Rehoming Teenage Pup (advice)

[DepartFromTheIllegitimateChild]

Hello everybody,

I’ll confess I’m slightly nervous posting here as I’ve witnessed many a telling off of newbie dog owners on this board but I’m hoping that I’m not doing anything too wrong or awful so (fingers crossed) I won’t be torn to shreds!

I’m getting a puppy tomorrow. Not from a breeder but not from a rescue either. He’s seven months old and is a "no longer possible/practical/lifestyle-compatible" lockdown puppy . I’m not buying him for a large sum and the owner (who I have met - with him) is obviously very upset and has vetted me thoroughly (only mention this to assuage any fears that he might be stolen or similar)

I’ve been planning dog ownership and researching extensively for some time and am perfectly set up for a young dog. I work from home (permanently), have no other real responsibilities or commitments, have a garden and live next to a park, have experience of dogs in my family, love walking and running and the countryside and am very willing to work very hard at caring for and training my dog to be the best dog he can be.

I’m here to ask though, if there are any special considerations that may need to be made as a consequence of his circumstances. Specifically - him being a teenage dog and already bonded to a human that he is being forced to leave (it makes me really sad to think about this!). I’ve read lots about young puppies and even more about rescues (as I assumed I would get a rescue - am on waiting lists) but haven’t found many helpful resources that are exactly applicable to this situation.

What I would really like too, is some sort of checklist of things that I can work through to assess where he is in terms of training and development... And to also have a bit more of an idea as to what habits/behaviours etc will be most difficult for him to learn/unlearn at this point. That sort of thing!

Has anyone brought a puppy from other owners at this stage and if so, do you please have any advice for me?

I will of course be joining the puppy survival thread too!

I don't have any experience in your particular scenario but I would perhaps read a few threads about settling in rescues as I have seen advice on letting them 'just be' to get them used to the house and you before training.

Then when you are ready to train I would think like a new puppy and not expect any training to have been done by the previous owners and would not take any of what they have said as 100% truthful. Maybe think about getting a good 1-1 trainer set up to help navigate this part.

The other thing to consider is have you looked at the previous owners vet history? And is there anything that would worry you about pre existing condition clauses to pet insurance?

You can find a checklist of training steps on the Kennel Club Good Citizen scheme for dog training - start with the puppy one and move up through the bronze, silver and gold awards for ideas of what a puppy should have learned/be learning re socialisation and behaviour. There’s a FB group for dog training and socialisation mentioned on here which is really helpful too.

I’d assume no real training or socialisation has been done... that’s about the age that puppy behaviours become problematic for owners who haven’t done anything about them and so they get rid of them.

The chances are that anyone who’d put a lot of time and effort into training a puppy would do something to make it work now too.

Training - just approach it like a tiny puppy tbh, there’s no cut off for when they’ll learn things... in fact it’s often easier with an older puppy because they’ve got more focus.

Socialisation is harder, because you’ve missed that window, so if there are any fears from lack of exposure or bad experiences - traffic, bikes, dogs etc. You’ll have to do counter conditioning rather than just exposure.

And yeah, you may well have to settle him in like a rescue dog, just letting him relax for a few days, so no walks, no visitors, just hanging out letting him set the pace for interactions for at least a week.

Thanks both - all good advice. I have definitely been taking everything I've been told with many grains of salt! I've been told he's basically perfect - as if any seven month old puppy was perfectly behaved. He did seem very good natured and friendly but also extremely bouncy so I'm not anticipating an easy ride!

More than anything I just hope he's not too sad, which is obviously unrealistic as he's being ripped away from what he loves but I just can't handle the thought!

tabulahrasa your message hadn't come through when I just posted. That's great advice thanks, especially what you say about the socialisation window. He's been living with an older dog so I'm hoping that will have helped somewhat with the dog side of this but I will obviously test the waters gently.

I'm really grateful for the "treat him like a rescue" dictum actually. That makes it a lot clearer.

