For those who have 3 or more dogs...?

Question

Do you find yourself spread too thin? I'm considering getting a 3rd dog and I've never had three dogs before.

I didn't have any reservations whatsoever about getting a second dog. However, one of the dogs I have now (Louie, my 11 month old Papillon) is very attached to me and he comes with me almost everywhere. I love both my dogs equally but I don't want to alter my relationships with my current dogs by getting a third.

The amount of attention they'll all get isn't an issue- I'm home all day most days. I'm more concerned about the effect it would have on my part.

So, my question to those of you with 3 or more dogs is:
Do you feel like you have enough love to spread evenly? Has your second or third dog had any negative effects on your relationships with the dogs you already had?

Answer 1

I have 3 dogs... the third addition came about 2-3 months ago.

The third dog has not negatively affected my relationship with the other two. Like another poster said, it is nice when I have something like cleaning to do, because the third dog is "close" with one of the others... so they keep each other occupied. If you're home all day, I don't think there would be any problem with spreading the attention, Louie might get a little jealous though so make sure you still have one-on-one time with him =)

Answer 2

I have 6 right now. When the 2 pups leave I will have 4. I can't imagine only having one dog, and 2 was great as well. 3 was just more to love. What I am concerned by is the ages of the other 2. Is one real old and the other young, if yes then getting a younger dog would be a good idea as they can play which the oldest may not do. If both are young it may work too depends on your dogs and how well they all mesh. I have lots of animals, I don't ever feel like I dont have enough love to give. Each has a different personality and brings me different things.

Answer 3

Three can be a breeze. I don't find myself spread thin right now. Everybody gets their one on one, and seems pretty happy. Coming out of the bathroom seems like a Welcome Home party after you've been gone for a couple months.

There was a time years ago when I had 7 dogs, and 4 kittens. I had one dog staying for training, one dog boarding, two pups I adopted out and took back when it didn't work out, and 3 of my own dogs. The kittens were from a feral litter that my dog started taking care when they were about 7 weeks old. (Yes my golden mix loved raising kittens).

Everybody got one on one time, lots of love, good food, and medical care. It was easier then since I was still at home working on the family farm. Could I do that now? Probably not, with 2 kids and a full time job, but 3 is very manageable.

And yes those 7 lived in the house and so did the kittens. Try sharing a single bed with 7 dogs, the kittens generally waited until I was asleep to sneak up on the bed.

Answer 4

I have three dogs. My newest furbaby is in training. That is the only problem (and it's just a small problem) "My" dog, the one that's always at my side doesn't exactly like it when I take the baby out without her. That is easily remedied by spending time with her after the puppies training session is over. I even include the other 2 during training sometimes, it helps the baby learn to pay attention even with distractions. Plus it's good review for them.

I may have a little less time to be on the computer or watch TV, but it's SO worth it. I don't regret getting any of the three.

Answer 5

I've never had an issue with the multi dog household...right now, we are down to only 2 dogs, which is quite unusual around here, when there were three, it was easier in some regards, as the old lady weim is not much for playing and frolicking, much more into laying down the rules for the younger set and claiming her little patch of sunshine....while the younger ones engaged in puppy activities....don't tell my husband, but I'm quietly looking for a third right now....(sshhh!) I will be waiting to get past the extreme puppy matters of the new guy and hopefully past the first two levels of obedience. We have three sons as well, and as I told everyone when they were younger, one kid is one thing, any more than one, it could be 2 and it could be 20, its just more of the same....you just get really good at organizing and delegating. The only thing we encountered as a negative with the 3some was trying to walk everyone at the same time....I am no Cesar Millan, so me taking 2 dogs for a walk was no big deal, trying to walk all three at once can be an invitation to back strain.....

Answer 6

Having 3 dogs vs. 2, is a totally different ballgame. When you have 2 dogs they do the "buddy" thing, are usually friends and enjoy each others company, and you are the one they both pay most attention too.
When you have 3 dogs, you become less important, they are now more into there own little "doggy world". They, then become a "pack", pack instincts start to take over. Fights or "disagreements" are more prevalent, and more jealousy transpires. When 2 of your dogs start playing, the 3rd wants to get in there too, and they all end up getting mad, and a fight begins. Its too easy for excitement to take over, If one gets into some kind of mischief, you better believe the other 2 are quick to follow . The roll for Alpha dog is a lot harder for the "lead" dog to keep, with 2 others fighting it out between themselves, to then, fight it out with him. ....There prey/drive instincts are also heightened because they have 2 other dogs actions and attitudes to work off of.. and as they increase there excitability there instincts get more and more elevated. Your time will be divided again threw another dog.. 3 vs. 2 is just one more begging for attention... One more wanting treats.....one more to TRAIN...and one more to take for walks. The biggest thing to keep in mind, is 3 dogs together are a lot harder to train than 2... They will develop the others "bad behaviors" so you will have to have a lot more patience...My dogs and I have the same love amongst us whether it 1 , 2, 3, 4, etc.... Theres enough love to go around for sure...good luck!

Answer 7

LOL I have 3 dogs right now but when I was breeding I had up to 8 -9 dogs here in my home of all ages..

Now that I'm back up to 3 I find it nice and they all get their one on one time with me. Each dog has duifferent needs and wants and they find a way for me to give them all the attention they want. I'm not spread to thin at all.
I love it!

Answer 8

i have 4 dogs!
all small
a small mixed breed
two beagles
and a puggle

it really depends how much time u have to spend with the dogs
love is an infinite source
u cant talk about whether youll have enough for each
all my dogs get a long perfectly
two of them are siblings

all together theyr like a family , of course at first some will be agressive and curious but thats always normal
unless you spend a significant amount of time with one of the dogs compared to the other
the ones left out will become a bit agressive

Answer 9

I have four dogs and I don't think any of them have suffered from having 3 other dogs around. I know I have plenty of love for all of them and am able to give each of them individual attention. At the moment, I am also fostering four dogs (I currently have 8 dogs in my house) and I feel I give all 8 of them more than enough love and attention. Adding a 3rd dog to your "pack" will be nothing but a joy!

Answer 10

I have three dogs, all of which are very clingy and loving and there is not a problem at all. If anything it's kind of nice because if you are not able to give them attention at the moment, they have a buddy to play with. I don't think it has been negative at all adding the third dog.