Want a dog but not a puppy or volatile rescue

[phoebemcpeepee]

I've recently started a new job that is permanently wfh and I feel we are finally in a position to welcome a dog into our family. We've wanted one for years but due to work/house/finances it's just not been possible.

We have however just moved into a brand new house plus children are getting bigger and neither DH or I can face the upheaval/carnage of a puppy. And (hard to say this without sounding heartless) I just don't think I've got the time or finances to dedicate to a high needs/traumatised dog that I know is more likely with rescues. Are there any other options? I guess what I'm hoping for is an older dog that has been in a loving home that will need time, love and care to readjust, but not necessarily specialist & expensive training - a family relocating, someone too elderly / infirm to care for their dog who want a loving home (I'd be quite happy to visit with the dog and just be guardian rather than take full ownership) Not fussed about breed, age etc

Is this totally unrealistic? Any suggestions where to find this sort of arrangement?

One word - greyhound! Lazy, loving, couch potatoes. Health wise - generally very healthy dogs owing to careful breeding for racing. Ex racers that are suitable for re-homing are usually kennel trained at the very least and so extremely easy to house-train. They may need a particular diet (some have sensitive digestion) but are very very docile dogs as a general rule who like to take over the sofa and sleep all day and have lots of cuddles.

I wouldn't do it. Any dog can become high needs. Even a change of circumstance could cause them anxiety. If you haven't got time to devote for a worst case scenario dog then I wouldn't risk it, it's unfair on you and the dog.

Or - it isn't unusual for rescue centres to get dogs that have come in because their owners have died or gone into care and so are just 'normal' family dogs looking for a new home. Best idea is to keep an eye on local rescue centre websites or FB pages as such dogs are likely to be in high demand.

If you wanted to pursue the greyhound route - just google and you will find your local greyhound rehoming site. They need very little exercise and may not be suitable for homes with cats or small furries but some just don't have the chase instinct. (Mine does - doesn't go off-lead unless somewhere enclosed).

Listen out for friends of friends who need to rehome a loved pet. A friend of a friend of a friend of my bother needed a new home for a dog because of a significant change in circumstances - the dog settled really well and has a FB page so it's old hooman can see it's loved and cherished.

You can never know completely what personality of puppy or adult rescue dog you may get. Plus life events, even seemingly small things, can cause problematic changes to a dog's personality.

An older, settled, trained and well loved dog may become very unsettled or distressed at being uprooted from their owner's home and placed into yours, since their routines, familiar people, familiar surroundings etc will all change.

Any dog coming to live with you, whether a puppy, young rescue or older well-trained dog, will need some training to learn what is expected from it now, and may well object to the change in circumstances, causing behavioural issues that it sounds like you don't have the time or inclination to deal with.

Honestly, you don't sound like you're ready to take on a dog.

You cant tailor a dog to your needs like that.It would be very unusual for a dog that wasn't "difficult" to be rehomed

Not all rescue dogs are traumatised - some really are much loved dogs who have come through to rescue via consequence i.e. job loss/housing problems, and aren't emotional wrecks.

That said any dog when moved to a new house from either a loving home or a more traumatic one, will need time to adjust, will need some ongoing training and health issues are much more likely in older dogs that may make them higher maintenance i.e. arthritis.

The perfect happy family with an easy going dog that just seems to slot in only got to that point with lots of training, patience and time. That will never happen over night.

Some ethical breeders offer retirement programs for their dogs once their breeding days are over. This way, you would get a 5-6 year old dog who has had extensive testing done and is temperamentally sound enough to have been judged breeding quality.
And then, of course, there are dogs meant for breeding that just don't make the cut. Too big, too shy, lacking a testicle, or maybe a female that had one litter and didn't show herself a good mum. Those can go to retirement homes earlier than 5-6 years.
If you like this idea, I'd narrow down a breed, research a couple good breeders and send them emails explaining your situation.

You can always get unlucky. My parents got a dog through a friend from someone. They said they have to rehome because they are moving and the new place didnt allow pets.
On the first walk with the dog he went absolutely nuts trying to attack another dog. My dad almost fell over because he didnt expect it.
My parents prepared so well and went to see the dog a few times first. Joined that family on walks etc. They actually asked a friend to accidentally meet them on the walk to show how good the dog is with other dogs (he was with females).
We ended up keeping the dog because he was so gentle with us kids and very easy in every other way. But i do remember that my mum always had to watch out when walking, because when he saw another male dog she had to tie him to a lamp post. He was quite big and too strong for her. So no chance to relax on walks.

It is good that you know your limits in regards to puppy/rescue dog.both need a lot of your time for different reason.However,it is unrealistic to expect a dog that just slots in your daily routine without any issues at all.sometimes its a behaviour issue,other times its health issues.for every dog,if you get the dog from friend of a friend of rescue centre, a change of owner/home is a huge event.the cinnamon trust has sometimes dogs,where sadly the owner has passed away and they need a new loving home.

To be honest - and I don’t mean this harshly, lots of people want the same thing - it sounds like you want the holy grail of dog that someone else has put all the time and effort into then given up. It does happen, occasionally, there are dogs that come into rescue through absolutely no fault of their own and go on to settle well in a new home, but it’s incredibly rare and the waiting lists for those dogs is enormous. My PILs have been lucky to find just such a dog, but it took several years to find him.

It’s more common for dogs in rescue to have an issue of some kind or even to not have had an issue beforehand, but be so traumatised by being uprooted that they develop them soon after rehoming.

