Advice on how to find ‘the perfect dog’

[MatildaTheCat]

Apologies for the title, please bear with me.

We had the most gorgeous minature golden doodle for 14 years and heartbreakingly had to say goodbye a year ago. He was loved by all and fitted in perfectly. Not without faults but neither am I.

When he was 4 I suffered a spinal injury which has left me with chronic pain. It’s well managed and I have brilliant support from family and friends. I can’t really walk a dog alone though due to pulling on the lead and my inability to charge after him in an emergency.

We are now ready to start thinking about another dog. We have resources and support. What I think would be really ideal is a young dog which has been trained ( obviously we’d continue with this). Something along the lines of a semi assistance dog though I don’t need that level of training.

Does anyone know of such a service? I have looked around online but no real success. Sorry but a rescue isn’t an option unless it was a family known to us with a non traumatic past.

Any ideas please?

Perhaps you could consider a guide dog that's failed its training?

Thank you. That could work but I’m not sure how to enquire. I imagine they are popular pets. Any other ideas most welcome.

Please don't think I am being unsympathetic but I don't see how your spinal injury is relevant.
As I understand it, you would always walk the dog with someone else. Dogs can be trained not to pull on the lead but even the best trained dogs will pull/react to something at some point. But it won't be you who is holding the lead.

You shouldn't need to charge off after a dog. And if you keep them on a long lead then I can't see why this would be necessary. You may have to pick a poodle type dog up in an emergency. I realise this might be difficult for you, but again, you'll be with someone else while out walking.

May I ask why you are dismissing the option of rehoming a dog? Somewhere like ManyTears have a good number of dogs that might well suit you.

I know a dog trainer in a village close by. She will take your dog for a couple of weeks and train it. It is mainly for gun dogs and it isn't cheap, but she does cover the basics like sit, stay, heel, etc.

If you want an older dog you have to go the rescue route, you just may have to wait to find the perfect dog there.

Something like a bichon might suit - they aren't massively pully.

I’ve got no experience of this company, but they do exactly what you say - and mention assistance dogs and special circumstances: https://wkd-uk.com/dogs-for-sale/

Imagine there are others too. But it won’t be cheap! You could try a local dog trainer and ask if they’d be willing to do something similar?

There’s an application form on their website, it’s quick to enquire although obviously the chances of being offered a dog are not great.

I would give WKD a very wide berth if I were you.
Look at the dogs' faces.
Also, have a look on TrustPilot. Not all bad but the bad one is very bad and it's written by someone who at least claims to have bought a dog from them rather than just taken their own dog for training. No reply from WKD.
I also found a MN thread for 2010 - have a look online, I've no idea how to link - where posters raise concerns.

Please @NoSquirrels do a bit of research before you make suggestions.

I wish I could edit!
The previous MN thread paints a horrifying picture!
As someone says on there, training is ongoing. You can't send a dog to a trainer and job done. It really doesn't work like that.

Thank you all. Food for thought. I do feel that I need to have the ability to control my own dog, there are bound to be occasions where I am in sole charge and even around the house when visitors arrive ( I’m influenced here by a friend’s dog who is wild when they meet anyone and jumps all over them- it’s a nightmare).

I currently look after a neighbour’s cockapoo once a week and that’s worked very well but even though she’s small she’s bloody strong when she pulls.

I probably do also need to reconsider the idea of a rescue but that does feel a bit chancy- so many do have issues.

Fair enough, although I did say I had no experience of the company and I assume anyone buying an animal will do their own research!

Get in contact with a good dog trainer in your area. Speak to them about your requirements and what type of dog you are looking for.

With their help, you can train an older puppy/ young dog to your liking. Not a cheap option, but a solid one that is specific to your needs.

I have a wonderful dog trainer, she is great with humans and their dogs- all training is tailored to build that bond & great team work!
(We do agility so it's ongoing, we also have a lady there with reduced mobility, watching the 3 of them during training is a real treat!)

The chances of getting a 'failed' guide dog are vanishingly rare, they screen them so well now that most dogs pass their training and those that don't tend to get offered to volunteers and walkers/trainers first.

I think your best bet is a rescue, but pick out a couple of smaller, breed-specific rescues and develop a relationship with them. They'll help you find the right dog but it will take time. Then once you have the dog, you or someone else in the family should start assistance dog training. No dog is bombproof 100% of the time but if you put the effort into training then you'll get the dog you need.

Retired Greyhound would be perfect
Doesn't need much excerise
Will be lead and house trained

They just want sleep and rubs

I probably do also need to reconsider the idea of a rescue but that does feel a bit chancy- so many do have issues.

"Issues" can mean anything from pulling on the lead to severe separation anxiety. A good rescue will let you meet the dog, answer any questions and spend plenty of time with the dog (even on a foster basis if you want) before you commit, so you now what you're getting yourself into.

A lot of dogs end up in rescue through no fault of their own - because their owners circumstances have changed, or they've become sick or passed away.

Personally I would stay clear of any company like WKD who offer "ready trained dogs". There's no such thing, for starters.

If you have a particular breed in mind it is probably worth contacting reputable breeders as many will sell retired show dogs (12 - 18 months, often male). These dogs are very good on a lead and are well socialised.

I bought a failed show dog he was 10 months old. His exceedingly reputable breeder kept 2 dogs from a litter with a view to keeping the best one to show successfully at Crufts and stand as a stud dog. My dog didn’t quite make the grade. He been shown so he walks beautifully on his lead, he was house trained used to travelling in a car to shows etc was well socialised with people and other dogs, used to being handled by strangers and of course being groomed he’s a handsome confident friendly dog. He now leads a rough and tumble life getting muddy on farm land and running on a beach I think he’s loving his new life. I would do it again.
I understand it’s not uncommon for breeders to do this they are unable to tell at 8 weeks old exactly how good a puppy will be. This means that if you can get a dog like this they are an outstanding example of the breed, their parents are likely to have had all the necessary health checks because the breeder is thinking they will eventually stand at stud assuming they are successful in the show ring, the breeder is also likely to be exceedingly dedicated to the breed and very knowledgeable. So you’re getting a meticulously bred well behaved and well socialised dog who you will know everything about.

Thank you all so much for your ideas. I’m feeling quite inspired now. Thanks essentially @ElizabethanAgain and @Corgiowner I love these suggestions.

I will be getting my research started and I already have a fabulous dog trainer available to me as she walked and looked after my boy for 13.5 years.

Go through the breed club either local or national depending on how popular the breed(s) you’re interested in is. It’s likely with a less popular breed and thus a smaller club members will probably know of any breeders who are keeping two young dogs from a litter with a view to eventually selling one, or attend a specific breed show and talk to members. You’ll also get a chance to chat to breeders who are very dedicated to the breed and will happily discuss what to look for, necessary specific health checks and a the particular breeds pros and cons.