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Dogs advertised that are 'no longer wanted'....

22 replies

eeyoreandpooh · 07/04/2015 08:33

Have any of you bought a dog from the 'free ads' or 'preloved' or similar websites that was no longer wanted, due to housing, family,lack of time etc circumstances? What was your experience like? Are these ads genuine or do people no longer want the dog for other reasons that they can't advertise? Or am I being cynical??! Any advice appreciated, I would dearly love to rehire one of these many dogs I keep seeing but as I have three dcs (6,7 and 9) I am just wary. Thank you for reading:)

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LidlMermaid · 07/04/2015 08:42

A small number will be genuine due to a major life event/change of circumstances but for most you can read 'we liked the idea of owning a dog but we're lazy fuckers who can't be arsed to train/walk/care for it. As a result, it's unmangeable and is eating the furniture'.

I have taken on such dogs but am an experienced owner with and had no kids at the time. Experiences varied...some have been fine, some needed lots of time and patience but came good in the endand some have needed careful lifelong management as the behavioural problems they came with were so severe that they couldn't fully be rectified. Now I have DC, I will be much more considered in the dogs I take on in future.

Endler32 · 07/04/2015 08:46

Quite often people get a puppy, realise they have not got the time to train, then end up with a hyper uncontrollable dog so decide to give it away Sad, yes there are some genuine cases but I suspect nine times out of 10 the dog will have behavioural issues due to lack of training, sometimes the dog will have medical issues ( owner can't afford the vets bills so they get rid ).

Be very careful before taking a dog on, make sure you have viewed the dog several times.

eeyoreandpooh · 07/04/2015 08:48

Many thanks, as I suspected then:( we have had many dogs, I lost my last one nearly two years ago and in that time life has been a rollercoaster, now we are settled I feel it's time for another, I can't manage a puppy on my own with 3dcs so would like to re-home a dog in need:) think I will keep to the proper rescue sites, many thanks for your advice:)

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Bubble2bubble · 07/04/2015 09:35

I know a couple of people who have actually struck gold by getting a dog this way. I also have friends in rescue who spend time looking for these ads to secure and rehabilitate these dogs - very often a case of a youngish dog who is simply unexercised and under stimulated. Summer is peak season for this when people book a holiday and then remember they have a dog..:(
But what others have said is also true, people will not hesitate to tell lies to get rid of a dog who may also have issues.

eeyoreandpooh · 07/04/2015 09:43

Thank you - I will just keep looking and bear everything in mind. My main concern is my dcs, they love dogs and respect them and I want to keep it that way:)

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Bowlersarm · 07/04/2015 09:55

There are so many dogs needing homes in rescue centres I'd advise you to go through one of those. The advantage is they will have assessed the dogs, and have an idea of any issues they can let you know about so you know what you need to work with. Also once you have the dog, they can be on hand for advice or guidance should you need it then. And if you have a particular breed in mind, then there are specific breed rescue centres as well.

We had our two labs from puppies via kennel club breeders, but I would love to give an older labrador or two a loving home with us at some time in the future. There are so many in need of a home through no fault of his/her own Sad

Scuttlebutter · 07/04/2015 13:00

There are several advantages to having a dog via a reputable rescue. Especially if you have DC, rescues will take the time to assess a dog's behaviour in a family home, usually via an experienced foster carer. They can also give you a more detailed, honest assessment of their behaviour, and will usually have access to free behavioural advice, training support etc if there are issues.

If for any reason the rehoming breaks down, rescues will ALWAYS provide a safe place for the dog to go, even if it's many years later. As an example, we fostered a dog back in 2008, who then went to a very loving, secure home. However, several years later, the owner had major and very serious health problems, requiring a lengthy hospital stay. The dog and it's housemate came to us for foster care while owner was in hospital - an enormous relief for the owner who knew they were safe, together and cared for. Sadly, the owner's health continued to be very poor, and they made the decision to surrender the dogs permanently. The dogs stayed with us as long term fosters, with full rescue back up. One passed away late last year, but the other one is still with us. The original owner still has regular updates and news and is delighted that their dogs have managed to live their lives in a place of safety, well cared for until the end of their days.

I also know of rescues who can offer services like emergency short term foster care when owners are having major problems as well as other useful services like access to secure off lead areas, and contact with other owners for things like dog sitting arrangements.

Taking on a dog from the ads is a real gamble - I would consider it only if I was an experienced owner with no DC, who was willing to cope with and work with difficult behaviours. Adopting via a rescue is much easier, more straightforward and gives the longer term support I discussed.

eeyoreandpooh · 07/04/2015 17:15

Many thanks, you have made my mind up for me - I had my doubts and they have been confirmed, thank you:) now to scan the rescue sights and see what I have to do:)

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Chattymummyhere · 07/04/2015 17:22

We got a dog off there once described as child friendly, great with adults, crate trained fine to be left alone for a few hours.

