Rescue Dogs and Making sure I get it right.

[Fiddlerontheroof]

We've been planning to get a Dog for a LONG time. My daughter is disabled, and we went through the a charity process to provide her with a dog for disabled people and were told that we were eligible for a dog, but the walking criteria first thing in the morning coupled with all their very strict requirements (above and beyond normal dog care!) were just impossible for me as a single parent to meet..and so really sadly, we decided it was best not to go ahead for the sake of the dog. About a year ago we were offered a failed guide dog too, but again, the charity told me unless I was home all the time, they couldn't rehome the dog with us.

So we've been looking for a rescue dog for some time now. I work from home alot of the time, or I'm only out for a few hours each day. I feel really stressed as I'm self employed and every time rescue charities ask me about work, it's hard for me to say, as it varies massively week to week.

However, I'm very clear about what dog ownership involves, and feel confident that I would be able to meet the dogs needs.

So, I'm kind of wondering how we can own a dog? As a child I grew up happily with Bernese Mountain Dogs and Alsatians who all lived in our house. My parents worked and the dog stayed home in the day, it was never an issue.

I've now just applied for a 5 year old rescue dog. It would be so easy for me just to go out and get a puppy, without anyone breathing down my neck! - but I'm really committed to responsible dog ownership, and giving a home to an older dog that really really needs one.

So I'm a bit, :( and wondering if I'm ever going to do this, or if it's a impossibility. I don't think the hours I work are unreasonable.

Dog would be walked most mornings to school with my son, and if not a walk later in the day, and then a massive sunday walk on the weekend...rain or snow!

Please don't flame me, but if anyone has ANY words of advice I'd be really grateful. Am I being completely unrealistic?

[shadowfax07]

I think a lot will depend on the breed of dog, to be honest, but I do agree that a lot of rescues have stupidly high expectations.

[Fiddlerontheroof]

Sorry, I've just applied for an older Labrador. x

[Floralnomad]

How long a walk would the dog get daily ,its no good saying a dog will get a 15/20 minute walk mon - sat and then catch up on what it's missed by having a 3 hour hike on a Sunday . Could you get a dog walker for the days you work ?

[tigerdog]

Consider a Greyhound! Gentle and loving dogs that sleep 18 hours a day. two 20/30 minute walks a day is all they need. The Retired Greyhound Trust here are prepared to consider working households as greyhounds are used to being kennelled for long periods. Ours sleeps happily all day whilst we are at work full time. She loves a bouncy play in the garden too and also gets longer walks on the weekends in the countryside. She is great with kids and rarely barks. There are so many that need a home. Such beautiful and elegant creatures and I wouldn't have any other breed now. Would recommend a visit to your local RGT to have a look for yourself. They are described as being well suited to the elderly and disabled due to their quiet nature. Plus you would be giving a dog a very happy retirement! I am biased because I love my grey so much but have fostered others too and they've all been superb.

[tigerdog]

The only thing I would say is that for any dog, a decent walk in the morning to ensure they can empty and are tired for the day at home in my view, a must. The only time we don't is in torrential rain (even with a coat our dog won't go out the front door!)

[r2d2ismyidealman]

It is really hard to jump through the hoops rescues set. There's nothing to stop people from buying a puppy irresponsibly, but try to offer an adult dog a loving home that makes use of dog walkers and it's a no goer. Such a shame. Hope you find your way through it OP and get your poochie.

[EasyToEatTiger]

Please don't be disheartened! If you want a rescue dog, make it clear to the organisation how you will deal with problems that arise. It is never going to be a smooth journey whether you get a puppy or an older dog, and there will be times when you are tearing your hair out. If you have the charities on side, you are well on the way. Most charities are very wary of revolving door dogs, and it's really important to them and the dogs that you will be able to cope with what swings your way. With a disability dog, they are very highly trained before they come to you. It is absolutely possible to train a dog to a high standard if you need to, with lots of support.

