Considering getting another rescue dog.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

My current dog is a rescue dog. I have had him since August & got him from the local dog wardens rescue kennels.

I have since seen a photo of another dog in need of a new home. She is from the same place I got my dog from.

My quandary is: how to integrate a new dog with my current one? I know it could be a disaster, so am a bit wary.

If anyone has any advice, it would be much appreciated.

Sally_A

Male dogs tend to be less snarly with female newcomers, so that's in your favour.

Might sound daft, and a bit over simple, but if they can both get on and run around outside the home, ie meet on neutral fun ground, tire them out a [STRIKE]bit[/STRIKE]lot, you as an owner says "Wow! I'm bushed, let's go get grub/dins/drinky" Once they are both inside and eating/drinking, he will think "How did that happen?" Once she has come into the home - all jolly, relaxed and laughs, they will probably snuggle up for a snooze.

I've never introduced a long tem female to our pet, but have taken in neighbours dogs with short notice and kept a couple of strays overnight.

I think introducing a female to a male, is far less aggro than the other way around.

krlyr

A good rescue should run through it all with you and have an idea of whether a second dog would be suitable I'd keep your mind open, it may be that this particular dog you've seen may not suit you or your current dog, but if you're keen to get a second dog then the rescue may work with you to find a dog that does fit in well
http://ohmydogblog.com/2011/11/how-to-introduce-a-new-adopted-dog-to-existing-dogs/

I'd say some key points on introducing a new dog would be
- meetings on neutral ground, so getting someone from the rescue to meet you in an open, fairly neutral field or park
- don't let the dogs rush to each other. Dogs tend to greet each other by making an arc, so introduce dogs with parallel walking. This is where you walk in the same direction (I would kind of fork together in a bit of a "Y" shape - don't meet up head on) and slowly decrease the distance. It allows the dogs to get used to each other without a full on confrontation.

- if/when you bring the dog home, avoid the risk of fights by removing potential triggers. This is stuff like toys left lying around - so pick them all up and only allow supervised access. Make sure they have at least two beds to choose from, be careful of things like resource guarding sofas or beds, and also be aware of places like doorways - two dogs that aren't used to each other may find the pressure of passing through a narrow doorway together too much to cope with. Also be aware of situations that cause the dog to be more excitable than usual, such as at dinner time, during play time, when the lead comes out at walkies - if it doubt, separate the dogs physically using leads, crates or babygates, it's much easier to avoid a fight to maintain a good relationship, than try to settle things down after a conflict.

- read up on body language to gauge how the dogs are feeling. Lili Chin does some fab drawings that may help - http://doggiedrawings.net/post/842176625

- don't be afraid to ask for advice! The rescue should help, but lots of trainers offer a service specifically for introducing a new dog, or settling in a rescue dog. As said, easier to nip worrying behaviour in the bud than try to deal with a fallout

Good luck with it all Fortunately introducing my two went quite smoothly, just a bit of OTT behaviour from Casper, but having separate spaces, walking them separately, giving him a 'time out' when he got too excited, and keeping him on a lead in the garden for the first couple of weeks to control his behaviour, and he soon settled in!

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Thanks for the replies.

Does anyone know if Petplan offer such a thing as a multi dog policy?

My current dog is insured with Petplan & obviously if I got another dog, I would get it insured aswell.

krlyr

I don't think anyone does multipet policies like the multicar policies but lots of companies offer discounts on the second/further pets

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Ah right. Well I'll get in touch with Petplan and ask about it.

The rescue dog I'm looking at isn't micro chipped, so am going to struggle to work out how old she is, which is always a question asked by insurance companies.

Sally_A

Re the age - ask the rescue centre to estimate it, it should be noted on the adoption docs too - then your insurers should take that "in utmost good faith"; but advise them it is only an estimate from the rescue centre.

krlyr

Casper's age was only a rough age from the rescue but the insurance were happy to take it as a "probably 3 years". As long as your paperwork and vet records don't clash, you shouldn't have a problem, insurance companies will have seen the same issue over and over with rescued/privately rehomed dogs

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I have initially contacted the rescue over facebook & they reckon she is about 8. This would fit in fine as my dog is approx 8 too.

Going to telephone them tomorrow and ask if I can go and see her. Then I will discuss a meet up with my dog and will take it from there.

Wellyboots6

I'm pretty sure a good bonding exercise for dogs is posing together for photos....

Polmop

We introduced ours by taking our dog to the rescue and let them have a really good run around together, but when we brought fudge home bonnie didnt seem as happy, it has taken about 12 months but they seem fine together now. We dont feed them in the same room still