Ok, So now I've become a sucker and gave in to adopting another GSP in need. She will be here Sunday and I'm starting to get worried. Is it harder when you have two? My current boy deamands 100% of my attention so Im worried they both will sit and stare at me all day instead of just one! I swear he follows me around more than my 3 y/o daughter! I'm hoping she will entertain him a bit and keep him company.

I also have a question about the new adoptee. she is 7 and hunt trained. All of my husbands friends have told him she should be retired because she is too old and he shouldnt even bother with her. I am taking her in because the current owner is in a bad situation right now so weather she hunts or not isnt important to me, but that theory just sounds silly. At what age do you stop hunting with your dogs? I would think as long as they are physically fit and sound it is fine, right?

Actually once they get used to one another you may well find that having the second dog is going to be a benefit.  They'll keep each other company and play together which may actually free up some time for you.

As for the bitch being "too old" at seven, hogwash the guys don't kow what they are talking about.  Most National Field champions were between five and nine when they earned that title.  We Have had numerous dog still hunting hard at 12-15 years of age.  If the dog has had a hard life and poor nutrition then her years of usefulness as a hunter will likely be reduced but at seven properly fed and conditioned she should just about be at her peak if she has had an average or good life up to this point. CR

Yep, it's harder  to have more than one all right.......harder to get a spot in the bed!!

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s93/zodiakgsps/lazypups003.jpg

I have 6 of my own in the house & my bf 3, with no problems. They are quite good at entertaining each other. As for 7 being to old to hunt.....I agree with everyone else, no it's not. I have two almost 10 yr olds that still hunt & go for hours.

BTW, good for you for adopting!! Good luck with your new buddy, let us know how it goes.

Sooo cute I had to practice copy and paste on the reply section. That is how  bed buddies should be

Our Bed Buddy Rocky after a full day of pheasant hunting on Hunters stocking hat as head pillow rest!!!

My first shorthair used to get into all kinds of trouble from breaking out of crates to shredding pillows and chairs.  We tried running her until she cried uncle two and three times a day.  It wasn't until we got her a buddy that she really settled down.  They were best buddies from day one and remain inseparable today (2 years later).  Here are some pictures of them sleeping together.  The first one was soon after we got our second GSP puppy, and the second one was about a month ago.  Yes, they still sleep together, play together, do everything together.

Adopting any new dog into a new Family takes time and a little patience. First job is to make this new GSP feel secure and loved in your home. Have a safe bed area with her blanket on it and in a place where she can rest and be away from the main stream of actitivity when she needs to get away. Rocky's first night with us I placed his dog bed in our bed room and placed his blanket his Foster Mother gave me and a chew bone in his bed. Placed a treat on his bed where I wanted him to lay down. It was a long night cause Rocky kept coming up to me licking my face. So I moved his bed next to my side and place my hand on him when he layed down till he fell asleep.  Since we didnot have a fenced in yard at the time, I tied a leash out our front door and let him out to do his business which he did very well.  Walked Rocky out in the field several times a day on an extension leash so he could exercise and sniff around.  When the Foster Parents went out our front door leaving Rocky with us Rocky did a crying bark and ran in circles as don't leave me.  Tears were in all of our eyes. But I went on top of our refrigerator and gave him a beef basted chewy bone to get his mind off of losing his Foster Parents. Then I took him down in our basement and introduced him to a tennis ball. Just kept doing things to get him used to our Families routine. Dogs do live in the present and not in the past like humans which is a good thing. So congratulations on your new adoption GSP.  Enjoy the journey of your new life with her

She is settleing in ok now. Last night she followed me into the garage and staked out the futon we have in there. She stayed there all night. Now she is out back playing with my daughter, but she still comes to the door with that look in her eye. I know it was a hard decision to make on her owners part, but he really didnt have any other choice. Im just glad he chose us to be the ones to have her.

She is still pacing a bit and whining. She just wants to be inside all the time and sleep. She has started playing with Chase and eating more. I moved her bed next to my side of the bed last night and she slept much better and didnt pace as much. She staked clame on Chases bed and he wants to share with her but she doesnt like that idea too well. I need to go get him a new bed I guess.  I am concered about her bonding with me. I have a planned trip to Seattle on Sunday and I dont want to confuse her more while Im gone. Thank you for all your input. Im new to the GSP thing. I've always had herding dogs and they were'nt quite so clingy as these dogs are. Rescues dont make it easier either, since they come with baggage. I just couldnt say no to this girl, She deserved better than what she was facing. I added a pic of her, I hope it worked.

I agree with everyone else. She just needs time to adjust. Once she feels comfortable she will settle down.

Here's a picture of my girl's. As you can see they are getting along very well...

Mocha was 2 when I brought Hunter home. She was sooo mad at me. She wouldn't even look at me. When I tried to hold her she would push away from me. She was hurt or angry. After a short time she accepted him. I think he believes her to be his mother. Then when we rescued Belle she was ok with that. Then we kept 2 pups from our litter. I am glad to hear that I am not the only crazy one who has so many of these HOUSE dogs. One sleeps with my daughter, one with my son and the other 3 come into our bed. Very nice in the winter. The little female likes to sleep between my wife and I.  You all have some beautiful dogs. If the white one is the rescue, she is beautiful. I also have friends with 9 - 10 year olds that still hunt. Just not as long of a day as the younger ones.