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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Im still in a quandry about the whole rescue v puppy choice for us. Oh, what to do!

54 replies

crossedwires · 02/06/2012 17:20

I have submitted an app for a failed guide dog but I still would dearly love a puppy. I know that the puppy stage is very difficult and that it is very trying, tiring, overwhelming etc. but I cannot decide once and for all what route to take. I would consider a rescue dog (prefer retriever breeds above all others which is why I have gone Guide Dog organisation route). Pro's/cons please. Driving myself (and everyone around me) barmey with my indecision!

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thisisyesterday · 02/06/2012 17:22

i am considering applying as a puppy walker for guide dogs for the blind

is that something you might like? i know you have to give the puppy back after a year, but maybe it would sate your desire for a puppy? after all, you could keep doing it over and over

Original poster

crossedwires · 02/06/2012 17:45

thisisyesterday. I did consider that but i think my children would be devastated togive oit back. I did consider training one really badly so we could keep it.....

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WoodRose · 02/06/2012 17:49

We had this dilemma when we got our collie. We live in London and wanted to ensure that we had a dog who was well socialised and could cope with being surrounded by lots of strange dogs, noise and people. Our collie puppy is now 18 months old and she is wonderful and very well socialised.

HOWEVER, I found the puppy stage absolutely wearing and still shudder when I think about the hours standing in the freezing rain waiting to "woo hoo" when she finally deigned to do a wee. Our garden was trashed "re-designed" and the DC actively disliked her because of her constant play biting. I trained these behaviours out of her, but it is a gradual process.

For these reasons, we decided that dog number 2 would be an adult rescue. We are in the process of adopting a 2 year old springer (fingers crossed!) who also happens to be well socialised with dogs and people.

Original poster

crossedwires · 02/06/2012 17:52

WoodRose - hmmm, food for thought. I am completely on the fence. i do realise that a year old dog is going to be much less of a handful but do you think that any of hte puppy stage was 'fun'. Was it fun or rewarding to watch Collie learning things? Or was it really hard work? How old are your dc's WoodRose? Think after your post i am veering towards failed guide dog!

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tooearlytobeup · 02/06/2012 17:58

We got, a rescue puppy, no decision needed :-D. We will probably go for an adult rescue when its time to get him a friend.

Original poster

crossedwires · 02/06/2012 17:58

a combination of the two then tooearlytobeup!

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tooearlytobeup · 02/06/2012 18:05

Yes, we were very lucky and got the best dog ever

Have you tried Many Tears? Our pup came from there and they often have puppies.

RedwingWinter · 02/06/2012 18:26

A young dog will still be playful and lots of fun. It depends what you want - I've never had a puppy but to me they sound like such a lot of work!

Original poster

crossedwires · 02/06/2012 18:30

tooearlytobeup - my dilemma is actually to do with the age of the dog not it's origins necessarily. Though I have sought out some excellent breeders in whom I have total trust. It is whether or not we are really preoared for the puppy trials and tribulations. If it is fun mixed wiht hard work then I believe we will manage very well but it seem sthat it is an awful lot of hard work. Wiht a failed guide dog pup (they are usually between 12-18 months old) it would have had, at very least, the housetraining, mouthing/chewing, and jumping up cracked. Oh flip!

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Original poster

crossedwires · 02/06/2012 18:31

sorry Redwing - not ignoring you, yes, they do sound like hard work. Some posters seem to find it a doddle though. Very important decision for us which we want to get right!

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RedwingWinter · 02/06/2012 18:41

I understand completely! And it's an individual thing - what matters to me won't necessarily matter to you and vice versa. It's great that you are thinking about it so carefully :)

daisydotandgertie · 02/06/2012 18:48

Afraid I disagree that a year old dog is less trouble than a puppy. They are often in the 'fuck you' teenage stage of development which can also be pretty trying.

A failed guidedog is a different case entirely but do bear in mind that all the training I have ever done is actually training me. Not the dog. The dog knows 'how' to do the things you're asking it to do - it's invariably the owner who doesn't know how to persuade the dog to do it.

Puppies are not the hardest thing in the world to bring up. Most of you have brought up children which has to be far far harder. On here, (and I take my life in my hands here) I think there is a great deal of scaremongering about puppy ownership - I've had 2 in the last 2 years and they've both been a breeze.

As long as you accept that you will NEVER get 100% obedience, that they are living, breathing creatures which will have a massive impact (for us all positive) on your lives and that you have to be calm and consistent with your training, while all the while focussing on how you want your adult dog to end up, you will be fine.

Never set the dog up to fail with a training exercise and decide on your boundaries BEFORE you get the dog and stick with them, you will be fine.

If you want a second opinion on your chosen lab breeders, pm me.

WoodRose · 02/06/2012 19:28

Absolutely agree that you do have to be calm and consistent and having a puppy it is a learning curve for the trainer as much as the dog. This applies equally to adult dogs as well, though. I have acquired both collies and spaniels at different stages of their lives and all have had needed training of some sort ranging from basic obedience to fear.

