Getting a dog continued

[boffin9207]

Hello!

I posted recently asking for some advice on getting a rescue dog and you were very helpful. Having thought about it some more, we decided to take the plunge.

DP and I went to our local rescue and didn’t have a very positive experience. We filled in a questionnaire and had a chat with a member of staff there. We explained our set up - both work, one of us can take the dog to work if need be or can wfh, one of us does wfh regularly and a family member is nearby also to do one day a week. Any time we wouldn’t be around (2/3 days a week) we would arrange for dog care. We explained we had looked into this but obviously wouldn’t make firm plans until knew we were getting a dog but some local places do drop offs at the end of the day and explained the dog would be alone no more than two hours max based on this. The member of staff at the centre didn’t seem to listen to the fact we would get a dog sitter / doggy day care and kept going on about how many hours the dog would be alone for and repeatedly told us to get a greyhound as they can be left for longer periods of time. I like them but DP doesn’t and would prefer a dog thats a bit more “cuddly”.

It has now left us in a bit of a conundrum. We have a few other rescues that we can visit but alternatively are now contemplating a puppy. I would be keen to hear other people’s experiences as we try and decide what to do going forward.

I work a mix of home and office and use daycare when I am at the office.

I ended up getting a puppy from a breeder as I wanted a specific breed but prior to that had looked at rescues. Never bothered with rspca rescue center as a few years ago I approached one and quite frankly unless you don't work they don't want to know (and lets face it I could be at home 24/7 but that doesn't make me a good owner but obviously they don't think having walkers etc is good enough).

However, when I approached the dogs trust and explained that we would use daycare etc they were totally fine and actually said would we be interested in a rescue puppy.

So what I am saying is not all rescues are the same and don't give up if you still want to go down the rescue route.

I have a 10 yr old collie and a 6 yr old rescue greyhound.
The greyhound is by far the cuddliest and most affectionate out of the 2.

They only like short walks and generally eat sleep and take up your sofa.
They have a funny five minutes where they run round the garden like loons for all of five mins then sleep again.

If your in and out like that and plan on having foggy day care and walkers it would be perfect with a greyhound.
They're very gracious and beautiful.
Trust me once you get one you will want millions

Thanks for your responses. DP is set on not having a greyhound and I can’t persuade him so I am leaving it be for now. There are a few breeds we have in mind.

Bitey - it was actually dogs trust we went to! When I called them and ran through our plans with them they were fine. Perhaps it was just the memeber of start we saw but tbh it has really put us off. The point of going for a rescue for us was we are first time owners and why go for a puppy if there’s a dog needing a home?

Would you/he consider a lurcher? Lots in rescues and still can be lovely gentle, calm temperaments depending on breed crosses like greyhounds.

I don't think the rescue is going to let OP rehome a lurcher if they'll only suggest a greyhound. Lurchers generally need more exercise.

Oh dear I had found DT to be pretty pragmatic in the past unlike some rescues who think money grows on trees and no one has to work . I would say having a puppy was bloody hard work and I don't think I would want to do it again so can understand why you wouldn't want to go down that route but I do think lots do because of the rules some rescues put in place.

I meant from a different rescue. There are lots of lurcher rescues and some seem quite flexible. We are looking in to it at the moment. Part time work,kids etc.

Thanks for your comments. DP isn’t keen on a lurcher either. I would be happy with either greyhound or lurcher but he will be co-owner so need to go for something we would both be happy with.

We are going to try another local rescue today and see how it goes. I was actually quite disappointed in DT as on the phone the staff I spoke to were very positive about our plans.

We will also explore the puppy route (from a reputable breeder etc) but I can’t see how much time we should take off work as some people take a lot of time off and others seem to take no time at all. From what I gather it depends on when you get the puppy too? Can anyone help with that? I’ve got about 5 tabs open at the moment with puppy 101 😂

And just to add - want to go into this as informed as possible. I don’t want to do anything to negatively affect the dog etc.

I had just over a month at home to settle the puppy in and I dont think I would have wanted any less. I did have someone lined up to do puppy day care after that who continued to toilet and obedience train. Without them I would have been in trouble because someone popping in for 30 mins a couple of times a day would not have been sufficient and I know we would have had behavioural issues had we gone down that route. Working full time and raising a puppy was very hard work and I definitely had the puppy blues. Don't think I would do it again (puppy route) unless I was retired.

I totally understand your DH about certain breeds. I love dogs but some breeds just don't appeal to me or to DH. We found a few that both of us would be happy with and then looked at all the pros and cons, went to discover dogs at crufts to meet owners and then decided on the breed.

I’m with you OP and totally understand that you (or DH) just don’t want some breeds. We ended up getting a puppy from a breeder as it’s our first as a family, much waited for and definitely wanted a puppy. We would definitely consider a rescue next time although DH only wants the same breed from now on!

We gave up on rescue as we too had complicated arrangements for care, but including the first 3 weeks off with the dog....that was enough as he was good on potty training. I think we were lucky to be honest. We then sent ours to day care with lots of other dogs together and he adores it still. Not sure I’d ever stop now, as although it makes everything significantly more expensive, he’s just so happy there. Good luck with your decision.

Thanks - that’s really helpful. We would obviously have to split annual leave up between the two of us - I’m not sure my boss would approve a month off! Unless it was timed around Christmas or similar. I was thinking around month for a puppy with puppy day care to follow. Last night I was looking online and there were people saying they only took a couple of days off!

I am also aware that a puppy will be a lot of hard work and in a sense maybe it’s better to wait for one eg find a breeder, find out when the next litter is etc. We haven’t been in our house long and perhaps by that time we will be more settled, have the time to research everything and puppy proof the house. Going to talk to DP about it once I’ve done some more research so that we can assess our options. It’s a big decision so definitely don’t want to rush it.

