Life with Three Dogs

[Anonymous]

Thinking of adding a third dog to the mix. We have an 8 year old Boxer who is getting up there and doesn’t have a ton of patience for our 8 year old Lab mix. They do play together but he tuckers out quickly and I think she really annoys him. We have lots of friends with dogs and try to do play dates or trips to the dog park but I’ve got kids as well so obviously their activities come first. Other than the expense, what is life like with three dogs? I was thinking of a 2-3 year old small dog rescue. We’ve had Boston Terriers in the past and life seems empty without a Boston in our lives.

[Anonymous]

Go for it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thinking of adding a third dog to the mix. We have an 8 year old Boxer who is getting up there and doesn’t have a ton of patience for our 8 year old Lab mix. They do play together but he tuckers out quickly and I think she really annoys him. We have lots of friends with dogs and try to do play dates or trips to the dog park but I’ve got kids as well so obviously their activities come first. Other than the expense, what is life like with three dogs? I was thinking of a 2-3 year old small dog rescue. We’ve had Boston Terriers in the past and life seems empty without a Boston in our lives.

I meant 8 month old Lab mix. So, Boxer 8tes, Lab mix 8 months and maybe a 2-3 yr old little guy?!?

[Anonymous]

Go to the adoption events and meet potential dogs. Your perfect match it there and you’ll know when you meet him.

[Anonymous]

That's a lot of sh*t--literally!!

[Anonymous]

I have 2 rescues OP, one is 7 and the other is 9. I like to hike and I think in a couple of years they may struggle to keep up. I have thought about getting a 3rd dog but my concern is walking all 3 at the same time. I am nor sure how I would handle the leashes.

[Anonymous]

I can’t speak to life with more than one dog, but we have a one year old Boston terrier and he is the light of our lives. Totally wild but so much fun.

[Anonymous]

M6 sister upped her count to 3 dogs this past year and it is awful to go to her house.

More than 2 dogs tips the balance into crazy cat lady territory.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have 2 rescues OP, one is 7 and the other is 9. I like to hike and I think in a couple of years they may struggle to keep up. I have thought about getting a 3rd dog but my concern is walking all 3 at the same time. I am nor sure how I would handle the leashes.

Dog walker here. Three leashes is not a problem at all as long as the dogs are good walkers (no pulling, wandering from side to side, lunging, etc).

[Anonymous]

My cousin had 3 dogs and they definitely kept them busy. It was more time consuming to take care of them, harder to walk them all and more costly. They said they would not do 3 again, and they didn't have children (but did travel for work).

[Anonymous]

I think 3 tips the balance to too many. 2 seems sort of manageable, but 3 and it gets all consuming.

[Anonymous]

My parents always had two dogs and wound up with a third about 8 years ago. My mom says its now a pack, even though she's pack leader, and she does not want three dogs again. And that's coming from a crazy dog lover.

[Anonymous]

Do you have a yard? I think the hardest part about 3 dogs would be walking them at once. I'm a dog sitter and I limit myself to two, which is very manageable. Every once in a while, I'll accept 3 if there's only a very short overlap, and every time I do it, I regret it. If I had a bigger house and a fenced yard, I might feel differently.

[Anonymous]

Indeed, that is crazy dog lady territory. But... you do you!

[Anonymous]

But then the older dog will be bothered by two dogs, not just one. I vote no.