hi everyone, My husband and I decided to add another dog to our household a few months ago and have spent a long time looking for the right one. Over the past month I decided I wanted to focus on adopting a senior dog since they are usually overlooked more often than not for the puppies and younger dogs that are out there. however, that has proven to be quite difficult - but low and behold I just randomly checked a rescue lab site on thursday and found the one we want. He has been shipped over from france and didnt have a very nice home - he was basically left outside on a chain with absolutely no shelter, was under-nourished and neglected to say the least. our home visit is tomorrow and if all goes well, I would like to have him in our home by Friday! To say we are excited is quite an understatement. I would like some advice on if possible. our shihtzu is almost 3, and has been the only dog in the house since day one. what would be the best way to introduce them?
Re: about to add a rescue lab to our household Hi I'm sorry I can't give you any advice as I've never introduced a new dog into a home with another. I just wanted to welcome you and say what a lovely thing you are doing. How old is your new Labrador and what is his name ? As I said I don't have any experience I'm sure others will advise you but I'd introduce them on neutral territory. Take them both for a walk together. Your husband or you waiting outside while the other gets you little dog. Then when you get home all go in together like its normal. Good luck with it all and keep us posted.
Re: about to add a rescue lab to our household Welcome! When I brought puppy Tatze home I introduced her to my old Cavalier, Gavin, in the garden. He made sure she behaved and all was well. I know the ages of yours are different but most dogs get on fine when left to it, I find. They speak 'dog' far better off lead than on, so it may be worth bearing that in mind. Hope your introductions go really well Here she is with Gavin - he looks like he's giving her a hard stare, but his eyesight was really poor, bless him.
Re: about to add a rescue lab to our household I too have no experience of introducing another dog into the household but really want to say what a wonderful thing it is that you are doing. The only thing I can think of is maybe introduce them outside the house and give them both a treat if everything goes ok. And make a fuss of both of them. I'm trying to think of what I would do if I was to introduce another dog. Include your little one with everything you do with your new lucky one so little one doesn't feel left out. Hope everything goes ok. Let us know how home visit goes. I'm sure you'll get better advice from others here. It's a lovely forum.
Re: about to add a rescue lab to our household Hello! Welcome! I hope you enjoy the forum. Are you in London? I am. Just asked because of your user name. Umm...is the name of the dog coming from France Bilbo by any chance?
Re: about to add a rescue lab to our household No advice here sorry, I've only got the one dog whose my first. Just wanted to say good luck for the home visit let us know how you get on
Re: about to add a rescue lab to our household Hello and welcome from me and my dogs I have an almost three year old Labrador , I took on a rescue terrier ten months ago , she is also an older dog . We had he benefit of the first introduction being at the shelter and then she joined us a few days later . I let them together in the garden first of all and kept a close eye on them , but it was evident from the off that this was a good partnership . Try to be relaxed about the whole thing , dogs pick up if we are anxious , just act like all is compltely normal , they usually sort themselves out within a few days . Lovely that you are taking on an older rescue dog , please let us know how it goes
Re: about to add a rescue lab to our household Welcome to the forum. That sounds very formal, but we are a very friendly welcoming lot here. I really admire you for taking on an older rescue dog. My friend rescued a Norwegian Lab. Apparently dogs all speak the same language, so no need to worry about your French then
Re: about to add a rescue lab to our household thank you for the lovely welcome! we are HOPING BEYOND HOPE that it is in fact bilbo. i fell in love with him the moment i saw his 'bio' our home check is tomorrow and i am really hoping the rest of the process goes quickly because i do not want him to get too settled in to his foster home, if that is where he will be. i have heard that its good to take them both on a walk, parallel to each other and then gradually get closer. our dog is quite friendly with our friend's lab who visits often, but we just want to make sure we start off on the right foot, especially when its permanent! i'm just outside of london. we live on a farm in the countryside so if we are lucky enough to get bilbo, he will have a wonderful life!
Re: about to add a rescue lab to our household Loads of luck for tomorrow although your home sounds absolutely wonderful for a dog, please let us all know as soon as you can
Re: about to add a rescue lab to our household Oh julie. ;D this is like fate. Youll get to know how hes doing. best of luck with bilbo, a farm sounds a lovely place. Jusr what he deserves after such a horrid start to life.
Re: about to add a rescue lab to our household Marvellous. Please keep us updated. Hope it is Bilbo too.
Re: about to add a rescue lab to our household [quote author=JulieT link=topic=5890.msg76118#msg76118 date=1399828104] Hey, wow. Let us know how you get on! [/quote] Bilbo!oh amazing! Londontami,I'm not able to help with any advice as we are a one dog family with our first dog.i just wanted to,say adopting a senior is just wonderful,I break my heart nearly everyday ( I'm not exaggerating :-[) over these poor old souls who need to be looked after in their golden years .....one day I will be in the position to do the same but not for some time yet,but knowing that takes the ache away a bit when I see these lovely older dogs.that,and knowing there are people like you out there doing it already as soon as you can let us know how your home visit goes , come on and tell us, please ;DThe very best of luck,xxxx Angela x
Re: about to add a rescue lab to our household Julie - how do you know Bilbo? do you have him now? this is more than fate. of all the forums in the world....... lol 8) all i am going to say is that you could not ask for him to have a better home than with us, he will get much love and attention and stability. we already bought his beds! well fingers crossed, but we are very positive thinkers!
Re: about to add a rescue lab to our household [quote author=londontami link=topic=5890.msg76200#msg76200 date=1399836624] Julie - how do you know Bilbo? do you have him now? this is more than fate. of all the forums in the world....... lol 8) [/quote] No, no, nothing like that! ;D I am thinking in a year I would get a pup. But was super impressed by another forum member getting an old labrador, and the generosity of that. Plus, my current dog is barely more than a pup himself. So was looking on the rescue sites for older labs, and saw Bilbo. My boy has ruptured his cruciate, so taking on another dog now is not a great idea. But I was so tempted by Bilbo's story, and had posted about it. He tugged my heart strings! So I am so, so, so, pleased to maybe have made contact with his possible future owner! Which leaves me free to rescue another one...or get a pup...tbd! Best wishes to you!
Re: about to add a rescue lab to our household How amazing. I hope it's Bilbo and he ends up with you.
