Choosing a rescue dog?

[Moonlightfrog]

We have been wanting to rescue a dog for a while, we lost our dog 5 years ago (staffie) but since then a dog went for my daughter and she became a little nervous of dogs, my daughter is 19 and autistic. Since then we have been looking after other peoples dogs when they go away, the dogs have been calm ish and my daughter has got used to being around them. My daughter will never show affection towards a dog (she show no affection towards anything including humans) but she does notice when they need things and will let them out, throw a ball or help with feeding. I have another daughter who has just finished uni and is home a lot, she also feels we need a dog in the house.

I am in contact with several rescues but I am finding it hard to actually arrange meeting dogs as I know I will want the first one I see. There are so many dogs in rescue at the moment and I am a sucker for a sad staffie face.

I walk a lot so I want a dog that can walk well off lead and on. I am willing to do a bit of training but ideally need a dog with potential to walk off lead, due to this it needs to get in with other dogs and travel well in the car…..again this can be worked on. I feel like a rescue will think I am being too fussy wanting these things? Is it possible to get a rescue dog that’s already partly trained? Most of the dogs I see in rescues have some issues and many are not dog friendly.

I am probably massively over thinking things, I do have the time to work in training but I don’t want to be confined to the house with a dog I can’t take out with me (I walk daily and will be walking other dogs).

So is it possible to get what I want from a rescue? How do I choose which dog to take on? And will a rescue work with me to ensure a gentle introduction for my dd (possibly several visits and/or foster before adopting)?

I really don’t want a puppy and would love to rescue a dog.

The big nationwide rescues are fairly inflexible - they’ll really only offer slow introductions if it’s because the dog needs that, but smaller local ones or breed specific ones tend to be more able to tailor stuff more to you.

Re trained dogs in rescue, yes, and no….

It’s often real hard to tell how much training a dog in rescue has had, due to how they ended up there there’s not often a full history and they’re in a new environment with new people and with dogs learning is very situational. My dogs have different levels of recall depending on whether it’s me or DP walking them even for eg.

IMO you want to find a rescue and approach them without necessarily having a specific dog in mind and focus more on that you need a calmish/gentle dog and aren’t up for behavioural issues - and then basic training you can just do once you have it as needed.

I know you mentioned wanting to walk the dog off the lead but would you consider a greyhound? There are easy to get because there are so many. The racers get rid of them at about 4 years old. They are majestic dogs, very kind and placid and sleep all day. There is a rescue called Wimbledon Greyhoud Rescue and you can walk the dogs for them. I am sure others would be delighted for that too. That way you get to know the dogs and which one would suit you. You could walk hours with one. But yes, unless you are in a private field with high fences they can’t go off the lead. I would say a small compromise for a wonderful dog. Maybe use a cross body lead?

Second asking at smaller, local animal rescues. They seem to be much more able to take it slow and try and find the right dog for you. I’ve seen in lots that you fill in a general application form and they try and find the right dog for you. You could also try fostering first maybe. Good luck! I’m a sucker for a sad staffie face too.

I had a list of wants like this when I was wanting a rescue dog a few years ago.
I ended up getting an older Spanish rescue who was super gentle and calm. She was such a beautiful soul. We had her for 4 years. She was the best girl.
We got younger ones this time, who are more of a handful, but I really think that more people should consider getting an older rescue if they need a calmer pet. It is much easier to see their personalities and match them up.
They are so often overlooked because people are worried they wont get as long with them, which is true, but I think its worth it, and honestly you still bond just as much

Spaniel aid often seem to have this kind of dog looking for homes. They often come with some issues like resource guarding so aren’t great for home with little children but sounds like it could suit you- guarding is something that can be worked on if they have it. Spaniels are often great with recall and love walks.

Thank you. We have considered a greyhound/lurcher before but for me the off lead walking is a must (or eventually), I work outside and would like the dog to come with me and me not worry that it’s off chasing a deer.

