View Full Version : How do you do it? (Those with more than two dogs!)
Anatresia
05-16-2006, 08:22 PM
I was looking at Erika's post about getting yet another dachshund, and I wonder- how the heck do you do it? You foster parents, rescuers, crazy dachsie people- how do you handle more than a couple?
My two keep me on my toes. I can't imagine having to put up with the attentions of four or five or eight dachshunds! They are constantly on top of me- would eight suffocate you?
Don't take this as mocking or insulting you! I am truly astounded when I think about all the work you must put into taking care of these dogs. I am in awe of you all! I simply could not do what you do. (especially those who foster- I could never give them back!)
I've wondered that too Tracy. Do they entertain each other more when there's that many of them? Cause Tasha needs SO much attention!
Nancy
05-16-2006, 08:49 PM
I'm being suffocated by ONE never mind 3!!
lotsadox
05-16-2006, 08:50 PM
They do entertain themselves somewhat, but the reality is that I'm over the top from too many responsibilities most of the time and overwhelmed some of the time. Hopefully some day it will be easier, but for now I just keep going. :banana: :banana:
mydachsies
05-16-2006, 09:34 PM
I am gonna have to do video clips of my daily stuff.Mine pretty much listen to me. O.C. is not doing so well with listening yet but they will show him I am the boss and if he wants the extra treats and loving time he will have to listen.Feeding and potty breaks are mostly on schedule and playing outside is all the time.They come in and rest in blankets or the couch until they are put into their crate and then they sleep all night unless someone is sick and needs a midnight potty break or clean up.When we have company (hardly ever)they meet the gang so they can get the barking out of the way and just go on from their.That's about it with me.Like I said,I will have to get video soon for you too see them in action.I would take in every needy dachshund if I could.:hearts:
Laurie' s Dachshunds
05-16-2006, 10:04 PM
My crew are OK. They play alot! I am able to do whatever I need to do without them attacking me! I also have them on a regular schedule, so they eat & sleep at regular times. Bedtime is always 8pm. And they sleep until 7-7:30am. (yes, all night!)
I love all of them & play with them so they each get individual time & are all
spoiled rotten!!!
Chrystyna
05-16-2006, 10:09 PM
It's tiring! I won't lie. We got our Min Pin and I thought that was enough. I grew up in a multi dog household and knew I just didn't have the time for a bunch of dogs. My hubby just HAD to have another one, so we got Piper. Things got a little more interesting. She definitely takes up a lot more of my time then Harley ever did! Then the hubby begged and pleaded :pray: to get a big dog. I fought that for over a year and finally broke. So, then we added Tex to the mix. Time for me? What's that?!?!? My free time is spent on them. I'm either being jumped on and kissed to death or bumped in to by Tex and slobbered on everywhere I go. Then I started fostering thinking how much worse could 4 be then 3?!? There are days that are very challenging for me and others I just roll with it.
Right now I have 5 dogs. My 3, plus 1 Dane foster, plus 1 of my parents dogs. I'm not handling that so well because all their personalities aren't meshing like I'd like them to.
You know you're doing good for these pups though, so you just keep on chugging. Some days I look like this though... :duh:
LUVMYGUNNER
05-16-2006, 10:33 PM
I don't think I can handle more than 2. My 2 are always under foot-:rotfl:
AnnMarieK
05-16-2006, 11:21 PM
I have five and I guess it is a lot like having children....I had one did fine..added another,,got used to two..could three be that much harder...adjusted to three...fell in love with four and had to have her....fostered five...failed Fostering 101 and fell in love with him when he stayed with me for months and when someone finally wanted to adopt him I couldn't let him go...So, yes, I have five, but I got them one at a time so the adjustments weren't that bad. Five is my limit though....people I work with think I am nuts...:shocked: :shocked: :shocked:
catstamm
05-16-2006, 11:31 PM
Well.....hummmm they do kinda entertain each other and that helps a lot ....walks are a joke and a complete disaster around my house ...cami is a spazzy McGee...who can't walk on a leash and wants to walk everyone else....Carlee is afraid of her own shadow and never knows when to walk or what to do (Mill Pupper). Poor Jen just looks at me and wonders what happen to the good ole days when we could go for a "real" walk.....other than that ....I think most of us rescue people do it because we HAVE to ....it's a commitment we've make to save the dogs....someone has to do it....and God chose us....thank you for the admiration :angel7: Somedays I wonder what I've gotten myself into ....then they look at you with those soulful eyes and say "Thank You"...... actually the hardest part is saying NO....which you have to do sometimes :confused:
Yolanda
05-16-2006, 11:31 PM
Really, it is not hard at all.
The operative word is ROUTINE. Set a rountine and keep it.
I have to be the pack leader and I set the rules.
Treats for good behavior only.
You have to know your limitations and not go over them.
Like AnneMaria, I adopted my 6 dogs over a peroid of time and they adjusted well. My core group teaches all of the fosters the routine and they also adapt very fast or they are crated away from the others.
I do not normally take in young females because Elsa my Alpah dog would not tolerate her. I can take a senior female howver.
I've noticed the same things as ya'll.....I only have Julie & Jax, but when I dog sit......I end up with 4-5 doxies, depending on Jax going or staying with daddy. I think if the doggies get along well and you stick to a schedule, then having mutiple dogs is not too much harder than one or two. The problems come in when they don't want to mind their manners or when someone decides to try and change the order on the totem pole. As long as I'm at the top, it works ok. (And who can resist having 5 doxies curled up next to them on the couch???)
