Rehoming Rescue Dogs & the rescue criteria - advice please (long)

[Willowisp]

This is almost an is she BU...?

Have posted here about wanting a dog, asking advice about how to introduce puppy to my cat & have visited my local animal rescue (a) for advice.

They suggested a puppy, none available at the mo, which is fine, no hurry.

Have applied & spoken to an animal rescue in Wales, a nice lady ran & said the pup I was applying for has a 'defect' & we might be better with well dog (pup not unwell, has a cleft palate which I read up on beforehand & is seeing the vet this week) Ok, I said, happy to take advice, had a lovely chat, explained I didnt want a big dog. No worries is the reply, I sure we can find the right pup for you.

Now mentioned that my eldest daughter (8.5) is scared of dogs - also told this to the other animal rescue & that was why I was looking for a puppy.

Today, Wales rescue rings me, says I see your daughter is afraid of dogs & you will need to socialise DD first. She suggested I take her to the local animal rescues & walk the dogs with her. Now, the rescue (b) that encourages you to do this rescues mainly from the pound & they are all mastiff/staffie/rottweiler types. I've been there & walked a couple of the dogs & have to say i wasn't comfortable (afraid). Since then rescue (a) has also advised me they don't home check properly & can't be realised on to be suitable for kids......

Rescue (a) also only has dogs that aren't suitable for kids....so what can I do ?

Surely a harmless little pup, that will be loved & cared for by us would be the best way to increase my dd's confidence ? Wales woman said it could go wrong & we rehome dog...I almost joked dd (!).

I'm not a first time dog owner, we had a pup when I was 9 - 18.

The woman in Wales was very off with me, like I was a dimwit, which i'm not & makes me feel like I'd be better off buying a pup from a breeder....which is not want I want to do at all.

Spoke to Dh & we are both

Pets as Therapy only do phobic work with a health professional present. My dog and I have worked with clients of a school nurse, a child psychologist and a mental health professional. Volunteers do not make private visits. Do contact the charity as they have very helpful advice on desensitising tactics for the fearful.
The Cinnamon Trust and Papas have volunteers who walk dogs for the elderly, ill and housebound. The dogs are unlikely to be hyperactive but well socialised. If you have the time to volunteer, you might get a client who is happy for you to have your dd with you.
It could be worth contacting local dog trainers, for advice. I would recommend those with Coape qualifications.
I agreed that greys are wonderfully calm and gentle, with people, but do have the chase instinct.
Good luck

Thanks for all your help. Dd stroked the 6mth old leggy puppy today & also held the lead as we walked home (see mummy, we can have a dog ) so I think that it's more a confidence issue & fear of the unknown...I also think I created this by picking her up when she was a toddler when we walked past dogs. I know this is bad, but we lived round the corner from an estate that had staffies etc & the paths werent very wide, I must have done it about 3 times.

I never did it with dd2 & she is fine. Now dd1 is a bit like this with horses, I've taken her for the odd day & she's been very excited until the point of mounting...but she has always overcome her fears & ridden.

I contacted PAT & they replied that they can help but only through CAHMS referral & they deal with phobias, but it's not in that league.

Dh has told me I've overstated her 'fear', when really we haven't mixed with many dogs.

Yes maybe it was Sylvia I spoke to, I actually felt like crying when I came off the phone & I can understand their crossness at people letting the dogs down. I've been on about having a dog for over a year now & have literally had to give me dh a timetable of the dog's daytime activities !

Just wanted to add that I would prefer to not have a pup, but a pup was suggested as the best option due to not intimidating my precious cat & DD being nervous.

I am in Berkshire & can drive !

I would wholeheartedly recommend the Celia Cross Greyhound Trust - they are in Surrey, but not too far from you. See their website http://www.celiacross.org.uk/ here - although a small rescue you'll get brilliant care and support. I'd also recommend Greyhound rescue West of England who will adopt in your area.

If you are in West Berkshire, you could also go west to Swindon - there is a RGT branch there, as there is a track there. A lot of the Welsh owners go there to run, and many rejects from the Swindon track end up on Welsh flapping tracks as their last chance...

I was going to suggest Celia Cross too - that is the rescue I was talking about and where we got our lovely pointy boy from.

Give Jane at Celia Cross a call - she will help you and let dd stroke some dogs!
Their number is 01483 222832