Taking on or rehoming cockapoo - behavioural issues

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A family member has recently passed away leaving behind their lovely but very lively cockapoo. Their partner is looking after the dog but never really wanted the dog in the first place and doesn’t fit their lifestyle (working away etc). Dog is well loved but owner looking to rehome (not just giving to shelter and running). I would like to give the dog a home and keep them in the family. However, issue is the dog is a lockdown dog and not well socialised/trained even though they did do an initial training course. I have a young child and dog does tend to jump up/bark a lot. The dog is very very loud and barks constantly when doors are opened, at noises, at my child etc. I do work full time but can do shorter days a couple of days a week and could pay for dog walker/day care.

My main question is if anybody has experience paying for a behaviourist/trainer to sort out the issues above, or if no experience, knowledge of whether it could work especially in a cockapoo breed. I’d never leave any dog unsupervised with my child so would be careful in that respect. Also prepared to be told it would be best to rehome elsewhere but thought would be nice to explore this avenue beforehand as know relative would have wanted to keep the dog in the family. Thank you!

Doesn’t sound a good fit for your lifestyle either OP. Would you have got a dog, if this unfortunate situation hadn’t occurred? Unfortunately the cockerpoos I know some are very needy, think carefully. Could you have the dog for a weekend and see what you think? Also factor in the cost involved. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Perhaps a trial as Roselilly suggests Op.

The dog is youngish so should be trainable - perhaps research classes for rehomed dogs in your area - the dog trainer I went to ran just such a class, for older dogs and their new owners.

But you need to first determine if that’s something you would be willing to tackle.

For what it’s worth, my SIL took on my MILs dog when MIL was no longer able to look after him. In that case, it was not a great fit , as the dog got very unsettled whenever he saw MIL. So perhaps think about how much contact you will have with remaining family member, and whether that would be an issue.

Honestly, I don't think this sounds like a good idea at all.

For starters, you can't put an anxious, badly socialised dog into daycare - it wouldn't be fair on them and tbh, it's likely the daycare wouldn't even accept them (and if they did, I would question their standards).

You then need to think about how you're realistically going to cope with a small child plus a dog with behavioural issues on a permanent basis, because it won't be easy. Anxious dogs need a lot of management and very, very consistent training. Small children tend to be noisy, unpredictable and quite scary, so you need to think about how you'd manage both of them without one being permanently shut away somewhere (and let's be honest, that's likely to be the dog).

What are you going to do about days out? Weekends? Holidays? Trips where you can't take the dog? How will you be able to train and walk the dog when you work full-time and have a small child to take care of?

Lots of interesting perspectives thanks all. To be honest, no I wouldn’t have got a dog without this heartbreaking enough situation happening as I am a busy working mum but working mainly school hours and then work when my little boy is in bed, I’m not out the house for full days all week. The last thing I want to do is treat the dog unfairly or cause more anxiety to them, just exploring an avenue of thought to try to make the rehoming situation a bit easier on everyone. Lots to think about!

It sounds like you have enough on your plate without taking on a young, badly socialised dog with behavioural problems.

A decent rehoming organisation would find him a home that would be a better fit for the future. I think (may be wrong) that you are underestimating the time, effort and money it would take to make this dog a suitable pet for your family. Even with an experienced owner this dog would be a bit of a challenge.

I think the dog would be much better served with being rehomed by a rescue. It’s a really kind thought but he’s going to be a ‘project’ dog and need a lot of input. He’d need to be your whole life at least for a while.

Not underestimated anything as really was only a thought and am in no way committed, I just thought it was an avenue worth exploring. I’ll do whatever it takes for him to have the best life, he deserves it after suddenly losing his owner, but is obviously another heartache after dealing with death of said very close family member! Thanks all, more experienced than I am so sure you all know the work it would take. I just have a bigger heart than I have time I think.

The dog sounds like a project, but not impossible. How committed are you to having the dog? How much time are you willing to spend with the dog in terms of training? Remember this could easily be a commitment over the dogs lifetime.

I took on a wayward & crazy cookerpoo. The one thing that turned her round from hyperactive bouncy ball to chilled couch pooch is regular training sessions. We do Agility twice a week and some obedience. Sometimes more as we have just started competing. It's expensive and time consuming. But she's happy because she has a job, an opportunity to use that Poodle brain and get rid of that Spaniel energy.

So think carefully before committing. Sometimes a bit of training or a behaviourist is enough, sometimes it isn't- as I have found out.
I love her, she's ace, but I don't think I'd ever have another one.

When looking at a dog there are two things people seem to forget.

Are you the right home for that dogs needs
And
Is this the right dog for you.

If you're havering over either answer, it's not a good match of dog and humans and both deserve the best. So the dog goes to someone else who is the right home for them.

I do work full time but can do shorter days a couple of days a week and could pay for dog walker/day care.

If that is not WFH then no. You do not get a dog and leave it alone all day with just a dog walker or fob it off onto day care five days a week - the behavioural issues that will come from that...disaster. One day a week is okay...but five days? Definitely not.

Spanielaid. They need to take the dog to spaniel aid who will thoroughly check it over and find the right home.

You should not take it - too many variables/risks. And you should not let them just fob it off on randomers. People lie. Worst case scenario it ends up in dog baiting.

I'm sorry for the loss of your family member, but this dog needs to go to Spaniel aid. They're very good (my mums currently fostering a dog for them) and really do take care of the animals and ensure they find a good home.

Another vote for contacting Spaniel Aid to assist in finding a new home for this dog. Fantastic charity that really look after the best interests of the dog.

Thank you to those with practical advice. Will have a look at Spaniel aid tonight

Working full time with a poorly socialised and trained young dog, which is a cross between two working breeds, including one with a proclivity to resource guard when you have a young child? Hell no.

Get in touch with spaniel aid they are fantastic and foster based so no prolonged periods in kennels and will be able to offer a farm more appropriate set up than yours