Going from one dog to two, easy transition? Rescue dog experience?

[oregonjen]

We are seriously being considered as an adoptive family for a rescue dog. He has the same personality of our Cavalier we have now and is around 2 years old. I'm nervous about getting another dog, but feel our little guy we have would benefit from a companion. If we pass the interview process, he's ours.

Has anyone had experience with rescues? I have a list of questions to ask them during the interview, so I can make sure on my end if he is a good match. Because this guy is fostered in another state, we can't meet him.

Any advice would be appreciated!

[taterguy]

1. It works well for us

Will write more details about it when I have time

[LibertyLover]

2. Well, I have five rescued dogs

and it works just fine. We took some time introducing the dogs. The first rescue we brought home we already had a German Shepherd in residence. We adopted a greyhound. First, we took the grey to my mom's house to wash the track sand off him, then we brought him to our house and put him in the garage. Our GSD went to the garage door and sniffed and the GH did the same. After a few minutes we brought the GH into the house on a leash and the GSD was put on a leash too. They sniffed and sniffed. Then we let the GSD off the leash while keeping the GH on. When it seemed that all was going well, we took the GH off. It took about an hour. With the first whippet rescue, we had the GSD and the GH. I came home with the whippet at 11 pm Sunday night. I carried him into the house, put him on a leash and let the other dogs sniff him (he was rank because he had been throwing up on and off all the way from North Carolina to Maryland). He was a puppy with no manners, but the GH and GSD seemed to understand he was young. I gave him a bath and then he put himself to bed in our bed (where he sleeps to this day). Next morning I put him on a leash for going to the yard, but that was all. After the GSD died we got a husky puppy rescue. He was big, glumpfing, and scared. He went in a crate when we brought him home and the GH and whippet sniffed him. Then we put them all on leashes. The GH and whippet immediately let him know that they were superior to him and he accepted it, albeit with some growling. The female grey we adopted went in a crate and the other 3 were let in to sniff her. She started to cry and the other 3 started to cry, so we let her out. She had to show some teeth a few times to get the husky to back off her tail, but otherwise we had no problems. Our last rescue was an 8 week old whippet. My stepdaughter carried him to the house and we held him while the other dogs sniffed. He went in a crate in the basement for a few weeks with trips upstairs to get used to things. Our female grey became his adoptive mommy and taught him manners and housebroke him.

Lots of praise for good behaviour and treats. A bit of extra love for the dog you have and for the dog you are adopting. It will work out fine.

[oregonjen]

5. The initial introduction sounds like it is vital

I will be sure to use leashes for both of them and introduce on neutral ground.

[lavenderdiva]

3. I've had 2 rescue dogs...

both from Cocker Spaniel Rescue of East Texas. I first adopted Libby. I discovered her on their website, and she just looked perfect. After a series of e-mails back and forth with her foster mom, I decided that she was just right for me. I drove to pick her up, and she was everything I had ever hoped for in a pet. At the time, I told them that I was looking for a 'sister' for Libby, and what I was looking for. Some time later, Emma came into Rescue. Emma was a whole other story. She had been severely abused, and was frightened of everyone and everything. She even bit me when I went to hold her for the first time, and would growl ferociously when I tried to put a leash on her. But somehow, I just knew that she needed consistent love and affection, and she would turn around. That turned out to be true. I adopted her, and over the course of a couple of years, Emma came around and became the biggest cuddlepot!

Here's a word of advice that I didn't know when I adopted the 2nd one. I just brought Emma home, and introduced Libby to her in my home. Libby didn't really like that, and let Emma know that this was 'her' house. It took several days for Libby to even let Emma roam the house without Libby wanting to 'protect' her house. It would have been FAR better, had I introduced the 2 of them on neutral territory, outside and away from our house. Someplace that had nothing to do with the house, a park, for instance. Then bring Emma home. That was the only mistake I made, and one I will be sure not to repeat.

Unfortunately, we had to euthanize Emma a few months ago, as she was suffering badly with severe kidney failure. We miss her terribly, and have thought about adopting another rescue Cocker Spaniel. However, Libby is quite pleased with her 'only' dog status, and being an older dog now herself, we don't think it would be fair to her, at this point, to go forward with that. But one day, there will be other rescues that come into our lives- that is for sure.

I have nothing but praise for adopting a rescue. They KNOW they are being rescued, and are so appreciative. Mine have been the most loving, well-behaved dogs, and we love them to bits. I wish you good luck in your adoption, and thank you for considering a rescue dog! :pals:

[oregonjen]

4. Thanks for your story

I will definitly take your advice on the initial introduction. Because he is out of state, I have no idea if they will get along. Generally, do two non-dominant male dogs get along? Koda, our Cavalier, is very submissive and extremly gentle with my kids. He can handle the kids snuggling him while he chews on his bones. He doesn't care. In fact, he loves it when we hold the bones for him while he chews on our laps. : )

This pup we are considering is just a year older than Koda and seems to love other dogs. I have a list of questions during my phone interview with them that I will ask, just to ease my mind.
I'm nervous about the transition from one dog to two. It's kind of like when I found out I was pregnant with baby number two. I didn't know how I was going to love the second baby as much as the first one. Well, that of course was never an issue because I love both my children. So, I'm hoping that this second pup will be in our hearts from the get-go.

Thanks again! :hi:

[lavenderdiva]

6. oh, its just like having 2 children...

you wonder whether there will be enough love in your heart for the 2nd one, because you just love the 1st one to bits. But when the 2nd one comes into your life, you can't imagine life before them, and the love is there. Each one will have its own distinct personality, and will disarm you with their charm!

Dogs have a way of figuring out their 'place' in the family hierarchy. I have a feeling that since you state that both of these dogs are 'non-dominant', that you will not have a problem with the transition at all. But I still would introduce them, and let them play for awhile with one another, in a different location than your home. Once they are acclimated to one another, then bring them both home. I have always had 2 dogs, just because I think they are such good company for one another when I am away from home, and they like to play together.

I would also get 2 different food dishes, one for each of them. There always seem to be tussles over food, even when they are the best of friends.

Please keep us posted on your 'adoption' process- and please post pics!! :hi: