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The doghouse

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

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Original poster

rehoming a rescue dog

95 replies

lemonymelanie · 28/02/2016 11:39

Hello, I'm new in the doghouse, but hope to become a regular :-)

Have been looking for a dog in rescue shelters to rehome and yesterday we found her! She is gorgoeus, a sort of staffy cross - so gentle and friendly. We are going to see her again today, and we should have her home with us by the end of the week.

I am taking her a blanket we slept on last night, to leave in her shelter bed so she gets to know our scent. Is there anything else I should be doing? She is a rescued dog - it seems she has had pups recently, so I thought maybe a plush cuddly toy puppy to snuggle up with? I think she must be very confused and maybe a bit hormonal as she will be getting spayed by the shelter this week too.

thank you in advance for any advice!

OP posts:

TheFlyingFauxPas · 03/03/2016 14:28

these I've ordered one of these for our dd. Friend's dig has one and it looks so comfy 😊

JoffreyBaratheon · 03/03/2016 17:21

Yes, if she's up the duff the pups will be easy to re-home but she would be less so. If the rescue know you're willing to hang on for her, that is one less worry and one more dog who will be loved and cherished.

You could still visit her a lot and walk her maybe if the rescue let you, and just get her used to you so that she has a safe haven when it's all over.

KoalaDownUnder · 03/03/2016 21:48

Oh, just saw the update! So disapointing you haven't got her yet. Hang in there, though, I think this dog was meant for you.

You sound totally lovely, and so does she.

GinIsIn · 03/03/2016 22:02

I agree with koala - she's worth the wait, and will need you all the more after that experience!

Original poster

lemonymelanie · 04/03/2016 15:36

Well I went to see her again today and as soon as she was brought out and reached me she rolled over for a tummy tickle. :-)

And I met the inspector who had brought her in , and the dog rememebed her too, giving her a great greeting. The inspector says she is a wonderful dog, but it wouldn't surprise her if she was pregnant considering the circumstances.

And all the time I'm looking at her wondering is your tummy bigger than the last time I saw you??!!! And I can't tell!

:-) thanks for everyones encouragement. good things are worth waiting for, I'm telling my boys - and myself.

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Wordsaremything · 04/03/2016 18:08

I hope it works out for you. She looks like a collie staffie cross to me! (You are an outdoorsy family?!)
If she does come to you, and you want to know what mix she is you can get her Dna sent off. It's expensive thought- about£200. But they provide a family tree back three or four generations.

Original poster

lemonymelanie · 04/03/2016 20:45

DNA test sounds fun - often thought I'd like to do one myself, I do a bit of family tree stuff - it would be a lot of fun to confirm things and get some surprises! Yes, i think she's kind of collie/staffie. But you know I don't really care, I just love her :-)

We are quite outdoorsy - we have a static caravan we go to as much as we can ( weekends and holidays - I used to spend the whole school summer holiday there with the kids) on the coast ,and this is one of the things I'm dreaming about having the dog with us to share it. I can just see her galloping along the beach and splashing in and out of the water, and sniffing all the smells and being free ( which is what we like there too!). And there will always be a boy to do things with (I have 4!) and myself and DH to play football, or cycle with , maybe even take out in the boat, or just go for nice walks in the hills and look at the beautiful Sound of Jura! I just can't wait :-)
I think it's just what the family needs now the boys are growing up and are more independent.

But when we are at home, it's too easy to be on the computer and a dog will stop this rot setting in - it's going to be positive for us without doubt.

I've been reading loads on dog behaviour and body language - and when she greeted me today she was rolling on her back and squirming around - and it says this means a happy and contended dog. So if she can be this happy and content in the shelter, I'm convinced she will be happy with us.

But my goodness she needs a bath!!!!!

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KoalaDownUnder · 04/03/2016 23:03

Man, that is one lucky dog!! She is going to be in heaven living with you, by the sounds of it.

Love this story. Keep us updated!

honeyroar · 05/03/2016 19:42

I'm glad you're going to wait for her, she's lovely and she's already your dog, it's plain to read. Hope to read more. About her life with you in the near future.

