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Original poster

Would I be pushing it?

23 replies

LuckySalem · 19/05/2008 21:17

I've got a 4 months old DD & 2 cats.

DP has been saying for ages that he wants a dog. He wanted a dog (border collie) before the cats but cos we both worked all day I thought it was too cruel.

Ok so on freecycle (yes evil freecycle) there is a 2 year old collie "free to good home" and i'm seriously thinking of offering a home.

Would I be taking on too much or do you think a 2 year old collie would be old enough to be toilet trained, have a few manners etc? Am I nuts for thinking of this given that we already have 2 cats and a DD?

Be honest please. (although I will admit i'll argue loads as I'm almost sold on her already! lol)

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no1putsbabyinthecorner · 19/05/2008 21:25

Think it depend on circumstances. Why are they getting rid of her?
Could you do a trial with her see how she is with your baby, cats home environment etc..
I think you are very brave but some people can make it work.
I begged dh for a dog for 3 years (Was a Vet nurse and used to drive me mad seeing all these animals and not having one)
However I do regret getting her sometimes.(ashamed to admit)

We used to deal a lot with the local dog rescue and dog warden and the number of times I wanted to take in an unwanted dog, but someone at work would always say leave it alone there must be something wrong with it if its up for rehoming.

Bit sad really, i admire anyone who takes on any dog thats not a puppy.

smartiejake · 19/05/2008 21:27

Collies can be lovely dogs and are very intelligent but need an awful lot of exercise to keep them calm.

Any idea why he needs rehoming? There are no guarantees that he will be house trained. It rather depends what kind of home he has come from. We got my first dog at 2 and he wasn't house trained (had been kept in a kennel outside) but he trained quickly and was lovely.

As for the cats issue. I know lots of people who have cats and dogs and they can live harmoniously together.

The only thing that would make me a little concerned would be the fact you have a dd. Unless you are very sure of the dog's history I would be suspicious of taking on a dog offered on freecycle. Can you be certain of his temperement? Not sure I would take the risk.

Original poster
LuckySalem · 19/05/2008 21:30

This is the ad

Hi we have a 2 year old collie where wanting to rehome, not due to
anything to do with her temprement or behaviour. She needs more
attention then we are able to give her.
She's been brought up with small children and other dogs. Lead
trained, house trained and loves playing games.

I don't work so can go out with her as much times as she would need. Would MAKE me go out and so would lose weight.

The main things I'm worried about is DD and whether a collie would be bored (as I know they are bred for herding)

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NaughtyNigella · 19/05/2008 21:33

my collie is a thick as 2 short planks. he spends his life trying to round up the cats while they sit disdainfully just out of reach.

make very sure what this dog is like before a firm yes to the reecycler. it may be a sper lovelly dog simpluy needing a new home. or it may be a bit bonkers nd totally manic. you'll need to find out if it has ever been around children and cats - if not then it would probably chase the cats for a while unti it gets used to them.

and it will need a good walk every day - not just a 5 minute stroll on lead. and even when it is cold and dark and raining.

And it will shed hair everywhere - you'll never be able to wear black again. and collies live for a very long time.

saying all that it could also be a friend to protect and love you and bring a lot of happiness.

lucyellensmum · 19/05/2008 21:34

lucky, sorry, steer well clear im afraid. There must be a reason for them rehoming, can you garuntee they will be truthfull. Border collies are highly intelligent dogs and can be a little intolerant of young children ime. They need constant stimulation as after all they are very much a working dog and i think they only do well in a home environment if they get extra stimulation. To take on a 2 year old would be a mistake, it is likely to be toilet trained yes, but that would be the least of my worries. You are going to have your hands very full with your little one soon becoming mobile, can you garuntee to keep DD and the dog separate?

I do honestly think you would be doing yourselves and the dog a disservice if you take this dog on. If you are serious about getting a dog then approach the dogs trust or battersea dogs home, although they will be reluctant to re home dogs to families with small children.

Im not saying dont get a dog, we have a 2 year old and our JRTx is just coming up for a year, he is fantastic and has fitted into the family really well. We are very experienced with dogs though and laid down ground rules from the start and with that experience comes the ability to spot potential problems and deal with them. If you dont have experience with dogs, a rescue border collie is definately not a good place to start.

sorry cant be more positive, if you want a dog - get a puppy.

Original poster
LuckySalem · 19/05/2008 21:38

LEM - Surely a puppy would be worse when DD is mobile? Having to train them where to poop and to be mindful of her (not trying to persuade you I should have it btw, lol)

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slayerette · 19/05/2008 21:38

Collies are gorgeous but really really hard work. They are intelligent (and therefore have a very low boredom threshold) and require loads of exercise - my dad used to take ours running with him when he was training for half-marathons, and the collie was still up for more exercise after that. When bored, he was destructive around the house.

