is three a crowd?

[rileysmum]

There have been a few new puppies lately to members who already have dogs,I often wonder if you guys with more than one dog ever feel like you aren't quite as important as when you were their only play mate?I must be very selfish I think I would not like to share my Rebel

My hubby is away for six weeks with work and I've become very close to my little mate, he sits on my lap late into the night ,we share scary movies and treats

[Brody'sMom]

It is true that when you add a puppy, your risk that puppy becoming the first dog's puppy instead of yours. If that happens you could get kind of shut out. Basically, you just have to make sure you spend time with both dogs individually and that you train the new puppy and not let the older dog do it. I love having two dogs.

[CarCarDawn]

Hi! I love having Riley all to myself when the house is quiet and all other family members have left to go to work. My daughter just acquired a "goldendoodle" puppy and he comes over frequently to play - - both dogs get a real workout - - but like the grandkids - - - you can hand the puppy off and go back to having a quiet household!!

[kayharley]

Sometimes when I start to play with one of them, the other two jump in and then they all forget about poor old me

I will admit that Elliott is very affectionate and will sit on my lap/chest/legs/feet for hours. Sometimes it's difficult to get him OFF me! But it's the play that I miss one on one and there's no way I can just take one dog outside and know the others are upset or jealous. Same thing for going somewhere in the car. Where Winnie lies down quietly, Madison whines, poops, pees and cries, Elliott is quite good but how can I leave Maddy home?

[toomanypaws]

We're a happy crowd here. Kiara was my first and she never really was a lap dog. She welcomed having Abbey come into our household. Somehow Abbey became my dd's Cairn. I've got tons of pictures of Abbey on my dd's princess carriage, or dressed in American Girl clothes. Now Hannah is truly the baby around here and prefers me over Kiara and Abbey. I'm holding her on my lap as I type and have my Lab on the floor at my feet. My dh travels alot and I prefer the security of my large dogs and my surround sound alert system of my Cairns. As far as playing outdoors, I love it w/ three. Each of them have their favorite toys that they love to bring to me to throw. Usually two of the will go off on a chase and I'll play w/ the remaining, and then they seem to switch playmates and another one will come over to me. All three do play together too, and there is nothing more enjoyable than watching the three race wildly after the other through the yard. We have a double recliner that all three can snuggle on w/ me during a movie. Kiara doesn't like traveling. We live on the beach and she can't stand to drive over the long bridge into town. Abbey gets carsick, so they could care less when they see Hannah leaving w/ me. All in all, three work out very well for me. When one is napping and wants to be left alone, I take advantage of who is awake. Three Cairns is 3 X's the love, 3 X's the enjoyment!

[brin145]

Toomanypaws,

That signature pic is killing me!!!! I made my dh come and see and he swears that they are tranquilized. How else do three Cairn bunnies sit for a pic like that?

[CathyAnn]

Beth...yes, those little 'bunnies' are a hoot!!

Can you blow up the pic more for a better look?

Cathy

[Eliz222]

I have heard that having more than 2 dogs will give the owner less "me" time. Oh, how I wish that were true! LOL! I'd LOVE some peace and quiet and Scout and Finch play together. Now, don't get me wrong, they LOVE each other and play alot, but I can never sit on the sofa without having Scout "stare me down" for something she wants, or Finch jumping in my lap trying to give me loads of kisses!

They love spending time with us and we are never without a dog beside us. Finch is more attached to our hips than Scout. When we go outside to play "ball", Scout will chase the frisbee for a few throws than she is off to the deck to "observe" the world, while Finch will chase the frisbee until she can't walk anymore!

[Eliz222]

Oops...wanted to say that I would LOVE to see a bigger picture too, Beth!

[hallswel]

They are like my grown sons I had three and they were very close in age, 14 and 16 months apart......Some problems but all and all I wouldn't have it any other way!

Same with my three, the biggest problem is showing one of them....where's me out and work seems to get in the way. But I love my three

Beth should start a Easter Picture Thread!

[toomanypaws]

Brin and Cathy I started an Easter thread w/ that picture blown up for you. No tranquilizers used, they were just tired.

Hallswel, thanks for the idea. I can't wait to see what you come up with.

[Lisad]

I only have my one. Because my dh and I run around so much, I like having only the one to look after. But I often think it may be less of a work out for me if I had two. However, I "borrow" my sister's pups a lot of the time to take some of the work load off me.

[tena]

I have one dog and two cats. The cats had an established relationship before Sophie arrived. I think Sophie would be too clingy if she didn't have other animal companions. She is forced to share our attention.

Now there is not a giant lovefest between the animals, but their relationship is polite. I know from experience that 3 animals is our household threshold, more because of space than anything else.

I would love another Cairn, but it's not feasible right now.