Those who have taken in rescue dogs

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Shutterbug

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Can I please have your tales of success in integrating a new rescue dog into your home where there is an existing dog? And any issues you have overcome?

We are hopefully taking on a female malamute - shes apparently very laid back and quite a small mal. Shes 2, same age as my boy and having spoken to the breeder who is currently rehoming her, she is happy with about 1 hours walking a day which suits our boy who recently had surgery on his leg and can only manage that himself. So I'm hopeful that this will work out for us. Initial plan is to meet up at the local forest to walk them together and then return to my house and let them settle in the garden for a while before taking them into the house, to gradually let Korben get used to her and see if they get along. All going well, we will sign a contract with the breeder and pay a fee and bring her home with us.

I am concerned there may be problems getting her used to her new environment, and I want to prepare for any potential issues - I will be taking a few weeks off to help settle her but does anyone have any other tips/tales to share with me to help her settle if its decided she is coming to live with us?

Thanks in advance
 
I would say what you have planned sounds great and Im sure it will work out.

When I took on my previous Dobe 18month boy I already had an old entire male in residence, they are a breed that are known for same sex agression so I did much the same as you. My old boy was the dominent of the two but he did it in a very subtle way and there was never any aggression between them. It was a long time before I left them alone together, if I went out I always put them in separate rooms or crated the new dog.

The fact that you have different sexes is in your favour but I would say be careful when you feed them and I would advise feeding them separately in different rooms. Things like toys your current dog might not like your new dog picking up his toys so that is something to supervise.

You sound sensible and Im sure everything will go well just try to think ahead and pre-empt anything that might be a flash point. Good luck and I look forward to seeing photos of your new dog.:)
 
What you have written sounds very sensible and hopefully there will be no problems.

Our last 9 dogs have all been rescue dogs from the local centre. We always have two dogs, so when one dies we replace it with another rescue. The only thing we do is to have the new dog of a different sex. So in the sad rules of nature our girl, who is now 14, will be replaced, when she goes, by another bitch, as our other dog is a male.

There is only one thing I would suggest. You didn't say whether you have had another dog as well as your current one. If you have, wash the departed dog's blankets, baskets etc very throughly before passing them on to a newcomer, and preferably, line the basket with an old jumper or suchlike of yours, so that your scent predominates. Many dogs will not take kindly to another dog's scent. After all, they're not to know it has gone aloft!!
 
We took on a male staffy when we already had 3 dogs. 2 males and 1 female. There were a few teething problems, nothing major, just normal settling in stuff. The rescue dog had not had much socialisation and had to learn boundaries. We introduced them in the garden one at a time, introducing the most accepting dog first. They all get on great now. He is especially close to my male jack russell which surprised me as he doesn't make friends easily.
 
When number 3 Stafford came to me I really took my time. They met seperately at my yard, walking on lead, then when they seemed to be ignoring each other, off lead in the fields. Repeated the process a week later and all ok off lead, then tested if oldest bitch ( leader) would let new bitch in the car. Then finally, third time at yard and then home. Again one at a time and they were fine. I always made sure that all dogs had had a good walk before meeting to reduce energy levels. Toys were banned initially and fed all apart. My little pack has a very clear leader which helps and my other 2 accept this but now leave them together, feed together and they share toys as well!
 
Ideally, what you suggest, a walk away from home to expend energy and get used to one another in a "not in your face" and off home turf way, then let her find her place and as suggested scoop up all possessions and if you leave food down at present pick it up and feed set meals till they are used to one another.
Let them mingle when you are home but if worried have means to seperate when you are out with a baby gate or crate.
I dont practice what I preach now:p I just literally bring them straight home but its constant here and my dogs are not bothered either way but im strict with the being seperate when im not here for new arrivals. I step in if there is any "issues" but otherwise just let them interact naturally or give space to get away for some quiet alone time if needs be.
Get her into a set routine right away. Good luck and piccies:)
 
Thanks for your replies guys they are very much appreciated. Just waiting to hear back from the breeder who is helping rehome her - he seemed very nice and very responsible and I know he will be on hand for support on the phone should I need it. Korben is a very friendly boy though so Im quite sure he will welcome her into his life with open paws :D I think he has other people interested in her though so keep all fingers crossed that she loves us :)
 
We took on our rescue dog (Jessie) in 2005.

