club recently sent out a memo to members about a family that is in need of rehoming their newly 1-year-old Slovakian Rough Coated Pointer due to owner health issues. After doing some research on the breed, it seems to be one that we would enjoy. I've been thinking for some time that it's time for us to add another bird dog to the mix as ours are getting older and, while in good health right now, they're reaching those ages where things can come up. Our oldest has endured a TPLO repair on a CCL and still hunts but she may require shorter stints in the field as she has some lingering discomfort from the hardware after long days putting up birds.
My question here is what's the best way to introduce a 3rd dog to an existing two-dog home?
He's just over a year old, neutered, and the owners said he's still very much got that puppy personality and "doesn't have a mean bone in his body." Our oldest dog is certainly a dominant female. She's spayed, but she makes it known when she first meets another dog that she's in charge (a little growly, a little pushy, but after she's got her point across, she's usually fine with it). Often her biggest issue has been with other dominant female dogs. Our Setter is somewhat aloof. He'll say hello to other dogs but often ignores them as he's just much more interested in what's going on outside (his "bird" brain literally never stops...).
I've been told that going from a 2-dog household to 3 can create a good bit of bickering between them. I was just curious about what the best approach is from folks who have done this...If there are any red flags we should watch for during the initial introduction at the "meet and greet" between them? What the best form of introduction might be?
Any insight is appreciated.
Thanks!