The Right Decision, 4th Dog?

Hello guys

I need your input, oh wise dogseys

I feel this may be a Head V Heart decision, but may be not?

We have been adopting Eda, our little Japanese Spitz. 1 yr old from my rescue.
We have been fostering her for 2 weeks now, as she came into kennels very nervous, especially of dogs, as she was attacked by one, and then not taken out and socialised very much for her first year.

The pros:

She fits in nicely, get on with the cats and dogs ok.

She isnt too much trouble, toilet trained, reasonably obedient. Clever little thing.

She is coming on nicely, lots of her probs are dissipatating.
She has started crate training, grooming training, dark walking training, dog to dog training.

She is a good project for me to kick start me back into utilizing my dog skills.

And she is cute, and we have become a bit smitten with her!

The cons:

Akita can get unhappy with new things and new animals, she can get skin probs due to stress.
She has had a little of this since we bought Eda home.

Lex seems a little out of sorts.

They both growl at her at her a lot and protect their own areas, which is fine.
But I wonder if Eda, being a cute puppy, is denying them our attentions and maybe we should re-discover our existing dogs...I say we, but I mean me really, as I have kind of lost the art with my girls.

I am also worried about the costs, especially as 2 of our girls are getting on and aren't insured.
So vet costs could be big, including the 2 cats.

The recession also worries me in those terms.

I would like to hear people's views on this, if you dont mind?

Thank you

From what you say, I'd say the cons outweigh the pro and you should probably go with your head.

I'm having to do the same thing as we had planned to have a puppy this year but the time just isn't right so, out of fairness to our existing 2 dogs, we'll just have to wait until it is.

I`ve got 4 so you probably can guess what I`m going to say...
Why not give it a go and deal with problems as and when they arise, rather than trying to guess what`ll happen?

I think, if she becomes a permanent addition you have to be 100% sure and 100% smitten with her. If there is any doubt at all I don't think that you should do it. Take time out and look at what your other dogs are really telling you...look at what your head is telling you...then look at her again.

Only you can make the decision...it doesn't sound like it is going to be at all easy and I wish you luck with it. At the end of the day you have to decide if having her to live with you as a permanent addition is actually what you want......in all honesty you don't sound convinced to me, but I don't know you. It sounds like she is adorable...but not necessarily right for you now?
On the tip side...she is adorable...so perhaps too hard to give up?


Gosh I'm no help huh????!!!!

No easy answer, our girls excepted Bruce without any problems what-so-ever, however Bruce now 15 months, wouldn't ( I don't think) except another male in the house. I want another dog when he's about 3, but although he's extremely well socialised outside, I have already said that if the situation is the same when he is 3, then I wouldn't bother.

I would dearly love another male, but I (IMO) listen and see what effects my dogs, and I know that if Bruce still felt the way he does now about males on his ''patch'', then I'd have to think female....but then also consider whether it would upset the balance with the girls.

But I know 4 can work out perfectly, as it has for so many others xx Best of Luck with your decision xxxxxx

I think this problem will self sort, sorta thing, you will either be able to hand her back when the time comes or you will not,

if you do hand her back, at least she has had a good running start for a new home, with all the work and training your putting in she stands a good chance of finding a good home.
If you keep her, great, but then again, will it stop you from fostering any further dogs? that could be a big loss to the rescue,

good luck x

I couldn't imagine having 4 dogs in your average sized house, but I am one dog person anyway. IMHO.

The fact that you are asking advice on here speaks volumes, IMO.

However, we have three dogs, Baz works in the building trade, and there's a recession on. Through all this we are managing because we have to - you just cut down in other areas to make up the shortfall where needed. I've been to the vet so much recently, I'm considering getting a season ticket!

We'll survive, though, and you would too.

x

Well I was going to say go for it, but I'm curious about your phrase 'lost the art with my girls'.

I'm not sure exactly what you mean here - is it because you spend all day with other dogs (rescues) that you just aren't making the time for them when you get home?

If so, I wouldn't add another, but I would definitely try and rekindle the affection/enthusiasm for your existing dogs.

Good luck whatever you decide.

You just have to watch where you tread. And have windows open a lot.