Rescue Dog next week..

[nitrox]

Hello everyone,

First time poster on this board, so hello to you all.

After a bit of a false start with trying to rescue from the Dog's Trust, I found a local smaller shelter and took 2 dogs for a trot on Sunday, I loved both, my boyfriend preferred the quieter one, probably a sensible choice I wanted the 'problem dog', but we agreed the other was more suited to us.

So, the little guy could be with us next weekend with any luck, just in time for some Christmas Turkey!

We already went and got him a bed, bowl, food, treats and a squeaky duck .

Just waiting for my home check, but that shouldn't be a problem.

Any advice for his first few days? I've had rescue dogs before but feel a little nervous still..

We had a rescue dog earlier this year, it's the best thing I've ever done.
We were advised to keep her to one room initially so she didn't have too much to get used to all at once. We use a crate for her at night as this is what she was used to. We kept the door open during the day and let her go in there whenever she wanted. She eventually stopped using it completely during the day.

We have had her about nine months now, I would say that it took a good six months before she was completely settled. Don't rush it. Good luck. What sort of a dog are you getting?

Thanks mrselgar,

He's a rough coat Jack Russell, but probably the most chilled out Jack ever. I've had a smooth coat Jack x Beagle before and he was a handful, but I'm not expecting this little guy to be too much trouble.

I've ordered a crate for the car, and it'll go in my office so he can go in there if he chooses to be upstairs with me during the day (I work from home), or a normal bed in the lounge.

Just me and the boyfriend at home, so he should have plenty of quiet time and walkies, hopefully he won't be too stressed out. We are a good half hour in the car from the rescue place, so I hope he travels well and doesn't get upset.

Meant to ask, what dog is yours?

Hi, I read your other thread and am so glad you've found the right rescue dog for you. You sound like such an ideal home for a rescue dog I was sure he was out there for you somewhere.

We took on our latest rescue pup (a Lurcher) back in August and he's still very much a work in progress.

My best advice for the first few days is to keep things as quiet and low key as possible, give him chance to find his feet and allow him space if he needs it. I would limit the number of visitors you have to the house for the first week or so as well, as he'll need time to start to feel secure in his new homeand develop bond with you and your bf.

Keep him on the food he's been on at the rescue for a the first couple of weeks, as the change in environment can lead to a stress-related upset stomach and if you change his diet as well it will take longer for his digestion to settle.

Choice of beds is a fantastic idea and something he will welcome, especially as it means he can choose to be with you or to have some alone time, which is something a lot of people don't appreciate dogs need.

If he's been kennelled you may need to go back to basics with housetraining and either way it would be an idea to take him outside, rather than let him out on his own when he needs to toilet.

If you've had rescue dogs before you probably know all that though - you'll be fine.

My dog is a Westie. She was rescued from a puppy farm. I absolutely adore her. She's very chilled out and just loves a cuddle and a biscuit. What more could you want?

Thanks guys

I'm so happy I found him, just won't rest until he's here, he's in an outdoor kennel at the moment and I just want to bring him home to his new pad.

Moose, as you read on my other thread I was so disheartened not to be able to take any of the other dogs, but everything happens for a reason I guess!

I'll make sure to give him lots of space, and go to the garden with him for wee's, good point! We don't have any visitors here, apart from work courier/postman, but as its Xmas soon I'm hoping it'll be quiet for him at first..

Awww westies are very adorable! I'm thinking a cuddle and a biscuit is gonna be a fav here too!

So excited!

Lurchers are lovely, I saw a few online in rescues, not sure why as they don't seem a problem dog, just big! I saw a pure white one that looked so sweet, in face there were a lot of them at the dogs trust, just sat there and not making a fuss at all..

Lurchers are generally lovely laid-back dogs. People are put off because they think they'll chase and kill anything small and furry. My two wouldn't know what to do with something small and furry though, as they've both been rescues from pups/youngsters and have never been 'worked'. Quite a few of them end up in rescue due to lack of prey drive because the 'won't' work.

I used to volunteer at the Dogs Trust 20 odd years ago and no-one ever went in the Greyhound and Lurcher kennels. Things have improved a lot and they're increasingly popular as family pets now, with lots of breed/type specific rescues helping to raise their profile.

My two are on my profile if you want a peek. There's been a lot of speculation that my new boy might have some Jack Russell in him, based on his colouring and facial features, but general consensus is there's a fair bit of Saluki in there first and foremost. We don't know his mix, because he was dumped in the gutter at the side of a road at less than 24 hours old. My older boy is Deerhound/Saluki x Whippet/Border Collie, so a real mix.

They are gorgeous!!! All of them, the pup looks similar to the Jack I'm getting, his face anyhow, the bodies are totally opposite! lol.

I'll get a photo on once he's home.