The one thing to consider is that some places have a minimum age for daycare. I was fortunate that I found someone who was happy to take him as it was an 'add on' as a dog walker. One big daycare centre near me had a minimum age of 4 months which was low as some were 6 months. To be honest I am not sure he would have liked the big centres as where he goes there are 4 dogs at the most so he gets to play with his pals without being overwhelmed by lots of noise and dogs.

The other thing to consider which I hadn't was what to do if your dog is ill or injured and can't go to daycare. Whilst this may not happen my dog has had many illnesses and injuries but my work are flexible and I can work at home. Without that flexibility I again would have been in trouble as we don't have family or friends that don't work themselves.

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with getting a puppy from a GOOD, RESPONSIBLE breeder who health tests etc.

I suspect you just ended up speaking to someone who was of the opinion that walkers etc aren't good enough, regardless of what policy says (though I don't actually know what their policy is, the positive conversion on the phone suggests some variance). Dogs and their care do have a tendency to stir up strong emotions and firm opinions! You may find that if you go back on another day and speak to another member of staff, things vary. Also speak to other rescues - again, things vary.

Do, however, make contingency plans for what happens if your dog is unable to cope with daycare. Some dogs - including those bought from reputable breeders - will end up with problems around other dogs. Some will struggle to cope with extended periods of time at daycare (eg if mine gets overtired he gets very snappy with other dogs to the point of starting a scrap).

If you do go down the puppy route, avoid puppy parties and day cares that are essentially a free for all. There are some that will happily chuck a large breed 9 month old dog with a small breed 12 week old pup for play. The result is that while it can look like play, the puppy finds being jumped on by a big clumsy dog all very scary and it can be the start of behavioural issues around other dogs.

Agree with avocados....we’re on our second day care (the first one thought we had a problem dog...at 4 months...because he wouldn’t walk fast enough with her and the other dogs ) Current daycare has lots of dogs, lots of staff and lots of different rooms for pups, quiet or unsociable dogs and then the general areas for dogs who want to play and then kip.

Thanks for your responses

Bitey - I hadn’t really thought about the age thing. I have started to look and need to work out what is around us.

If ill or injured and cannot go to day care, it should be doable. I can work from home if I need to and DP does too. So we can work around it. DPs parents are nearby too and semi- retired.

Avocados - I think so too. We didn’t end up going to the other rescue nearby yesterday but may do over the coming weeks.

I don’t know what the right choice for us is just yet. We need to discuss and think about it some more and investigate all our options.

Devils advocate here.

Problem with walkers/ day care is that they can provide inconsistant training. Eg its unlikely youd find a rescue dog that would fall into a day clear easily. Not to say it cant be done but in drips and draps and slowly.
Equally our rescue tends to gice specific behavioural advice that day cares etc are leas likely to follow

Puppy needed a LOT of time, peace and routine at first. We had planned a brief holiday in our caravan for a few weeks after we got him but ended up cancelling as I thought he wouldn't cope well (or I wouldn't cope well)! I wouldn't have one arrive in the midst of Xmas activities - that really wouldn't lend itself well to toilet training.

Despite us being home and putting a lot of effort into training puppy wasn't house trained until 4.5 months and at 6 months he can be left alone when we need to go out but I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving him more than 2 hours. At 12 weeks he used to howl the house down if we tried to leave him - it took lots of really short leaves over a good few weeks for him to get the hang of it.

I love my dog but she was a nightmare pup who couldn't be left for months. Some daycare may not take unneutered dogs. Do check.
A tiny puppy can't be left. At all. It takes weeks to build up to leaving a pup for hours.
There are VERY few reputable breeders. About 2/10 pups sold in the UK are from one. You will have to wait. You may be turned down. You can't specify when you want a pup.
Maybe try different rescues?

Thanks - this is really helpful. I think I am more inclined to go for a rescue rather than a puppy. If a pup then we would definitely wait. As an aside, Dsis does doggy daycare which is also helpful and an option for us.

Wolfie - I had looked on Kennel Club at their assured breeders. Is that correct? I wouldn’t just buy one online from anywhere. We would also have to carefully plan to ensure adequate time off etc so this would have to wait to align with work holidays too.

KC assured breeders just means they are on a list and sell pedigree dogs. Precious little else!
You can't necessarily dictate when you will get a pup. Bitches have seasoned every few months. A bitch may not get pregnant. Or the season may be earlier or later than expected. You can't pick a week.
If you want a pedigree pup contact the breed group. If you want a rescue there may well be a rescue group for that breed.

Wolfie - sorry I clearly misunderstood. When I did some reading yesterday I thought the KC assured (with a symbol next to the breeders name) meant a bit more. Clearly I have more research to do if this is an avenue to explore. In terms of leave etc - I just meant that we would make sure to have saved it for when it was needed.

Not a lot more really. Their dogs are KC registered. Their premises will be inspected (but how much above shithole level they have to be to pass I don't know!) They do some health testing.
Upsetting. Warning before you read on.
KC initially refused to strike off a KC reg puppy who allowed siblings to breed. When a vet refused to PTS the apparently healthy puppies she attempted (and botched) the job herself.
It's no guarantee of welfare. I know KC registered breeders I wouldn't touch with a very long bargepole!

Gosh Wolfie. I have no words.

We’ve talked about it some more. DP is more inclined to go down the puppy route. I’m less keen and would probably prefer rescue. More talking and thinking to do before making a decision but if we were to go down the puppy route, how do we find a responsible breeder. Given my naivety re KC I would very much like to be educated on this. Links / book recommendations would be much appreciated also.