Is it possible for this dog to change?

[Cherryblossom200]

Hi everyone,

My parents are going to see a dog tomorrow to potentially re-home him. They are both retired so have the time for a dog. The dog has been rescued by one of those centres which brings dogs from abroad. He was came from Spain bless him.

A year ago he went to a family who didn't have the time to spend with him to socialise him, he came from a dog home and not been around people much.

He is very anxious and timid apparently. Tbh I think the family he is with were reckless with their decision to what to rehome him. They had a one year old and was heavily pregnant so not exactly a wise decision😬

He isn't used to go on walks and only goes out into the garden with the lady who owns him. He has come on a lot since they got him and ok with kids.

But my concern is if he can be socialised at 3 years old and capable of being trained to go for walks. We have the patience to get him to where he needs to be as he looks lovely and deserves a happy life full of love. But we obviously don't want a dog who is afraid of people, won't go outside or go for walks despite our best efforts.

Any advice please?

x

Ijustwant - brilliant advice thank you 🙏 what lovely people you all are 😊 x

Does the rescue know that your parents have children visiting regularly? I'm not sure that it's ideal for such a traumatised dog to be rehomed where it will have regular contact with children, especially as you say that part of the problem in his current home is that it is 'so hectic'.

I agree with Lougle. I do homechecking for a couple of charities and I would worry placing a very nervy dog somewhere with children who visit a lot
If the dog reacts to your dc it will have to be rehomed again, or you won’t be able to visit. I’m not sure it’s the right home for this dog based on the very limited info here

Lougle I don't think the rescue agency will have anything to do with it now, it'll be the families choice. But I could be wrong!

The children are 10 and 5 so not babies, but if this is the case then my parents would be better finding a different dog. We visit them regularly, but would understand the dog would need time and space to settle.

I’ve replied to your pm Cherry

I dont want to be the voice of gloom but......

Are your parents experienced owners?
A dog will need more than love and nurturing
It could take a long time and the dog may never be how you invisage it, happily playing with your children and eager to socialise.

I would leave this dog to a family that do not mind if it does not change and look for a dog more suited to a active mixed age family and a dog that has the characteristics that you want already.

It's difficult, @Cherryblossom200 but I do think you need to consider the impact on family dynamics and the impact on the dog of regular young visitors.

I got a rescue dog, then my parents got a rescue dog from the same organisation. It was great, because the dogs loved each other and it meant my dog could visit with us. Then, my parents were contacted to see if they would take on another dog as foster, but fell in love with him (he's wonderful!). Unfortunately, that dog doesn't like visiting dogs in his home. He's fine when he's out, but at home he gets very upset if another dog visits. So now my dog can't visit often (he does occasionally, but it's always tricky).

You know your situation, but I do think you all need to think carefully.

@GazingAndGrazing yes very happy. I particularly appreciate the cost price vet care you can access via them for life.
Ive had no problems at all, nor have the few friends I have that have used the same rescue. but of course it mainly comes down to what dog you choose. I specifically went for an easy dog that wasnt a 'project', but other people might love the challenge of a dog that needs more nurturing

[quote Branleuse]@GazingAndGrazing yes very happy. I particularly appreciate the cost price vet care you can access via them for life.
Ive had no problems at all, nor have the few friends I have that have used the same rescue. but of course it mainly comes down to what dog you choose. I specifically went for an easy dog that wasnt a 'project', but other people might love the challenge of a dog that needs more nurturing[/quote]
I’m really pleased for you and deeply disappointed that it’s not the case for 90% of the poor soles that end up there especially in the new “rescue” which I didn’t think could ever be worse than the first place at their home address.

Did you visit your DDog on site, what did you think, was it their previous rescue or the new one? Both awful but first better than cages piled on top of each other...

The dog is the responsibility of the rescue for as long as he lives. They can't just find him one home, and then wash their hands of him.

If the rescue re-homed him somewhere unsuitable, who can no longer home him, they MUST be involved in finding him a new home.

Any rescue that doesn't do this is a disgrace.

Yes I visited the site and it was like a dog rescue. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Thats actual bullshit about 90% of people not being happy. Im well aware that there is a couple of people going around trying to discredit and shut the rescue down. The poor owner actually had a suicide attempt over the harrasment quite recently.