[JoffreyBaratheon]

I don't think you're being unrealistic. And different rescues set the bar at different heights... There is the dog out there for you and the rescue for you. A good rescue offers support for the dog's lifetime. One of my neighbours has a rescue greyhound, and she and her husband work and her kids are grown up and have left home. They walk him every night and he seems happy and settled. By contrast other neighbours are in all day (unemployed) and never once have walked their labrador in 13 months they've lived there. They have a big garden too but we have never seen them s much as throw a ball for the dog. Ever. And if they go out in the daytime, he is left behind and howls nonstop til they return. I know which family I'd rather leave a dog with.

[Aliiiii]

Have you thought about a bulldog?my one sleeps 23.5 hours a day! I know they are not all so lazy but have a look at the Bulldog Rescue website

[higgle]

We are Staffie lovers and have rehomed two now who were quite elderly - 8 at time of adoption. We are long standing dog owners with good vets references and are honest about the fact we both work. The rescue places ( Many Tears and Rescue Remedies) were both very realistic about this and accepted us on the basis we would come home mid day or get a dog walker involved. This realistic attitude has enabled two dogs to have a good home who otherwise might have lived their lives out in kennels. I'd get an older dog who is nicely trained over a puppy any day. Our present dog, Butch has lovely manners and won't even get on the sofa without an invitation.

[LoathsomeDrab]

If you've got a specific breed (or breeds) in mind then try getting in touch with the breed rescues run by people from the breed club. Most breed clubs do have one and they tend to be more realistic and practical than some general rescues.

[IrianofWay]

It does seem crazy that some rescues would rather see a dog stay in their kennels than go to a loving home where conditions are slightly less than perfect. How many dog-friendly families have one adult at home all day every day?

[RudePepper]

Good luck OP. I have searched endless rescues and just can'tn seem to find a family dog .

tigerdog sorry if I have already asked you on another thread, but how is your greyhound's recall and is he OK with noisy children?

[Toooldtobearsed]

I agree with re homing a retired greyhound. My 85 year old MIL has had them for years. They are gentle dogs, need a lot less exercise than you would think and simply want a sofa to curl up on most of the time.

[Toooldtobearsed]

Oh, and forgot to say, my best friend has had up to 4 rescue greyhounds at a time and her and her husband work full time, but staggered hours.

[TooOldForGlitter]

OP I will jump on and agree with the posters who have suggested greyhounds. You would struggle to find a more easy going dog.

On the days I work out of the house mine gets a half hour walk at 6.30 am and then will sleep/lounge about until 12.30 when my DP walks him for 20/25 minutes (he works from home but is upstairs in the spare room office) then he'll sleep again until I get home at 6.00 pm and walk him 10/15 minutes around the block. This is more than enough for him. Coupled with playing in the garden with a ball/toy for ten mins with my DD and chewing on a raw bone for as long as that takes and he's done for the day!

He will go longer at the weekend as we tend to go out for long walks so he could be walking for 3/4 hours and will spend the rest of that day fast asleep on the sofa. He never barks except at squirrels he barely sheds, he's comical and elegant all rolled into one. I can't recommend them highly enough and, as PP's have said, due to their histories (being in racing kennels for a long time each day) the rescues are more realistic about a working household. Best of luck.

[alwaystryingtobeafriend]

We rescued a 2 yr old staffie cross about 3months ago and we both work full time. I can work from home sometimes but like you were told no becausecwe work. So this time we said i worked from home all the time. Our dog has a great life here. We leave him in our bedroom when we are out as its yet to be decorated. But if you are home most days then any dog should be ok. lots of walks and treat diapenser toys too. I would recommend crate training too for those days where you have to go out. Or if you have a big enough space at home. Maybd trh to train them to be on their own for a few hrs.

I hope you get a wee pooch soon. Ibthink ots much better for a dog to be in a loving home than its kennel regardless of how many hrs you work. As long as dog isnt neglected. Xx

[Owllady]

Well I'm in your situation (ie have a daughter is disabled (severely)) and work from home. We have had rescue collies (crosses) most recent one from wiccaweys who were open minded about our family situation and disability, and matched us with a super dog :)