Talk to me about rescue dogs?

[LonnyVonnyWilsonFrickett]

We are in the very initial stages of talking about getting a dog. It would be a first dog for both DH and I, we did have dogs when I was very little but no real experience.

While there's the obvious 'ahhhh' factor about a puppy, we obviously have never trained a dog before. And I know there are lots of dogs in shelters who are looking for good homes*

My question is, how do you choose? How do you know you're not going to pick a dog with a 'bad' history? If dogs have been in shelters, does that automatically mean they've been badly treated and therefore have problems? How honest are staff, would they tell you the bad things as well as the good?

I'm nervous about making a mistake - how awful would it be to commit to a dog and then for it not to work out? - but of course DS/safety have to be the priority. Can anyone offer any advice?

*I didn't want to make this too long, but I think we can offer a good home, I'm at home most of the day, we only have one DS, live near an area with lots of great walks, etc. And we are definitely taking our time over the decision - even though it's what we want, we won't do it unless it's right...

It's a rescue dog from a pound in Ireland. He would have been PTS had he not been rescued, so the rescue took him even though he isn't a breed within their remit

We have had a few rescue dogs and they are all fabulous. The centres have been very good at assessing the dogs to fit in with us. Our current puppy is not a rescue and we know little about her parents and neither me or dh are in any way knowledgeable about assessing a pup's character. We haven't made it easy for ourselves.

When you visit a rescue, there is no need to want to take every dog home with you. They have already been saved. There are masses of staffs because they are bred irresponsibly. You will also find a lot of Game of Thrones kind of dogs. So many people do not realise what an effort it is to keep a dog. It is really worth going and having a look round the shelters and homes near you, listen to the people there and be honest about what you want and what you expect.

Puppies are sweet and cuddly, but other than that, they pee, poo, chew and eat anything, anywhere, any time. Unless they are properly handled from the beginning you could easily end up with a hell hound. It is very common that people get bored of their pups at about 1 year old when they're nearly grown up but still chewing and racing about. When you see dogs for sale at this age, they may well have been fed and loved, but may well not have been trained or socialised and may be causing problems.

I think when you find your dog, it will be so pleased to live with you. Good luck!

Thanks all. I've shown this to DP and he agrees a rescue is the way to go. Still a lot of thinking and planning to do but... I think we're a step closer

I've not found rescues to be particularly honest. First dog was assessed as cat friendly when she was positively dangerous to cats. I've since realised it's impossible to assess a dog that is in kennels - easier to assess a dog in foster care, but even then the true nature doesn't come out for months.

After the last 5 weeks of pups I can honestly say a rescue is way easier! But choose your rescue wisely.

I think rescues need time to settle in. I'm not sure you can judge on the first few days or weeks. For dogs, being in kennels must be akin to children being in care. There is no doubt some of them are damaged, confused, insecure and have been hurt or neglected. BUT most dogs, with the right care, training and a consistent loving approach are able to be rehabilitated and do really well. Most just need to learn to trust... Once they know you are kind and aren't going to abuse/ neglect them they settle right in and become an irreplaceable part of the family.
I know rescue centres are often under incredible pressure but it is irresponsible to rehome a dog into a home that is not appropriate. It often means a dog will be returned (perhaps not for the first time!) and will become more confused/ present with more challenging behaviour.
Most good rescue centres will insist that you visit the dog several times (with walks etc, meetings with any children involved) and will want to visit your home too.
I don't think there are many dogs that can't be redeemed with good discipline, lots of love and play.
IME rescues are the mutt's nuts :)
Let us know how you get on OP.

Joffrey can I ask which rescue your pup came from please? Keep torturing myself with possible new puppy!

That's a very affordable donation, mine wanted £250 adoption fee, even though I fostered lots for them! Lots of dogs do have a history when come into rescue Op, and then get further info if in foster, if you've very young kids you'll struggle with bigger ones that usually have blanket age limit, but smaller more local ones are often more open to discussing individual situations

Adara, I adopted a puppy from EGLR and all they asked was that you cover their direct costs.

Adara - Dogs Trust. They put us on the 'Puppy List' but tbh we would never have got her if we hadn't then phoned them every day! That £80 covered wya more than £80 worth of stuff! They also did very reasonably priced (£10 a week) puppy classes with some brilliant, positive training. Those classes were only available to people who adopted from them. We also got a puppy starter pack, loads of support and help and there is a qualified behaviourist on tap who you can phone for the rest of your dog's life, to help if you have a problem.

*way!

We have got Trigger from Black Retriever X (although he's actually a GSD X). Their facebook page

They have been very good. I have had him 3 days and have had phone and email follow up.

As an aside, I've just done that KC Find a Breed quiz, to see if it'd give me what I already have (grand basset griffon vendeen) and it's offered me a pug, a chihuahua, a Chinese Crested, and a Mexican Hairless. After I told it I wanted a large breed dog, to live in a big house in the countryside with 2+ hrs a day available for walking. So it might not be entirely accurate. (Or else whoever wrote it has their own toy breed agenda!)

