Should you add a third dog to your family?

Social media is always blasting dog lovers’ feeds with pictures of dogs who need homes, or who have come from abusive situations. Even cute puppy pictures can ignite the urge to add to your family. At Sit Means Sit, Metro Detroit we are big advocates for multiple dog households in the right situation.

There are some things you should be aware of, specifically if you’re going from two dogs to three.

• They outnumber you. For the average nuclear family household, two adults is pretty par. Which means, if you own three dogs, one adult will need to be able to adequately handle two dogs when you’d like to go out with your entire family.
• Aging packs cost more. If you have dogs all in the same general age range, consider that increase in veterinary care now, but don’t forget as the dogs grow old and potentially require more health and wellness care, your costs will potentially be higher in the future.
• The third wheel. If you have two dogs that play well together, adding a third could add to the fun, or potentially change the dynamic entirely. A younger dog with more get up and go might steal the thunder of the older dog.
• Don’t think adapting is a given. People are sometimes given the idea that a dog entering a new household will pick up on the ‘rules’ of the house via the dogs already living there. That may be true to some degree, but there will always be an adjustment period where the two dog dynamic shifts to figure out where the third fits in. Your third dog will pick up the house rules, but only if the human makes a conscious effort to make it happen.
• The jealousy is real. Dogs can be possessive of their humans. When adding a third dog, be sure to factor in the time you will need to spend with the third to bring them up to speed on training and house rules, but don’t neglect your first two, as that can cause issues as well.
• Number One and Number Two (dogs, that is) Let’s evaluate your existing dogs for a minute. How big of an issue was it bringing in dog number two? Were there fights, a long warming up period? How stressed out were you? Answer these questions honestly to make sure you aren’t just feeling guilty about that rescue dog you saw on Facebook, or that you don’t have a serious case of puppy fever. Ask yourself: will a third dog be a benefit to the dogs you already have and bring more joy into your family?

You might be thinking, well maybe we won’t be getting that third dog, but there are some upsides to having a third canine in tow.

• You can take one dog at a time. If you are going on a quick errand and would like some canine companionship, you can take one dog without the second feeling completely left out. After all, they’ll have a buddy still at home.
• Rambunctious dogs can spread out their energy. If you have a young, crazy dog who loves to play, two different companions may help expend all that energy without completely exhausting the other.

 Bottom line: If you love dogs, have the time, space and money, getting a third dog is just fine. Just go in with your eyes open, your expectations realistic and number three can be an awesome addition.