Dilemma

[sibs]

A neighbour has called round today to ask if I would be willing to take on his young saluki cross pup(4/5 months) as he is having to move and can't take the pup with him. I had met him when out walking Max and had jokingly said if he ever needed to rehome him I would love to have him.

The pup is beautiful, calm but friendly. Understandably nervous when the larger dogs are chasing around. He has recently shown a skin rash which the owner is taking him to the vets for.

My dilemma is introducing a young pup into a house where we have Lace who is 15/16 very bonded to me , reactive to dogs outside if they come too close, on very short walks as more doddery as time goes by and gets on well with Max 10/11 saluki cross, fearful of people , loves other dogs but recently has been choosing to avoid walks lately often (vet check and bloods show nothing) Grumps if Lace tries to climb onto the sofa with him
My worries:
private rehoming but owner is willing to do slow introduction.
Stress for Lace.
All Max's foibles being passed onto the pup.
Is Max brewing some health problem not established yet
Pup living with 2 elderly dogs.


Pros OH is okay but leaving decision in my hands.
May give Max a bit more interest and encourage him to come out on walks.
I would love to have a young dog to walk and he is a very beautiful pup.

However we hadn't intended to have another dog. Thoughts please and any other probs. I haven't considered. I worry about upsetting the applecart and having 3 unhappy dogs.

[sassbu]

Did the pup come via a rescue where there may be some back-up situation?

I have no experience with pups but if your home situation is suitable and you are around a lot for it and willing to take it on, then I would probably try some increasing contact between all dogs as the owner sounds open to that option and see how all the dogs responded, I guess I would be guided by them really in making the final decision. Many dogs who are reactive have a funny way of being very accepting inside the home.

Very interested to hear what others say about their experiences....

[julies]

I got my first grey when my lurcher was 14 1/2 and creaky ... he really cheered up having a young blonde (terrified) bimbo about

I think if you're careful, intervene if the pups getting OTT, maybe use a crate to make sure your oldies have quiet times then it'd work especially as you'll be able to introduce them slowly - then you haven't committed to it if your oldies do say No

Good luck

Julie x

[deborahburt]

Agree with Sarah and Julie. Let the gods make the decision. Have the pup almost on a foster basis and take it slowly.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[deborahburt]

Sept 11, 2013 3:41:35 GMT -5 deborahburt said:

Agree with Sarah and Julie. Let the gods make the decision. Have the pup almost on a foster basis and take it slowly.

Good luck and keep us posted.

It was a typo but how true. Don't our dogs think they are gods.

[vickyb]

I've got 2 who really don't like strange dogs but have accepted new dogs into our home.

But when Bod then Sapphy joined us - neither planned or looking for new dogs at the time  we had Trixie who was 15, much smaller and not too well and to be totally honest I will always feel guilty that maybe her final months would have been more peaceful and better had they not joined us - especially Sapphy as we had a difficult time with her for many months. But then Trixie was loved and given all the care and attention she needed although in her case she was beyond benefiting from a new younger dog. 
But then again both Bod and Sapphy needed homes and are perfect for us and I think we are for them, especially Bod, and for Sapphy particularly since she has been ill. 

It's a hard decision to make but I think all you can do is see how they get on but I do think you need to follow your head and not just your heart.  What will happen if it does all go terribly wrong?

Despite that I do believe that some things are meant to be and 3 out of our 4 dogs arrived when we weren't looking for them.

Any idea what the skin rash is? some young dogs get a sort of short term 'acne' type thing that responds well to long term low dose ab's, Maddie had it but grew out of it, or could it be an allergy to something where he's walked? or even food related? or a reaction to flea bites?

Good luck whatever you decide

[sibs]

Thanks so much for responses so far. As many negatives or cautions as you can pass my way to consider is fine. The owner I have met casually for many years when he walked his previous lurcher who died suddenly last year...presumed heart attack. he seems a very responsible owner wants to do right thing for pup. Dogs walked regularly and well cared for. However both his dogs have come from private sources?travellers so no rescue back up. The pup saw a general vet for his rash and is due to see derm vet today...owner wants to sort problem out if possible or at least have a diagnosis.
30 years or so we have had only adult rescues from charities with various issues and crosses.
We are retired and very much homebodies. Have a lottie the dogs come to when weather is right. Woods grassland and playing fields at end of our road.

[dash4misty]

Good luck with whatever you decide , we rehomed our first puppy lurched when our old dog was fifteen and a half and it gave the doddery oldie a new lease of life

[sibs]

Thank you so much. I have made a decision. Looking at it critically, if I had felt we could handle 3 dogs I would have already offered to take on a foster from GG or LL and I haven't . Lace would have been a good step mum in younger days but as she snores beside me I feel I can't make a long term commitment to a young pup who will be needing a whole different set of stimuli. I also worry about the money side of things at present as we have had some big outgoings. I have of course offered support to the owner re walking, home checking suitable charities to help etc.

[Lisa]

Other than that foster him and see how it goes. If you dont think it will work fulltime Sibs if you are happy to foster him we will help rehome him.

[sibs]

Thank you Lisa, I have sent a pm.