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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Oh my giddy god......

984 replies

HangingOver · 30/09/2024 13:58

I can't actually believe I'm finally typing this... I think I'm getting a dog!

I've wanted one of my own my entire life. I had one growing up and look after friends and neighbours at every available opportunity as I adore dogs so much. A rescue came up locally and I thought he looked lovely, he was snapped up immediately, but came up again yesterday! Me and DP are meeting him this afternoon.

Any tips for meeting a rescue for the first time? Other than being gentle and calm? He's 8 months so a bouncy chap.

ARGGGH! So excited. 😁

OP posts:
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timeaftertome · 02/10/2024 11:20

Just here for the photos. So excited for you op!!

FaceLikeAPairOfTits · 02/10/2024 11:20

I don't even like dogs but I'm loving this wholesome joyful thread! Very excited for you, OP.

Silvers11 · 02/10/2024 11:20

ACynicalDad · 30/09/2024 18:44

I would really dig into why he's up again, but it may be too late now...

@HangingOver I would be wanting to know why it didn't work out with the previous people too. Not trying to rain on your parade, and hope it all works out for you, but it MAY be a red flag, so just be careful!!

gano · 02/10/2024 11:21

HailtotheBop · 02/10/2024 10:39

What a lovely thread this is! Love all the doggy pics and general dog chat. We've recently adopted a galgo (Spanish greyhound) and after a month he's starting to come out of his shell. Good luck with your pup and yes, please share photos! Here's my boy...

What a gorgeous boy. I love sighthounds.

HangingOver · 02/10/2024 11:23

Silvers11 · 02/10/2024 11:20

@HangingOver I would be wanting to know why it didn't work out with the previous people too. Not trying to rain on your parade, and hope it all works out for you, but it MAY be a red flag, so just be careful!!

She explained what happened to the previous adopter and unless she's telling huge fibs I'm satisfied it's nothing DDog did, it was to do with the owners personal circs.

OP posts:
OldieButBaddie · 02/10/2024 11:26

What a lovely thread! Can't wait to see your pics!

MaxandMoritz · 02/10/2024 11:29

GelatinousDynamo has given you loads of good advice.

Remember that he might be calm the first few days then revert to early puppyhood and be a lot less calm!

Apart from having rescues of my own, I volunteered for a while at a kennels. Most of the young dogs that came in for rehoming had not been trained and once past the cute puppy stage had become too much of a handful so were given up. If that's the case the rewards will come later if you give it time and persevere, but it can be hard work to begin with.

I'm sure you're up for that so hope all goes well.

Sia8899 · 02/10/2024 11:29

No advice as I’ve never had a dog (yet) but congratulations!!! I hope you absolutely adore each other ☺️☺️. I hope this will be me in a few years and I’ll definitely be just as excited as you!

ImNunTheWiser · 02/10/2024 11:31

HangingOver · 02/10/2024 10:34

It's also the first time I've dusted in a while 😂

It’ll be the last time you dust for a while too, best get used to it…
(first attempt at cleaning sitting room this week eight weeks after bringing current rescue dog home. He kept running off with my duster 🙄)

julesover40 · 02/10/2024 11:32

HangingOver · 02/10/2024 10:51

What did you lovely lot do the MOMENT you got yours home? Do I give him a tour?

So excited for you and loving all the gorgeous doggy pics.
We rescued our girl at 4 months, she's now 3. When we first bought her home she basically hid beside with washing machine (quiet corner) for an hour. Then slowly started sniffing her way round.
Be prepared for a few very unsettled nights. Ours would happily nap in the day while the house was busy, but really unsettled during the nights. We took turns sleeping downstairs next to her for a week.
She also still has her crate, although she's quite small. It's always open and she retreats to it for quiet time (although sleeps through the night on her favourite sofa).
I'm feeling ridiculously excited for you x

cardibach · 02/10/2024 11:33

What @MaxandMoritz says about training. The dogs’ home I volunteer at has a dog psychologist who starts the de- and re- programming of dogs who have suffered from insufficient training or socialisation as puppies, but we always recommend obedience/agility/reactivity classes to new owners.
Whever said about sniffs was right too. Don’t rush hm on his walks. Let him sniff as much as he wants, it’s good for his stress levels and is using up energy as well as walking would be. Don’t worry if you only go a mile in an hour. It’s often the way with rescue dogs (though others go like Duracell bunnies…).

