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The doghouse

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Original poster

Rehoming a dog - impossible?

66 replies

sparklebot90 · 29/01/2018 11:04

Im writing this after spending the past 4-5 months visiting rehoming centres and yesterday again being told we are unsuitable to rehome a dog. Its so frustrating as me and my partner were inspired by the supervets rehoming programme that was on last summer on channel 4 and were completely convinced that it was the best way for us to have a dog. We moved into our own first house last year after being in rented accommodation and so unable to have any pets. My partner works full time and quite long days but is able to take his hour long lunch whenever he likes so could come home. I work part time 3 days a week as a teaching assistant and leave around 8am and am home by 3.30pm. I also live fairly close to where I work and would be able to be home between 12pm and 1pm for my lunch hour. This however seems to be too much of a stretch for any rehoming centre. Also we are deemed as not having owned dogs before which is annoying as we have both always had family dogs both as children and as adults...granted we haven't been fully responsible before but I think we have a good understanding of what it takes to be a dog owner. We are more than financially able to look after a dog. Anyway..im wondering if anyone else has successfully rehomed a dog whilst working? If not then we could look at getting a puppy but it seems such a shame when there are hundreds of dogs sat in kennels :(. Also always feel very unsure about funding puppy breeding. Any tips or ideas anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

OP posts:
ExConstance · 29/01/2018 15:43

Have you thought about an older dog? - have a look at "Oldies Club" often they are older and calmer dogs that can be left with a return home at lunch time. Many Tears allowed us to adopt an elderly Staffie with a lunch break return, as did Rescue Remedies. We have decided on a few dog free years before our retirement but Porridge and Butch brightened our lives enormously while they were with us.

mustbemad17 · 29/01/2018 15:52

Pizza i have had three lazy Rommies & one nightmare...he has threaded my carpet, ripped my nets down, chewed my sofa 🙄 Once he settled he was fab but he was hard work 🙈

Many Tears have a great rep. Senior Staffy Club are always looking if you don't mind staffs. Team Paw & Juniors Place are also two I would recommend.
All take adopter's at their own merits 🙂

meandmytinfoilhat · 29/01/2018 19:43

Have you tried a local rescue rather than a bigger one like sspca or dogs trust?

What about rehome from abroad? Your husband would need to take holidays to allow the dog to settle in.

There are usually rehome groups on Facebook for specific breeds, you could add yourself into them and see what it leads to.

NewBrian · 29/01/2018 19:55

Try smaller rescues or independently rehoming.

parklives · 29/01/2018 23:59

Silver fox rescue for roommies.

Mine sleeps all day, I'm out of the house for the whole day once a week, a neighbour lets her out at lunch for a wee/walk around the block, the rest of the time she is glued to her bed/sofa.
(I might just be very lucky).

Original poster
sparklebot90 · 30/01/2018 12:24

Have been in touch with the greyhound trust..they have several dogs that are suitable apparently! Yippee. Just wondering, those who have had greyhounds, do you have many issues with walking them around other small dogs? Im guessing socialisation is important to begin with and the lady I have spoken to says a muzzle is a must? Any help greatly appreciated!!

OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 30/01/2018 12:35

It really depends on the dog - some have very high prey drives and don't recognise small dogs as dogs, some are out of racing due to lack of prey drive. A muzzle is a great idea until you get to know your dog - they don't mind as they are used to wearing them.

Greyhounds are fabulous dogs (I have rescue lurchers which are lovely also, and many, many in rescue through no fault of their own), and they have the added bonus of needing snuggly coats and pretty collars Grin. And you get to talk to all the other pointy owners!

rightsaidfrederickII · 30/01/2018 12:57

I don't have a greyhound but I do have a small dog.

Family friends who have had a succession of ex racers have never had any problems with their dogs chasing my family's little ones. However, they did all refuse to use stairs as there aren't stairs in racing kennels and it seems that after a certain point in time they're too old to learn (!)

PestDog has played many excellent games of chase with whippets and the like (he always loses!) but there was one muzzled greyhound that pushed it a bit far. I think it's an individual thing tbh.

userxx · 30/01/2018 14:06

How exciting!!! As CMOT said, a muzzle is great whilst you are sussing your dog out. They are funny creatures, and can come across a bit stand offish and shy whilst out, don't let this put you off. I would go and see the dogs and get a feel for them. I particularly love the black ones - their coats are so soft and shiny once out of kennels, plus there are loads of black ones and they do get overlooked.

Let us know how you get on.

Boynamedsue · 30/01/2018 17:58

We have a greyhound, he's fine with all dogs big and small. We did muzzle him when we first got him but it soon became clear that he was fine. He ran up the stairs on his first day home too so no stair issues for him.

They're lovely dogs, ours is the perfect dog really. Friendly, affectionate, playful and lazy. I don't think we'd ever have another breed. Good luck, I hope you find one as lovely as ours (I've never met a not lovely one!)

