Becoming an ‘experienced’ owner

[DominoRules]

Morning all

We would like to add a second dog to our family, current is a 3 year old male Springer and our first dog (both grew up with dogs too).

We got him as a puppy but ideally would love to rescue this time. I know we aren’t experienced enough to take on dogs with complex problems but we’ve tried applying for the sadly multiple young spaniels (6-12 months) and keep getting nowhere due to lack of experience.

Is there anything I can do to make us more attractive to rehome? I’ve found a Springer rescue near me so will see if I can do some volunteering there and I thought perhaps a course on dog behaviour??

I'm pretty sure there is someone on here who fosters for SpanielAid and would have lots of advice.

My mum re-homed from Spaniels Aid. When her current girl goes, she might foster. I guess she's a bit different as she had 30+ years breeding (Goldies) so she did go into it with her eyes open. She was also v. willing to take on a dog who - being brutally honest - no one else would ever have touched. My mums dog had so many issues...SA, reactivity, resource guarding, couldn't live with men or children, shadow chasing and was up for adoption for months and they had basically no applicants for her.

Everyone wants the young dog with no problems, who can live with other dogs or cats or children. They'll get 50+ applications for those dogs.

If you have children (not sure if you do from your OP), a dog already, want a young dog and one with no issues...your pool of dogs will be tiny and your competition to re-home will be very high.

In the end, it's not about making yourself a better candidate or a more attractive prospective home - because there will always be someone a bit better, that's just life - it's about being willing to compromise and go for dogs that aren't perfect.

Sorry, that's probably not what you want to hear...

Experience is just years of owning and training different dogs. You can't buy it.

I think volunteering for a rescue is your best bet. You get to know the dogs looking for a home, the people get to know you. It's the best way to get the right dog.

Thanks all

@LandSharksAnonymous we’d be more than happy to take one less than perfect, I’m quite comfortable with one that would need training and minor issues (I have a brilliant gundog trainer who I train with my current one who only works with spaniels) but I’m not sure we’re confident to take one on with big issues (and we’ve been told a straight no on those) - my DC are teenagers and we also have a cat so that rules some out.

Yes, I think there's a big difference between the sort of behaviour issue that means "eats shoes, pulls like a train, howls when you leave, not reliably house trained" and "risk to children and other pets". A friend has a rescue who is great with cats but aggressive towards all other dogs and to men. I couldn't cope with that.

Your dog is very young still. Two young dogs can be VERY hard work!

Do you have a training club nearby you can offer to help with? I’ve only had two dogs of my own as an adult but I’ve been teaching with some behavioural work for over 15 years as a volunteer so that’s where I’ve got my experience. I’ve got paper qualifications but the real life is much better.

We were turned down by SA repeatedly when we were trying to rescue due to lack of experience. Spaniels are the bread and butter breed in my classes. So it’s nothing personal.

@Newpeep yep I would envisage a certain amount of chaos 😂 but we love the spaniel exuberance in our house and have plenty of time and energy for more!

I do actually help out at our club where we do Hoopers/Scentwork with some of her other clients who have some anxiety issues - well my dog does as he’s a brilliant stooge, I’m just there to hold the lead! But I’m sue she’d love some other help

Appeciate everyone’s views so thank you