I have had a spaniel before and would consider older when it’s this kind of breed as I know they still walk for miles even when they are older. I’m. Not sure about the amount of dog hair. I grew up with spaniels and remember my school uniform being covered in hair.

Ideally I want a medium size dog, not keen in small breeds and my house isn’t big enough for a large breed. My garden is a good size though and dog proof.

I will talk to a few rescues and possibly offer to foster. We have no small children in the house and no cats or small furries. Dd is my only concern because she is autistic and can move quickly so our home wouldn’t be good for a nervous dog.

As a pp said, look for a local rescue, don’t bother with the big ones. A local one will work with you to find the right dog and give you the opportunity to meet them.

Lots do a foster for a few weeks before committing, which is what we did, this way if the dog wasn’t suitable, then we simply said so and they looked for an alternative home for the dog and kept looking for us.

Have you considered a failed guide dog, or other assistance dog?

I just checked spaniel aid and there’s not much in my area. I am down south/west and most of their dogs are up north.

A failed gun dog or assist and dog could be a good idea, I will look into it.

A local rescue I follow do allow fostering for 2 weeks before adoption, currently they haven’t got much that ticks my boxes (mainly the size) but they constantly have dogs coming in so I might just need to be patient.

@Moonlightfrog I didn't want to 'choose' my rescue dog either! I hated the act of scrolling through photos and feeling guilty towards the ones I didn't like. So I went online to the Dogs Trust where you fill out a form and they match you with a dog. You can give a preference but I didn't and the one they picked for me was a 5 year old bulldog but I had seen her photo and suspected she would have breathing issues. They had picked her because she could be left on her own while I was at work but I wanted a dog to come to work with me. I also didn't think this dog could cope with the walking I wanted to do so after a short conversation (all this done on the phone) they suggested a labX who was younger, no history who paid zero attention to me as she was focussed on the treats in the pocket of the handler .

She's been with me for nearly 2 years now and brightens every single day for me. .

@Moonlightfrog you need to be checking Spaniel Aid daily - within the last few weeks they've had multiple dogs in the South-West/South-East including some really lovely ones. They just tend to go very quickly (likely because there aren't many dogs that come up in the south). I've seen dogs go 'reserved' with a day before.

You really do have to be patient. Finding the right dog takes time, particularly if it's a rescue.

Thank you.
I have found one dog that fits our needs but she’s in Birmingham. I am not sure if rescues will adopt to people out of the area? It does say she travels well in the car and we would be happy to drive to Birmingham to view her and then again to bring her home if she’s a match. She’s 6 years old and almost identical to a dog I look after. She loves sleeping on the the bed (which is what I want), ignores other dogs on walks and can be left for a few hours if needed.

It’s so hard. My Fb news feed is now full of rescue dogs and I feel sorry for all of them, it’s so hard to chose one.

Rescue dogs are supposed to be the easiest to train, because they're so eager to please the person who took them out of the dogs home and wants to be loved. There was a programme on channel four years ago where they trained rescues to be assistance dogs and they were really successful.
There are certain things you can filter for eg: getting on with other dogs. Why does the dog have to walk off lead? If it isn't happy in the car you can make adjustments like giving them a long lasting treat like a long for the journey.

I work outdoors and need my hands free, which is why I would like the dog to be ok off lead, the same reason for needing to travel in the car (I work in different locations). I also live in an area that hasn’t got many dog walking spots (thanks to development) so to take the dog to a field or the woods it would have to travel in the car. I know these are things that can be worked on but obviously some breeds just aren’t suitable to be off lead due to high prey drive.

Giving a dog food in the car, particularly a long last chew, is a terrible idea. I’d have thought it was so obviously a terrible idea I’m surprised anyone has suggested it…

And also nonsense that rescues are easier to train. Lots are incredibly stressed - particularly if they have been in kennels and not foster homes - and ‘training’ is the last thing people should be prioritising.

