Potentially adopting....

[AlphaAlpha]

I just need a sounding board really.

We (me, husband and 10 yr old) are potentially about to adopt a 4 year old dog (poodle cross)

The dog is my very good friends dog, had since a puppy. Fully trained, well behaved, great at traveling in cars etc.
My friend has had a really terrible 6 months and to top it off will have to leave the UK and cannot take the dog with them.
We have been considering getting a dog for a few years now.
I've never owned one but husband has prior to us getting together.
We have a good sized house, a secure back garden and great country walks literally on our doorstep. There's pretty much always someone at home but there may be occasions of being alone for 2/3 hours.
It would really help our child too, only child who can often withdraw.

My immediate thought is to take the dog on, it'll be a nice emotional attachment still to my friend - but then I think, what if it doesn't work out? Too many variables!

It really is a good opportunity to rehome a brilliant dog, the timing is ok so why now, when faced with this task, do I feel like I'm holding back?!

How is the dog with children? And how is the child with dogs, I don’t mean fear I mean respecting their boundaries, leaving them alone when they are just trying to relax, doing as told around the dog etc?

In a new home you might find a bit of regression with toilet training, and the dog may be hugely unsettled about the transition, especially as he sounds so settled in his current home. Has the dog been left before? Never being left to 3 hours is a huge leap.

What the the exercise needs/training needs. If the dog is used to an active home where he’s out doing agility three times a week he may struggle to wind down to a slower pace compared to a dog that’s had an hours walk a day and that’s been it.

Thank for your reply.
The dog has lived with my friends 12 year old, no issues.
Well behaved, I've never heard of them speak about being reactive to other dogs. Good on/off lead.
Has been left before, but had access to outside space when left which is something we probably wouldn't do as set up is very different to theirs.
Without going too much into it, the dog has has as much upheaval as my friend has within the last 6 months and has coped well. It's this that draws me in too, he just needs a stable, loving home.

If you do this get a proper contract in place- what for example would happen if your friend came back to the UK in a years time (or even 5 years time) and wanted the dog back? Make sure you get the ownership properly transferred etc.

I’d probably recommend the dog comes to stay with you for a couple of weeks so you can see if you can cope with the routine- things like this week it might hit -2 ,would you be happy going for a walk then? Or in the rain?

it sounds like a cracking little dog- but to be fair to it you need to be sure

Sounds like a very good idea to me. Especially as you were already considering adopting a dog. I really hope it works out for all concerned 😊