To rehome two 6yr old Pugs from local shelter?

[monkeyfacegrace]

Basically, I took my kids (3&1) to the local animal shelter earlier to see the rabbits and cats. It was meant to be a free activity, but as we were looking at the dogs, we saw two adorable (if not massively slightly ugly pugs)

I spoke to the rehoming officer, and she said that in the history of the shelter (15yrs+) they have never had this breed.

Now, problem 1- we didnt want a dog for a few years as we have holidays booked and wanted a bigger house first

2- I always wanted a pug, but at £1000+ could never afford one so eventually we were going to get a mongrel

3- We only wanted one dog but these must stay together

Ok, so my dilemma is they will only hold them till tomorrow noon for us, and they WILL be rehomed this weekend due to being v. posh doggies. I never thought having a pug, let alone two would ever be an option. They met the kids earlier, and got on really well. Insurance quoted at £20 p.month for both. I cannot find a single negative comment on google about pugs with kids, as I always said I wouldnt get an older dog cuz of not knowing a history iyswim.

HELP I want them, but am I being crazy!!!!

Personally I'd be worried about the lack of house training especially if you have very small children. Are you able to pay for some professional help with this, could the rescue centre help?

If you plan to leave them at home while you walk to the supermarket, what will the mess (and smell) be like when you get in? Do you have the time to do the training and endlessly clear up? Not wanting to be harsh to you, but it needs some honest thinking.

My sil has two pugs, they are good fun but they are high maintence.They have to eat special food etc, She also has 2 sons aged 3 and 4 and the boys and pugs are excellent together. The pugs might live longer or shorter than 6 years who knows.

Well if Im honest, no I dont want to house train a dog, but thats a small part of it. I would have to do the house training bit even if I waited and got a puppy, so its a part I cant avoid. And if I have to put up with 6 months of shit for years of happy dog owning then so be it!

Another advantage of an older dog is their bladders are bigger, so instead of going outside every 20 mins, it can be every hour. However, older dogs can take longer to grasp it, and two together sounds hard work. Though one should copy the other. (can you tell Ive been researching

The only advantage to waiting would be that the kids are older, but Id never leave a dog and child unattended, so there isnt a huge risk of kids stepping/crawling through it.

And at this time of year, I have all windows open and spend majority of time in the garden so the house would be well vented.

Wheezer thanks for your imput. The shelter are feeding them on normal dried dog food and their tummys are reacting to it well so they will stay on that.

Trying to be as tactful as I can,I think you are being a bit naive in thinking just because you cant find any reports of a pug being nasty that it cant or wont happen.Any dog can turn and bite,its a risk we all take with any animal.
It will be hard work with two dogs and two small children and if you decide to take them it will change your life completely.

answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071009124143AAjWpU3

All breeds can bite. Do you want me to keep posting links?

another

Bubbles, dont worry about tact, I have a thick skin! Im not naive thiking it wont happen, Im thinking that there is a risk with ANY dog, but a pug seems to be less likley than most other breeds.
But as Ive said many a time, kids wouldnt be left unattended with dogs ever. Im not planning on bunging them together on day 1 while heading off to mop floors!

Rainbow, Ive seen those reports. The first one says the dog is underweight and possibly abused so not reading too much into it, and the second, the lady took in on knowing it had a tendancy to be agressive!

Not being stubborn (well, maybe a bit!), but Im confident that these dogs are as safe as any dog could possibly be.

But, to be on the safe side, can I point out that I DO NOT PLAN TO LEAVE MY CHILDREN ALONE WITH THE DOGS!!

So there

Monkey,didnt want you to take offence as tact aint my strong point.You seem to be going into this with your eyes wide open,it wont all be a bed of roses but you could say that about any dog.If your confident and happy about it,I presume your family are as well,then go for it.

Dya know what, I had a bag experience with a puppy before (think getting a puppy when husband left me with tiny baby scenario, add severe depression into the mix, and you have the mess I got myself into), and because of that my parents and siblings are telling me Im insane to even consider a dog as they dont think I can cope. Im now in a strong relationship with two kids, am on great medication so my depression is totally under control, and Id love dogs to complete my little family that Ive built up from the disaster that was 2 years ago.

Im terrified that if it goes wrong, Im going to hve the world and his wife saying 'told you so', instead of supporting me.

Sorry, that was abit of an offload!

