Maybe no. 3 dog in my house?????

[alonsoe]

I will say adding a third dog was a LOT of work. It's way more work than two.

If I were thinking of adding another dog, the below is what I would consider:

• Are my dogs in good health? Could they physically handle another dog?
• Are they getting enough exercise? If they aren't being exercised now, adding a third won't make it any easier.
• Have I met my training goals? Are they well-behaved? If my dogs have bad habits that I don't like, I don't want to add another until they've been addressed.

Just something to think about.

I agree....and add....

Can I handle 3 dogs at the same time on the walk?

That's the point at which I have not a 3rd sheltie, but all of you know that the decission of having one o more dogs is not an objective but subjective decision.

If you have none your live is easier...but your heart is empty.

 

[Silaria]

I'm actually looking into http://www.uturnhandles.com/ for walking my three dogs. Someone I see at agility competitions has one for her three (she recently added a third dog) and loves it. She was showing it to me and it's very cool and easy to untangle them; once you get use to how to flip it around.

They have multiple instructional videos on the site showing how to flip it around to untangle dogs.

 

[alonsoe]

what worries me more is whether a person carries his dog unleash and comes with bad intentions...it won't be the first time it happens to me.... I think I always can grab one on each arm and run!

 

[labgirl]

I sort of 'slipped' into three dogs (and then very suddenly it became four, but that's another story!) My three fit together very well and I find it hard to remember when there was just two. It does mean more hours spent training, as of course the dogs have separate classes, but heck, I was addicted to agility already so doing it for an extra hour a week was just more fun

I don't walk all three together, simply because Sparrow and Cadbury wind each other up when they are together and get into mischief. So Sparrow goes out with Merlin and Cadbury has a separate walk later in the day.

Yes, I did have to get a bigger car and it is slightly more complicated when going out, but since most places I go I take the dogs it is not a big issue. I don't imagine I shall stop at 3 either, but perhaps a bigger garden first

On the other hand, Vixen has not integrated into the mix well, but then she is not a dog I would have selected to easily slot in with mine (and for that matter she is not my dog). I still have to keep her separated from my 3 because they simply won't tolerate her. It is very sad. That is the one thing I worry about when adding another, if they don't fit in. But then I try and choose a pup whose personality will suit my guys, and, after all, Vixen is a very strange kettle of fish.

 

[tesslynn]

what worries me more is whether a person carries his dog unleash and comes with bad intentions...it won't be the first time it happens to me.... I think I always can grab one on each arm and run!

that is my thought process too. On the trails I sometimes use, many can't control or contain their UNTRAINED/unleashed dogs and only having two arms, I would seriously worry about a third. We have lots and lots of pit bull types, and bigger dogs that seem to like to bother my girls, and not in a friendly way. I want the option of picking them up out of harm's way and removing ourselves from potentially icky situations. I have seen dog walkers take some brutal encounters and it isn't pretty. Maybe it is me, but two is all I can handle effectively.

 

[Sharon7]

I thought I'd weigh in since we only recently went to 3 ourselves. When it was Brooke added to Asta and Ally, it really wasn't much more work. Two 12 year olds and an 8 year old. I did find it hard to feel like I was giving everyone enough attention at times, but I really made an effort. When my hubby is home it's not so bad.

Now with Faith, Ally and Brooke, a whole different story. A LOT more work due to Faith's 2 year old energy level, and training needs. She is a great dog and both Ally and Brooke like her, but it has really amped up the energy level and the work involved. We don't call her "the Tornado" for nothin' !

Would I do it again? Yes, but it really depends on the dogs involved. Two really young dogs would certainly entertain each other, hopefully in a good way. But be cautious with personalities, 3 is sometimes a hard number with people (one feeling picked on or left out) and it can be the same with the doggies, IMHO.

 

[jomuir]

that is my thought process too. On the trails I sometimes use, many can't control or contain their UNTRAINED/unleashed dogs and only having two arms, I would seriously worry about a third. We have lots and lots of pit bull types, and bigger dogs that seem to like to bother my girls, and not in a friendly way. I want the option of picking them up out of harm's way and removing ourselves from potentially icky situations. I have seen dog walkers take some brutal encounters and it isn't pretty. Maybe it is me, but two is all I can handle effectively.

This is exactly what keeps me from getting a 3rd dog. I feel vulnerable as it is, my 2 are larger and I can't pick them up to escape trouble. It was easier when I had a Lhasa-poo & English pointer mix, could at least pick one up & run if necessary. The other was too big to carry too.

 

[BarbV]

Great feedback everyone!

The only thing that makes this potentially thinkable is that there is a very good chance that we will sell the cottage within the month. Transporting 3 digs to the island every weekend would be unthinkable.

Some of the feedback that I've gleaned on is:

-.indy is 7 still young enough. And he has rebound his puppy inside and hasxkearnedcto play again. Often, when Callan goes zoomie, Indy gets into the game and "herds" him.
- one dog left out.....I think that Indy would mostly love to be left out, even though he is learning to play again.
- I hear that walking 3 dogs can be a challenge. My property backs onto open parkland where people walk their dogs off leash all the time. Fortunately, I know their walking schedules so I can avoid the times when the trouble dogs walk
-callan at 13 months is a spitfire! I really should have him in agility or frisbee....super agile, too darn smart, always thinking. (Indy always thinks too....about food!).

As for sex....another male? Or a female? I prefer males because they tend to me suckier, but a female would create a more normal dynamic?

And yes, one of my breeders has a litter coming!

Thinking hard here!

 

[Chris]

Heck, go for it, Barb! As you know, I have five dogs: four Shelties (three spayed females, one intact male) and a Corgi-Beagle (neutered male). Aside from occasionally bemoaning the vet bills, it's been wonderful. I do have to count noses sometimes -- I've left the odd Sheltie out on the porch or in the garage over the years!!

 

[MissyGallant]

I do have to count noses sometimes -- I've left the odd Sheltie out on the porch or in the garage over the years!!

Especially the Tri Colored one at night! Glad we aren't the only one.

You wouldn't be the crazy sheltie lady. TEN- 10 is the point at which you become crazy. It certainly isn't 3, because since I have 4 and refuse to be crazy, it can't be three.

I agree you need to evaluate the cost, can I take care of three of them financially? Vet bills?

And the question of Do I want to change the dynamics of my crew?

If those are a yes, then hold on and settle in, you are doomed to ownership of three. As for the sex, I'd figure out what personality you want. I think that is more important because all four of my girls have been SO different.