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The doghouse

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Original poster

Inheriting a dog

153 replies

Mol1628 · 13/09/2017 07:21

I'm taking on my nanas dog. Have had cats,rabbits,various reptiles and rodents, never a dog!
I'm not completely clueless but it's new to me. I'm just wondering what I've forgotten and what else I need to consider

She's a middle aged small dog, not sure on breed. She was kept as a breeders dog for 5 years and though not mistreated she didn't experience much life when young so consequently she's timid. Well behaved but timid.
I have two small children but room for her to be able to be away from them when she wants.
She's used to sleeping and going into her cage when my nana went out of the house or went to bed so I assume I should keep up with this and keep it her safe space where the children aren't allowed to approach her.
I'll be bringing her cage, bed, toys, food, bowls etc everything with me.

All medical stuff is up to date she's been well cared for so after a couple of weeks I'll take her to register with my local vet. Assume I shouldn't do this straight away till she's come to trust me a bit more!

We have a secure garden with grass so she can toilet and exercise out there and she's scared of traffic noise so I think early morning and late evening walks.

What am I forgetting?! I'm actually quite nervous despite having taken on lots of animals in the past.

Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
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19
Catsrus · 15/09/2017 20:54

She looks wonderful :-) be aware that, being a terrier, she might start trying to assert some rights over that sofa. It's called resource guarding. My (almost identical) sweet rescue boy got very defensive of his space - once he got his feet under the table. Make sure she only gets to use the sofa by invitation, and gets off when you tell her. Establish clear boundaries now. You are in charge of her, not vice versa.

Fantastic that she uses the crate - keep using it, particularly when the dc are around and it gets hard to supervise them & her while cooking a meal etc.

You've done a great thing and she looks like the kind of dog that will bring you great joy.

dudsville · 15/09/2017 22:07

I was moved reading your obvious happiness at her wolfing down the egg, she's got a good home with you op.

Original poster
Mol1628 · 16/09/2017 07:15

Well my nana passed away yesterday so it's now my responsibility to look after her most precious thing in the world which is a bit daunting!

Good advice re the sofa. She only goes in there when we are around anyway generally because all the kids toys are in there etc.

One of us takes her for a long walk on a morning before my husband goes to work and then she goes in the crate after her breakfast so I can get the children ready to go out without having to keep an eye on them all so that's working quite well I don't feel as bad crating her after a good walk. On an afternoon when it's just me and my youngest home she has a bit more freedom and it's a bit less hectic. The boys have been really good actually, they're gentle and leave her alone when told but she doesn't seem scared of them and she approaches them for fuss most of the time.

She's eating a bit more dry food now I think she's realised there's not much else going.

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DeepfriedPizza · 16/09/2017 07:21

Sorry for your loss. Glad she is eating a bit more now.

OlympicBonfire · 16/09/2017 07:28

So sorry for your loss Mol. I know it's early days but It sounds like you have a well behaved little dog there are are doing the right things as far as I can see. Well done you

Original poster
Mol1628 · 16/09/2017 08:00

Thank you.

She has been known as well behaved so I'm hoping that especially with her being an older dog she will remain so if we keep the rules clear and also exercise her plenty to keep her brain active.

Im going shopping today so I'll get some shampoo and I think we are going to attempt a bath she's pretty smelly now I don't want to leave it much longer. I'll just take it steady and see what she's happy with.

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OlympicBonfire · 16/09/2017 08:06

Good plan. I use baby shampoo - cheaper than dog stuff. Most people put them in the bath and use the shower attachment I think - just play it by ear as you say. At least she's small and portable - I have a greyhound, not so easy to lift into the bath or even up the stairs !

FrancisCrawford · 16/09/2017 08:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RedPanda25 · 16/09/2017 08:08

I think those dog treats look like these? http://www.wilko.com/dog-treats-biscuits-chews/misfits-dog-treats-scrufft-bites-for-adult-dogs-180g/invt/0309241?nst=0&gclid=CjwKCAjwlPNBRBcEiwA4pplReeKNB2D7hic512gM6n61yiDwV3xEHXXGVi0vlt3pPujwv3rnXNDkhoCj08QAvDBwE&gclsrc=aw.ds it sounds like you're doing everything right, I hope she settles in well with you. I second the wet food mixed in suggestion, my dog went through a fussy stage when he was younger and it worked to add some high quality wet food in. I think Tesco have some good stuff by forthglade.

daisygirlmac · 16/09/2017 08:15

Sorry to hear about your nana OP Flowers

That little doggy is so lucky to have you, sounds like you're doing everything right. I just came on to say my rescue JRT was really really picky about food when we got him and it can be just trial and error to see what they fancy. We cracked it with a much smaller portion of dry, plus half a wet pouch (you can get various types - try pets at home for a gentle one). We also found if we didn't leave the food down that was best. It went down for an hour, if he wasn't interested we picked it back up and reoffered in the evening. He's happy now that he has two meals a day and lies down by his bowl at the right time to remind us!

