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The doghouse

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Original poster

Adopting older puppy…

28 replies

ListenLinda · 02/01/2025 22:42

Hi,
just asking for some info and experiences, as I’m potentially going to be a first time dog owner and just wanting to know what to expect re the process.

bit of a back story is a woman we know, her female dog had a little of pups last march (one of the litter was to a relative of mine), all but one pup was bought/homed, the breeder chose to keep one of the pups back. It’s now become apparent that she can not give the pup the time or attention he deserves, he is in his crate for most of the day, let out for wees in the garden now and again, barely walked or not regularly etc. she is looking to rehome and we have expressed an interest, as if we didnt take this pup it would be a few years before we would be in a posistion to again.

Anyway, we have been discussing and she hasnt yet told her children she is looking to rehome and is going to this coming Monday, at which point she will then discuss a transistion period where we effectively share the dog for a few weeks. Is this normal practice for a 10 month old pup?
i’m not naive to think he would be able to come home with us straight away but i’m
not sure how this would work practically?

plus i’m also a little concerned that my own children will meet him, fall in love, we would make purchases and arrangements and the breeder could change her mind and decide to keep him.

i’m unsure of how to approach this, does anyone have any advice?

OP posts:
Onedaynotyet · 02/01/2025 22:51

If you are absolutely sure that you want him and can manage him for the next 12-15 years or so, I think I would want to take pup altogether. Very, very confusing for him to be 'shared.' He will need to bond with his new people and start learning from them. 10 months is late to start socialising, house training, lead walking, all he has to learn.
Good luck. It sounds like he needs a new home.

PeppyMintWriter · 02/01/2025 22:52

I’ve just picked up a 1 yo puppy from a lady who was unable to give her the time and attention she deserved. I met the pup and lady and made the decision there and then and was back to pick her up within the week.
i would say in your situation that it is really dragging out the inevitable. It would really be kinder for the pup to be rehomed and in his new life as soon as possible. Being so young they forget quickly. Any to’ing and fro’ing between the homes would be very unsettling for the puppy. They do need to know who their mum is and settle into a routine quickly. They love and benefit from a stable routine, just like young children.

It’s very wrong to keep him cooped up in a crate too much. As a breeder she should know better. I also think she’s only doing it so as not to upset her kids but the pup is suffering and really should be priority here. The poor little mite. I hope you get him and give him the good life he deserves.

DogInATent · 02/01/2025 22:59

I’m potentially going to be a first time dog owner and just wanting to know what to expect re the process

Dogs are great, but what do you consider of the prospect of 15 years of never being able to plan a day out, meal out, or holiday, without first considering what you'll do with the dog? Having to plan when and how long you can work or leave the home to minimise the time the dog is on its own? Have you budgeted for food, vet insurance, pet health club, vet bills not covered by insurance, AHC if you plan on travelling abroad, etc.

Rainbowstripes · 03/01/2025 00:35

I took on my dog when he was approx 10 months and I honestly think the situation you've described would have been a nightmare. It's much easier to have a complete change so the dog can get used to his new life and new family, imo it would be far more confusing for a dog to go back and forth.
Good luck! My dog was a challenge when I first took him on, had absolutely no training or manners, wasn't toilet trained and wasn't interested in people at all and he's the most loving, special dog I've ever had now. It's 100% worth putting the effort in when you first take them on, I'd budget for a training class or similar because it's a great way to bond and socialise

LandSharksAnonymous · 03/01/2025 07:03

She sounds like a shit breeder and owner and that dog will be riddled with various issues - you’d be mad to touch it, and irresponsible given you have your own kids.

Find a decent breeder. Be prepared to wait.

Original poster
ListenLinda · 03/01/2025 08:09

DogInATent · 02/01/2025 22:59

I’m potentially going to be a first time dog owner and just wanting to know what to expect re the process

Dogs are great, but what do you consider of the prospect of 15 years of never being able to plan a day out, meal out, or holiday, without first considering what you'll do with the dog? Having to plan when and how long you can work or leave the home to minimise the time the dog is on its own? Have you budgeted for food, vet insurance, pet health club, vet bills not covered by insurance, AHC if you plan on travelling abroad, etc.

