I'm still scared
 

I am still on the fence about adopting 2 more girls. I have read so much about them not getting along with my current 5 yr old female. They are a bonded pair and my current girl has been an only child for 5 yrs. the new girls are 5 & 6 yrs old. I want to be able to leave them home alone on occasions. I just mean short periods of time. Has anyone had this experience? If so, how long did it take for everyone to adjust? I know the new girls sleep in bed with their mommy. As does mine. But should I expect them all to sleep with me from day 1? This whole process has me really scared. I don't know what to expect. Any suggestions.

PS I want to rename them. Will that just make things worse. :confused:

Angels Mom,

I am watching this thread also because I may be going through the same thing. I have a 3 year old female who has been the queen of the house since we got her and may be rescuing a little 3 year old female tiny because her dad can't afford to take care of her anymore. I have the same questions you have plus many more like do I feed them from the same bowl at the same time? How do I introduce them for the first time?

Our first pup was a female. We had her for a year then got another (pup) female. Lillie was only 8 weeks old when we got her ( I know....to young...) Sadie, our first...did NOT like her new sister AT ALL! I was SO upset! I thought...what have I done! Sadie is Alpha and Queen of the house...Lillie is a whiner...if she cried out for any reason Sadie would attack her! It was HORRIBLE!! They are now 6 and 7 yrs old...to this day if Lillie should cry out Sadie will STILL attack her..as for fighting...they do not fight. We got another pup back in December. For no reason, I prefer females, but, having 2 already I felt a male would be a better choice. I too was worried about fighting. Bentley (1yr) is a baby! if he is a maniac!! if he should cry out they BOTH go at him!! I can't leave him out during the day for fear they would really hurt him if he cried out. Other than that they all get along. The breeder where I bought my females from had to rehome 2 of her females because of fighting..of course they were not spayed...not sure if this could had played a part in the fighting. If it were me....I would be cautious about bringing an adult female into your house...especially where you said your furbutt is Queen of the house already.

Can you arrange a meetup on neutral grounds, just to see how they respond to one another?

I have taken in three rehomes, and I changed the names of all three. It's surprising how quickly they get used to a new name, it's not a problem at all.

We (me & my fur baby) met them at the owners house last week. Since I don't live anywhere close to them. Everything went well. But my baby had just come from the vet with a unirnary tract infection. She wasn't feeling 100%. The 6 yr old growled once for about a second. I don't know who at or why. My girl is usually good but lately she does not get along with my daughters mini dachshunds. But then again her female has issues. Please let me know what you think.

I have no advise, just watching this thread...i will be bringing home a baby girl next week, I have two pups already one is 18mtns and a female the other is a 14mth old boy. Both get along great. Raelle was a bit put off when I brought Orion home, but that only lasted for about 2days ....they were fine after that. Keep us posted on what you decide.

My 2 1/2 yr old did extremely well when her new 12 week old sister came home last week, and they are like long lost sisters and getting along and playing from the day we brought her home and every day since. My Abby will come and sit on my lap when I'm holding her new sister with no problem. Abby is our little princess but knows her place in the pack, and the integration of Marcy into the pack could not have been better! Makes me want to get another one........

I would arrange for them to meet on neutral ground a few times. I sure would not change adult dog's names! The poor dears are already having to adjust to a new home after several years. If you don't think you can provide them a peaceful home then pass and let someone who may not have any dogs have them.

I had two females for six years, but one was very laid back and the wee one was the alpha queen, the older let her be the boss. If you have 2 alpha females I think that probaby might cause problems. You need to be the alpha or pack lesder and not let it happen though, they can learn to live in harmony. I guess I am about to find out also, I am getting a new female puppy. and my other female is 8 1/2. I think she will take on the mother roll. When we brought the male in the mix the first two exceoted him right off, my wee one passed a year ago and the male and female get along perfect. I hope this addition goes as smoothe, I guess I have had good luck so far,