Once again, I’m just staggered by how little people on dogshouse seem to know about dogs.

I'm so sorry to have distressed you to such an extent.
Pardon me for workinv with dogs for years in a dogs home and had several rescues myself.
A Kong filled with a lickable substance such as pate (especially frozen) is a very good thing to give a dog as they often lick to calm themselves.

It's a terrible idea.

No need to be sarcastic and rude when someone has expressed concern about silly advice being given.

I'm surprised you claim to have so much experience because for someone who claims to know a lot about dogs, you seem to know even less than my 11 year old.

You need to have a look back at the thread to see who was the one who started to be "rude" and "sarcastic".
T'ra love.

I hadn't seen that you said you worked outside, I can now understand your specifications. Obviously your dog hunt will take longer and be more involved than one for an ordinary pet.
My post should have said Kong instead of long, at the end.

Interesting that you edited your scathing reply. Presumably trying to make it look as though you weren't being so aggressive.

All of what OP said in reply to you was in her first post.

I wasn't rude or sarcastic initially, giving a dog a long-lasting chew whilst in a moving vehicle is a terrible idea. The fact you cannot understand why it might be a bad idea, was why I became sarcastic.

And the fact you think rescue dogs are easy to train, makes me really surprised you have had rescue dogs. Do you not know the 3/3/3 rule? Even in dogs that are balanced and haven't suffered any abuse/harm at the hands of humans previously, new homes are traumatic dog dogs - everyone knows that - and it takes them 3/3/3 to really show themselves, and even then it can take years for them to truly settle. So saying 'training them is easy' and they are more biddable is just nonsense.

But I will say this: you know nothing about dogs, and suggesting giving a dog in a car - that may slam on it's brakes at any moment - a treat (and particularly something like a Kong - where they are well known to get lodged in dogs mouths and suffocate them) is nothing short of one of the most foolish things I have ever read on mumsnet.

And I edited my previous reply as I pressed send to quickly - the downside of walking and typing.

But you can't reason with muppets, I've learnt that after many arguments with similar people...it's a shame, as your heart is clearly in the right place. I'm very sorry if you feel that my comments are aggressive. But I think advice that misleads OP by suggesting training a rescue is easy, and offering advice that could put a dog in significant harm, needs to be called out for what it is - dangerous, and incorrect.

Looks as though you might have the right dog for you now but I was coming on to say maybe consider a collie or collie cross. There are always a lot in our local rescue and they usually ignore other dogs, have good recall and are very trainable. I know they can also be anxious ans high energy but for someone with an outdoor lifestyle like you seem to have it seems a good fit to me.

You set the tone love.
We all talk from our own experiences and knowledge, and a bit of respect doesn't go amiss.
I suggested a Kong, unfortunately my phone corrected it to long. If you choose the right size Kong your dog will never choke on it. Also I assume other people have some sense and OP obviously has experience with dogs so she wouldn't give them anything they could choke on. A dog should be firmly secure in a car, either in a boot type area (I'll specify that the parcel shelf should be taken off because im sure you'd accuse me ify encouraging people to lock their dogs in a boot) or a crate and that minimises movement

Not all dogs in shelters are traumatized - past being put in a shelter - but yes some are. One I worked with had a kettle of boiling water poured on his back, one (our current pet dog) was used for bait in dog fights, so your "333" would be completely useless in the case of those and similarly traumatised dogs.
Our dog will never trust strangers and it took him at least 2 years to properly relax, trust us and show his true character in our home. It took him months to sniff on walks because he constantly had his head up looking around him. And I certainly wouldn't trust him near children, even if they were as old as 11 years of age.
As I've said, I've seen (been taught by behaviourists), read and watched things which say that dogs from shelters can be trained more easily (I'll highlight for the highly pedantic that I don't mean 100% of dogs) than dogs from breeders.
Next time, maybe be a bit less patronising and a little more enquiring.

I have filled out their forms several times but I never hear back!