No dog is really absolutely trouble free, for example, some develop expensive health problems, others develop a problem with other dogs or even people, after an ‘incident’ that then needs lots of work and commitment to rehabilitate, rehomed dogs can develop separation anxiety from the upheaval of leaving the only home they’ve ever known.

I’m not saying it’s not possible, you could be lucky. Imo, your best bet would be a rescue that fosters in experienced homes, so the dog is fully assessed before it’s rehomed. Lots of the Lurcher/Sighthound rescues work this way and have a really high success rate with their matches/rehomings.

If you are willing to take on an older dog, try Oldies Club. They often have older dogs who's owners have sadly passed away or can no longer care for them.

Cinnamon Trust?

Everyone wants what you describe, but you really do have to be realistic.

For example - all it takes is one bad encounter to make your dog reactive for life. If that happens, are you really going to give up on your pet because of that? If so, and I mean this in the nicest way, dog ownership is not for you.

You also mention finances and not wanting a high-needs dog, but what happens when the dog gets old and has accidents all over the floor, or needs regular vet appointments and medication? Are you going to be happy to spend several hundred pounds a week to send the dog to kennels while you go away on holiday etc?

It reads to me like you want a perfectly behaved dog without doing any of the work, and honestly, that's going to be practically impossible. And ALL dogs decline eventually and start doing things like messing on the floor, crying at night (due to dementia/confusion) or barking at nothing. It reads like maybe you wouldn't have much patience for those things?

I think you really need to sit down and think about whether you could cope with the reality of dog ownership - the mud, the potential recall issues, the barking, the hair, the accidents and what happens when the dog gets injured or sick or just gets old.

@icedcoffees

Everyone wants what you describe, but you really do have to be realistic.

For example - all it takes is one bad encounter to make your dog reactive for life. If that happens, are you really going to give up on your pet because of that? If so, and I mean this in the nicest way, dog ownership is not for you.

You also mention finances and not wanting a high-needs dog, but what happens when the dog gets old and has accidents all over the floor, or needs regular vet appointments and medication? Are you going to be happy to spend several hundred pounds a week to send the dog to kennels while you go away on holiday etc?

It reads to me like you want a perfectly behaved dog without doing any of the work, and honestly, that's going to be practically impossible. And ALL dogs decline eventually and start doing things like messing on the floor, crying at night (due to dementia/confusion) or barking at nothing. It reads like maybe you wouldn't have much patience for those things?

I think you really need to sit down and think about whether you could cope with the reality of dog ownership - the mud, the potential recall issues, the barking, the hair, the accidents and what happens when the dog gets injured or sick or just gets old.

This is a good point. We got our dog as a puppy, prepared for puppyhood & adolescence. At 9 months old he developed IMPA, many trips back & forth to specialist vets and over £6,000 in vet bills so far (he's 14 months; thank god for insurance). The high dose steroids made him so hungry and thirsty, & unable to hold his bladder or bowels. He's gradually getting better but it's a slow journey and honestly I was not prepared for the amount of accidents, vet trips and worry. I love him to bits but it is hard.

No guarantees but a rescue (retired) Greyhound would seem to fit your bill.

You could apply for a 'failed' guide dog - demand outstrips supply by an enormous margin, but you might get lucky. These dogs will be well trained and socialised, but won't be quite reliable enough to meet the (very high) standards required fore the very specialist later training.

I know someone who had a retired drug sniffer dog - no idea how you would find one, but it might be worth looking

Some rescues foster their dogs so they know them very well and don’t rehome until they’re ‘sorted’ or rehome to experienced homes wanting the ‘unsortable’ dogs. If you’re in England have a look at Safe Rescue for Dogs.

A retired gun dog? I think there are a few Facebook pages or you need to ask around people who have a lot of working dogs.

Another person who’d suggest a retired greyhound. Mine is a total love sponge, the most affectionate boy ever.
He’s been incredibly clean indoors- a few wees inside, nothing awful. He’s learning basic commands and has settled into a house well. Yes, he has a sensitive tummy, but grain-free food has sorted that out.
If you go down this route, read up on the breed as they are unlike other breeds- character, blood make-up and habits are unique. But so fabulous. I’m a complete convert to sighthound.

Where do you live? If you're within 15-20 min driving distance of a guide dog training centre (Leamington, Atherton, Exeter, Leeds, Southampton, there are more but I can't think of them all) you could be a fosterer for the dogs in training (age 15 months +)

Obviously you only have them for a few months at a time before they move on, but it will give you a feel for having a dog around (and one might get withdrawn giving you an opportunity to rehome it)

Read up on dog breeds. Obtain advice too. I went to my local pet shop and asked them about pet care products and routines as well before I got Milo.

Books help somewhat. You can find magazines and books easily in addition to useful websites online. And do not forget to buy pet insurance in case, always recommended.

There are various pet insurance providers, look online or ask around for recommendations for companies. In terms of managing pet related finances, budget wisely is my top bit of advice to you.

Buy all your stuff from reputable companies and people. You can find lots at your local pet store rather than on the Internet, I would start there. Make notes then decide. Perhaps a cat would be a better option, less stress.

If you're not somewhere with shoots/lots of fireworks you might find a gunshy gundog - will be very well trained but unable to cope with the noise of the guns. Usually around a year. Possibly also service dogs that don't complete training (guide/hearing dogs).

I actually don’t think you should get a dog at all , even with a puppy there are no guarantees and it doesn’t sound like you are cut out for dealing with whatever crops up .

Why don't you foster for a rescue? That way you get some dog experience and also help some dogs, but don't have to commit immediately.

I've fostered and generally the foster family have first dibs if the dog is a good fit for them.

I've had three rescues now and none of them have been volatile. Maybe a bit needy though .