Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

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

Original poster

Private sale of an older dog...

58 replies

Florianna · 30/12/2020 23:12

Am I making a terrible mistake?

I've spent months looking for a chilled out, small dog at a rescue. I work part-time hours, but the dogs I've seen in rescue are either too big, or can't be left, or they sound great, but then somebody gets there first. I've spent the last 5 months looking at every rescue I can think of, but nothing has clicked.

However, I've found someone privately selling a 3 year old jack Russell online. They are wanting to find a new home as their hours have gone up, and they think their toddler is a bit rough with the dog.

I always presume everything in an online advert is a lie, but the woman has given me lots and lots of info, the dog is spayed, she has answered my endless questions.

Is there any chance of this being genuine, or am I a fool to even consider this?

OP posts:
Swaddlemeinplants · 31/12/2020 15:31

what do you propose happens to rescue dogs then instead?
I think dogs that bite people should be PTS.
I think that rescue should be foster only with no kennels because I think the stress they cause to dogs used to living in a family environment is inhumane.
I think rescues should only be available to homes with children 10+
And I think rescues while adhering to a 10+ age need to relax their expectations as many find the rules so draconian they can’t adopt.

nevernotstruggling · 31/12/2020 15:32

My friend has a delightful dog she bought as an older puppy in private sale. He was sold as a stolen dog was returned to the family and the two didn't get on. There is a waiting list for rescues centres here. I imagine the seller wanted some reassurance he wouldn't be used as bait and took a very keen interest in my friend and the circs. He is so chilled we talk about training him as a therapy dog. No issues at all just nice people both ends.

Palavah · 31/12/2020 15:35

Can you ask them outright, on a video call, what the dog does when the child is rough with it?

PatsyJStone · 31/12/2020 15:48

I’d see if it has had yearly vets visits for jabs and if there are any noted medical issues. Also good idea to ask to see it via video call in its own environment.

I applied for my dog from a rescue and it was surprisingly easy. Yes they can go fast and also many want another resident dog but I may have been lucky. I’d prefer to do a rescue as they have the option to return the pet if it doesn’t work out, that’s not likely for me, but it covers any issues that arise and you can’t keep it. That would be one of the main issues I would have getting a pet privately.

You aren’t wrong to be suspicious, if it means you are careful. I’d ask to meet up and spend a couple of hours with the dog alone. If it’s owner is genuine it shouldn’t be a problem. Good luck! I hope you find one soon.

userxx · 31/12/2020 15:49

@Palavah

Can you ask them outright, on a video call, what the dog does when the child is rough with it?

If there's no children to be rough with the dog,I don't think this would be a problem. I'd go for it op and I'm big on rescuing rather than buying.

Scattyhattie · 31/12/2020 16:52

Ask them to give permission to vet to pass on dogs history just in case there is any health issues as likely be excluded as existing conditions by insurance so you need to know if can afford to pay out of pocket. If the dog is already insured you maybe able to transfer as policyholder. Some people do pass on dogs unscrupulously to pass the buck & legally once a private sale completed the dog is your responsibility.

Some owners feel they want to be in control of finding a new home for there dog & have negative feelings about rescues or maybe can't find a rescue space locally, so sure there are some genuine private sales & this lady appears to care about her dog but you do need to be careful. Ideally you want to see the dog in a range of environments to spot any potential problems they maybe trying to conceal.

Pain is proven to effect dogs behavior & people often ignore the warning signs a dog is giving that its uncomfortable long before they snap & resolving the issues can mean it isn't repeated so I don't personally believe in automatic PTS or rehoming is irresponsible if situational.

petlangsyne · 31/12/2020 17:03

It's so hard - I'd meet them. The fact it's a nominal fee makes me more inclined and that you have no small kids. Sometimes toddlers and dogs just aren't a good mix and nothing terrible has happened but the owner is responsible and can see the situation isn't working.

Wolfiefan · 31/12/2020 17:05

Decent people don’t advertise their animals online.
Decent breeders have a contract so they must be contacted if an owner has to give up an animal. If they can’t help then there is breed rescue.
Sounds like they want rid of it ASAP.

loveyouradvice · 01/01/2021 19:12

You can't know til you meet up and find out more....

My mum rehomed our jack russell when we were small ... she couldn't train him to stop chasing sheep and we were in sheep country...

Very successful rehoming, and they exchanged Christmas cards for years ... and she always reckoned he got the better part of the deal as his new owner cooked him meals regularly.