Mum2OneTeen · 16/09/2017 08:26

Sorry for your loss OP Flowers

That little dog is gorgeous, she is lucky to have you and you & your family are lucky to have her in your lives.

Enjoy her, dogs are such great companions. And she will be a daily reminder of your lovely Nan Flowers

BiggerBoatNeeded · 16/09/2017 08:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Mol1628 · 16/09/2017 08:58

Oo we have johnsons baby shampoo, the yellow one, loads of that! Is that alright to use then? If it is I'll just use that

Thanks for all the support and suggestions I really need and appreciate it. Obviously im happy to have her but I'm a bit nervous too.

It is helping with losing my nana knowing that I'm doing something practical to help and deal with it. I used to phone her and she'd talk for ages about various dogs she had over the years. My dad would have had her but my mum is allergic so he will visit and walk her sometimes like he used to for my nana (his mum) so it's some comfort to him too I hope.

OP posts:
daisygirlmac · 16/09/2017 09:26

Baby shampoo is fine to use

Original poster
Mol1628 · 16/09/2017 16:01

So we bathed her. Just a quick one. It went well. She wasn't overly keen but liked the drying part.

Managed to get into her microchip details. Says she was born in 2011. Also says she isn't neutered but I'm hoping this was just transferred over from her last keeper and she has been done. Is there any way to actually tell?! I'll contact her previous vets on Monday.

OP posts:
becotide · 16/09/2017 16:21

just a heads up - she's 6, and terrier-like. 6 is not very old for a dog of that type. YOu may have her for 10 more years

Original poster
Mol1628 · 16/09/2017 16:23

Good! Plenty of time for us to get her fit and healthy then!

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honeyroar · 16/09/2017 21:50

I'm really sorry about your nana, but she'd be so pleased to know you're doing such a wonderful job of looking after her dog. Best of luck to you all.

BoomBoomBoomBoooom · 17/09/2017 01:13

When you take her to a groomer see if they know what breed she is and if she actually needs clipping. It is obvious she has previously been clipped but a lot of terriers are better being stripped. Clipping can damage the coat and prevent the double coat growing properly which stops it being waterproof and can lead to hotspots and other issues.

e.g Westies, Cairns, Border, Norfolk, Aussies- none of these should be clipped.

ShmooBooMoo · 17/09/2017 01:31

Awww, sorry about your nan but it's lovely that you are going to take on her dog. That's a really lovely way to honour her memory.

She is gorgeous! What is her name? Sorry if I missed it :)

Original poster
Mol1628 · 17/09/2017 05:22

Oh I don't know if I mentioned her name! It's Peggy.

Interesting about the grooming thanks I'll try find a decent place. On her microchip details it just says crossbreed.

Thanks everyone. :)

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Original poster
Mol1628 · 17/09/2017 05:40

This was yesterday afternoon. The boys were playing in the living room on the sofa they can be a bit bouncy etc so we didn't want her on there really but peg wanted to stay with us so we brought her bed in and she just snoozed in the living room.

Inheriting a dog
OP posts:
dudsville · 17/09/2017 07:58

Peggy/peg is an adorable name for her. I'm sorry about your nan.

Icequeen01 · 17/09/2017 08:17

So sorry to hear about your nan. Poor Peggy must be feeling sad and a bit confused right now but how lucky is she to have found such a lovely family. So many dogs would sadly have ended up in a shelter as family members are not always take them on. When I was growing up we had a Westie called Penny. She lived until she was 19.5!!

Original poster
Mol1628 · 17/09/2017 08:23

Thank you.

Apparently my dad has found some more documentation for her at my nanas house so I'll get that soon and it might answer some more questions.

Wow 19.5 that's impressive!!

I wouldn't let her go to a shelter no matter what, even if it didn't work out for us, I'd find her another good home. But she's been here a few days and we are pretty attached so I'm hoping things continue to go well.

OP posts: