Adding a Rescue to the family possibly, Needs Advice----- Update: Let me introduce Tucker!!

Came across a white and red pem in a shelter near us.  We took Lance to go meet Tucker this afternoon and the meeting seemed to go ok.  Lance and Tucker both didnt pay much attention to each other!!!!

They did sniff some, although Tucker seemed a bit shy, but he just would back away, didnt make any noises or do anything other than back away.  The volunteers at the shelter seemed to think it went well.

 

He was temperment tested and passed.  My daughter and I met with him in a room at the shelter, which unfortunately was the kitchen, you know what was on Tuckers mind...food, lol.  He did seem happy to see us when we called him to us and wanted to give lots of kisses.  :)

 

He was dropped off in the shelter runs by someone and just left :(  Apparently he had male issues and it wouldn't go down, so they had to take him to the vet and got it taken care of, which they did, they said he was fine now. Poor boy, they think maybe he was used for breeding :(  He has some scars on his face around his eyes...at first I thought it was just black fur, but looking closer looks like scars.  They said possible flea bite scars or maybe from breeding gone bad?? 

 

One of the volunteers tried adopting him but her other dog did not like Tucker at all :(  Im hoping the scars on his face isn't from an attack, and now hes scared of other dogs.  You think they would be honest about that. We definately would have to have Tucker come to the house to see how the meeting goes here.  I know it will take some time for adjustments, I just hope that they are suited for each other. 

Hopefully Tucker is more submissive than Lance is. 

 

We are going back tonight with the whole family since my daughter and hubby couldnt join us this afternoon.  Any thoughts or feedback would be great to hear.  I just feel so bad for Tucker.  I want this to go as smoothly as possible, and seeing Im new to having two dogs, one being a rescue I would appreciate advice. 


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It took about 3 weeks for my dogs to bond... Also take them to a park to play & meet each other its more of a nutral zone...

From what I have read on this site 2 male dogs is a great combination!!! YAY ;)))

Can't wait to hear how the home visit went!
We're keeping our fingers and paws crossed for a great visit and that things go well:)

Hi Natalie!

As you know we added Isabelle to our home well over a year ago. I agree it takes time for the new one to adjust to different surroundings, etc. Spencer and Isabelle are the very best of pals now and we cannot imagine our lives without her here. She has added years to Spencer's life. I know Lance and he will be a good role model for Tucker. As we all know, Corgis are very smart and adapt very easily. I will anxiously await your report after the home visit. I know you and your family will be able to give Tucker an amazing home filled with a lot of love!!!  Keep us posted.

Hey Nat,

 

Take the words of any volunteer with a grain of salt, unless they have fostered the dog themselves for a month in a home environment with their own pack (actual interaction, not caged boarding), most dogs takes about a month to feel safe, build trust, get comfortable and learn the new pack order in their new environment. I sincerely think that many shelter dogs are "misunderstood" , I have not met an actual "damaged" corgi in the last 4 years as a foster parent. I have only heard of 3 cases out of 200 that can't be re-homed, 1 extreme case where the corgi received severe head trauma in the past and had to be euthanized.

 

I think most owners who have 2+ corgis at home will agree that having 2 perfectly trained obedient corgis is not easy. Many 2+ corgis household don't travel extensively, their lives revolve around the dog's schedule. A two week vacation overseas means a minimum of $700 in boarding fees, it is much harder to find someone that you trust 100%, feel comfortable and have the skills to handle 2 dogs that live as a pack.

 

Before the new dog arrive:

Prepare a crate / area where he/she can find refuge and eat in peace. 

A separate food dish, leash, collar

Restock 6 bottles of hydrogen peroxide, poop bags

Have a family meeting, get everyone on the same page, finalize house rules, both dogs should be treated equally and should not have special rights. 

Practice how to break up a fight safely, your goal is first safety, then retrieve and quarantine. I like to use a can of pennies to startle, an oversize cushion as shield / barrier, lift dog with 4 feet in the air and put in separate rooms immediately. Keep calm at all times, no shouting, no words, no grabbing the collar, focus on retrieve and quarantine. When things have calmed down, regroup and think of an action plan.