We have considered and discussed all this yes, we can do this and think we can give this lovely boy a good home and a good life.

my sister has dogs so I know the above is always something that has to be considered 😊

OP posts:
Original poster
ListenLinda · 03/01/2025 08:15

Onedaynotyet · 02/01/2025 22:51

If you are absolutely sure that you want him and can manage him for the next 12-15 years or so, I think I would want to take pup altogether. Very, very confusing for him to be 'shared.' He will need to bond with his new people and start learning from them. 10 months is late to start socialising, house training, lead walking, all he has to learn.
Good luck. It sounds like he needs a new home.

From what we have been told, he is crate trained and is toilet trained, but he doesn’t walk well on a lead because he doesn’t get walked very often.
he has been around kids of all ages in a busy house (think 4 kids and mum & partner & another dog in the house) so is very placid & good natured.

I know that it will take time and effort, i’m
not a total novice around dogs and know that when they are little pups there is a period of time they need to stay with Mum, but sharing him for a few weeks sounds bizarre to me.

OP posts:
EdithStourton · 03/01/2025 08:25

I'd want to know how much socialisation he's had: is he okay with traffic, dogs he's not met before, horses, air brakes on buses etc, passing trains, signs swinging in the wind? What's he like with new people, umbrellas, wheelchairs, walking sticks, big flapping coats?

If his experience of the world is very limited, he might struggle, and it will be difficult at his age to get him used to all these things.

In your shoes, I'd also ask to be able to take him to my vet before making a final decision, to have him checked out for anything obvious.

I don't want to be a downer, as this dog sounds like a sweetie - and desperately needs a better home - but the situation also needs to be fair on you and your family.

LadyGaGasPokerFace · 03/01/2025 08:33

I took on a year old street dog in the summer. He’s the best thing to ever happen to our family. He’s a wonderful boy and so well behaved and we’ve managed to train him. We had the summer to do this as I work term time only. He goes to doggy daycare once or twice a week so he can socialise with other dogs and dh can go into the office.
We took him to the vet after we got him to make sure everything was fine with him and he’s just perfect.
Sounds like this doggy needs a good home where he gets stimulation and love and is cared for properly rather than left in a crate all day. If you can offer that, I’d go for it!

tabulahrasa · 03/01/2025 11:25

There’s no logical reason to be sharing him - at 10 months he’s either a teenager or a full grown dog depending on breed

Original poster
ListenLinda · 03/01/2025 12:06

tabulahrasa · 03/01/2025 11:25

There’s no logical reason to be sharing him - at 10 months he’s either a teenager or a full grown dog depending on breed

That was my thinking, but I don’t want to be an arsehole with the woman who is giving up her pet. I’m now waiting to hear when the kids have been told and what she proposes from there before any final decisions are made.

OP posts:
Jellycatspyjamas · 03/01/2025 12:12

From what we have been told, he is crate trained and is toilet trained, but he doesn’t walk well on a lead because he doesn’t get walked very often.
he has been around kids of all ages in a busy house (think 4 kids and mum & partner & another dog in the house) so is very placid & good natured.

I’d not assume he’s crate trained, being crate trained and being left in a crate are two different things, you may also find it’s not so much that he’s placid but lack of interaction has made him shut down. I guess what I’m saying is you may end up with a very different dog once he has a routine and a more engaged owner.

Seventimesaday · 03/01/2025 12:20

We took on a 7 month old pup. He was crate trained, house trained, brought up with kids.
But he hadn’t been correctly socialised or walked. 7 years later he can still be a nightmare around some dogs. He is frightened of loud noises and still pulls on the lead. All our holidays are planned around him as we couldn’t leave him in kennels or with a dog sitter as he would be too stressed. We wouldn’t be without home though because he is a lovely quirky dog.

what breed is the dog you’re looking at?

Hoppinggreen · 03/01/2025 12:27

LandSharksAnonymous · 03/01/2025 07:03

She sounds like a shit breeder and owner and that dog will be riddled with various issues - you’d be mad to touch it, and irresponsible given you have your own kids.