ImNunTheWiser · 02/10/2024 11:36

DonttouchthatLarry · 02/10/2024 10:55

I am loving this thread and all the photos of gorgeous dogs! OP I am so excited for you and cannot wait to see him and find out his name. My 4 month old flatty is Fox and here he is with his big brothers 8 year old flatty Joss and 2.5 year old working cocker Ziggy.

I’ve got a Ziggy too!

Oh my giddy god......
FrannieY · 02/10/2024 11:36

That’s wonderful, I’m so happy for you and your new boy! Typing this with my 10th rescue snuggled up to me on the sofa.

if you haven’t already done so, I’d recommend lifetime pet insurance, the highest cover you can get the better. Lifetime means the condition is covered for life with that insurer but, if something is wrong, you’ll struggle to get it covered with a new insurer. Rescues usually start you off with 4-weeks with PetPlan.

I use Many Pets where you only pay one excess a year, no matter how many conditions you claim for - which has saved me a fortune - and they’ve been very good with my last 4 dogs.

Re the gate, it’s worth changing the hinge to a spring one so there’s no risk of it being open if your curious dog gets out accidentally.

Grannick’s Bitter Apple spray is great for deterring furniture biters. I bought the refills and a cheap water spray bottle to save money but have used it for over a dozen dogs over the years with great success.

My final tip is music. I sang to all the dogs I collected from rescue and a friend’s puppy if they started crying or howling en route and, even now, they love those songs. I also leave music playing when I go out so they’re not alone.

You will find some days challenging but kindness and patience will be rewarded. Mine always responded more to cuddles than treats and were also trained to hand signals, as well as words. They just want to please you and be loved.

Beat of luck!

DramaAlpaca · 02/10/2024 11:37

I am LOVING this thread Smile

And I'm totally placemarking for pictures of OP's new pup.

HangingOver · 02/10/2024 11:38

Lads, were on trending! Ddog practically viral already!

One hour til pick up. Feel like nervous system is entirely full of springs and berocca.

OP posts:
Turnitoffnonagain · 02/10/2024 11:39

Also loving this thread, and here for the pics.
When we brought our pup home we let him have a good sniff around before anything else. Also let him sniff around the garden. I think it helped with toilet training. Good luck OP. 🐕Excited for you.

Lentilweaver · 02/10/2024 11:40

HangingOver · 02/10/2024 11:38

Lads, were on trending! Ddog practically viral already!

One hour til pick up. Feel like nervous system is entirely full of springs and berocca.

😁I love dogs but can't have one. Hope he's everything you ever wished for. Great thread.

Turnitoffnonagain · 02/10/2024 11:41

Maybe try to calm yourself a bit OP, they pick up on your emotions, you don't want him weeing on you!

troppibambini6 · 02/10/2024 11:43

Oh what a lovely thread. I'm so excited for you and totally here for the pictures!

ImNunTheWiser · 02/10/2024 11:43

HangingOver · 02/10/2024 10:51

What did you lovely lot do the MOMENT you got yours home? Do I give him a tour?

Recommend going straight in to the garden if possible. Let him walk around having a sniff/wee etc. Assuming your garden is secure, leave the lead attached but no need to walk him round - let him sniff it out for himself. Sit calmly at a table if you’ve got one and wait for him to come back over. Then go inside. We always let the dog go at their own pace - house lead attached but trailing. I follow them but too closely, close enough to avert disaster but not too close as to crowd them. Presumably you’ve done a bit of dog proofing around the house already. They usually want to look in every room, so I let them, even if they’re not going to be having access in future (mine don’t go upstairs for example but I let them up there to sniff it out on day one). Then when they’re done they may be happy to sit in the same room as you for a bit. If he wants to hide, let him, won’t last for long. Plan on being slow and quiet for the duration. No pressure on either of you. Don’t feel you have to walk him for the first day or even first few days.

Karmaisac4t · 02/10/2024 11:43

Placemarking for pics of the pup! Happy for you day to you both!

troppibambini6 · 02/10/2024 11:45

My two are very excited for you too!!! 💙💙

Oh my giddy god......
Oh my giddy god......
YonderTweek · 02/10/2024 11:47

Eek! This is the best trending thread I've seen for ages. I wanna see pictures! 😍

InferiorDesign · 02/10/2024 11:47

Squeeeeee good luck x

BourbonsAreOverated · 02/10/2024 11:49

From a long term renter whose heart is aching for a dog

HOW FUCKING AMAZING for you! I’m thrilled. It’s going to be occasionally bumpy, but incredible. Congratulations

Swipe left for the next trending thread