Can I wave a flag for Greyhound Rescue West of England? It's a great rescue with some very experienced and helpful owners, and of course, a wide selection of beautiful, low maintenance, affectionate and deserving hounds. Greys are lovely, and make very good first-timer dogs.

Late to this thread but an answer to the question about Staffies. I think that firstly there are a lot of them, still a lot of irresponsible breeding for profit going on and I think they have quite large litters, so proportionately lots end up in rescue.
They are a bit of a Marmite breed, but once you have known one you will love one. We had decided we were "hound" people and couldn't imagine having any other sort of dog. That was until DH's friend rescued a Staffie and she stole our hearts. A little 18 month old bitch sent to the vets to be put down because her owners didn't want her.
They love people. Our first was a stray, knew nothing about him except what the dogs home told us. He was very fond of climbing into any white van with the door open so we did wonder if that was how he got lost. Second was homeless after his owner got married and his wife didn't like him. Both lovely dogs, ell trained, nice manners and real characters. After several experiences of training and setting boundaries for puppies it was so nice to get a dog that knew how to walk on a lead, didn't beg and waited to be asked on the sofa (instead of just chewing it up)
Yes, get a rescue. Have a think about a Staffie.

Our staff x was absolutely wonderful. Such a good dog. And she absolutely loved other dogs too. Even when she was quite old people would bring their puppies to the park so she could play with them. She was so playful and gentle.
We fostered her at first but decided to keep her. Its a great way to get to know if a dog is right for you.

Just wanted to add to this. I help run a rescue which mainly takes overdue strays from local pounds. We take all kinds of dog and in the last year we have rehomed dogs from shih tsus and chinese crested, to huskies and mastiffs. The main breeds we get tend to be lurchers, terriers and bullbreeds. We have lots of staffies/staffy types and a lot of the reasons why have been covered.

Unfortunately they have suffered at the hands of people wishing to make a quick buck by breeding dogs, they then get sold cheaply on Gumtree or in freeads, or just passed on when people get bored. They're easy to get hold of, therefore the sort of people who don't put much thought into what it means to care for a dog take one home. They then get bored of it and out it goes.

We deal with a number of stray pounds where a dog has been brought in and the owner is identified, but won't pay the release fee (to the council) to get the dog back as it's cheaper to just get a new dog (seriously this happens all the time). Many of these dogs are perfectly amiable dogs who might be confused and lack training, but have good temperaments underneath. We work with these ones to try and get them ready for homes.

We only rehome ex stray dogs (any breed) with children where we have assessed the dog and found no obvious reason why it couldn't live with a child (sometimes just being too bouncy is a reason not to go home with a small person).

We also had a litter of puppies born in our care that were raised by the book and all went to family homes at 8-10 weeks old, many with children. These were 'brand new' pups for want of a better phrase, and were blank slates for their owners.

Bear in mind plenty of dogs also end up in rescue through no fault of their own - examples include an owner becoming critically ill or dying, people emigrating, work hours changing so they cannot care for the dog any more etc. These dogs can often be perfect family dogs who are already trained and are actually much easier than bringing up a puppy.

I have 2 rescue dogs at the moment, a pointer and a collie, and I've also had staffies too. All of them have their own quirks, and you have to expect to have a few things to work through (you would have that with a puppy too).

Rescues do their best to assess dogs but be careful which rescue you go to as not all are equal. Look for members of the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes if possible, and look for ones that offer rescue back up if things don't work out (i.e. they will take the dog back). There are a lot of 'rescues' out there who are essentially dog dealers and don't assess and give the back up that they should. We provide support to all of our adopters who are free to contact us for advice about any issue that crops up, and we take back the dog if it doesn't work out.

Just popped back to this to see new messages - thank you all!

The update is we are getting a dog and it's going to be a rescue so thanks so much for all the advice. We're on holiday in July so not really great timing to get one right now, so we're going to think more about breed and register with a couple of agencies.

Except I've totally fallen in love with Italian Greyhounds

not agencies, rescues. That's what I get for doing two things at once

I'm just resurrecting this thread to say we finally have our dog! After a lot of patient waiting, Max is coming home tomorrow! All thrilled. He's a year-old black lab.

Thanks for all the advice on this thread and I have no doubt I'll be back on soon for more!

Fantastic! Will look forward to seeing photos of lovely Max

He's in the car and on the way! He's being as good as gold, the traffic however is not... Meanwhile DS is the literal definition of 'beside himself'.

Here's a pic, isn't he a beauty!

Ooh is that Max from BRX? He is fab!

He's beautiful. Wishing you lots of fun and good times with him. I'm so glad you got a rescue. (I have three rescue dogs!)

It is bubble. Is that me outed? He's got home an hour ago. Wee bit stressed - lots of pacing and a bit of leg humping (dh's but his legs are very nice). He's lovely. We're all smitten but DS is completely in love with his dog.

Not outed at all :) Just recognised him as I was going to foster him but someone closer offered. He has the loveliest face.

Aw that's lovely that you foster for BRX, I've nothing but praise for them.

That's good to hear :)
All my BRX fosters have found the most amazing homes.
Best of luck with lovely Max!