To want an old rescue dog as my first?

[PoisonousSmurf]

I'm almost 50 years old and would like a pet dog. I've never had one myself but have known people with dogs.
I feel that by rescuing an older dog, 'it' would teach me about caring for it. I need an experienced dog to take on a human carer, lol!
But family and friends say I should get a puppy. But I'm not ready for that.

I think it really depends on the dog. A rescue dog may have been mistreated and therefore have some issues that mean it should really be rehomed with an experienced owner
Do you have an idea of what kind of dog you would like? In your situation I would contact a rescue organisation, say you would like to rehome a dog and see what they say. A good centre will want to know a lot about you, your home and your expectations to match you with the right dog
And thank you for wanting a rescue dog, there are so many dogs waiting for loving homes

What a lovely idea! There are so many older dogs that get neglected and people don't want them, because they would rather have a puppy.

As Rainbowqueeen says, be careful of any behavioural problems (in your circumstances, as you have little experience of dogs) but don't let that put you off. Dogs get rehomed for all kinds of reasons, and many will make fantastic pets for you.

Good luck!!

I think its a lovely thing to do - so often people don't want older dogs, and there are a lot who are in rescue not because they have been mistreated but because their owners have died or no longer been able to care for them.

If you had it in your heart, can I put in a word for Maddie and Jess ? I know them and their foster mum, and although they've been through so much they are absolutely lovely dogs and so loving

I'd say a 4 to 5 year old dog could be perfect, obviously depending on you both.
They should be house trained, know some commands like sit and walkies, yet not be at the age of certain vet bills.

Good idea.
Take your time looking. Be guided by what the Rescue people say. Book a couple of sessions with a dog trainer, as even old dogs can develop bad habits, which you could be unwittingly encouraging.
Eg, if you are overly nervous when you meet other dogs, the dog will get the message there's something to be scared of, and become a bit more aggressive to other dogs.
Good luck

Depends on what you mean by old? 4-6 is a brilliant age and stage and you should still have many happy years together. 8+ and the dog will be getting older and may not adapt to change well and will likely face big vet bills etc sooner rather than later.

As a side note it might be too costly to even get any insurance other than something so basic as to be almost useless by 8. speaks from bitter experience.

Lovely idea. People don't tend to rescue the older dogs. A retired greyhound could be perfect.

My mother had two old dogs from the dogs trust. The first one was 10 when my mother first had her and she lived with her until she died at 14. My mother had adopted her and therefore she was responsible for all her vets bills.

Dms second dog was very old, blind, and deaf but as the dogs trust won't put any fit dog to sleep my Dm fostered the dog and all her vets bills were covered.

Sounds like a lovely idea. As long as you're prepared there could be behavioural issues.

But having said that a puppy will have far more behaviour issues than an older dog is likely to have. Do your research and choose a rescue that will match you to the right dog. If you are near one then Battersea Dogs Home was very good at this when we looked.

Second retired greyhound. They also have the advantage of you not having to bend down to put a lead on them coupled with the fact that they curl up very small. I have 3 sighthounds who were 7 when I got them and are such lovely boys (I am over 60).

I rescued an 8 year old springer in 2008 and he is sleeping next to me on the couch now so you can be lucky and have many happy years with an older dog. I also managed to get insurance for him. Not all rescue dogs are traumatised my boy is very chilled out, we did tell the rescue our circumstances and they matched us up very well.

www.oldies.org.uk/

I want an old rescue dog too. I keep browsing here

Great idea. I don't think older rescue dogs will all have behavioral issues. Many just need lovely new homes because their owner has died or had to go into a home. Look at the Oldies website - lots of gorgeous oldie dogs.

Oh, I see the Oldies link has already been posted. Good luck OP.

YANBU

Puppies are a LOT of work & sadly don't come with a guarantee of living to a ripe old age, so if your family are thinking they'd be easier &/or that you'd have more time with them, that can't be assumed.

