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Original poster

Problem getting a rescue dog, are none suitable with kids?

22 replies

MikeOxardInTheSnow · 09/01/2013 00:26

I have been looking at all local and further dog rescue websites. All the dogs seem to say either no kids or older kids only. There doesn't seem any general rule on it, just each dog will have, for example ok with kids over 10. My kids are 3 and 6 months. Am I wasting my time trying to get a dog from a rescue organisation?

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CuriousMama · 09/01/2013 00:40

Well I got my dog from a rescue centre when he was 16 months, supposed to be good with dcs. He's snapped 4 times at them. Twice to toddlers who were visiting! So I keep him well away. Also keep him off the furniture and he's calmed down a lot.

If I get another dog in the future I'll get one from being a puppy.

CuriousMama · 09/01/2013 00:41

Btw he is well loved and I adore him but the snapping was very upsetting. He's a good dog apart from that. Who knows what her went through? He was very hard work in the beginning, hated other dogs. Within a couple of weeks I'd socialised him. He loves them now Smile

Arseface · 09/01/2013 00:51

3 and 6mnths are probably quite tricky ages but there are some rescues out there that will look at things on a case by case basis.

Are you very experienced with dogs and are the DCs dog savvy? Having a calm older dog already at home can work in your favour too.

You'll probably have more luck with individual breed specific rescues who may have fuller histories from previous owners or just the time and resources to match dogs more intensively.

Don't take it personally, it's so hard on rescue dogs to go to a home then be returned to kennels due to issues with young children. Many rescues simply can't test the dogs satisfactorily with youngsters either so understandably err on the side of caution.

We got our first rescue when DS1 was 4 and subsequent dogs from the same place, despite having babies and toddlers.

Don't be disheartened. It may take a little longer to find the perfect rescue dog for your family but it will be worth it!

D0oinMeCleanin · 09/01/2013 00:58

Where abouts are you? There are loads of dogs in the rescue I foster with and the other rescues we work with that are absolutely fine with children, if you are northern based give me a shout and I'll link some of them for you.

Otherwise Dogs Trust are good, generally smaller, independent rescue are more open minded. Sighthound rescues almost always consider people with children.

Then there is Doris Banham and Many Tears (although be aware that they now charge for behavioral back up, which is not good)

mrsjay · 09/01/2013 08:57

we have a rescue dog who went to a family with little children the dog has loads of problems and did nip and jump on a toddler so I can see a rescues POV but they will give certain dogs to young families you just need to go along and see, our rescue was 14 yrs and over for rehoming,

mrsjay · 09/01/2013 08:59

dogs trust give free for life training and advice (hugs my dogs trust behaviourist i luffs her ) Grin

Ephiny · 09/01/2013 12:31

Sometimes the smaller independent rescues will make exceptions if it's the right dog and the right home. Even if their 'official' policy on their website says otherwise. It's often worth asking, especially if you're an experienced dog owner.

I can understand them being cautious about rehoming to people with young children. It's not just a case of whether the dog is suitable to be with children, but a lot of dogs end up in rescue, or bounce back, because the owners can't cope with dog and kids/baby at the same time.

Original poster
MikeOxardInTheSnow · 09/01/2013 12:34

Thanks for the advice. Dooin I'm on the south coast unfortunately. I rang our local centres and there is one that would rehome to us in theory, but only with dogs with a full history known to be ok with young kids, and they haven't got any of those at the moment as they don't come in very often. At least I know where to keep checking anyway. Breed rescue is another fab idea, thanks. x

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Original poster
MikeOxardInTheSnow · 09/01/2013 12:41

Oh, and I have also scoured the oldies website, but there was only one that was said to be ok to be homed with very small children (and cats!), but when I called the rescue they said he wasn't good with kids at all! But will keep my eye out on their site as well, I think an older dog could be a great. x

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mrsjay · 09/01/2013 12:48

but a lot of dogs end up in rescue, or bounce back, because the owners can't cope with dog and kids/baby at the same time.

tbh I think that is what happened to mine young kids and puppy and not enough time, he is jumps about looking for attention I think it is a learned behaviour from his last home, he was there since a puppy, tbf I dont think they were cruel to him just didnt realise how hard it would be,