She'd probably be better as an "only" dog TBH as she can be a bit possessive over our little terrier - I really do think they should have re-homed her to a place where she didn't have to share the affection of anyone.

She can be very crawley; in that if she could find a gap in your skin she'd crawl into it and love you and kiss you to death!!

When she came there was already a dog in situ; and when we lost him, we got the terrier as a pup - and encountered a few difficulties in her getting to accept him. For the first few days/week or so, she totally ignored him, then did chill out a bit as time went on admittedly, but it was a bit touch and go as to whether she'd accept him or not (which broke his heart, poor little man).

Now, they get on OK - and also when we had two kittens last year Jessie adopted them as hers, which was an interesting turn-up for the books. Now she's been re-Christened "Nanny Cat".

The two dogs get on fine, within the pack boundaries; we leave them to get on with it coz thats the best way IMO.
 
I'm so happy that you've found another moot. :)

We didn't really do anything special to settle R in, it was like he'd always been there - for that I give credit to his excellent fosterer, she'd spent many hours on the phone and by email to us making sure that he was right for us and a good match for D.

We had a 2.5 hour drive back from where we collected him so rather than put them both in the boot we put D on the back seat and gave him the boot just in case she objected to him being in 'her' car. This turned out to be a good decision as the poor lad had projectile diarrhoea (he'd travelled a good 6 hours the previous day and spent the night and day at a busy dog event, was subsequently a bit stressed and being fed a very wheaty kibble = *frrrrrt!*) and it was easier to clean off the plastic boot liner than OH's nice leather seats. :o

We took them for a quick walk when we got home (to allow him to poop some more :p) and then just let them loose in the house. There was one brief 'WTF' look and lip curl from D, as if to say 'look, I tolerated him at the show and in the car, what's he doing in my house?!' but that was all, that same night they were playfighting and got up on the sofa together. She was very obviously happier to have company and it was lovely to see.

We fed them separately, one in the kitchen and one in the crate, because his fosterer had advised that he was a gobbler and would raid other dog's bowls - D wouldn't have put up a fight but would have gone hungry as a result. We still do it this way, when I get stuff out of the fridge they go and sit in their respective places and wait nicely.

Toys were no issue as sibes don't really value them, 'free' toys live on top of the crate and they can fetch them down whenever they fancy and often play tug nicely together, valuable toys belong to me and only come out of the drawer for training purposes so no squabbles there.

We'd been assured that he had no SA but my first few trips out of the house were very short and I left the webcam recording them just in case - he spent the entire time asleep as promised.
 
We had no problems with ours. The rescue asked us to bring our original dog with us so they could see them together, however Honey (first dog) just sniffed around while Rory (the rescue) hurtled around like a mad thing, just pleased to be out of the kennel!

We put them both in the back of the discovery, but tied Rory up to keep him still! The rescue was near Robinsons, and we called there on the way back and bought a new bed for him etc! We then had about 3/4 of an hour to drive home.

When we got home we took both dogs into one of our fields that had nothing in, and spent an half hour throwing sticks and generally wearing them both out. We also introduced him to the horses.

In the house, we didn't move toys, just added some new ones, which the original dog took over, abandoning her old ones for him. She also took over the new bed, even though she is bigger than him and it was smaller than her bed!

Generally we didn't have any problems - we just made sure they got lots of exercise and had fun together ( they both adore water, so that was a good one).