Well you,ve convinced me and I was sceptical when I first read this thread,good luck whatever you decide to do.

I'm here! I'm not sure that you need me though. Glad to hear all went well today (not to mention that I'm more than a bit jealous of you ).

I think that you've done a fair bit of research, much to your credit, which tends to win over cynical rescue-type people like me! And, I get the impression that barring a horrid revelation or calamity your house might just be home to a pair of Pugs soon...

Please come back and update when you have the chance and know more. I really hope that it works out brilliantly for you and for the dogs.

Thanks so much for the help and support. Im trying so hard to think with my head, but my heart is so strongly wanting them.
Im trying to almost be negative, so I can think of all the possible things to go wrong.

Im confident that Ive picked the right breed, as using searchs on websites like KC, when I put my requiremnts in, they always spit out a Pug as an option.

Im confident that my house is suitable and secure, with an enclosed garden and laminate floors for hygeine.

I have the correct washing products to eliminate urine odours when the dogs have accidents inside, and Im going to prepare a 'doggy toilet' area of the garden that Im aiming to train them to use so we shouldnt have mess around outside for the kids.

Im confident that my children have respect for animals, and will treat them gentley. For the first year at least, they will not be alone with the dogs, and will be seperated for nappy changes/bath time etc using stair gates. The children will always be fed first in front of the dogs to establish pack order, I have researched that this is theway to keep dogs in their place.

Im a little worried re toilet training, as its going to be bloody hard work and time consuming, and Im hoping my children dont suffer as a result. Im sure though, that a the warmer weather is approaching, its going to be easier than it would be in winter, as we will spend a lot of our time outside. I will for sure be back to ask for advice/vent my anger!

Lastly, Im a little worried about the commitment, but hey, if I can manage 2 kids whats 2 more bums and mouths!!

So....Im going to visit them and walk them every day for the next week (until they have their operations), then I have a 4 day holiday by the coast to have a final think while they recover. Then, hopefully, we can take them home end of March.

DOn't bother with the whole feeding kids first thing. THe pack theory has been discredited for some time now.

Just found out some more info which has made me really sad

The owners who were registered to the mircochip finally contacted the animal shelter. He said the dogs are 9 & 10, so much older than the vet guessed. He said that he had had them all their lives, then 3 months ago he moved and gave them to a gypsy family , who we can only assume locked them up so they stayed in their own shit (hence being filthy and untrained now). The shelter said they always have to rescue gypsy dogs who are neglected and abused Im so fucking upset, how can someone have dogs for 10 years then give them to gypsies?

But on the positive, it seems I may be able to crack the housetraining easily, as it will just be re-teaching old tricks iyswim.

Im gutted that they are so old, as we may lose them in a few years, but Im going to secure their futures, love them, and give them a warm safe bed next to the fire to retire to.

Also, the female has bad kennel cough, so its delayed the adoption further. So 2 more weeks of cold kennels for them

Ah, I've lurked a bit on this thread, that's a sad story monkeyfacegrace

I hope you are able to make the rest of their lives happy and everything works out.

you are overreacting.

The school wasn't broken into - a car was. It didn't happen in the (secure) playground it happened in the (unsecured) carpark. Tbh I don't even see why parents need to be told.

oops wrong thread sorry.

Haha wrong thread WannaBe! I hope, or Ive missed something

I love when people do that

Ahhh Im so excited-I can pick them up tomorrow! Im a little big scared too of the enormous responsibility of 2 more babies to care for, but Im assuming a little bit of nerves is normal?

Also, on the positive side, I have 12 days off work to get the toilet training cracked

Expect me back moaning about poo/hair everywhere soon!

Oh how lovely- I have a pug called Willie (remember Ethel in Eastenders had a pug called Willie?!!).
I have a 3 year old and my Pug is WONDERFUL with him. Pugs are smart and it will be possible to re-housetrain but it may take some time.
How could some-one just hand them over like that after 10 years?? thats shocking.

My pug snuggles up on the sofa with our kids and lets my 3 yr old hug him and poke him (not nastily!) and he never EVER has even so much as murmured! If he is fed up he will walk away.

Be prepared to get stopped if you are out and about with the pugs- I am always getting stopped as they are a less common breed.

My pug snores louder than my dh though!!! Its hilarious!

Good luck and enjoy your pugs!!

op good luck with the pugs,so nice they will be in a loving family home for their golden years,after previously being victims of neglect.