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The doghouse

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

Original poster

Tips for rescue dog?

30 replies

Doodlekitty · 16/10/2015 16:51

Hi all

Tomorrow we are going to visit a lovely crossbreed in a rescue centre. He is 1 year old, medium build, looks like he has a chunk of German Shepherd in him and described as 'boisterous but loving'

I've never had a rescue dog before but dh and I are experienced dog owners. What type of questions should I be asking? We know he is OK to live with children but needs a firm hand. I guess I'm asking what do you need to consider which is specific to rescue rather than buying.

Also, jumping the gun a bit, if we do get him what's the best food to get? I've always used bakers but have heard bad things about it. Would rather dry feed, don't want to raw feed.

OP posts:
honeyroar · 16/10/2015 22:03

Ooh good luck.

I've got three rescues. Tbh non of them have really been too much different to any other dog we've had. Even the latest one, who is a foreign dog.

Just give them a bit of time to settle. One of ours walked in like they owned the joint and had been here forever, another was nervous for a couple of months. Forgive them for not knowing things initially, they may have been taught by a muppet.. Some may not want to sit with you for a few days, lurking in their bed, others may be fine. Let them have plenty of toys to play with. Most of all give him lots of exercise. That's the key and it's a fun experience that will help him bond with you. To me, 90% of rescue dogs are dumped because they're too much for the owner, and exercise solves it easily usually!

We feed Harrington's dry dog food for all three of ours (an older lab, a middle aged lab and a young terrier type) and they all look well on it. It's easy to find at supermarkets and cheap enough. We moved from Bakers to that.

Good luck. Let us know how you go on. I hope it works out for you.

foolonthehill · 16/10/2015 22:13

Dog's are dogs whether they are rescued or not...."boisterous" could cover a multitude of sins...as does "needs a firm hand"be wary and don't fall in love too quickly. There are literally hundreds of rescue dogs and there will be a perfect one for your family.

As you have owned dogs before you will know the type of characteristics you are looking for...gentle, biddable, chilled, dog friendly, intelligent, trainable etc. Boisterous would worry me in a family setting. Check for signs of timidity, aggression, mistreatment. I year is young but not puppy...has it been returned to the centre and if so why? Is the rescue reputable? I would expect to meet the dog several times before making up your mind. If you feel any pressure to commit....run a mile... they should give the impression that you are being heavily vetted for the privilege of owning a pet.

Food....use a good quality dry food...the best you can afford but change your dog over gradually from the food given in the rescue centre and be prepared for transition issues. Royal canine have a good reputation. I use Arden grange because it suits my old girl...and everything else I've ever tried doesn't!

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 16/10/2015 22:27

Ask if he cries/shows distress when they go at night. Do they know if he has separation anxiety? Can they exercise him with other dogs? Any medical issues that they know of? Is he chipped? Any previous history? Does he know any basic commands eg come, stay, sit etc? Does he seem scared by anything?

hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman · 16/10/2015 22:56

All About Dog Food is an excellent site to use to make informed decisions about food but no, Bakers is a bit like feeding your kids Haribo for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Good luck.

Original poster
Doodlekitty · 17/10/2015 10:25

Our hunt continues. Dog was lovely and I would have loved him but shelter needed us to take him today, no questions about us at all, could not tell us if he was good with dogs or cats or why he was handed in. Very sad as he was lovely but not taking risks. Will keep an eye on other shelters and breed rescue.

OP posts:
honeyroar · 17/10/2015 13:10

Doesn't sound the best rescue place. Poor pup. Onwards for you.x

Original poster
Doodlekitty · 17/10/2015 14:09

Massively unimpressed. Had to fight to resist the urge to rescue him from that place. Second shelter we visited was loads better but will not rehome with a child under 18 months which I respect. Looking like a rescue dog may not be an option for us. We are in no rush though so we will see

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TrionicLettuce · 17/10/2015 14:22

Are you interested in any specific breeds? Many breed clubs have a rescue side run by people who really care about the breed and they tend to be rather more flexible than a lot of larger rescues. I've not dealt with any from the perspective of rehoming but I have got in touch with some regarding dogs in need and they've always been fabulous.

They're definitely worth a look if you'd be interested in any particular breeds.

Original poster
Doodlekitty · 17/10/2015 14:58

Have looked at a few breed rescues as we are not hugely fussed on breed more than personality. All we know is we want a medium to big dog and would rather it was youngish

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JohnCusacksWife · 17/10/2015 15:13

Hope you find your dog soon, Doodle. We're looking for a youngish, small-medium rescue. Like you not fussed about breed, in fact would rather a cross breed. Have had no luck finding a suitable dog so far. Although there is one dog I keep going back to but he's currently overseas and I just think it's too big a risk to ship over a dog we've never even had the chance to meet.

hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman · 17/10/2015 15:30

We have a rescue from Heathlands. He's a young spaniel (working cocker or sprocker, not really sure which) that was found as a stray in Ireland, spent time in the pound there before being fostered here with a family who were able to assess him and get to know what kind of adopters he was suitable for. Heathlands rejected us for one dog but suggested our Dan for us, we met him several times before we signed the paperwork and brought him home. Their aftercare is also great, a friend had a collie/husky x from them with a few problems and they offered help and support until everyone was happy. If we ever find ourselves unable to care for our spaniel Heathlands will have him back.