Good luck - I'm sure they will be fine.x
 
We rehomed a full male rottie when we already had a bitch and a full male and it went really well. I was very concerned about my cat because the newcomer was known to chase cats but after some great advice from CAYLA on here all went well and the cat is still the boss :rolleyes:

We picked the new boy up in the evening and we knew he had never been walked so we took him onto the moor and let him go mad so that he was completely worn out before he arrived at home. We also used a cage (having never used one before) just to give him some of his own space, and we travelled him in it too whilst the other 2 were in the back of the car 'loose' so to speak - it just prevented any mishaps when we weren't able to be immediately to hand.

He was castrated straight after we got him and I think we stopped using the cage after about 10 days although he was only ever in it for a few hours at a time.

We had to feed him seperately as he had been starved previously and was a little protective over his food, but after a few weeks that soon stopped and we fed all 3 together with no problems.

Having since lost our female who was the dominant one our original male has taken over and he has his own spots which the newer guy doesn't use - they've worked that out themselves without any aggression or arguments.

It worked out brilliantly for us and by the looks of it for many on here too so I'm sure all will work out for you. It's great that people rehome and with such success so good luck and keep us posted :)
 
Thanks guys - hearing your success stories makes me feel more confident. Just waiting to hear back from them, think owner has to sign some paperwork before we can move forward so fingers crossed :)
 
I have successfully integrated about 8 rescues - dogs and bitches - with a variety of existing dogs and bitches in the household :)

I must admit, when I got a rescue from Cayla I followed her instructions (I was too frightened not to :p) and picked up the new dog on her own. She (the rescue dog, not Cayla :p) rewarded me by throwing up in my car when I was 2 minutes from home, after a journey of about an hour and a half.....I then walked her with my existing two bitches, and there were no problems :)

My latest dog came home with me after a day in the vets being neutered and having 14 teeth extracted, poor lad was so knocked out he didnt care where he was! So he fitted in with my three bitches from day one without a murmur, and 9 months later this is still the case bless him :)

So really I have had quite a wide variety of circumstances, it was just a matter of being mindful that the new ones were new, and everything worked out fine :)
 
Firstly, would suggest a couple of meeting sessions with both dogs on neutural ground.

Secondly have you researched the breed? Mals are very high energy & would require alot more than 1 hours exercise a day , a friend of mine has 2 rescues & they are excersised for over 2 hours a day - he has an attachemt on his bike and they go off cycling for miles :) If they don't get adequate exercise like most breeds they will get destructive

Most mals also have a high prey drive so you need to make sure they arent off leash where there is live stock etc...

Oh & well done on deciding to rescue, its very rewarding.
 
Not at all sweetie. We are arranging for the dog to come and meet our boy in the forest where we normally go for walks, then to our garden and finally into the house. They are in Aberdeen so quite a bit away from me but my boy is quite chilled so hoping he will be quite accepting of her.

And I agree, far too many people take this breed on not understanding their needs, so sad that so many end up being rehomed :(
 
Good luck and well done you taking on a rescue

I've recently taken on a PatterdaleX from a rescue to live with my older rescue CollieX and the first month had some minor issues but have to say we are all well now. He came underweight and very possessive and food aggressive but day on day is getting better. It helps that my CollieX girl is as patient as a saint. Sounds like you're going down the right road and best of luck to you.

Proof that they really do integrate well, eventually:rolleyes:
This is them this morning
picture.php
 
I took on a rescue British Bulldog boy a couple of weeks ago and I already had two Bullmastiff girls. The first night was hellish whilst they sorted out pecking order and following a long walk together in the woods they have been getting on famously.

It helped that I knew what to expect as a previous bulldog owner as I may have felt really out my depth without prior experience.

Your plans seem fine and I'm sure all will be well.
 
Good luck mrs, sounds like you're doing the right things. When I got Halo (my rescue Springer) I introduced her to all the other dogs in a similar fashion, although I left it a good few weeks before I left the three of them together in the run because Blae (my lab) can be quite territorial. They all get on like a house on fire though :)
When you get her get your lovely OH to stick some pics up on Facebook for me to coo over (thought I recognised you from your posts but it was only when you mentioned Korben I was sure...used to work with your mr ages ago. Hope you're doing well and have got over your accident? Apologies for the thread derail)
 
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