It looks like we may be about to try and adopt a dog from a friend who died recently. It's possible the family may keep the dog but looking better than an even chance we will try and adopt her. I'd welcome some constructive advice and opportunity to discuss on how best to go about this bearing in mind we won't have the luxury of a phased incoming if it does happen. Our existing dog is a spayed Labrador bitch (Lady AKA the Small Black Dog). She's 6 years old and is a pet working house dog, that is she works during the shooting season and intermittently at other times of the year, but is mainly a pet and lives in the house and on the furniture with us. The potential incomer is a 10 year old Springer bitch. She's also a pet working house dog and in fact works on the same shoot that Lady works on so they do know each other but only in that context. The introduction is going to be abrupt. If we take the new dog on she will arrive and that will be that. The only proviso will be that we'll have to return her if the two dogs end up fighting or so stressed it's unmanageable. Goodness me! Help! How would you approach this one? The incomer is going to be missing her master and be in a new home with people and a dog she only vaguely knows. Lady is going to find herself with some competition and a virtual stranger on her territory. We can give them both space in the house to get away from each other. We can keep things really calm and quiet. We can walk the dogs together or separately. But all that seems so inadequate. I really want this to work. What do you think?
Oh how exciting! Maybe have a think about investing in some cheap baby gates from Argos....keep in the packaging. Then if you adopt keep them, perfect for giving dogs a bit of space. If you don't just take them back. The ones we have are very inexpensive and we wouldn't be without them
I fetched a 13 month old German Pointer with my resident GSPs in the car and just bundled him in with them, it was about a 2 hour journey. He was a terribly nervous dog, had only lived in kennels and not socialised. When we arrived home I put him in the utillty room with the door open to the rest of the house and let him make his own decsions about whether he came out or not. That night he slept with the cat and two dogs and all was well. I didn't make any demands on him, he was very nervous for ages but fine with the dogs.
I would think about where to feed them both and have their beds and then have a Plan B for if that doesn't work. Im sure she will come to you with everything she needs like beds, leads etc but there may still be practical things too like type of food. I would also ask about her habits - walks and toileting so you can support her as much as possible and not ask her to do too much differently. I hope she and the SBD have lovely adventures together x
When we got Scooby it was sudden. His first rescue home wasn't working out as he'd bee attacked by one of their other dogs. The second time it happened, we got a phone call asking if we could take him. A quick discussion and we agreed. An hour later Scooby arrived, with the understanding we could hand him back if it didn't work. We had a worrying 2 weeks as both Belle & Scooby were really subdued and miserable. We treated both kindly, fed them at opposite ends of the kitchen, made sure they had space and then they began to tolerate each other. Never best buddies, but they did rub along well. Even caught them trying to play once.
Hi Guys - many thanks for the good advice and support. Unfortunately just had a phone call to say one of the sons (initially reluctant) is now going to take the dog following extreme pressure from his children. Best option I think, but still a bit of a disappointment. Maybe OH is now in mood for second dog anyway. Thanks again.
Actually I'm working on it. Clumber, having looked at the lovely Obi photos, would be first choice followed by Springer. New dog not quite the same as taking on our friends old Springer though.
No, definitely not . Will you still be able to see your friend's dog on occasion, do you think? Another Clumber on the forum would be wonderful
Not the same at all *hugs* If I can help with a Clumber search just let me know or if you're really sensible ask Heidrun
Ah that is a shame David. I bet they appreciated your offer though. I think sometimes an offer from this outside the family (so to speak) sort of helps a decision to be made without the pressure of feeling an obligation. That is nice for Tay x (does Lady feel up to a bit of clumbing and springing?)
Yes I think so. The dog's in the best place I think as she already knows them. I think I'll have to put the prospect of another dog on hold. Tay was special as she belonged to our friend so we both would have welcomed her in. A new pup would be another thing altogether. I'd love another dog but OH not so keen so I'll just put it on the shelf I think.
It was such a kind gesture David , to offer a home to your old friends dog , but glad she has found a home with a member of family . Sam was only two years old when we brought Millie home , an older girl . They had only met briefly at the rescue centre so no scope for gentle and slowly taken steps , she just arrived and that was that Obviously, one has to keep a close eye on the situation in the first instance, but I also think there is something to be said for letting them get on with it , not making too much of an issue, like its the most normal thing in the world . Good luck with your search