Most people are more than happy. Theres an entire community of us who are very happy.
Actually disturbed that youre actually private messaging people on here just to discredit them

Ive used a few rescues over the years and volunteered in one and I really like AA.

Thats completely a side issue as to whether this is the right dog for OPs parents though

No dog is entirely reliable with children.

Please ensure you're familiar with active supervision, the ladder of aggression and appropriate dog-child interactions before taking on any dog if you have children

@Branleuse

Yes I visited the site and it was like a dog rescue. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Thats actual bullshit about 90% of people not being happy. Im well aware that there is a couple of people going around trying to discredit and shut the rescue down. The poor owner actually had a suicide attempt over the harrasment quite recently.

Most people are more than happy. Theres an entire community of us who are very happy.
Actually disturbed that youre actually private messaging people on here just to discredit them

Ive used a few rescues over the years and volunteered in one and I really like AA.

Thats completely a side issue as to whether this is the right dog for OPs parents though

I haven’t discredited the “rescue” op can verify it and I call bullshit on your posts there are more than a couple of people trying to share what we know about this disgraceful rescue.

Was your last visit to the new site or old one? Have you had the pleasure of viewing the caravans? I have.

I encouraged the op via pm to pay, grab and run to save this poor dog just don’t expect any rescue back up. They are scum, they know they are in this neck deep but need the money to keep their home, any dog that doesn’t fit their agender gets PTS in the caravans... if I had that weight on my shoulders I’d probably attempt suicide myself.

The main harassment came from their claim that someone attempted to torch their first “rescue” at their home address with no conviction despite a guard dog, apparent cctv and police case....

And now they operate from a hell hole with cages piled on top of each other in a stinking environment all for an adoption fee, it’s diabolical and neither sites were like any rescue I have ever associated with.

Using a few rescues over the years and volunteering in one makes you an experienced voice of no one. Sorry.

I've never heard of the rescue before this thread, but the mere fact they would home a dog with a clearly unsuitable family, and then wash their hands of any further involvement, speaks volumes.

My dog was so timid and nervous before we adopted her, she spent all her time hiding in a draw upstairs in her foster home. Honestly started to come out of her shell from the minute she came home and now, several years down the line, she's like a totally different dog and constantly amazes me by how brave and confident she's become. I really believe that just being in a loving, supportive and patient home can do so much good for a timid dog.

She'd never been walked before either but she took to it like a pro and now she adores going for walkies! I hope if your parents take him in they have a similarly great experience and this poor pup finds his loving forever home.

Err they havent washed their hands. It was a failed adoption. It happens sometimes.The rescue are trying to rehome again. They will always take a dog back.

My mum visited the dog today, apparently he was adorable. But way too many issues for them. So we won't be getting the dog. However we know someone who is very interested in the dog, an older lady living on her own with a grown up child. She has experience of problem dogs, take a look at the photo and said she wants it. I think this could potentially be the correct match for the dog 😊 she would have the experience needed.

It's bee great experience for my parents and made us all realise as a family, we need a dog that hasn't got so many issues. We are all very close and spend a lot of time together, so it needs to be able to slot in fairly easily.

The search continues 😊 xx

That sounds really positive OP. Im sure the right dog for them will turn up.

I'm so glad you came to that decision @Cherryblossom200. It has to be the right match for your family and the dog's sake.

I'm still very glad my mum visited the dog 😊 I really hope our family friend likes him. Because the dog could end up with a wonderful forever home after all x

Branleuse are the rescue taking the dog back? Are they finding a new home for him? Because it sounds like the OP is doing that on her own.
Hopefully the rescue are very involved, and vetting the new potential home to ensure it is suitable.
Although they did a poor job of that before.

Im assuming so, as you have to sign saying that you cant pass on the dog, only return it

I do hope that's the case.
It's just that the OP said earlier that she didn't think the rescue agency would have anything to do with it now, but she wasn't completely sure.

A decent rescue would indeed take the dog back and find a new suitable home, instead of letting randomers do it, so let's hope that is what is happening.