Rescue with previous insurance caution

[ChangyMcChangeChange]

Potentially going to meet a rescue dog on the weekend. She sounds perfect for our family - 2yr old mongrel who is friendly and calm, can be left for 2-3 hours. She came in as a stray with another dog and then was rehomed together with that dog. The issue was that something caused them to fight and she shook the smaller dog so now has an insurance caution. She would be the only dog in the home and has had positive experiences with other dogs since (including making a friend with a neighbour in her foster).

I don’t know much about insurance cautions and wondered if anyone could provide advice on what this might mean going forward? Thanks.

It would be more than a shake if the dog has an insurance caution....

That is based on the info on the behavioural sheet - what kind of thing would normally necessitate a caution? Interestingly it was during the phone call that the caution was mentioned, it doesn’t specifically mention insurance issues on the info pack.

I've never heard of an insurance caution before. What sort of things would cause it?

Same here - I've never heard of one. Does that mean insurance would refuse to cover a dog attack or something because the dog is a known risk or danger?

If that's what it is I wouldn't be going near it OP. You could end up losing your house as well as all of the other distress.

I guess I am jumping to conclusions from what the OP has written. But a dog with an insurance caution due to aggression will have situations that will not pay out. eg if the dog shows aggression to other dogs and people. Usually becuase there is a high risk chance of this happening.

If the insurance company made the decision based on the incident that the op said then it would have been a bigger attack and the other dog would have been injured etc.

You need to ask lots and lots of questions and depending on the answers be very ready to walk away.

A dog that has done this once is more likely to do it again unless behavioural training has taken place.

I am worried by the op being told that she has made positive connections with a dog that she has lived with. Most dogs you meet will be unknown dogs out and about and living with a reactive dog can be extremely hard.

People do it and it may be possible but it can be hard and have life changing consequences for the owner.

Dont let it be sept under the carpet as no big deal - it is a big deal!

But a dog with an insurance caution due to aggression will have situations that will not pay out. eg if the dog shows aggression to other dogs and people. Usually becuase there is a high risk chance of this happening.

I thought that might be what it meant.

If that's the case OP, you need to walk away from this dog. It's too risky.

Thanks everyone, we’ve decided it’s a no go - way too much for us as first time dog owners. I appreciate the help though.

I think you've made the right decision