The 'needs more attention' suggests that her current owners are already struggling with these things. I'm not saying don't get a dog, but I would be really wary of a collie unless you have a huge garden and are prepared to do at least two hour long walks a day.

slayerette · 19/05/2008 21:39

the collie was destructive when bored, not my dad

NaughtyNigella · 19/05/2008 21:43

although our collie is as good as gold. i am slightly embarrased to admit he gets one walk a day - around 20 mins or so. and our garden isn't large - in fact he doesn't like to be outside by himself.
maybe the 'needs more attention' is just making sure she has a daily walk.
I also found that at 2 ours was still fairly puppyish and bouncy - by 3 or 4 he had calmed down loads.

and yes a puppy that pees and chews and a crawling baby is perhaps not the best mix.

Original poster
LuckySalem · 19/05/2008 21:45

Ok - I'm going to ask DP if he wants this one and if not then we'll see about going to a dogs home.

I will make sure the collie is sensible and will go for a meeting before agreeing to anything.

Oh and yes its ok with cats - lives with one at the mo. (I asked)

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lucyellensmum · 19/05/2008 21:46

You have to be vigilant about the poo yes, but it actually doesnt take that long to train a dog to do its business outside, and if you are lucky you might get one like mine who when we first got him, he shit and immediately turned around and ate it [puke].

I would be more mindful of an adolescent dog (2 is like a teenager) with a littly than a puppy. A pup will grow up with the child and it will already see the child as above it in the pack order. An adult dog may see the child as below it, a threat to its position, neither are a good thing. Puppies are hard work though, they do bite and nip all the time, DD constantly had pin pricks, but they got used to each other, the dog learnt not to bite and DD learnt when to give him his space. I truthfully feel that if you are going for an adult dog rather than a puppy because you feel it will be easier, don't get a dog at all, not right now.

We took on an adult dog a while back - it was bloody hard work, heart rending, demanding, i shed a lot of tears over that dog (admittedly he came with major ishooos) but we got him right in the end, with help - but i would never do it again now i have a young child. Puppies are far easier a bet

lucyellensmum · 19/05/2008 21:49

fwiw, our rescue dog was a little darling for the first two weeks, and then, right on cue (we were warned by the dogs home) the behaviour issues arose, they tend to be very submissive in the first few weeks. I really would advise against this route. Have either of you ever owned a dog before??

Original poster
LuckySalem · 19/05/2008 21:55

Well asked DP and he said yes, then I've gone through all the issues we'd have (and the ones raised here) and we've both now decided not to.

We're not going to get a dog unless DP gets his promotion at work (which guarantees I stay home)

Thanks for all the advice.

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Original poster
LuckySalem · 19/05/2008 21:57

I've had dogs my whole life - its only since I've moved out, about 2 years ago, that we've not had a dog. DP had one as a child.

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lucyellensmum · 19/05/2008 22:31

I think you have made a wise decision I think you would make great owners just based on this decision. You could get in touch with your local rescue centre for more advise when you decide to take the plunge. Nothing worse than getting a dog and it not working out. Its funny, dogs are like people,,,,,you have to click

Original poster
LuckySalem · 19/05/2008 22:35

Yeh I remember my dog when I lived with mum and dad. She was a brilliant dog we did everything together, including running away from home when I was 12!!

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peanutbear · 19/05/2008 22:39

I would have a puppy so DD and dog can grow up together you can be sure of its parentage and as its a puppy it should be fine with the cats

justwaterformethanks · 20/05/2008 09:05

No dont do it , collies are lovely dogs but need tons and tons of time spending with them ,which is probably why this poor dog is being rehomed . I reckon a good hours walk in the morning and again in the evening would only scratch the surface of this breeds exercise needs, and it might seem a good idea when the weather is nice like now but what about in the winter when there is horizontal sleet?

mistlethrush · 20/05/2008 09:26

I think you've made a good decision. We have a mongrel that has no collie and have ds 3 - and its quite an effort getting out with her sometimes when ds isn't in the mood to go to the park (its OK when they are small enough to be plonked in their buggy, but he doesn't ever go in that now so has to walk or ride his bike). My parents got a rescued collie cross many years ago. She had been mistreated which didn't help, but she needed SO much exercise - we ended up getting a second dog and they used to play for hours on end in very large garden.

Chequers · 20/05/2008 09:31

Message withdrawn

wannaBe · 20/05/2008 09:35

ls what happened to your rats?

Tbh these owners don't sound like very good ones if they're prepared to get rid of their dog on freecycle! They would have no way of knowing what kind of home the dog was going to. I would be tempted to flag that one up to the rspca or similar.

Original poster
LuckySalem · 20/05/2008 10:26

Hi wannabe!

The rats had to go as they were unhygenic for a little one. I keep in touch with the lady and sounds as though they're having a great time!

We're not getting a god now till it's decided if i'll be going back to work as we'll be in the situation that we were when we got the cats and it wouldn't be fair on a dog to be stuck in the house on it's own.

Thanks for all your advice ladies

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Original poster
LuckySalem · 20/05/2008 10:27

hmmmm god?! (is that a freudian slip?!) lol Of corse I meant dog

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