Find a decent breeder. Be prepared to wait.

Edited

I agree.
She might really care for the dogs but she's not a good breeder and she either needs to give you the dog or not.
Don't settle for this half arsed situation
Also, you won't be getting a dog, you will be having a MAJOR lifestyle change for up to 15 years and the early days are really tough - you need to be prepared for that

Forgottobuymincepies · 03/01/2025 12:36

Sounds like that poor ddog has a saviour in the way. Her dc can't know it that well from via a crate...

Deadringer · 03/01/2025 12:45

Weird that she would keep a pup that she doesn't have time for instead of selling it and making money on it, either way she is a crap breeder. I would be worried op that she is just using you to help her care for it and socialise it until she suddenly decides to keep it, if you decide to take it, dont agree to the shared ownership. One of your relatives has one of the litter, how has that puppy turned out? I think the breed is relevant here.

Tumbler2121 · 03/01/2025 14:04

Does it already have insurance and all it's jabs? She sounds like a very bad breeder, please get it vet checked before you fall for it. Also ensure that it doesn't have any pre-existing conditions that would make insurance expensive

Original poster
ListenLinda · 03/01/2025 14:18

Deadringer · 03/01/2025 12:45

Weird that she would keep a pup that she doesn't have time for instead of selling it and making money on it, either way she is a crap breeder. I would be worried op that she is just using you to help her care for it and socialise it until she suddenly decides to keep it, if you decide to take it, dont agree to the shared ownership. One of your relatives has one of the litter, how has that puppy turned out? I think the breed is relevant here.

My cousins puppy is a lovely female, well looked after, no issues, just the standard traits of the breed.
They are Beagles.

OP posts:
Original poster
ListenLinda · 03/01/2025 14:19

Tumbler2121 · 03/01/2025 14:04

Does it already have insurance and all it's jabs? She sounds like a very bad breeder, please get it vet checked before you fall for it. Also ensure that it doesn't have any pre-existing conditions that would make insurance expensive

He is currently insured, all vaxs are up to date and he is micro chipped.

OP posts:
Original poster
ListenLinda · 03/01/2025 14:20

Seventimesaday · 03/01/2025 12:20

We took on a 7 month old pup. He was crate trained, house trained, brought up with kids.
But he hadn’t been correctly socialised or walked. 7 years later he can still be a nightmare around some dogs. He is frightened of loud noises and still pulls on the lead. All our holidays are planned around him as we couldn’t leave him in kennels or with a dog sitter as he would be too stressed. We wouldn’t be without home though because he is a lovely quirky dog.

what breed is the dog you’re looking at?

He's a pedigree Beagle.

OP posts:
Forgottobuymincepies · 03/01/2025 14:24

Tell her for microchip he has to have a proper permanent owner +address.... Poor bloody thing..

Hoppinggreen · 03/01/2025 15:51

ListenLinda · 03/01/2025 14:20

He's a pedigree Beagle.

Show quote history

Thats not a dog for beginners generally

KeenOtter · 03/01/2025 16:07

When rehoming privately never ever ever trust what you have been told by the existing owner. They will lie or just not understand what the dog needs hence the rehoming.

Do not take the dog if they want you to share it. Just walk away and let some other mug be taken for a ride.

This rehoming does have a lot of baggage involved and personally I would not get involved with it.

mondaytosunday · 03/01/2025 16:43

Do not agree to this. Either you take the dog completely or not.
Beagles like to roam and you should consider puppy/training classes to help you and the dog get used to walking on the lead and recall. Friends I know with beagles always struggle with recall!
As for it being an older pup, no issue with that, though I'd take the 'house trained' with a pinch of salt. Crate trained he may be but they aren't quite the same.

Original poster
ListenLinda · 10/01/2025 13:24

Hi all,

Just wanted to share, she has told her children and agrees a long transistion isnt beneficial.
We are having an overnight visit tomorrow night, then all being well, he will come home permanently on the 18th of January.

Thanks for all the advice given, it is appreciated!

OP posts:
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