He might well go, ok this is different but ok, it’s all good, but he also could go - OMG, what is happening here!!

So if you err on the side of caution then it’s better.

Erring on the side of caution sides like an eminently sensible plan.

Just to reassure you, my parents took on a dog of the same age, direct from the rather shitty owners. I was very young at the time so don't remember much, but she settled in well, bonded closely to to my DM, and lived a very long and pretty contented life. She had a few quirks from her dodgy start (not a great fan of children, including me, but she did get used to me and was fine) but was in general a happy dog.

I would definitely take everything that you’ve been told as rubbish, particularly as they have an older dog who they are presumably keeping as that is just very odd . We got our dog as 4/5 month old puppy from Battersea but he had never had any training and didn’t seem to have been in a house so a bit different . We treated him like we would have a 8/10 week old and he turned out fine .

Thank you grumpy, that is reassuring. Though it's a shame your parents' dog didn't bond so closely with you, I've experienced similar and know it can be a bit hard!

And yes you're right floral that it's odd about them having an older dog. From what I could gather, it's a multi generational household and the older dog "belongs" to a different family member but this other family member isn't able to take on pup when pup's owner goes back to office because a) they are already v busy and b) older dog has not taken to the pup. Pup however has been very laid back and likes older dog.

I want to trust everything I've been told but as you have all very wisely pointed out - I would be an idiot not to recognise that it could all be a total fiction.

@DepartFromTheIllegitimateChild I've got nothing specific to add but all of the above sounds like really sensible advice. At least you've (hopefully) missed out on the bitey stage which was terrible with our now 1 year old Lab.

You sound very well prepared and committed so i'm sure you'll get there. I'd definitely have a 1:1 trainer lined up for a few weeks time (once you know what pup's specific "quirks" are).

Please keep us updated once you have him home! Good luck!

I've fostered a number of puppies who have been relinquished to the rescue as non compatible/no time/ no longer able to deal with them, and tbh I now no longer believe anything I'm told by their owners - for better or worse as some who are made out to be a hyperactive nightmare are just puppies who've not been exercised enough. And some who are 'perfect' who haven't been socialised, are full of worms and have issues.
So def treat them as if they are a rescue you have absolutely no knowledge of, be aware that they might have anxiety about situations you hadn't thought of (things in your hand for instance), and don't overwhelm them with stuff.
I'd go with hourly toileting at first, just like a tiny puppy to establish that really well, but day 1 worm them, and see what happens - they may need more worming as up to 6 months they should be wormed monthly and it might not have happened. The next day flea treat to get that done.
Examine the vaccination card closely, and book a vet check asap to get them scanned for their microchip

I took a rescue on from same age. Your dogs not from a rescue so probably not had the issues mine had. Basically I would let him settle in and start training from scratch. I can forsee an issue as your dog has been with a family rather than what I took on. My dog is well settled now , trained however had no socialisation so it's ongoing for me. Mine was Basically left in a crate for almost 7 month and just fed. You have no issues if he was a family dog.

Where did the pup come from in the first place? Presumably not from a reputable breeder if they're moving it on rather than returning to the breeder?

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned, but join the FB group 'Dog training advice & support'.
Pup will need time and love to get acquainted with new environment and for you to bond at first, but make boundaries clear from day1 - jumping up, on furniture etc so expectations are clear.
Allow 3-4 weeks for true nature to show through.
Identify suitable training classes to facilitate training/behaviour and bonding - to begin after the first month or so. There is a backlog due to lockdown so find out and book in advance.

What breed is he, and have you seen his vaccination/working/flea treatment records and or pedigree? Which breeder did he come from? Is he currently insured?
Get him vet checked as early as you can - although, if he is fairly local, I would like to get him checked over at his current vets before I handed over any money, but then I'm super suspicious :)

*worming, not working

Also - is he crate-trained, and will his familiar belongs be coming with him?