 

On the day of the arrival

Walk Lance extra long 2 hours before the new dog arrive, drain his energy.

Meet the new dog 1-2 mile away from home in a neutral place.

At first sight, no sniffing, no greeting, focus on walking one on each side. Walk them home together.

 

Outside your home

When you arrive outside, let them pee & poop, this is a great time to designate a spot 

Keep them on leash and introduce the yard, let him smell every spot, let them take their time

 

Enter your home

Human enter first, unleash Lance and let him in first

Keep the new dog on leash and introduce the home

let him smell everyone room

observe leg lifting behaviour, discourage immediately, take him out to his spot

Introduce his water area, let him drink, most corgis don't fight over water

Once the house tour is over, take him back out for potty

 

Family immersion

It is a great idea to tether the new dog to you, he will learn to follow you and adjust himself to you, a good length will allow him to lay down on his back, make sure the leash is not too long.

It is okay for family members to take turns in tethering

 

Feeding

Unless the new dog require Rx, feed him the same schedule as Lance

Separate them, out of sight and interruption, let them eat in peace

 

Treating

Always treat them in separate hands at the same time. Don't throw in mid air.

 

Sleeping

Keep the new dog in a crate for now, until he has proven reliable and trustworthy

 

While you're out

Keep the new dog in a crate for now, potty train him like a new pup.

 

Pack order

You may already have a pack order in mind, but most likely it will change with time, let them work it out, just like human family, there will be shouting matches.

 

Structure

Solidify your daily walk schedule, the new dog will need structure to learn what is expected of him, it will speed up his potty training.

 

I think having two dogs in the household makes me smile at least a dozen times a day, I always feel like a rock star coming home. Good luck and keep us updated!

 

The eye-opener on boarding is so true!  The last time we went to the shore for a week it cost us $400 to board the dogs;  that was half as much as our hotel!  Plus someone had to come to the house to check on the cat;  since it was family we bought some small gifts rather than give cash.

 

The idea of a petsitter is daunting.  We don't have a fenced yard and our dogs go out the front door which leads right to the street.  I'd worry they'd get loose looking for us.  Then there would be all the instructions:  this one slips her collar so needs to be walked in a martingle--- make absolutely sure she doesn't play with other dogs or roam the house with it on since there is no safety release. That one will pull if you don't make him mind.  This one will get snarky if she gets crowded by strange dogs on-leash.  That one will try to run visit every dog and person he sees if you don't keep a firm hand.  This one will sometimes only pee if she sees the other dog peeing; that one poops two to three times on a walk and if he's just gone once he's not done.   The list goes on, and they are well-behaved dogs. 


Two is much more expensive and much less convenient than one, but having a houseful (two dogs and a cat) is so much fun, their interactions bring us constant amusement, we don't worry about them being bored and lonely, and it is so worth the little hassles!  We don't go on many spontaneous day-trips anymore, though.  :)

Well, we now are proud owners of Tucker (rescue pem)!!!  We walked Lance before Tucker came this afternoon and then once Tucker came we took another walk with them together, they greeted each other and off we went walking!!  Lance was so exicted as soon as they were pulling up!! 

 

We brought them in to play and they did great!!  We expected Lance to try and dominate, but we discouraged it, and Tucker also told him nicely as well, and Lance respected that :)  They frapped like crazy!!  I wasn't able to get pictures or videos as I wanted to focus on the interactions.  It seemed as if it was just a playdate, Im pinching myself right now...making sure this is not a dream!!  I know this is just the beginning....keeping fingers and paws crossed that things will keep going smoothly. 

YAY, so excited for you and Tucker and Lance, great job Nat.

We have had Tucker since around 2 pm this afternoon. He is the sweetest little boy ever, I can't believe that someone would give him up just because he shed too much! That is just crazy, I don't think that person did much research about dogs then. lol.

But we all love him very much, just as much as we love Lance!

He looks so happy in this picture, and I am happy that we were able to give Tucker a good home! 

Who is kristin???? LOL
Kristin is my daughter :)
Thank you for clarifying this...I always wondered why there was a Kristen on here with a dog that looked so much like Lance!

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