The 3rd Dog Issue

[hey_jude]

I've been so MIA- I have some awesome dog pics I took just for Chaz that I have not had a chance to post. I promise I will next week!!! So long overdue. Hope you all are well. I need some Chaz advice!

So here's my life: single, 25, small business owner, rented a house for 1.5 years, awesome landlord with a great relationship, two border collies, work for myself so lots of spare time.

I'm an only child and grew up in a 1 parent family. I grew up LONELY. A wonderful mother, fortunately, but lonely as all heck. One day I hope to have a huge brood of kids (5, 6, 7, etc.) but for now it's just the dogs. I've always loved the idea of 3 border collies- but am wondering if it's not wise.

I'd love to consider a 3rd. But I'm a renter. And will have future kids. And Jonah needs some classes as he has some focus issues.

Am I being stupid? Open to the truth! I'm a planner. I either want to feel content with 2 for good or plan for a future addition.

(ps. As usual when I post vulnerable, overly honest crap on chaz- a few glasses of wine in- please take into consideration and be kind to my sappiness if possible )

Ps. some updated border collie pics:

New patio set with dogs

Jonie boy

boys with their big christmas gift:

some baby photos never shared that I just found:

puppy jonie:

in toy bin:

Boys at BBQ when Jonie was a puppy:

dorks in pjs:

super heros:

 

[CharlieDog]

Honestly three, if you can swing it financially and renting wise, isn't too much more than two for the most part. To me anyway. It makes it waaay easier to take one to train with, because you're leaving two that can keep each other company. Three is harder to walk all together, but I find it easier to do than one at a time. It does suck if you want to take two and leave one though.

Umm, I should also add I'm considering a fourth.

 

[hey_jude]

That's awesome to hear and good food for thought. I esp. appreciate your advice considering your experience with a large crew! Thank you!

 

[Saeleofu]

I personally prefer to have each dog well settled and where I want them before adding another. Gavroche was 3, I had had him for 2 years, we were getting started in rally (and doing very well!), and he was just overall a GREAT dog when I finally added Logan. Logan is nearing completion of his SD training, Gavroche is back in the ring and soooo much better health-wise, and IF I had the means (which I don't) of caring for 3 dogs, I'd probably add one in in 6-12 months. But I can't, so nevermind lol.

Anyway, if I still had a dog that needed a ton of work, I would not add a third. I'd take that dog to classes first and get everything squared away. But like I said, that's just me.

Are you pretty sure you're going to stay where you are, renting-wise? If your current landlord lets you ahve 3 dogs, fantastic, but what if you have to move? That's a big reason why I didn't decide to keep Tango - what if I move somewhere that doesn't allow 3 dogs? Two big dogs is really pushing it in most places, and to be honest if Logan wasn't an SD and Gavroche an ESA I wouldn't have two big dogs while renting.

How soon do you plan to have kids? 1-2 years? 5 years? 10+ years? How old will the dos be then? Will you have 3 mature dogs, or a young adult, an adolescent, and a puppy (something I would not want to handle all at one, regardless of any other factors!)

I dogsat 11 dogs and 2 cats over the summer for 6 months. I know I am perfectly capable of caring for that many dogs, but to have that many and try to do stuff with them all would be a nightmare. Literally I fed them, watered them, medicated them, played with them, took them to the vet, and the like, but I never did get all of them out and about to do things. The collie pups I took to pet stores because I was not only their dogsitter but their trainer. I was NOT happy with 11 dogs - I was perfectly fine when it was 8 dogs and 2 cats, but 11 was just TOO much to handle even though the house was huge and set up perfectly to accommodate that many dogs. I think ultimately my limit will be 4 dogs.

 

[hey_jude]

This is such awesome info and SO helpful. I truly appreciate it- it's thought provoking! I'm heading to bed for an early work AM but will write back tomorrow. Awesome feedback tho- thanks! Want to give it a thoughtful response.

 

[lizzybeth727]

I personally prefer to have each dog well settled and where I want them before adding another.