I had a call from the kennels today and I'll be home checked on Thursday hopefully, can't wait! She's going to think I'm mad, I've got all of his things already

I'd never considered a lurcher before, but I must admit, I think they are adorable and look very laid back!

Heard a bit more about my possible pooch, he was in a loving home and bit the owner when she was trying to wipe his bum, not sure if it was a bad bite but sounds like it was a nip.. as they had children (who the dog was fine with) they rehomed.. He got fostered out to a made lady who thought something was physically wrong with his legs?? After a lot of x-rays etc the vet just thought she must be a bit crazy and so they took him back and he's now at the kennel where I found him. What a sad situation, he must be pretty low considering he's come from a loving home and has obviously been loved and trained previously.

Can't wait to get him home and let him settle in..

I've never heard of the breed Saluki! or Deerhound! haha, I've lived a sheltered life it seems.. I do very much love to look of the Fox Hounds, but I fear they would destroy my sofa haha.

Yep, Pip has a very Jack-like face and his tenacity also tends to make me think there's most likely a chunk of JRT in there somewhere as well.

Good luck with your home-check. She won't think you're mad - she'll just be impressed at how keen you are.

Poor boy coming through so many homes.

Saluki

Deerhound

Can I camp on this thread and steal tips? My rescue boy came on 23rd Nov, he's settling in but gets anxious. Likes cuddles and comfy places to sleep :)

Hey stockings!

How have you found your new doggy? And what breed is he?

I'm getting home checked tomorrow,mother weekend can't come soon enough!

Moose - Saluki's look amazing, so majestic almost... I must admit, I do love a jack Russell, never used to but my first dog was a jack russell cross and I fell in love with them then.

Saluki's are a very unique breed. Very highly strung and sensitive, with a stubborn streak a mile wide!

Pip gets his slender figure from his Saluki heritage, along with the super soft fur on his stomach and neck and tufty bits on the ends of his ears - he's also very chatty ... and stubborn ... and highly strung. Which makes for an interesting combination when thrown together with the terrier tenacity!

I never really liked JRTs growing up, but my Grandad had a lovely JRT girl that my Dad inherited and she totally won me over. My Aunt and Uncle have two completely barking Parson's JRT's and I have to say, I do like the look of them, being longer legged and am rather partial to a scruffy coat over a smooth as well.

Good luck tomorrow. Don't forget to come back and tell us how the homecheck goes.

He is a Podengo from Portugal :) he is stubborn, occasionally grumpy and likes cheese. He's learning how to get food out of a Kong at the moment.

Home check went great and we collect him tomorrow morning!

Nervous now, going to go browse pets at home I case I've missed anything, I've got stacks of food, treats etc here... I'll have to limit them as I don't want to upset his tummy.

I'm so excited to get to know him and show him a good home x

I'm getting a kong tonight and stuff it with various smelly things, I ordered some antler things online tonight too as they are meant to be popular...

The dog is costing me so much already

Fantastic news!

There were two absolutely gorgeous rough coated Jack puppies in the vets when I took my boy in this evening. I thought of you as soon as I saw them.

Good luck for tomorrow, hope he travels home and settles in well.

My two love pilchards or sardines mixed with kibble in their kongs.

Speaking of cost - are you going to get him insured? I would really recommend it, having spent around £4,000 on vets bills for 3 dogs this year. My two are both insured now, which is a relief, as the puppy has done himself a damage and is currently costing yet another small fortune.

Good for you they can go a bit funny once settled in and that tends to be around two week some issues can start to come out and they can have a wobble with housetraining etc but not all the time. Jacks are tough and clever so I'm sure you little one will be fine good for you

How's it going nitrox? Hope he's settling in well.

I agree with bellasuewow, there is often a honeymoon period of a couple of weeks when new rescues seem like little angels, then issues start to show up as they relax and start to feel more at home. Hopefully your boy will be fine, but if he does the rescue should offer back-up support and advice or you can always ask on here.

Hey everyone!

He's doing great, no major issues at all and he's very lazy lol..

Me however... I've been an anxious wreck since the night before we collected him. Can't eat much at all, no appetite, and both me and the dog have diarrhoea (sorry!).

I think I got myself all worked up about the sudden changes.. But! He is great and I keep reading stories if people that felt the same and to give it time.

I worked upstairs in my office today and he just snoozed in his bed all day downstairs, despite me asking him upstairs.

He does bark for ten mins when we went out to the supermarket, I recorded him on my iPad, and he did a little wee outside our bedroom door.. Not a problem and to be expected, so hopefully he will get into a routine with me.

Sorry for the long post!

How are you both now?
I always feel a bit anxious and churned up when we have anything new happen and taking on a dog is for their lifetime and a responsibility, so the reaction is normal. It will be fine though x