And yes, we got a more trainable breed that lived with us happily for 15 years... much loved family dog

loveyouradvice · 01/01/2021 19:13

Oh yes - sorry, key part - Mum advertised him....

pilates · 02/01/2021 07:39

I would want proof the dog is up to date with jabs, flea and worming treatment. Could you ask a local vet to check her over too? Also, I think you do need to take the dog out just to make sure there are no issues. Have you had a dog before? Are you experienced or have the time to deal with any behaviour issues especially if the dog has been tormented by the child?

Original poster
Florianna · 02/12/2021 20:20

Just incase anybody ever stumbles across this old thread....

We went for it, and she's the absolute apple of our eye. We've had her for almost a year, and she's a little cracker. ( I'm writing this whilst curled up in bed with her snuggled in by my feet.)

Her only fault is that she's a bit of a grump with other dogs, but we're working on that. She is really affectionate, smart and fitted in really quickly. It took me a little while to bond - I was still grieving my old dog - but I now couldn't be without her.

There's a lot of unscrupulous people online, but this story had a really positive outcome.

OP posts:
JessicaPipsqueak · 02/12/2021 20:31

That's so sweet OP

Santaischeckinglists · 02/12/2021 20:34

Ah a happy ending. That's such a lovely story. Always hope older ddogs get a loving home. We took on a ddog about 9. She was known to us though and is my absolute favourite!!

Soggymarshmellows · 02/12/2021 22:04

This has cheered me up!

Thatldo · 02/12/2021 22:17

It sounds all good to me.I got 2 dogs from online and they were both fabulous dogs and the previous owners were very genuine.Peoples circumstances sometimes change.

Grumpyosaurus · 03/12/2021 08:58

Oh, that's fab, OP.

she's a bit of a grump with other dogs
She's a JRT! Being a bit of a little shit should be in the breed standard (we had a JRT and she was scared of nothing and no one except fireworks and thunder).

VaizyCrazyDaizy · 03/12/2021 09:08

Go for it. Probably very genuine and want the dog to go to a good new home. I don’t see anything wrong with charging a bit of money as it makes sure no horrible bait dog users take the dog. Can you take it to a vet and get it chip checked sneaky like? Make sure it is not stolen? We have always had rescue dogs but recently got a third rescue which was hard during covid as rescue places literally won’t give anyone a bloody dog so we went to a tiny rescue which fine gave us a dog but failed to mention what a flipping loony the dog is so we spend a lot of time with her trying to retrain her - she had a tendency to try and bite us all! A year on she fine but it has being like having a new baby 24/7 attention wise!

CollieDug · 03/12/2021 09:12

Wonderful update!! Thank you.

But you have broken the mumsnet guidelines by not posting a photo!

Dogs are the best.

Totalwasteofpaper · 03/12/2021 09:24

I was going to tell you to go for it then saw the dates
Lovely update 🥰🥰🥰
Dogs ARE the best.
We love our girl to the moon and back 💕

SolasAnla · 03/12/2021 09:28

A chilled out, small dog is not a healthy 3yr old Jack Russell.
They are a hunting breed, which were used for flushing foxes from their burrow.
Strong will power, vocal, tend towards snap and shake play, bundles of energy and inquisitive.
While all dogs will snooze the day away a JR likes to be busy and moving more that other breeds.

That being said if you are prepared to put in the work any dog will adapt to a new home.

SolasAnla · 03/12/2021 11:15

😳 missed the original date.
Great that it worked out

MrsBobDylan · 03/12/2021 20:50

Bloody hell op, where's the pic?!

I rehomed a pug two years ago from a breeder who said she was moving and giving up her 'business'. He was one when he came to us with matted fur and a penchant for weeing up walls.

He had clearly never been walked, was thin and scared of everything and everybody except me.

It was love at first sight for us both and he is now a strong, healthy dog, who loves walks and have fabulous recall. He won't let strangers stroke him and still jumps half a mile in the air at any sudden movement or noise.

He is my heart's delight and I love him so much.

RuthsRedDress · 03/12/2021 20:57

We were the same as you, had trouble getting a rescue so bought a 3 year old pug online. Five years later and it was truly the very best decision of my life.

He is my little best friend, my companion and the other half of my heart.

So glad it worked out for you also, OP 😍

Paddingtonthebear · 03/12/2021 21:01

Not an older dog but we took on (bought) a 1yr old dog who we had never met before. Her owner had passed away (this was genuine from cards noticed at the house) and the relatives couldn’t keep the dog long term. It was a gamble but it worked out for us. It’s very hard though to know.