A Possible new addition

[woodlander]

I haven't been on for a while but would appreciate any words of wisdom that COL can offer.
To cut  a very long story short there is a strong possibility that my step daughter & family will be moving to New Zealand in the next 6 months.  They have 3 dogs a working cocker, a springer & a Hungarian vizla.  They will not be taking them with them & need to find new homes. 

After careful consideration OH & I have said that we would give the springer a trial period with us to see if things work out for all of us.  Sweep is nearly 9 & Archie is around 8.  They do know each other but clearly living with another dog is very different from a short weekend stay.  We think Archie is the best fit for us & Sweep but until we see how things work out you just never know.  We have made it very clear that this is a trial period and if either dog or us for that matter are not happy then they must find another home for him.  Sweep has been a lone dog all her life but generally is well socialised & gets on well with other dogs.  She is also very human orientated. Archie has been with 2 other dogs who have been the main source of his company. 

Does anyone have any hints & tips that might be helpful to us in trying to make this work. Thanks

[Helen]

Jarv was 9 1/2 when we introduced Jago - I think it was harder for him as we bought in a zoomy little boy who annoyed the hell out of him!

We didn't pander to Jarv's needs but we did allow him upstairs to have us to himself while Jago sleeps downstairs.  We figured that that was his last bastion of having us to himself and Jago was so adaptable (and crate trained - he loved it, and we loved that he loved his crate  ) that the separation at night was fine.

Apart from that life carried on - Jarv goes to work with my OH and Jago comes with me or to daycare.  On walks they get on absolutely fine, and at night before bedtime both just curl up (separately but happily) where they like.  They are very good at sharing - food, toys and us.  I can honestly say there is never a cross word and both boys are entire.

My tip would be just carry on as normal - let them find their own levels and comfort zones.  Sweep may love having company   The thing is that it will always take a while for the dust to settle but usually (especially with a boy and a girl) they will get on.  Maybe at first feed them separately so there is no conflict about food, and if either of them resource guard (you usually) knock that on the head quickly. 

It's a very different dynamic with 2 but lovely (I don't mind just having one though - this amazes people but Jarv was always the happiest only dog    )

[daw]

I think it will be fine and a lovely thing to do for a family member. We inherited my mother's corgi when our working cocker was nearly 7 and the corgi nine. It was a period of adjustment followed by a good relationship that lasted until we lost the corgi at nearly 13. Dogs do get on and try hard to . I think both of ours had a better old age because of the companionship. Don't expect instant cuddles but on the whole they'll enjoy the doggy-stuff humans don't know about.

[woodlander]

Thanks for your thoughts.  Noted re the feeding situation.  I think we are taking the view that the dogs will find their own level and sort themselves out.  We might be a different matter    The biggest issue at least in my mind at the moment are the sleeping arrangements.  Sweep currently sleeps with us and is free to move around the house at night.  Archie sleeps in the kitchen but has always had other dogs for company and I fear he will be lonely.  Hey ho we will work something out.