LadyTurmoil · 09/01/2013 12:55

Have you looked at www.facebook.com/SE.Dog.Rescue?fref=ts and also www.facebook.com/pages/Pro-Dogs-Direct/321074236470?fref=ts? Pro Dogs have a couple of sweet 5 month old dogs and also a sweet 3-4 yr old crossbreed called Annie. Don't know their policy re. young children but you could ask. They also have websites but they don't always seem to be as up to date as FB pages. Do you want a puppy or an older dog? There are also a lot of rescues bringing dogs from other countries but I don't know if you want to look into that... Good luck with your search Smile

Original poster
MikeOxardInTheSnow · 11/01/2013 13:36

Thank you so much. Those fb sites are fab. We are going to see a 2 year old dog tomorrow (with the kids and dh) whose owners are rehoming her, so hopefully we will be a good match for her. If not I'll definitely be back on the fb sites though, thanks for that. I wouldn't rule out a puppy, but I think an adult dog who needs a home would be better for us. I have always had rescue dogs, and never had a puppy before.

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LadyTurmoil · 11/01/2013 20:18

Good luck for tomorrow - what sort of dog is she? I would also prefer an older dog, puppies are so adorable but hard work! Thought of another one for you to look at, just in case. www.facebook.com/pages/Heathlands-Animal-Sanctuary-Royston/162793817103330

Original poster
MikeOxardInTheSnow · 13/01/2013 19:10

Update! The 2 year old was a bulldog, which was absolutely gorgeous and lovely, but too strong and boistrous for my husband's nerves our 2 very small children. Walked very nicely on the lead but just jumped all over everyone for an hour! I was gutted. But today we went to see a 7 year old lab, which was really friendly and fab and bouncy but not too much. They are coming to have a look at our house next week and if all goes well we will have him, yay! Thank you everyone.

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LadyTurmoil · 13/01/2013 19:27

Oh great, the lab sounds lovely. Nice you're thinking of an older dog, if you find the right one they are so much easier than pups. Hope it all works out for you and your family - you might get a lab who loves food but at least she/he won't be drooling like the bulldog! Smile

Original poster
MikeOxardInTheSnow · 13/01/2013 19:42

Yes, he is food crazy! I had a small chocolate lolly in my handbag and his nose was straight in there. His owner said he will eat anything left out, including frozen food and random strangers' picnics! He likes to pick things up and give them to people, which is just adorable. He brought me a toilet roll! He also likes to put his mouth around your hand/arm/face/child, which I wasn't expecting! He doesn't nip at all, he just wants to put his mouth around as much of you as possible and share some slobber! My kids like doing that too, so probably a good match! They are bred as game dogs aren't they? So I guess this is them putting their mouth around things gently without damaging it, or something? Someone enlighten me if not! He needs more exersize and some lead training but we can do that for him. :-)

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LadyTurmoil · 13/01/2013 23:23

I've got a friend with a small, black Staffie and when they came around for the first time (we'd only been friends on FB before that), he (the dog not the friend!) also liked grabbing my wrist and holding it... not doing any damage but with the slobber, like you said! Was slightly worried first time but he was gentle and I think he was just a bit excited. What is your dog's name? Hope you can train him to fetch the toilet roll when you're in the bathroom, you stretch out your hand and ... the toilet paper's run out! Now that would be useful Smile

Original poster
MikeOxardInTheSnow · 14/01/2013 09:03

Lol, great idea! His name is Bailey.

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Sezza15 · 17/11/2020 09:02

We have recently lost our rescue dog after 18 years and really miss having a fluffy companion around the house. We would always look to rescue rather than buy a dog, however, even though rescue sites say never buy always rescue the then seem to discount families. Our daughter (five and a half) has grown up with our previous dog and would make an amazing playmate for any dog. Can you send me links of contacts who would consider letting us rehome and adolescent dog please?

Funf · 17/11/2020 09:56

Glad you are sorted, its great to help out an older dog as peoples lives change, we sadly had to part with a dog many years ago when the kids came along as he was no good with children well people other than me really, a local family with teens took hime and he loved it.
Once the kids got to 5 we started with dogs again but chose the dog with great care

mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 17/11/2020 12:52

ZOMBIE THREAD!

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