ThespianTendencies · 31/01/2018 07:34

I had exactly teh same problem. I got Dog 1 from a rescue and it took around a year to find the right match. However, with getting dog 2, I simply gave up! They put so many restrictions in place (even though I had got dog 1 from them) that it was becoming incredibly frustrating. I am clearly able to look after a dog, I'm home add day, I have two grown up children, I live 2 mins from the sea and the downs, yet time and time again I was told I was not suitable for this dog/ that dog/the other dog etc! I got a puppy from a breeder in the end. The rescue did themselves no favours whatsoever. My friend has jsut done the same and she has had rescues all her life!

Tatie3 · 31/01/2018 10:05

I've just popped in to suggest a retired greyhound too. They're happy to sleep the majority of the time and don't need a great deal of exercise as long as they are let out for toileting. I work from home but our greyhound gets on average 3 20-30 min walks per day and spends the rest of his time eating and sleeping. Check out the Greyhound Trust.

Tatie3 · 31/01/2018 10:10

Oh I see you've already contacted the GT, great! When we adopted from them they provide a lightweight muzzle, fishtail collar and lead as that is their policy. It might be worth considering getting 2 dogs to keep each other company when you're at work if you have the space. They're usually kennelled in pairs so your chosen hound may already have a best friend. My boy is great with other dogs however greyhounds seem to play slightly differently to other dogs, they play bite which can looks quite alarming so I'd suggest using the muzzle until you know what's what. Good luck, greyhounds are gorgeous dogs and I'm sure you'll fall in love with one.

joystir59 · 31/01/2018 14:06

The rescue centre rules might be frustrating but settling any rescue dog in will take a lot of time and patience, and not 'popping in' and not a case of the dog being looked after by lots of different dog carers. You would need to be able to give the dog time to settle.

userxx · 31/01/2018 14:34

The rescue centre rules are getting ridiculous and more people will turn to breeders which is such a shame.

ThespianTendencies · 02/02/2018 19:10

I agree userxx I have a rescue from Many Tears and was looking to get another one from there. I wanted a younger dog as I don't feel I could cope with an ex breeder at this time in my life wth children and cats etc. They had loads and loads of pups and younger dogs but I was ruled out time and time again . It became so frustrating that I just gave up. I felt constantly judged and not good enough. I balked against buying a puppy - I really didn't want to - but the reasons they gave were simply not reasonable and I felt they would never let me have one of theirs!

Original poster
sparklebot90 · 04/02/2018 16:53

Ok so we have had a very successful weekend and have reserved a bull lurcher x greyhound pending a home check tomorrow! He is only 7 months old and lovely we are so excited. Anyone know what to expect from a home check? Bit nervous!!

OP posts:
Lichtie · 04/02/2018 18:02

They will just give you some advice and booklets. Have a look round the house, ask to see where the dogs will sleep, make some suggestions about dog proofing and look round garden to check it's secure.
If you are at that stage there won't be any issues. Good luck with your new dogs

CMOTDibbler · 04/02/2018 18:51

We aren't looking for a perfect house (in fact, a spotless house might ring alarm bells as to how a dog would fit in). We're looking for a secure garden (6 ft fences for lurchers, no gaps under gates, garden gate not used as normal exit by children), reasonably puppy proofed environment (one of my pups families needed a second visit as they had stacks of stuff around that you could see would all go wrong with pup), and its also a chance for the homechecker to chat with you in your environment about how you'll manage a dog

olliegarchy99 · 04/02/2018 19:04

cmot - this worries me greatly re the 6 foot fences which was the problem when I was trying to rescue a dog previously. I live in a rural property down a farm track surrounded by fields with views of the Malvern Hills. My house has a rural hedge round it - probably about 4-5 foot high and 2 foot wide with pig netting at the base.

I have had 2 lurchers in the past and neither have ever jumped the hedge as they cannot see through it and its width makes it unattrative to jumpers.

Do I sacrifice my wonderful views to put up a 6 foot fence (I am only 5 ft) for the sake of a dog or do I deprive a 'non-hurdling' lurcher of a safe loving home surrounded by fields which are a joy to walk and run in. Sad
Fields only ever have dairy cattle for 6 months of the year.

userxx · 04/02/2018 19:53

We need a photo!! Don't be nervous about the home check, it's a good time to ask questions.

Tatie3 · 04/02/2018 20:45

How exciting, do you have any photos?

CMOTDibbler · 04/02/2018 21:31

Ollie - some lurchers jump (one of mine once cleared a 5ft fence from a standing start but has never done it again), some don't - but its impossible for a rescue to really know this. One of the families one of mine went to got some green wire type fencing which went against some not quite high or dense enough hedges, but didn't impact their lovely views at all.

rightsaidfrederickII · 04/02/2018 21:51

@CMOTDibbler

If a fence / gate had a relatively small hole at the bottom (but big enough for a dog to get through), would you be happy for this to be patched using chicken wire rather than the fence panel having to be totally replaced? I'm pretty sure that bit of fencing will belong to the neighbour, who's unlikely to want me replacing bits of her fencing ad hoc...

expatinscotland · 04/02/2018 21:56

Retired greyhound or smaller, local charities. A puppy at last resort.