Rehoming a strangers young very pampered pooch - total madness?

[poochiechoices]

We’ve been put in touch with someone (very 3rd hand so basically a stranger) who needs to re-home the type of dog we are looking for due to overseas relocation. We are in love and seriously considering taking him on but before we go blindly wading in, I’m hoping for some calm, experienced voices of reason either giving me a good talking to, some practical advice or things to ask/look out for or just general advice.

dog is a 10 months old, male miniature poodle

Not yet neutered
Up to date vaccination record seen and owner says no known medical issues (not sure how to verify this?)
KC registered so once we have the details will check health info.
not fully house trained (uses puppy pads as lives in a flat)
literally goes everywhere with the owner either on lead or in a dog handbag.
sleeps on their bed and nowhere is out of bounds (no problem with dog on sofa etc but would want him sleeping in own bed)
never done any sort of puppy training.
Only eats chicken & rice
Doesn’t seem nervy, very affectionate and seen loads of videos of him on and off lead (although recall not great apparently) mixing with other dogs, playing in the park etc.

she clearly adores him (he is VERY cute) but I get the impression is young and naive with no idea how to properly care for a dog and treats him like a doll! There will definitely be some adjustment, patience and training needed but wondering if 9/10 months is too late and will it be impossible to break bad habits now and would we be better off walking away and looking for a puppy.

I’m smitten and would scoop him up tomorrow but we are not experienced dog owners and the cynic in me is panicking that this is either a totally untrained nuts dog she can’t cope with (& therefore could be the same for us) or there’s a medical issue she’s not disclosing and we take him on and find ourselves facing ££££ in bills,

All advice appreciated.

I don't think it's too late at all, he's still young and dogs adapt to different rules in different houses all the time,

It's also not unusual for recall to be unreliable at that age.

It wouldn't put me off. Just treat him like a
dog from the word go . I'd change his food as rice has no real benefit to dogs.

I would take him BUT if she genuinely loved her dog she would take him with her overseas. We've relocated overseas with a previous dog and there is no way in the world I would leave my current dog regardless where I had to move to.

IMO he's still very young, but with the advantage of being through the peeing every 2 minutes & chewing your hands.

he's trained to the puppy pads, it shouldn't be difficult to change the toileting place (personally I think a fenced area in the garden is best). You can get rid of the fence after a while if you want to. It's SO much better than the lawn getting discoloured, and no stepping in warm piles or leaving bits of poo on the grass.

he'll soon learn new rules at a new house.

start as you mean to go on though. I'm ok with then being on the sofa, but I put down a throw & train them only to get up if the throw Is there.

start from the beginning with him sleeping where you want him to.

also if you want to change his name, he'll soon come to the new name, especially if there's a treat involved!!

with the insurance, get it transferred to your name so he's had a continuous plan since his early days!!

we need photos!

have a think about what level of contact you're willing to keep up with the existing owners. It sounds like they'll (understandably) want some. I'd be heartbroken in their situation, but I guess it's what they've chosen, though not always an easy choice & not always a good idea to take them.

Definitely not too late. I adopted a little dog/pampered pooch when he was 8 years old because his owner died. It took about 3 weeks of treating him like a proper dog (dog food not human food, regular walks, sleep in a dog bed not a human bed, etc) and he transformed from a little barking ball of anxiety into a lovely little dog. They learn fast.

Thanks, this is all really helpful and so pleased it's not a totally ridiculous idea. We've already discussed being able to return him if it doesn't work out (she's not leaving for a few months) and updating on progress but good idea to think longer term. Will ask about insurance too.

It's a nice age but can be a difficult one for them, being in adolescence so you will need to bear that in mind. Dogs like humans can learn new things at any age. My last dog was roughly the same age when we adopted her and went on to be a really lovely dog (aside from some issues we knew about) and from a training point of view competed in agility with me all over the country. So if she can learn very complex stuff like that when she was older (we started when she was 4!) then a puppy can learn to sleep in their own bed ;)

With the puppy pads you will just need to not use them and toilet train this dog like a puppy. If it’s never left you may have an issue there. Not neutered isn’t a problem. I would be concerned breeder wasn’t great and may not have done health tests. Most breeders have a contract that says if you can’t keep the dog then it goes back to be rehomed via them.