Well he's here and two hours in there have been no nasty surprises and while he's definitely not quite relaxed (running and jumping about like a mad thing) he's not noticeably suffering from any separation anxiety which is a relief. He's also already responding very well to basic commands (sit, down, come) and is extremely treat/reward focussed!

To answer questions, breed-wise he is what I would call a mongrel. His ex-owner was sold him as a chug but he is very very far from a chug. Much more like a slightly furrow faced black/white/tan Jack Russell - beautiful obviously and nothing obvious that would indicate potential health issues face shape/skull/skeleton wise (though I know it's impossible to tell). And as the whole "chug" thing might indicate he didn't come from a reputable breeder no - from gumtree! I doubt it was a puppy farm as he's quite far from what you'd breed to cash in but more likely someone either careless or just making a quick buck during lockdown.

He's arrived with worm pills, vet details, vaccination records and a big bag of accessories/essentials. His ex owner has asked to be kept updated and seemed genuinely very sad. I think he has come from a loving home, just a sadly unprepared one.

I am already doing my very best to be extremely firm, fair and consistent - the question I'm pondering is how it's possible to not over feed them on treats with all the positive reenforcement!

I will definitely look at all of the resources and get a proper training regime in place ASAP. Also definitely some form of puppy class - I hope these are allowed again soon?

Oh and he's not insured but I am researching that now, has anyone got an tips/recommendations?

And not crate trained, no. I don't think he's come from a very strict routine. I'm sensing he'll need loots of exercise (though we will build up obviously). I'm happy about that though!

Being cage trained is not the be all and end all , my dog never went in a cage at home , he’s perfectly happy to go in one at the vets or groomers but we didn’t use one on a daily basis . With regards to treats for training you need to use up his meal allowance so in effect he is working for his food .

I’m sorry but simply can’t give advice without an adorable photo

He may be fine in his bed overnight, he may benefit from a cosy covered den as he deals with transition from his primary loving home. Crates/cages - whatever you want to call them.

Yes - very rude to not share a photo :) He does sound rather nice. I wish you many happy years together x

It sounds as though the owner did regret giving him up but the dog has probably got to the little shit/teenage stage. I say that as someone with a 8 month lab who is very much nicknamed ‘The Shit’ at the moment. I don’t think people are aware of how much dogs can regress or how much they choose not to listen to you. After he settles in a bit, he might start displaying all his teenage behaviours again. Eventually, he’ll stop being an arsey teenager and likely become a very good dog. It just doesn’t feel like it’ll ever happen during that teenage phase.

Treats come out of their meal allowance. If you’re using a variety of treats, not just kibble, to keep him interested you can lower his daily food. Try 5% at first, you can always increase to 10% after if needed. Keep an eye on his shape. He’s a smaller stocky dog, so you might not expect to see a nice tucked in waist but the vet should be able to advise you. While he’s growing and he’s a mongrel he might not have a growth chart to measure him against, so shape of him is what you have to go by.

Puppy school for us started again today (thank god). ‘The Shit’ has been this morning and everyone there is in the same boat. Ours is currently doing groups of 6 outside. You can still get one to one behaviour sessions and have been able to get those throughout lockdown.

Insurance - contact the vets they’ve given you the details for, they’ll have the history of anything he’s been treated for. You won’t be covered for these under the insurance policy. Insurance policies can take an extreme view in that they take out anything remotely associated with an area. So our dog got a grass seed in her ear. If we wanted to change providers, she isn’t covered for anything to do with her ears, eyes and skin. We could probably argue the eyes and skin but if she blew an eardrum, she wouldn’t be covered. So you want lifetime cover with your insurance. If they get something wrong (and you stay with that provider) you will be covered for the lifetime of the dog. So dog1 is still covered for ears but we can’t change providers. It’ll be cheap in the first year as you’ll get new joiner discounts but go up year after year. So you might need to think about what you can not only afford now but also in 5 years when the premiums have gone up.

I agree with @Igotjelly it's impossible to offer any advice without photographs!