Help re rescue dog

[ifonerememberstoturnonthelight]

Hi I'm collecting a dog from our neighbours on Saturday that is in terrible condition. He's 13 ish, cries constantly and bangs into shit in the garden. He lives in a kennel and the rspca is not interested so I'm going to get him on Saturday. Obviously the first thing we need to do is take him to the vet, but he stinks so maybe he'll need a wash first?

He's so passive it makes me so sad, he's never been for a walk and it's only now we're able to talk to the neighbour about maybe giving him up.

Do we keep him away from our other dog? And he's never been inside so how do we transition him? I'm not a green dog owner but I've never actually picked a dog up away from its neglectful owners before.

I was always told when introducing a new dog into a household to do it on mutual territory rather than just bringing it into your home.
Well done for saving him, it's horrible what awful lives some dogs have.
Obviously make sure you have good recall established on walks before letting him off the lead.
Thank god for people like you making his latter years comfortable.

@Babyroobs thank you, I think the plan will be, vet ASAP. Then introduce slowly, however if we can't get an appointment until day Monday then we'll go on a walk maybe 5k and we'll go home together. He lives in a kennel in the garden so I guess a crate would be best for him.

Have a look on rescue websites for info.

Wash, vet, walks and new home could be very stressful for the poor thing.

[quote ifonerememberstoturnonthelight]@Babyroobs thank you, I think the plan will be, vet ASAP. Then introduce slowly, however if we can't get an appointment until day Monday then we'll go on a walk maybe 5k and we'll go home together. He lives in a kennel in the garden so I guess a crate would be best for him. [/quote]
If he's 13 be careful you don't walk him too far. Also if he's never really left his garden he might find the outside world far too much to cope with. My Aunt had a rescue spaniel who hadn't spent much time outside at all and it took years to get her walking properly on a lead for a 'normal' walk. Even things like leaves falling down would totally freak her out. Has he seen car before? Etc. So a slow amble around the block might be your best bet first of all, if he will tolerate a lead and collar.
As for having him in the house, I'd always recommend giving him a safe place he can go to at all times where you won't disturb him - a crate can be good for this (cover it in blankets, make it like a den). If he is nervous of you, throw treats periodically from a distance, slowly coming closer. A treat each time you go past him etc. Don't pay him too much attention to start with, don't make eye contact etc.

For a dog that's not been walked they might find 5k too much to start with. Maybe a shorter walk to introduce dogs would be better then home together?

Ah brilliant thanks , so no walk. That's fine I just want what's best for him.

I had 2 dogs when i got my rescue. She went straight under the kitchen table and stayed there, bar me gently coaxing out for food and into the garden for a wee, for about 3 days. My other 2 surprised me by very politely ignoring her :-) She eventually came out, decided she was going to have the sofa and is now 'top dog' and a complete love.

Given your new dog's age i would agree don't walk him, perhaps for a few days. Get him used to your house and garden first. Using two leads can be a good idea too when you do go out, in case he tries to bolt & slip his lead if scared. I'd use a slip lead or lead attached to collar, then one on a harness. A crate is a good idea in a quiet spot. Sit on the floor a few feet away from him regularly, side on, and just gently throw treats in his direction to encourage him to you. Don't rush it, and no eye contact. Also think about possible hazards if he's not used to being indoors such as cables or furnishings he might chew (though at 13 he might be beyond that) My rescue chomped through the power cable to the fridge, something my other 2 had never bothered with, and fused all the electrics. Not funny at 6am on a winter's morning

You are absolutely wonderful for taking him. Truly you are. I have six senior rescues and have fostered fifteen over the last four years. Take everything slowly, if he’s not used to living inside maybe a large crate he can use as a safe space, make it all cozy and feed him I’m there. Using a crate is an easy way to toilet train too, take him outside regularly and lots of praise. Senior rescues are wonderful, once they settle they’ll tank you in a million ways.