And pictures will definitely follow if he joins our family!

I would insist on a full health check at a vet of your choosing for your peace of mind, you might need to negotiate who pays though!

Thanks, this is all really helpful and so pleased it's not a totally ridiculous idea. We've already discussed being able to return him if it doesn't work out (she's not leaving for a few months)
Op you won’t know over a few months and it’s very unfair if you’re any way unsure to take him on, then he’ll have been rejected from two homes. Definitely think more about this and if you have any doubts do not do it

@stayathomer absolutely don’t want or expect to be rehoming as that would be very traumatic for both pooch and us. It was more referring to her offer to take him back if things don’t work out (& from our pov if anything she hadn’t disclosed was discovered soon after taking him home such as major medical issues as logistically a vet check before isn’t likely but something we would do soon after)

We rescued our girl when she was 6. Never been walked on a lead and other things. After about 3 weeks she was settled and accepted the new rules.

No going upstairs, on the sofa only when invited and on a blanket.

Even now if in the living room she’ll wait on the floor if we aren’t in there and won’t get up on the sofa until we invite her up!

No human food. Shes been diagnosed with pancreatitis so no begging at the table as she won’t get treats from us

And we changed her name also.

Got her used to being left gradually. First just by leaving the room, the house for a few minutes. She’s left now but not usually for long, she comes with us always to my family, but not to dhs as they have cats.

On the plus side he has clearly been well socialised which means a lot .
Negative would be could be a candidate for massive separation anxiety issues
If she asks her vet, they will give her a print out of his medical history, i there's genuinely nothing to hide she would have no problem asking for that and giving it to you .

I ‘adopted’ a year old dog from someone who couldn’t keep her, but had obviously loved and trained her. My dog is an absolute joy.
Suggest you ask for dog’s bedding/toys (unwashed so they smell familiar), stick to same routines and food until dog is settled. I updated previous owner every month for about 4months, then every 2 months, and now about every 6 months. Just a photo and to say the dog is well.

Go for it, but make any changes gradual. E.g. keep puppy pads as an option while you also train outside and don’t make abrupt change to dog food.

The main thing is the dog has been socialised and is not a potentially dangerous breed, where any early errors could result in severe problems later.

Why not ask for a vet check before you commit.

He sounds lovely. He’ll be fine and he’ll adapt to his new home. No dog benefits from being treated like a doll and carried around in a bag- life as a real dog will be much better for him!

Sounds adorable.

Regarding the puppy pads: it's a useful skill. My Chihuahuas were trained to ask to go out to the garden, but i always kept a pad in the foyer.

They could use it when i was away, asleep or whatever, and in inclement weather. They never missed or made a mess. And it was very handy while traveling; they would use pad on command. (Such good boys; I miss them so much.)

"I would take him BUT if she genuinely loved her dog she would take him with her overseas."
That is such a ridiculous statement!!

My dog was 10 months ish when I took him on - had been in several homes with no real training/not house trained at all and lots of naughty habits and although it took a little work, no more than a new puppy and it's been so rewarding! A good nature is the one thing you can't really change (imo - you can teach tolerance but not change nature completely) and he sounds like a sweet natured, friendly dog.

Hmm
Something doesn't quite add up.
If he is so pampered and loved, the owner would either take him with her or not relocate. I can't imagine re homing my dog for that reason, I'd miss him so badly and probably hate myself.

We rehomed a lab in similar circumstances. Someone that someone knew, that someone knew etc. He was a 2 year 4 month lab with little to no training, no boundaries, jumped over people and furniture. I'm sure his previous owners loved him, but were also moving abroad.

7 months or so on, and he is much improved, and settling in very well. He now has boundaries, walks well on and off lead, recall is mostly good and is a very happy addition to the family.

It takes effort, but so does training any dog. He is snuggly under his blanket.