Readysteadyknit · 05/03/2016 19:48

She sounds wonderful- I have a staffie x. Originally we thought she was staffie/JRT x but have found out she is staffie/collie. She is the most affectionate & intelligent dog I've ever owned - perfect really

Original poster

lemonymelanie · 06/03/2016 18:38

thank you, she is wonderful. Saw her today and yesterday....very runny poos - how do you pick up runny poos???!!!!

Ultrasound tomorrow. I feel like a granny waiting for news!

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JoffreyBaratheon · 06/03/2016 18:57

lemony, you are going to be the best staffy x owner ever.

RoseDog · 06/03/2016 19:04

how do you pick up runny poos???!!!! Kitchen roll!!!

She looks gorgeous and sounds fab!

We have a rescue staffy x and we had her DNA tested, its fascinating but I have no idea how accurate they are.

Would it be possible for you to foster her until she has her pups and they are ready for rehoming although I do understand that is a big thing to take on.

Original poster

lemonymelanie · 07/03/2016 16:56

Vet says not pregnant! yay!!! They think as originally that she's had pups recently and also just coming out of season, which has confused things because they can all look similar. So we didnt get an ultrasound in the end. I'm so relieved, because they wouldn't have let us foster her during pregnancy. And it would have been so long to wait...

Oh, and bumped in to dog behaviourist at the centre today - and he demonstrated using a clicker and recommends it. He was very gentle but commanding at the same time - the dog ( my dog!) adored him immediately, I could see. I would have loved to have spent longer learning his magic :-)

Anybody got any thoughts/pointers on clickers for me?

OP posts:

TheFlyingFauxPas · 07/03/2016 18:00

Hurrah 😊 no experience of clickers though 😊

MaynJune · 07/03/2016 18:05

So are you getting her home soon?!

Seawig · 07/03/2016 18:24

Look up kikopup videos on YouTube for clicker training.

Bubble2bubble · 07/03/2016 21:26

Oh great news - fantastic! :)
Clicker training is great. Kikopup will give you lots of inspiration.

Original poster

lemonymelanie · 07/03/2016 22:03

Could be getting her home this week - she is now on the list for spaying, then it's two days recovery and then another vet check....D-Day ( Dog-Day) could be the weekend!!!

Her skin condition is clearing up too, vet is happy with that. I'm watching clicker videos online - honestly, the behaviourist at the centre had some sort of doggy magic going on, it was special stuff. (SSPCA have been absolutely brilliant. I will miss going to visit once I have her home. They are quite special people there!)

Thanks for all the help , I've bought a collar and harness as per recommendations upthread,so many thanks for all the advice and interest. It's great having somewhere to share it all :-)

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Adarajames · 08/03/2016 00:22

How fab, lucky dog
If you're feeling energetic, put yourself on a waiting list for agility, staff / collies are great at it, and really enjoy it, takes longer for the handler to get fit though!

RoseDog · 08/03/2016 07:59

Fab she should be coming home soon, if she is indeed part staffy and she looks it, the black big kongs, we have the ball and beehive shaped one, are the only things not to be destroyed!

I've no idea on clicker training, ours was to old and stubborn to do much training but her is ruled by her stomach so food works well.

We were also told not to use a harness in her because she was a puller and her pulling against the harness was making her pull more, we ended up with a gen-con.

JoffreyBaratheon · 08/03/2016 16:42

Although Rose my little staffy/Jrt cross managed to pull bits off a black Kong last week - she'd only had it a fortnight! So keep an eye on your's even with the black Kong. I have had full staffies and english bull terriers and neither breed ever managed to destroy a black Kong...

Original poster

lemonymelanie · 08/03/2016 20:01

I got her a red kong last week - we will see what happens with it :-)

She walks beautifully on a harness, and I think it looks much more dog -friendly than a collar and lead? Like it's more comfortable? I was thinking of her comfort really, when I decided to get one, and it's what I saw the rescue centre were using, so I thought it would be the right thing - but I'm willing to listen to alternative advice of course.

To be honest Im so looking forward to learning about her, getting to know her personality and what is best for her.

By the way, I notice some namesakes on the thread - her name is Rosie. :-)

OP posts:

MaynJune · 09/03/2016 10:31

Oh, I had a Rosie! After starting out a nervous wreck she became the most loving and dear creature. She was very special to me.

RoseDog · 09/03/2016 18:29

Mines is Rosie when she's behaving but she gets Rose when she's being a bit naughty! She doesn't look or smell like a Rose!

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