Getting a rescue dog (again)

[A580Hojas]

This is a thread which has doubtless been done to death on MN but I can't advanced search for advice any more so I'm going to start my own thread.

Can anyone tell me if DH and I have any chance of being approved for rehoming a dog in the following circumstances?

I work from home apart from 1 x morning per week.
DH works part time from home, part time out of the house but term time only.
We have a large 3 bed house and very large garden.
At the moment we have our 2 dc living here (19 and 21) but they won't be here for much longer ... a year at most I guess.

We haven't owned a dog before, although we both had pet dogs in our childhoods.
We have a comfortable income, can afford food and insurance.
We want a young, calm-natured dog, not a large breed. We can commit to plenty of walking but are inexperienced in dog behaviour and don't want a challenge.
We want one dog only.

Do you think we stand a chance in hell? We live very near Battersea. Is it even worth applying to them?

We really, really want a dog and equally really, really don't want a puppy!

Tia.

I don’t see why not. The stickler will be both young and calm natured. Most young dogs in rescue are there because they hit a year old, and were hard work once the puppy cute wore off.

Young often goes with ‘still needs all their basic training’.

If you were willing to look at an older dog you’d have more chance of calm.

go speak with them. You don’t know til you try.

Battersea have very strict criteria. If you're in London try All Dogs Matter, up in North London. We rescued our first dog through them. If you have particular breeds in mind, have a look for a breed specific rescue. Ie our other dogs have all come via spaniel rescues because that's the breed we love.

Good luck!

I can’t see why you wouldn’t. Although both young and calm would be extremely lucky- unless by ‘young’ you mean age 3/5. If you mean calmer when older then you should be ok.
Any dog thrust into a new home will take time to settle- if they’re housetrained bonus. Don’t forget these dogs have spent all day /most days sat in a kennel.

I got my nearly perfect dog from Battersea 5 years ago. I live in a flat (with small garden)and at the time worked full time for most of the year except winter (I am freelance so was sometimes off for a couple of weeks between bookings at other times of year). I do use a dogwalker if I am working. Battersea had no trouble accepting me as a responsible owner though I have had dogs before and my previous rescue had recently had to be pts at a ripe old age. I now work much less - just 3 months or so a year in town and rest part-time at home (before everyone tells me how mean I am to my dog!). So, I would think Battersea will think you are very suitable. Go and see them and ask to register. Having done so, you can check their available dogs on the website daily and immediately reserve one(call them) to go and meet as soon as you see a likely one (they go fast). Also, ring them once a week to ask if anything suitable likely to be coming up. You do need to show how keen you are and they will be more likely to keep you in mind if a likely dog becomes available (they have lots that are not quite ready for adoption just yet). I didn't get the first one I wanted to meet as it kept getting taken off list for medical problems (later recovered and got new home) but the one I then went for was the one for me. Saw her on website, called same day to reserve, met her 2 days later and took her home same day . All rescues come with a few problems. They have been from pillar to post for months and lived amongst lots of strange dogs in kennels so they will be nervous and confused for a while. My dog took about 2-3 months to relax and be her real self. She was quite on edge at first and on her best behaviour like a formal visitor. Mine is a staffy cross and an absolute delight.

My dog had been on streets of inner London and is nervous near children and was terrified of youths with bicycles and footballs. Can now walk past children without being scared and has got used to bicycles as long as they don't skid to a halt behind her (when she flattens herself on the ground in terror). She will still seize and "kill" (puncture) a football if it rolls near us as she thinks it is a weapon. Apart from these small matters *which are manageable) she is perfect.

Mine was 4 and a half when I got her, which is still young but not too young.

I disagree that Battersea have strict criteria. They are one of the easiest places to get a rescue dog from. It is worth filling in their form.

Why wouldnt you?
We have a bosnian rescue with kids who were 4 and 8 at the time. Overseas rescues still have high standards in terms of who they rehome with but not impossible

A lot of rescue dogs have issues. That's why they're in rescue. Those issues might not become apparent until they've been with you a couple of months so just because you get an older one doesn't mean you won't end up with a challenge.

There is no harm in applying.
DH applied for a rescue dog from Dogs' Trust two weeks ago after losing our dog last year, despite me saying we were unlikely to be considered for rehoming as we have 2 cats and 3 teens. Unexpectedly they chose us and we are having meetings with a lovely dog, a home visit due next week, and hopefully will be adopting her soon.
I didn't expect to be successful but I'm so happy we've been chosen, and there is a lot of care over introductions and after adoption support with a rescue charity which might be really helpful especially if you haven't recently had a dog. It is so lovely meeting and getting to know our dog, and knowing she will have a forever home with us. Good luck!

Reduce greyhound sounds ideal they are calm dogs.

I'd contact the greyhound trust,

Rescue not reduced

If you're 'not suitable'. There's no hope for the majority of dogs waiting in rescues.

goid luck getting a good match!!

Sounds absolutely fine. Is your garden secure? That's one criteria a lot of rescues have as many dogs can jump over fencing otherwise.

The only sticking point may be that you want a "young and calm dog" lol. Most dogs don't really calm down until they're about three or four, is that young enough or were you thinking 1-2 years old?

I think its up to the rescue centre and their criteria. One of the main things is a secure garden. Also do you own your home or rent that's a question rescues ask incase you had to move as some landlords don't allow pers.

Reading other posts on here… I wouldn’t write off an 8 year old dog either. I’ve been walking an 8 year old Rottie, still energetic, but the magic bit is once exercised they’ll sleep meaning you can go out. Although you think this may not be important, life changes. Sooooo many threads moaning about their dog, the dog is a tie, the dog needs exercise, the dog is naughty etc. An eight year old dog, may well go another eight years- a lot of people seem to get bored after three/four years.
Rescue centres are bulging!

I've completed the application form for Battersea. Finger's crossed and I'll keep you posted. Thanks everyone for your replies.