What was your first-time owner rescue dog?

[EvenRosesHaveThorns]

I'm a first-time owner and it's taking a long time to find a suitable dog that rescues will even begin to consider me for as they are overwhelmed with experienced applications. Happily, I may now have a chance on a sweet elderly staffy, which will give me a great opportunity for a first dog to learn the ropes, but just wondering how other people managed to get a first-time dog from a rescue and what breed/did they have any issues? As opposed to buying a puppy and starting from scratch

When I was 10 we rescued two 4 month old pups. That was my ownership experience before I rescued a 7 yr old lurcher/bedlington cross. It was a learning curve!

My mistake- I didn't take time to earn his respect and love before expecting to be 'in charge'. He had his own opinions and preferences, and they didn't always align with mine and I was taken aback.

He escaped out of the front door and ran around at high speed up and down the culdesac as I attempted to catch him. I almost had him- swiping glance as he was sprinting past me- and I think he thought I'd hit him, because he dropped to the grass and played dead. He wouldn't move. I ended up sat next to him with his lead on waiting until he'd forgiven me enough to come back inside.

Build your relationship with him using treats, cuddles, and persuasion before expecting him to go along with you as boss. Don't expect him to know what your dog rules and expectations are. You'll need to build them together. Find out what his old rules were- where he slept, sofa rules, food etc.

And be prepared to put significant attention in to getting to know him- I had smallish children and a husband, and spent too long teaching them about dogs and not enough learning my own dog!!

I've had two older rescue dogs. These were dogs from non-loving homes rather than re-homed because the owners circumstances changes IYKWIM.

I've had dogs before so I'm fairly confident, I would say the majority of dog behave well the majority of the time, but they all seem to have 1 annoying habit if not 2!

Both dogs (I rescued one after the first one died within the year - she had a terminal health condition, but I'm so grateful I was able to have her and she could sleep on the sofa in peace and have good food for her last few months) slotted into my home and lifestyle really well.
Myself and a dog behaviourist have spotted signs that my current dog is uncomfortable with some 'normal' situations, but she hides it very well, and she never reacts in a negative way, I've just had to learn her subtle body language so that I understand when she's stressed and I can remove her from the situation, as being an abused rescue she's not great at coming for me for help - she's too self-reliant.
She is very adaptable, and as long as she is with people she is happy. (I do leave her alone twice a week while I go to work and she's fine now she knows I'm coming back!)

I missed your update OP

Try cinnamon trust. You can help owners who are struggling, as well as go on an adoption list.

A neurotic, fear aggressive terrier/sighthound mix who should never have been bred.

He was my third "assignment" when working as a trainer/assessor for a small rescue. I would take dogs, asses them and rehabilitate them for re-homing. 15 years in and he's still not ready for re-homing. I adopted him after a year, it was that or recommend he be pts. He can be managed if you know his triggers but you can't really re-home a dog who needs to be managed. It would have taken years to find him the right home so he stayed with me.