Great thread Tracy...now I wonder if I can use it to getting another little doxie here with us? :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:
I have to say that two is a bit easier then one. They entertain themselves.
Mama S.
05-17-2006, 09:17 AM
We started out 12 years ago with Stinker and just added one every year or so until we got where we are now. We try to maintain a routine - our younger guys are crated - the 3 oldest are not. They do entertain each other but I also take a few minutes with each dog every morning as one on one time. Worst of it is when I try and sit down and have half a dozen babies all wanting to sit next to me. Reminds me of when my children fought over who got front seat or sat next to me at some event:rotfl:
Mama
oceangirls
05-17-2006, 12:46 PM
Two is all I can do. I figure I should not have more dachshunds than I have arms... unless a whole lot more training and obedience is established :rolleyes::D
Sometimes, I swear there are at least 6 of them running around, not sure how they create that illusion...
Frzframe
05-17-2006, 01:06 PM
They do tend to keep themselves busy by playing with each other which is a great big plus. Then yep a schedule is a must. The only time that it gets a little hairy is cuddle time but once everyone gets settled on the sofa with me it's fine and I can relax and watch tv. :)
catstamm
05-17-2006, 01:09 PM
It's kinda funny but...I thought it was crazy when I went from 1 to 2....3 was much easier the 2....and the puppers are amazing how they teach each other the house rules.....Jen Jen is mama dog and everyone follows her lead w/in 2 weeks....She house trained everyone :hug99: and keeps the younger girls in check :angel7: ....makes my life easier actually...... and routine is key. Of course my life has gone to the dogs....but, if I had a life it might be a little tough :rotfl: :rotfl:
Courtney
05-17-2006, 01:32 PM
Agree with what everyone else has said. Routine works well and the existing dogs definitely teach the new dogs what is up. I really think Napoleon and now Thor are integral to the process. They provide some sort of stability, you know? I could not ask them to be any better with the new dogs. They are godsends in that respect and I love them so much for it.
This past week has been a little rough with so many new dogs but it is getting better. Whenever there are crazy days with a new dog, I repeat these words to myself: ADJUSTMENT PERIOD, ADJUSTMENT PERIOD, ADJUSTMENT PERIOD! Blevins, the Dane, would wake me up at 6 am when I don't usually get up until 8. Lack of sleep KILLS me, but I've been dealing and Blevins got better this past week, letting me sleep in. Of course, he got moved to a new foster home this morning because they didn't have another dog that would fit there! So gotta start all over again!
Once you get above 3 dogs, there is no difference in my opinion. With 3+, someone always has a buddy, even if you have to take one dog somewhere. I can crate a fussy dog with one that is not fussy (in a big crate or the x-pen) and that helps. They most definitely keep each other busy. At night, my fosters sleep in the x-pen with each other, and Po and Thor sleep with us. That way I feel that Napoleon and Thor do get some extra time and love so they know they are special. I tell Napoleon every day that he is my #1 and I love him more than anything else in the world. :hearts: And I know he knows that. He gets whatever he wants. SPOILED!
Right now I have the four boys (Po, Thor, Clyde and Milo) and they play nonstop. Even Napoleon, usually Mr. Priss, joins in on all the humping. They play in the evenings then usually are all asleep on the couch with me by 10 or 11 pm. It is a joy to watch all my dogs play every night. It is what I have chosen to dedicate my life to, so the more the merrier, I say. It's all worth it when they go to fabulous forever homes. Most of the dogs I get in are wonderful. Some are a little more trying, but you get through it. Limitations....hmm I think I need to work on those. :D
Bella's Mom
05-17-2006, 02:08 PM
I've wondered that too Tracy. Do they entertain each other more when there's that many of them? Cause Tasha needs SO much attention!
Bella is like that to...ME, ME, ME!! She wears me out. We want to get another dachsie but I'm not sure if I can survive! :rotfl:
Bella's Mom
05-17-2006, 02:12 PM
I have to say that two is a bit easier then one. They entertain themselves.
Hmmmm...could I really handle two?? :D
Hmmmm...could I really handle two?? :D
Of course! Bella would love a playmate, I am sure of it. :hearts:
areese
05-17-2006, 04:43 PM
Bella is like that to...ME, ME, ME!! She wears me out. We want to get another dachsie but I'm not sure if I can survive! :rotfl:
I don't find two any harder than one, really. Of course our second one IS OWEN, who is an angel....
I have a friend who swears that three dogs is the perfect number (she has like 12 or more though...) cuz then one never has to stay home alone if you wanna take one somewhere or do something special with just one.
But I love having two and I've always been a one dog person.
Jacqueline
05-17-2006, 05:08 PM
Two are easier than one. That way they have a playmate and you get a chance to go out without them, guilt free....well, almost guilt free, lol. They get a lot more exercise, because no matter how much you love them...you just aren't floor height, and can't play at that level. They give each other the attention that you don't have time or energy for.
I'd love a second but Tasha says No Way Ma. However, someday, next time I'm ready to adopt, I think two older bonded dogs would be great. I know a lot of rescues get older bonded pairs and that sounds perfect. Company for each other while Da Humans are out, and more mellow too!
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