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!

There’s the rule of three.

Three days to understand where they are
Three weeks to feel settled
Three months to feel fully at home.

I am so bloody pleased that I started this thread - I can't believe how much helpful advice I've received. I didn't really think I'd get anything more than I'd already got from Googling but you are all so great!

It's a very good point about his claws and I already suspected that he had hardly been walked at previous owners. Biggest indicator was when I asked about his exercise regime and ex owner didn't have a response.. she mumbled something about it varying, and he didn't have a garden either so he must have been bouncing off the walls. Both yesterday and today we've been for one hour and half walk and we've run around the park today too. He has so much energy and doesn't seem to tire - it's delightful and will be very good for me!

One pretty basic question that I think I know the answer but just need to be told it by someone else firmly. He shouldn't go off lead yet at all should he? What with him not being trained and having working testicles and all of that? I wanted nothing more than to let him run like the wind through the grass like he was obviously itching to but I do know that I shouldn't! I will get him to the vets ASAP and will be doing lots of recall practice (he's not bad at this at all but it's not been tested much).

The barking could well just be manifestation of anxiety about situation. Ex owner actually said he didn't bark at all when at home (and she was honest about other things like dodgy toilet training) so I will definitely wait and see with that one. The rule of three is very reassuring - I do need to remember that he's only been with me 30 odd hours - I don't know him at all yet and he doesn't know me!

(I also realised re-reading my posts here that I'm one of those over exclaimers(!) that people complain about - all I can say is that I am genuinely very hyped up and excited [much like dDog])

I'm not letting my young dog off-lead until I'm happy with her impulse control and recall. I have her on a long line when in public spaces or unsecured fields.
There are dog fields around the country which are secure and you can hire them out for short slots for off-lead exercise and practicing recall.
I don't think you should attempt off-lead when out & about until you've established a strong bond and done plenty of training.

I recommend getting a long line so he can run around but can't get free. We are 5 weeks in and only just starting letting ours off in our small holding which is mostly enclosed and bar 1 prison break to play with next doors dog he has been fine.

Once they have an attachment to you they are more likely to come back and that takes time.

I recommend getting a clicker. Throughout the day when he is quiet and calm click and treat. Just at random times so he learns he gets rewarded for nice calm quiet behaviour.

This is what our lovely trainer recommended for barking and it has helped

It's generally not recommended to get them neutered too young, they need their testosterone for growth and confidence. My Jrt cross is nearly two and not neutered yet.

I would work on recall and building a bond with him, once he associates you with treats etc you can start trying some off lead training. Ideally somewhere with very few distractions!

Is he 7 months? You have to be a bit careful about not over exercising until they're fully grown as joints etc are still developing. Two or three shorter walks would be preferable to one very long walk.

A clicker has just arrived in my enormous Amazon haul so will get started with that tomorrow. I was going to ask vet about vest neutering age as had heard conflicting things and yes, thought the walls might have been too long but the time just flew by both times. What would a max walk length for a seven month old be do people think ideally? I've googled but once again, the advice is conflicting.

Can't wait to get him off lead - my garden literally backs into a park so I might a look at 5am or so and see if it's as deserted as I hope it may be and do some fetch and recall training then. I definitely wouldn't risk anything around other dogs until I am 100% confident.

I wouldn’t play too much, if any, fetch with him. It’s bad for dogs’ joints and can make them more hyper rather than tire them out: caninearthritis.org/article/on-throwing-balls/?fbclid=IwAR1sCCNuD4WexrBYTqAqUMLWNsF5AxTfIa7cMBZxuEu-AuiGY3xZpG4CNhM

Instead, I would tire him out with brain games, such as scent work or pattern games. I would also be careful not to do too much with him too soon, so as not to overwhelm him but also so that you set him up to succeed. I would start recall training in your garden, where there’s less distractions than in the park (i.e., no rubbish or dog urine and faeces etc. to investigate) so that he’s more likely to come back when called, otherwise you’ll just teach him to ignore you.

Also, it you start taking him to the park at 5am he will expect that every day.

Aw what a cutie.

Nearly all my dogs have arrived at the adolescent stage, be it from rescue or a friend of a friend etc. All of them have settled relatively quickly and been fantastic dogs. Apart from the first time we’ve always had another dog, which has helped, as has the fact that we have a small holding and therefore lots of land!

My advice would be just give it time. Don’t overly worry or fuss. Obviously the dog may be nervous and need to get used to the surrounding. But don’t be sleeping on the sofa too often. You might have to go through a few nights of barking or scraping at the door, but just keep putting him back with a friendly but firm no, and a tickle once he’s back in bed. These little ones are especially good at working out how to pull your strings!
No don’t let him off, whatever you do, for a good while until he’s settled and knows/trusts you. Let him off in the garden if you’re absolutely sure it’s puppy proof. Never underestimate what a small dog can wriggle through/under or jump over! In the meantime lots of good walks will help you bond and him sleep (with a bit of luck!).

Pick a vet you trust, or one with good reviews locally and listen to them- you’ll get so much contrasting advice from people online.

Remember that no two dogs are the same. I’ve had some that walked in and settled immediately, even ignoring their old owners when we met them months later, but I’ve had others that took weeks, even months to settle. But they all got there in their own time. Don’t worry if things aren’t perfect initially. You will get toilet training issues, you will get barking. But it will calm. I find telling the neighbours that he is a rescue and letting them say hello (if they’re nice neighbours) helps them “forgive” a bit more.
Finally good luck, and enjoy these early days with this little chap that you’re going to quickly adore for the rest of his life.

Jack Russell cross Shih Tzu would be my guess.

You sound lovely OP.

Yes, he's landed on all four paws with his new home x

Just read the thread as we’ve taken on a 19 month beagle X rescue. Been with us a month now and at first barked at anything - the neighbours so much as breathing, noise from cars (don't bother her on walks), children, butterflies, the wind, anything really!! After letting it go initially, I was conscious I didn’t want to be “that” neighbour with a barky dog or “that” owner who ends up inadvertently treating barking (in her mind anyway). So in a firm, calm, , but not a raised voice, I say “(dogs name), shush, no”. Sometimes I only need to say it once, she’ll give a little “woof” them quiet. Obviously I let her bark for a very short while as she’s talking, and am aware that she maybe asking for something, but if it’s just random barking at the wind, then I act after a minute or so.

Think of the 3 - 3
3 days to know their name
3 weeks to feel ok with you
3months to feel that comfortable that they can destroy the house and your expensive handbag and you won’t punish them 😂

Before you buy I would ask for a copy of the vet notes
Lots of owners get rid of a dog when they are diagnosed with something expensive to treat
Good insurers are
Bought By Many
PDSA
Pet Guard
Animal friend mixed opinions I call them animal fuckers and wouldn’t touch them 😂