BagelSuffragette · 17/10/2015 16:14

Smaller rescues are much more flexible regarding younger children in adopting families. I think the big, well-known rescues are just too afraid of possible bad PR and so steer clear. Look for any rescue that will give good backup (like hellhas described re. Heathlands).

If you find a dog abroad that you like, you can always offer to foster with a view to adoption. Then you have a chance to see what he/she is like in a home environment, with the backup of the rescue if it is not a suitable match.

Balkan Underdogs has some lovely dogs. What about Moli?

Hope Rescue, Four Paws Rescue - they might be far away from you but you would only be making 1 trip to collect. Also, join FB groups for any rescues you like, they are often more up to date than websites and dogs come up on FB that don't always get to the website, as they're snapped up before, so you have a better chance of seeing them if you're already on the group. Beware, it's addictive though!

hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman · 17/10/2015 16:30

Black Retriever X Rescue are another good rescue, they have mainly black dogs but all kinds and varying ages/sizes, they re-home across the country and can often help with transport if the match is a good one.

JohnCusacksWife · 18/10/2015 17:13

Bagel, have you rehomed through BU? I've looked at Moli a few times but am a bit daunted by the whole process of adopting an unknown dog from abroad on the basis of a brief description of the dog and their temperament which may or may not be accurate. Was the process straightforward? How do they get the dogs to you? Do they fly the dogs into your nearest airport?

Original poster
Doodlekitty · 18/10/2015 18:55

I have emailed for more info on a bu dog. But in the mean time we may have found 1 in a local rescue. Pending home check and another 2 walks with her.

OP posts:
BagelSuffragette · 18/10/2015 19:55

Hi Johncusackswife just saw your post.

Long story, thought I would rehome but ended up fostering (personal reasons NOT dog). You can always offer to foster with a view to adoption. All dogs have been fully vaccinated, pet passport etc. Very easy adoption process: homecheck,
then a few weeks wait until dog arrives!

They travel overland. I picked up from South Mimms on M25 as that was closest to me. You can discuss with them the best way for you to meet the transport.

If you join their FB group(s) you'll be able to talk directly with the rescuer/cater about the dog. I felt I had an honest assessment from them and the dog I fostered was absolutely no problem.

They have good backup too. Recently, a lady adopted, but new dog and existing dog just didn't get on and, after lots of trying and advice, BU helped to find the dog a new place as it just wasn't working out. So they don't just leave you to it, they and other adopters help and support you through the FB groups or directly if you want.

Hope that helps.

honeyroar · 18/10/2015 21:04

Our latest rescue was from Romania. She's lovely. Took a little settling in and house training, but 10 weeks in and she's doing good. A colleague at work helps fundraiser and brings them in. It was called OneDogAtATime on Facebook. They're another that also take fostered and have a good online community for backup and help.

This is her... I never knew we wanted a third dog until my husband happened to ask me what I wanted for my birthday just as her face popped up!

Tips for rescue dog?
honeyroar · 18/10/2015 21:05

Takes fosterers that should say!

Toughasoldboots · 18/10/2015 22:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

honeyroar · 18/10/2015 22:27

Thank you. I've never had a little dog before so she's pretty different to the others. An adorable monkey.

Toughasoldboots · 18/10/2015 22:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Doodlekitty · 21/10/2015 08:56

The shelter we are going through now seems awesome. We have found a lovely dog and they are encouraging us to visit regularly. We all walked her on Sunday. She was spayed on Monday. I walked her yesterday (only 5 mins as in recovery). I'm probably going to walk her every day this week. On Sat the whole family will go in and discuss adoption. They will not even consider this until she is recovered and if a more suitable home comes along in the mean time she will go there. Which will be heartbreaking but whatever is best for her.

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Pasithea · 22/10/2015 00:58

Twe have just adopted from many tears rescue. They where really good.

mollie123 · 22/10/2015 08:48

would so agree that the small rescues are better than the large organisations who do not seem to care as much where the dog goes.
there should be a home check done, lots of information about the dog including why in rescue Hmm
good luck and hope you can give a lovely unwanted dog a forever home soon.

Shriek · 22/10/2015 16:54

sounds like loads of good advice.

I would only add that many dogs called 'boiseterous but loving' etc. haven't turned out always to be very good at all! or loving.

there are many rescue centres doing amazing work, cast your net about and never take an animal because you feel sorry for it, take it because your head says its safe for your family and will, with a little patience, fit in to your lifestyle and family and your experience. I have heard of very misleading descriptions of dogs behaviour that covers dangerous behaviour I would absolutely check that out for myself absolutely before putting a potentially dangerous dog in my home/family. Preferably watch them being handled by the centre first of all, having food taken away, running with other dogs, around other animals (if the centre have them there), Centres need to demonstrate the dogs nature rather than just say it.

Good luck, rehoming dogs is a risky business so you need to be sure that you have a lovely temperament doggie in your family, or that you have honest assessments demonstrated and the commensurate experience to deal with challenges (plus back up behavioural training where required - I think that Dog Rescue provide this)

good luck Smile

(Hi Fool ! not seen you about for ages Wink hope you are well)