Gosh no walks, he is old, may be in pain, may have arthritis. Just get him health checked and vaccinated if not already done. Check if he is fit enough to be neutered, or if already done great. Address his diet, his eye sight issues and then a nice warm bath will be next, After a few days or weeks depending on what vet says then a walk. In meantime to avoid stress I would keep the 2 dogs apart, especially at meal times. If you have a crate, put one dog in it ( the rescue) for safety and allow your own dog get used to the rescue at their own pace. each day take one dog per person into the garden on a lead and just let them wander and get closer to each other, but again keep a watchful eye on either dog reacting badly and be prepared to give them time and space to get to know one another

Can you get his kennel when you collect him? He may prefer to continue sleeping in it. My dogs have always lived outside and refuse to come in.

Has he got a name op? Smelly Bill is ds's fav book and a great story!!
We need pics when you get him. He is a lucky lad!!

I can't get the kennel because it's just a washing machine with no inner. This dog is beyond neglected. Here's a photo I took yesterday

The shed he's coming out of there was put up last week. But it's too big to move

Bring him in, be gentle. Feed him, let him find his space. Offer him gentle pets, cuddles and treats, Be encouraging, don’t walk him too far, go at his pace,

I rescued my second last dog off an acquaintance who was abusing him and hated it. He stated he didn’t wAnt the dog and hated it. So I said fine I shall have him. Much to my husbands horror. He was fantastic and just so eternally grateful every single day.

Please don’t take a 13 year old dog who has unknown health conditions and has never been walked on a 5k, it could bloody kill him!

Vet first is a good idea and take it from there. Can you get insurance before you go or do you have a large back up of money to pay for anything that might come your way? Sounds like he has some sight issues.

Baby gates in the house until the dogs have been bonded better, give them separate areas or buy an outdoor kennel if he is used to living outside, he’s an old chap and changes could be distressing. Go slowly and ask the vet for advise too.

He might not take to a collar - my rescue girls were very wary at first and preferred a chest harness

I more meant take my other dog for a big walk so she's tired but I won't be walking him
Don't worry!

Walk for your other dog.

Whilst other dog is being walked, collect old doggie.

Engineer other dogs walk to meet up with you and walk the last bit home together, so they go into the house together having met on neutral ground.

Once home, plenty of water bowls. No toys. Lots of space for each dog and feed in seperate rooms not just with distance between them.

Old dog may want to go outside so I'd have the back door open and find something to offer shelter outside if he feels more comfortable with that (dog crate wtih a tarp over it) rather than force the issue straight away.

Ah op he is lovely!! I spoke to an elderly lady yesterday who has taken on her friend's 14yo terrier as the friend died. She was enjoying getting to know him she told me. 2 oldies slowly pottering along was heart warming. I hope he finds a friend in your own ddog very soon.

Such a lovely thing to do . I hope it all goes ok. Let us know how you get on

I think it would be vet first for sure.

I'd be setting up a shelter in the back garden for him initially, either a proper dog kennel or a crate with waterproof cover for now.

Being inside your home will probably be too much too soon for this old chap, he's going to need time to adjust at his own speed.
I'd suggest leaving the back door open so he can watch your dog go in and out. In time, he should come in himself. He'll learn about toilet training by watching your own dog too.

I'd be aiming to introduce your dog to him on neutral ground (after a long walk with your dog first). Very slowly start walking in same direction, but with lots of space between, then slowly narrow the gap until you are walking together.

Always supervise the dogs whenever together so you can nip any unwanted behaviour in the bud immediately.

Agree to feed totally separately to begin with, and you'd be better feeding him whatever food he's been used to (however crap it may have been) and slowly introduce whatever you want/ need to feed him (depending on vet report re health), otherwise he will probably get diarrhoea, and this would not be ideal for him or for you as he's not house trained.

Good luck x

Hope it goes smoothly

Hoping you old boy is settling in well op...

OP you are a superstar. He is adorable. Hope you have some really lovely times together.

Poor little dog. I’m so glad you’re taking him. See if you can spend some time with him, even in the car, talking to him and seeing if he relaxes and listens a bit. Could you find him a quiet corner of the kitchen or porch where he could have a crate or bed? Bearing in mind he probably won’t be house trained. Hope your dog accepts him (ling walks for her, which double as alone time for her too). Give it all time. We’ve had a real strange mixture of rescues over the years - nervous, cocky, street dogs, ones that didn’t like each other initially, but they all settled in time.