One day we crated him and went to my mums for a BBQ... Got an irate text off a neighbour dog was going nuts. Picked dog up and took him to my parents he had met many times etc took a chunk out of my dads. That dog never returned to my house. I contacted the previous owner to let them know what had happened. I got a "what do you expect with a second hand shit of a dog"

I would never ever have a dog that I didn't have from a pup now.

popalot · 07/04/2015 17:24

We bought ours from preloved. She was supposed to be a certain type but we saw she wasn't. She was being neglected due to family getting her then having long work hours and needed lots of training and anxiety work. But she's lovely and I don't regret it. I saw it as rescuing a dog. Quite often you have to pay the rescue centre.

honeyroar · 07/04/2015 22:42

One of our labs came from a rescue. His previous owners had got him from Preloved as had his owner before them (he was only 12 months old!).

Both our cats came from Preloved. They were fine. I generally think those that advertise animals on Preloved are stupid, but there are a few genuine ones. I also think that once a dog is in rescue it is safe, while those on a Preloved free to good homes could end up in dodgy situations and need help, so I would still go and see a dog from Preloved. Just don't take the kids with you and go with a sensible head on and your eyes open. If you are worried or don't trust your experience/judgement don't do it!

RandomMess · 07/04/2015 22:45

I got mine via a local rescue, kept an eye out for a long time and finally got a delightful one having to be rehomed from current owners as Landlord had decided they had too many animals and one dog had to go Sad

SistersofPercy · 07/04/2015 23:28

There seems to be a thing on Facebook of late for adopting dogs from Greece. Quite why this is preferable to UK shelters I don't know but it's the 'in thing' with two people I know now having younger dogs shipped over.
Baffles me tbh.

Humansatnav · 08/04/2015 05:34

IM still gobsmacked that people get puppies without any research AT ALL into how much work/ time/ change of family life it brings.
Maybe a dog licencing system should be re introduced ? Advertising a dig on an internet sale site though is just Confused

Humansatnav · 08/04/2015 05:35

*dog

Bowlersarm · 08/04/2015 09:51

That's a good point honeyroar about at least dogs in rescue are safe, whereas Preloved dogs could go to anyone for any terrible purpose.

My friends son, aged 16, got their lovely lab for free, meeting the owner in a car park on a motorway service station. Luckily for her, my friends are decent people, but the owners had absolutely no idea they are, they just wanted to off load their labrador as quickly as possible. They didn't ask any questions , just handed her over and drove off Sad. Some of those dogs must end up in dire circumstances.

eeyoreandpooh · 09/04/2015 20:41

I fond it really hard to even look at the adverts - I feel for the dogs so much, it's not their fault,any of it:( I have my eye on a few rescue centres and will go that way, they still need a home, which I think I can give them:)

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KatharineClifton · 10/04/2015 17:09

I did get a dog once through a local FB rehoming site - she was an absolute angel. It was the owner's dad I met with her and he said she was perfect, and I thought no way could any dog be 'perfect' but she absolutely was. That was blind luck though.

The dogs I've had through rescue have been hit and miss really. I would advise you adopt a dog who has been fostered in a home rather than being in a rescue kennels. It's nigh to impossible to assess a dog properly in those circumstances.

Perhaps it's best to have an idea of which sort of breed you want, and be absolutely honest with the rescue about what you have to offer and what you require of the dog and it's them that can do the matching.

BurningBridges · 11/04/2015 00:41

I was going to start exactly the same thread just now! I've been looking on Pre-loved, not something i thought about much before but our beautiful dog died a few weeks ago, so I thought I'd just have a look, then another look and started reading the ads a couple of times a week. Tonight the main ad in my area is for an 8 year old dog almost identical to the one we lost, really upset me - here's us heartbroken over our boy, and then there's someone wanting to give up their dog after 8 years Sad - how does the dog cope I wonder? Even if it is all genuine, surely the animal must be incredibly distressed when handed over?

LostInMusic · 11/04/2015 09:13

Our Jack Russell came from Preloved. She was 4 when we got her and is an absolute little gem. However, we are experienced dog owners, have 2 other dogs and were prepared to work on sorting out any problems that she may have had. Luckily, we haven't had to.
She was very worried for the first couple of days, but we gave her lots of reassurance and let her take things at her own pace, and after about a week it was like she'd always been with us. I honestly believe that we were destined to find her - and in a way, she destined to find us! :)

EasyToEatTiger · 11/04/2015 10:55

One of our collies was from Preloved or Gumtree; one of the unwanted dog ads. I absolutely second Scuttle's comments and it is much, much more sensible to get a dog from a home where it will have been assessed and vet checked etc. Our dog bolted for Britain. For about 18 months we had a hell hound who ran off and ran off and ran off and was totally out of control. It took a slew of behaviourists and trainers to find one who could help. Now we have a lovely well behaved and delightful hound. If you are prepared for the unexpected and prepared to do a massive amount of work and are prepared for health issues that may crop up, then all things are possible.

AnnieMoor · 11/04/2015 11:00

My friend has just bought a 6 month old pup from Gumtree. Owners very vague about their reason for selling him, and he is supposedly a pedigree but has no papers.

I thought she was taking a massive risk but it's all working out fine - he's a lovely dog with a great temperament and has settled in no problem.

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