Pack Environment in the Home

Dog rescue is not easy. This week finds me at the end of my rope. The tension had eased in the pack after a tragic incident in December only now to be replaced by a different tension caused by different dogs with varying needs. One is Katey, blind and, to others, bumbling, though, to me, graceful in finding her way around the house, yards/field and pack. Then two, not one, Coonhounds being fostered - one too many. I am asking for another foster for the large male. He is a nice dog with a booming, off key operatic voice and a very skinny butt but he is adding tension to that already here with Katey. I like Winston - he needs a smaller setting with fewer dogs and more attention than I can give him in this pack environment.

As you look at your dogs or anticipate adopting one, consider the environment into which you will bring that dog. Many very large dogs do well in apartments or small houses simply because they are not active indoors and do well with leash walks daily. Greyhounds in particular are RETIRED in their minds' eyes. You may need to add a couch for them or a new one for you if you adopt a Greyt. Even my hounds, one on one in the house, are much quieter and attentive to persons and family than one would think. They make wonderful family pets - yes, I am talking Coonhounds. 'Course, you also will know when a squirrel or raccoon is in your tree, too. Katey, the blind Bloodhound who had been in an outdoor kennel all her life, has basically house trained herself. The only time she pees in the house is when I have the door closed to the breezeway and dog door, usually due to cold weather. She is a smart dog - she doesn't want to offend her radar nose any more than needed!

Consider the "pack" which they will join. Three dogs make a dog pack, then you need to add the humans and their peculiarities - it is a good number, manageable but be careful of quirky dogs like my English Coonhound, Scout, who does not tolerate stress well; on the other hand, my foster Black and Tan female, Bailey, seems to roll w/the punches and is not at all put out w/additional or changing pack members; her quirk is her need to be in sight of her human. I have a personal dog, a long haired "tweenie" Dachshund named Seymour who came to me after "failing" in two homes. His owners loved him but he did not like the men - he had been fine w/them at his rescue but not at home. His final previous home before I adopted him into my female one person home brought him reluctantly back after 4 months. They had tried everything. He is very happy digging his holes in the yard, anticipating what I will ask of him and snuggling for a nap.

I hope to continue this discussion w/my next entry. Please, let me know of anything in particular you look for or consider when you are considering adding a dog to your pack. I need all the suggestions you have! Have a great weekend.