Older dogs (like older cats) often struggle to find new homes, so you'd definitely be doing a good thing from that POV, yes. Any good rescue would work to help match you with a dog that suited you/that would be happy with you; and as a PP noted, despite the saying, there are classes available for teaching old dogs new tricks if you were to find you needed some help managing challenging behaviour.

So yes. Go forth. Research. Get thee an older dog if it turns out you can manage to have a dog. Then come & show us many MANY photos of Your Noble Hound. Because the internet needs more cute. Yes.

YANBU at all. You sound like you have thought it through.

I agree with the advice above to be guided by the what the rescue people say. They can also give you advice and support after a dog comes to live with you.

I also agree about booking a couple of sessions with a trainer. I rescued an adult dog and training sessions were very helpful. It's just as much about training you to use the right techniques as it is about getting the dog to behave.

Rescuing a dog can be so rewarding I had 2 pugs when I rescued Princess, she had obviously just had pups and had been abandoned (no idea where the pups went) she had never been inside a house never walked on carpet or slept in a doggybed, everything was new and scary, last Christmas a couple of weeks after I got her I was dozing on the sofa and felt the familiar weight of a pug next to me and puggy kisses on my hand, I looked down expecting to see one of the others but it was Princess, she snuggled up to me, my Christmas miracle a little abused pug learning to love and trust, I sat for 4 hours watching her sleep with tears pouring down my face.

A rescue home liked Battersea or the dogs trust or if you know what breed you want there are rescue centres for most breeds can advise you and help you through the process, my 86 year old dad has just got a rescue 8 year old staffie from Battersea

I too look at the oldies website nearly everyday hoping there might be a pug or pug cross as I want to extend my 'Grumble'.

It's a lovely idea. You need to pick a reputable rescue who will listen to your requirements and match you with a dog accordingly.
I have 10 year old foster here at the moment who is pretty much perfect and would be ideal for a first time dog owner. Housetrained,perfect on and off lead, ignores cats, goes everywhere with me... tempted to trade in my pack of unruly mutts snd keep her She is booked for a home now, but is one of so many who desperately need a comfy place to spend their retirement.

You sound lovely OP, I am sure you could make an old dog very happy. As others have said, be aware of any behaviour issues and may be any vets bills. Other than that go ahead, and good luck choosing your new friend.

It sounds like a great idea op.

Puppies are very hard work as they need constant attention, training and toilet training.

An older dog is likely to be a lot calmer and already have had some training. If it's and rescue it may or may not have behavioral issues. A good dog rescue will work with you to see what you can manage, and match you with a suitable dog. Many rescues have not been mistreated, and are looking for a new home through no hope of their own (eg owner dying).

You could consider the retired greyhound trust for an older, calm dog.

Definitely!

I am looking for a rescue dog at the moment, and there are loads of older dogs who are there because owners have died, been hospitalised, can no longer look after them for whatever reason.

My elderly friend adopted a 10 year old retired guide dog, it's fab because they both just want to potter, he's beautifully trained, just not able to carry out his guide dog duties as he's getting older and less agile.

I have young kids so I am looking for something that will probably live until they leave home (so under 5). They get very attached and I'd rather not have to deal with the weeks of mourning every couple of years if I adopted oldies.

I think, on my trawling of rescue pages on Facebook, there may be one specifically for older dogs....

Lovely idea and you're brilliant for wanting to do it. Wish I could (stupid allergies). But yes. Do your research and choose wisely; sadly there are lots of dogs out there who are unsuitable for a novice dog owner through absolutely no fault of their own.

I also wanted to add that I got my first dog as a puppy and I will never get another puppy! They are very destructive : chew and pee on everything and so much hard work.

If I ever get another dog it will be an older rescue. Sighthounds (greyhounds, whippets, lurchers etc) make great pets: they are very calm, love cuddles, and very gentle.

I have had older rescue dogs and they are great. But, they have all had certain peculiarities of behaviour - even those who have had good lives before they came to me. This hasn't been a problem as I am experienced with dogs so know what to do and am willing to put the hours in, and also I live alone and can adapt to suit the dog.

I think it is great idea to adopt an older dog, but choose carefully and pragmatically.