I definately agree. Luna was 7 when I got a second dog, LOL.

Keegan's 16 months old and I have a LOT of work to do with him to start to reach my goals with him (course I have lofty goals ), so for me, the thought of adding another dog - with his/her own lofty goals - is, well, unthinkable.

I always tell people to hope for the best, but plan for the worst. Think about the worst-case scenario as far as getting another dog: he doesn't get along with your current dogs, he has serious anxieties, he's fearful, he gets carsick, he's terribly scared of cameras , whatever is the worst case scenario for your situation, and think about if you could reasonably handle that. Of course you're an educated person and the worst case scenario probably won't happen.... but then again, it could.

Sorry if I sound like Debbie Downer here, I'm a little cranky tonight anyway. It's not like I'll hate you if you get another dog, you have to do what YOU want to do.... I've just worked with a LOT of people who get another dog and are terribly dissappointed in the decision, and I hate for that to happen.

 

[Renee750il]

As long as one is grown up and knows the ropes -- like Jude -- then for my money you're good, and you have two young ones to play together and wear each other out, which helps keep Jude young, too.

Maybe you should bring in an Aussie, or a Terrier . . . to make the mix interesting

 

[stardogs]

Personally I found 3 a bit of an odd number - someone always seemed to get left out because walking 3 at the same time is hugely different from walking 2. That meant that one dog stayed home when I went to training with the other two, same when I wanted to take a dog or two along for errands or hiking. With 2 I could generally take everyone if I wanted to, and with 4 I don't feel bad leaving two home alone.

I'll also heartily third the "wait until all are well trained" comment; I have two dogs under 2 right now because Snipe was an unexpected addition and yea, she's not getting hardly any training because I'm so focused on getting Aeri where I want her.

 

[AgilityPup]

Having a current crew of 6 in our house (a low number for us!) I don't much remember the days of having only three dogs, however, up until November I owned three of my own dogs and added a fourth. Adding my 3rd, Crash, was easy peasy. Psyche was trained up, Zoey semi-retired and Psyche's biggest issue was/is a trial stress that isn't a matter of too much training but of time and patience, which considering she's my only doing trailing, I have plenty of. I liked adding the 3rd because I wanted to be training another dog, since Zoey doesn't do much. So it was easy for me. Then came my fourth and now I've got a lot on my plate, but not too much. (All four of mine are also herding breeds, 1 mini aussie, 2 border collies and one working bred GSD, so I understand the energy level, almost!)

All of that said, take into consideration that I have a secure housing situation and I'm good where I am until I can buy a house or find a place to rent with 3 of my 4. I decided to stick close to home in terms of school, so I'm home every night, and I have no desire to have kids ever, let alone any time soon.

I think if I were you, personally, I'd hold off on another dog for a little while. At least until Jonah has a little more focus. Trust me, bringing in a puppy while one dog has poor focus as it is can be stressful so to be working both of them might be a little much, especially where you're a small business owner. That said, I might also wait until I knew my housing situation was secure, unless of course you're able to stay there with three dogs until you can find somewhere else that FOR SURE will let you have the three high energy, medium sized dogs.

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

If I lived alone I would ideally only have two, okay maybe 3 lol, but as it is 4 with the boyfriend is pretty easy.

I will say when we want to travel without the dogs finding people to watch 4 dogs (especially my four because they live in a partial c/r) is difficult. I suppose if your dogs never have an issue it's not too bad. My boss has 6 border collies that all live together loose and with a doggy door. It's one of the easiest pet sitting jobs I have ever had actually.

However, mine I do not trust loose with a stranger so it's let out Arnold, let out Shamoo, put away the pit bulls, let out Backup, let out Sloan, put away the malinois, feed everyone separate (even though I let everyone out and feed together) and no walks, just in yard play exercise. Like I said, I have trouble trusting people with my dogs, if something goes wrong I want to be forced to blame only myself. Your dogs may be much easier making life easier.

My parents have two rat terriers and a wheaten terrier and they're a breeze, they can have anyone watch them so their options are much greater than mine.

