Has anyone adopted a dog from the Dogs Trust?

[doggylife2]

Has anyone adopted a dog from the dog trust?
What was your experience?
I have just applied to adopt a dog. The dog is 7 1/2 years old.
I received an automated email to say they have experienced a high volume of enquiries recently so it will take a couple of weeks before they can get back to me based on this initial inquiry.

It does give a timeframe on the website of the process, but I wanted to check with people their real experiences of what happened. Thank you

I rehomed a nearly 8 year old dog from them about 5 1/2 years ago.

I think the process might have changed since then because I went into my nearest centre, spoke to staff and filled out a paper form. I could then apply for specific dogs. It took me a while to find a dog as I knew what I could and couldn't handle and the more straight forward dogs are often rehomed very quickly. At that time (I don't know about now) they gave the dog to the first suitable home if multiple people were interested - which is hard if you don't live close to the centre and can't drop everything immediately. I also don't think it's always the best thing for the dog. I felt quite despondent at points, it was definitely a roller coaster of emotions. But that was also the case with the RSPCA/SSPCA too. Once I'd matched with a dog it was very quick and straight-forward. I also found them very pragmatic.

If you can, I'd recommend going in to the centre where the dog you've applied for is to get some more information because of the two week wait on the automated response.

My dog is an absolute belter. It hasn't all been plain sailing and I've had to put at lot of work in for some things (I was niaeve to how hard it can be to undo bad habits) but he's amazing and it's been great seeing him enjoy life. He's definitely enriched my life.

I think it has changed now. It says on their website that you can’t apply for a specific dog.
I did find a dog on the website who seems just like what I want (one that’s fine to be around a child). The centre that that Dog is at is 2 1/2 hours drive from me which I don’t mind.

They are currently in a foster home. I contacted the centre nearest to me today and they said they have received my application form and because I have ‘favourited’ that dog it also adds that to my profile so the centre where the dog is based should be notified.

they’ve said they will be in touch within a couple of weeks, but they will likely try to find a dog closer to me. I don’t mind travelling.
But it does say on the website you need to visit the dog several times first.

That's good the relevant rehoming centre has been alerted and you've spoken to your local one. My experience is that often when they say a dog needs several visits that they want someone local to the centre because of the commitment / travel involved. I'd also want to know more about the dogs background because often the ones that need several meet and greets are anxious / slow to trust people. I'd want to know more about that as they've been okayed to live with children.

Try and see it as if this dog is not right for you, and you are not right for this dog, that that's a good thing to know now. It's easier said when you're not in the searching phase, but it's worth waiting for the right dog. I wish you luck.