Advice needed re. third dog (puppy)

Hi, it's some time since I posted on here but need some advice and thought this was THE place to go
I have an 8 year old girl whose arthritus in her leg left is really kicking in now. We are doing what we can for her - she isn't as mobile as she once was but is happy enough in herself - I can't take her for walks anymore but she is fine mooching about in the garden. Jake is a 7 year old male who some of you may remember has big issues with other dogs, so much so that he pretty much just stays in the garden (very large garden). The dogs are pretty happy within the confines of these issues by the way; however, I would very much like a dog that I could walk with down on the coast or in the village/in public which at the moment I haven't got. My problem is am I being selfish in wanting to add to the family? Jake wouldn't accept a grown dog here but I recently fostered a couple of 10 day old pups and he was fine apart from the fact that he became obsessed with them and pretty much carried out a vigil by their cage. The most worrying thing was he stopped eating and after 4 days I felt I couldn't really continue. Once they had gone he was back to his normal self. I am reluctant to put him through that again but am wondering if he would eventually get used to a pup if I gave it more time? Also would it impact on Ailsa's health? i.e a boisterous pup bothering her and wanting to play all the time? my head says it would be foolish to add a pup to the equation but my heart keeps wondering - what does anyone else think?

The only problem I can see is (and why we waited until our unfriendly dog died) the new pup can pick up the habits/fears etc of the older dog. So a dog aggresive dog could influence a puppy into being just as unfriendly. IMO.

Yes, I get what you're saying and if time was on my side I would probably concur but hopefully Jake will be with me for a good few years meaning that I won't be dog walking for another 5/6 years and as I'm 60 myself!by then it might not be such a great idea ! Staying on our property actually means that Jake gets little opportunity to show his attitude so hopefully a pup wouldn't pick up on it.

I think, unfortunately, that you have answered your own question in your first post.

Personally, I think that it would be unfair on both of your dogs to introduce a puppy and it might end up being extremely stressful for you. The arthritic dog doesn't deserve to be hassled and bounced on by a playful exuberant pup, and Jake might well go into a decline again - or even turn on the pup. I can understand wanting a doggy companion on those walks, but perhaps you can enjoy them on your own for the time being, or with a friend who has a dog.

Just my thoughts, but good luck with your decision.

I agree with Sally.

Spend the time you have with your current two dogs and let them live out their lives in peace.

I would love another dog/puppy, but it would be just for my benefit and my want and I know my other two dogs wouldn't be pleased, so I will be waiting. They come first, not my wants.

Although it's up to you what you decide for your own two dogs.

Or a puppy may bring the older dog to life again, Mollie has been walking further than she has for years and playing like a two year old since we got Betty. Obviously you have to be careful not to over tire the older dog but that is easily achieved by walking the puppy seperately.

I think other have valid responses, but I too have similar experience to Julie, although not with my own dog. A family member's dog is about 9 years old, with arthritis and other health issues. Since regular socialisation with Cora from when we got her at 13 weeks old (she's now 10 months) this older Lab seems more playful and energised, and has taught my some manners by letting her know when she's had enough of her playing. Although the dogs don't live together, I imagine if you are home with them most of the time and give them their own space to retreat to for peace and quiet, it might be possible to manage? It would take a lot of consideration, planning and consistency though.

Is there any way you could foster a puppy and hold on to it a little longer to see what outcome would happen?

If you do decide to bring in a puppy, I think if you train it separately from the others outside the home in public a lot, it will be it's own dog (to an extent) and might not pick up on the dog aggression the others have.

By your description it seems your older dogs are happy with how things are and that will transfer over to the new pup since it will not see the issues they have with other dogs.

With how your dog behaved when the pups were there, did he interact at all with them?

Thanks for all the replies and thereby lies my quandary half seem to think it's not a bad idea and half say no! my thoughts exactly! I have had another think though and have decided (pretty much) that I should leave things as they are for now. The introduction of another dog may help Jake, but it may not and would cause a lot of stress to all of us if that was the case. Ailsa doesn't really need any encouragement to run about and play, she still does that but I'm not sure the over exertion caused by a playful pup would do her a lot of good in the long run. Also although Ailsa is insured, typically her arthritus problem is not covered so I can see huge expense coming up in the future so financially it probably isn't a good idea either. There are beginning to be too many cons and not enough pros. now.
It was good to have other opinions and thanks for them.x