 

[~Jessie~]

I have 5, and I will admit that they are pretty easy! They all coexist together- I don't have to deal with C&R. I know that Jess was nervous about watching them last year... they must not have been TOO difficult, since she's coming back here in May to watch them all again!

If I lived alone, I wouldn't hesitate to have 3. Especially if they're all the same breed.

 

[Toller_08]

Three dogs isn't too bad. It's an odd number, though, as others have said. Two is easy. The dogs have a friend, you can take both dogs places easily, it's pretty easy to walk two dogs, etc. With three, often I feel like somebody is left out and I have a hard time picking and choosing who to take with me to different places. I don't have a problem walking all three at all, but it is slightly more awkward than two. Especially since one is mildly dog reactive on leash - if that wasn't the case, it'd be a bit easier/less stressful. Also, I think I would find three dogs a little easier if they weren't so close in age. Dance and Keira are eight months apart in age and Ripley is 16 months younger than Keira. Granted, Dance never really went through a real puppy or adolescent stage and has been super easy aside from her people issues, but the Dobes definitely should have not come so close together. But over all they actually are pretty easy to live with most days. Some days are more trying than others (the days I work all day and they're restless in the evenings), but all in all, I'd do three again for sure. I think two is more ideal for me, but three is doable and I do enjoy them.

 

[Dakotah]

I have no input except to say I think you should get an Aussie

 

[Finkie_Mom]

I actually like having three. One was not enough, and though my second came rather quickly/randomly (Kimma wasn't even 1 yet and no where near where I wanted her to be as far as training goes), since I added Pentti as a 3 year old, I didn't have to deal with puppy stuff. If I did, that would have changed the game dramatically. Bubbles was also a random addition I hadn't really planned on, but she was also older (only 2 weeks older than Kimma) so she was around 1.5 when I got her.

Mine are also pretty independent, so I don't feel terribly taking 2 leaving 1. Though that rarely happens. I usually just end up taking 1. For walks/training, I leave whoever is left (if any of them) with something to chew or eat and they are fine.

I haven't gone away anywhere yet without the 3 of them (I only go away for short show trips where I take the girls and leave Pentti since he's easy to look after), but I know that day will come eventually LOL. But now that I work for a pet sitter, I have someone I can trust to look after them. I also have family and friends that would, oddly enough, jump at the chance to watch them. So that's good

I think you know when it's right. That's how I ended up with my 3 LOL. And I will most likely add another next year, though this one will be a puppy.

 

[hey_jude]

Thanks for all of the input guys! I think if I did it it would definitely have to be another border collie (I'm adddiiiiicted!) and it wouldn't be until fall if I were to even consider it- or next spring. I really appreciate the feedback- this inspires me to work on Jonah with his focus issues.

Where the heck do I start with that?!

 

[elegy]

I agree with waiting until the youngest one is where you want him to be. But hey, I'm single and adding a fourth. Eep.

 

[lizzybeth727]

Where the heck do I start with that?!

Make a thread in the Training forum.

 

[PlottMom]

I currently am living with my three girls, Bear, and an ex-foster (her new owner just moved in with me!) so I am not in the camp of waiting til the youngest is "where I want it" - if I waited that long, I'd never have another dog, because Rage is the devil! As long as they have decent house manners, don't dart the door, and I can walk them all at the same time I'd go for another. Now, I'm moving to SoCal shortly with my 3 girls and my boyfriend's pittie, and won't be ready for another dog for a while... likely because we'll be on a rotational schedule for a bit because Rage & Keena probably won't like living together.

 

[Renee750il]

Thanks for all of the input guys! I think if I did it it would definitely have to be another border collie (I'm adddiiiiicted!) and it wouldn't be until fall if I were to even consider it- or next spring. I really appreciate the feedback- this inspires me to work on Jonah with his focus issues.

Where the heck do I start with that?!

Remember, part of Jonah's focus issues are probably due to his age You DO have a teenage boy there, lol.