For me, the tricky part of puppyhood was ensuring my DC (7 & 9) were "on the plan" re. basic training; and my idiotic decision to get a puppy in January. If you get a puppy, for your own sake ensure it is Spring/ Summer.

Also agree with daisydot that 1 year old dogs are not an easy option. The teenage phase can be just as delightful in dogs as in humans! My collie had fantastic recall and then at about 8 months developed an eye for the squirrel and a set of cloth ears. We are coming out the other end, but it has/is taking a lot of hard work to regain her recall in the presence of furries.

Original poster

crossedwires · 02/06/2012 20:17

oh dear Daisy and WoodRose - now I am even more confused . In my heart of hearts I would absolutely love to have a puppy but must admit to having been put off by the overall negativity about it from people and, as you pointed out Daisy, there is an awful lot of scaremongering - mostly on here!. I am more worried about the actual puppy stage than the commitment iyswim. The commitment I can get my head around. I will be responsible for dog, I will take on 100% of doggy jobs, I will adjust my days to accommodate a dog, which will not be a problem since I have no need to work and am pretty much able to do as I please time wise with the odd exception. As for the guid dog app, that really is in the lap of the Gods I guess. Oh me oh my! Someone wave a wand and fast forward me 12 months please!

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Original poster

crossedwires · 02/06/2012 20:18

oh and Woodrose, being a lone mum to a teen and young son I can absolutely verify their delightfulness

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WomanandVan · 02/06/2012 20:21

get a puppy, you know you want to !!

seriously we got one a couple of years ago and she has been no bother at all. We chose a breed that fits in well with our family life, waited for a litter and chose the pup carefully.

The children loved the whole 'waiting for the puppy' thing and it is like she has always been part of the family.

A rescue dog is always a bit 'pot luck' and unless you are prepared to work on a rescue I would go with a pup all the way as you can choose it according to your needs.

WomanandVan · 02/06/2012 20:22

you would never have a baby if you based the desicion on the threads on here, or a husband either for that matter

Original poster

crossedwires · 02/06/2012 20:27

WomanandVan - you are saying just what I want to hear! YOu know what is stupid, I am a bit nervous about telling my parents, family etc. in case they try and put me off or frown upon my decision. Waht breed did you get WomanandVan? I want a labrador or Golden REtriever (though they are very expensive)

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WomanandVan · 02/06/2012 20:34

we have a medium sized non shedding labradoodle. She is the sweetest dog and great fun on walks, will run after a ball, play and swim but is really quiet around the house. And no hoovering dog hair !!

A puppy / dog is a huge commitment and we only have camping breaks where she can come too and cant do long days out unless she can come too or inlaws can have her so you need to have lifestyle to fit in with a dog.

As an adult you are entitled to make a desicion as long as you can deal with the responsibility.

Having a baby on paper is a really bad choice but we all do it !

Pedigree · 02/06/2012 20:36

We got the puppy and barely survived the antics of puppyhood. So we decided to go for a "grown up" rescue dog for the second. Had I know what a bundle of destruction energy that tiny dog was going to be, we would have gone for another puppy.

Fortunately, several years of training by professional trainers have made her into a lovely little dog (but don't ever let her go on top of a bed because it has the same effect as feeding a gremlin after midnight!)

WomanandVan · 02/06/2012 20:41

for a limited time pictures on profile of my pooch and her 'suitor'

We clip our doodle quite short as she swims daily and is better short coated buit makes her look a bit curly !

Original poster

crossedwires · 02/06/2012 20:42

womanandvan - i have a plan for holidays/long days out etc.

Pedigree - in what way did you 'barely survive the antics of puppyhood'? That makes it sound horrendous!

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WomanandVan · 02/06/2012 20:48

and I think the fact that you are giving it so much thought shows what a responsible owner you will be.

It is those that get a pup or rescue on a whim without knowing or thinking what it may be like are the ones that run into problems

Netcurtainstwitching · 02/06/2012 20:48

You really want a puppy I see...not all puppies are alike.

Mine was HELL. Sorry. She's a terrier, I felt persecuted in my own home. She has settled down (round the 6mth mark). But still wee's in house.

Second dog is a rescue. Got him at 6mth. All the myths about rescues, wrong! Wonderful loving friendly, grateful dog. And house trained.

If I had to choose again, rescue all the way. You can get very young rescue dogs you know, and many rescues home nationwide. There is a labrador rescue nr blackpool I think.

I did want to start off having dogs with the 'perfect' puppy to start with ie we learn together but it really didn't work out for me. But I do have two young children and I see you have older one's so could work out for you a lot better :)

Do whatever you feel is good for you and children, other people will be negative or positive depending on their view of life. So long as you are happy with your choice and looked at all the pros and cons. It will work for you :)

Good luck :)

Beamur · 02/06/2012 20:51

My own personal experience with a rescue - our dog was fully grown but a young dog, maybe 18 months/2 years - and whilst she has many nice qualities, I really really wish we could have had her from a puppy! She has some really difficult behavioural traits that we have failed to train her out of. If you get an older dog, don't be rushed into it and take your time.

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