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The doghouse

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

Has anyone had a good experience with a rescue dog?

223 replies

Twoshoesnewshoes · 04/02/2026 09:40

I’m having an interview today to discuss adopting a rescue dog.

she is 2, apparently house trained, okay to leave (although she won’t be left often, and then only for 2-3 hours), and good with cats.
Ive spoken to a few people who have ended up with unsociable, needy and anxious dogs and I’m a bit worried.

we have had dogs before and I was brought up with having dogs.

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redboxer321 · 08/02/2026 09:45

Agree with much of what @CrazyGoatLady has said but just to add there are breeders and breeders. I don't agree with breeding dogs full stop but I can understand the argument about breeding to improve the health of the breed.
But someone who keeps her dogs in kennels and breeds from her bitch four times? That's not a good breeder sorry.

HarshbutTrue2 · 08/02/2026 13:48

I never said she bred her bitch 4 times. That is the kennel club maximum litters allowed per bitch.
For the record she also asked me to keep in touch and I forwarded photos to her.
If everyone stopped breeding puppies, dogs would become extinct. Just saying.

redboxer321 · 08/02/2026 15:09

If everyone stopped breeding puppies, dogs would become extinct. Just saying.

Don't feel you have to answer this, it's just something to think about, but would that really be such a bad thing? Plenty of downsides for sure but, overall, I think it would be best if domesticated dogs were allowed to die out. So many dogs suffer horrendous lives so people can have pups.

HaveYouFedTheFish · 08/02/2026 15:46

Twoshoesnewshoes · 04/02/2026 10:38

Okay, so they seem to be importing from Romania- not sure. Then dogs are fostered here in the UK, so ‘my’ dog is not kenneled in Romania as some I have seen.
i will of course go and meet her before committing- she f they don’t allow this then I won’t proceed- but should I be wary?

Be really careful - we had a rescue from Rumania but in foster here and although we got to meet her at the foster home she was nothing like we were led to believe. The fosterer had five dogs and she was our only one, and I think this may have been part of the difference. We were inexperienced and misunderstood some anxiety signals (barking and frantic tail wagging but then retreating into the group of dogs) as confident friendliness, and the fosterer said she'd be a fantastic family dog and waas used to children - but her children were actually almost adults. Nothing about being afraid of men had been mentioned and DH had hoped to do lots with her, but she was terrified of him indoors or if he took the lead - too late we realised our entire meeting with her at the foster family had been outdoors with her able to get away. We hadn't noticed fear although she had barked a lot.

She had health (digestive ) issues which we were able to address and her physical health improved whilst with us but her anxiety behaviour was a constant worry, especially as she attached to me but tried to keep my children away from me. The socialisation and training classes we joined didn't work out as she was so frightened she wouldn't walk, or tried to escape. The behaviourist we tried essentially shrugged and said she must have been a mistreated street dog (which was not the background we were given) and there wasn't much to be done.

The charity and fosterer went very quiet and stopped returning my calls.

Eventually after a year I was on the verge of a breakdown myself and the whole family's quality of life was terrible - the children couldn't have friends around and didn't want to be downstairs without a parent, as she just barked and barked at them. She still was almost impossible to walk unless I was alone with her where there were no other dogs. We couldn't do family walks as she barked at the children. DH couldn't walk her.

Eventually when someone at the charity did answer the phone I just asked to return her - they'd dodged messages asking for support for months and months and I couldn't do it any more. Even then they said the fosterer had too many dogs and I'd have to wait until she had space, and it was another three months until I could return her.

It was seriously harder than having a newborn and a toddler, and the guilt at having made the wrong decision in getting her and not having been able to cope and weather her lifespan yet at the same time having made my family so miserable and stressed for a year hangs over me to this day.

Research the charity exhaustively - any doubts about the level of support, honestly and transparency at all stages and run. You're better waiting years for the proper bricks and mortar local well established rescue to have the right dog for you than going through what we went through with a Rumanian rescue in foster and no central local charity to turn up at if they don't answer the phone (we had to call a number in a different part of the country to contact the charity and it was all decentalised - volunteers in private homes who wanted to get as many dogs homed as possible and didn't want to know after that.)

Be careful. I'll never have a dog again, it was seriously so awful and I have so much guilt and regret about it all but also feel so betrayed - and I grew up with dogs too.

Twoshoesnewshoes · 08/02/2026 16:14

@HaveYouFedTheFish thank you for sharing that - sounds like an awful time for all of you!
I think it’s such a gamble isn’t it?
the recent one is not in UK, literally gets dropped at me door, so that’s also a no…

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Walker1178 · 08/02/2026 16:43

We had the most amazing little rescue for almost 15.5 years. He came from a UK rescue, was 6 months old and settled in as our dog almost immediately.

We met and took him on a walk before committing but I think we knew he was going to be perfect for us straight away. It’s been 5 years since we had to say goodbye to him and I still miss the little guy.

I wouldn’t hesitate to rescue again if we were to ever get another dog - don’t forget there are no guarantees that a puppy would be the pet of your dreams either

Twoshoesnewshoes · 08/02/2026 17:03

@Walker1178 yes that’s so true
I’ll keep looking for a local rescue
@OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon put me on to a couple of good places I guess I just need to check every few days!

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OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 09/02/2026 12:01

I don't know where in Devon you are, and I don't know how far you are able / willing to travel
but I was having a wee look at dog rescues in Devon:

There is the Margaret Green rescue seems to have more than one ' branch ' I did like one for you but can't go with cats :(
( as you will see if you read my edit )

and Blue Cross in Exeter - their dogs either stay with their owners or are in foster care so could be worth checking often

and RSPCA Little Valley Exeter - only have one dog tho !!!

Gables Dog and Cat home in Plymouth, ' interesting ' dog called Romeo but too old for you at 5 years.

K9 Focus in Torrington also have only one dog it seems, right age but just a little too big :) can live with cats !!! King a Rottweiller - can't call him ' scruffy ' tho.

Twoshoesnewshoes · 09/02/2026 16:29

Thanks @OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon i I am happy to travel up to two hours, or a bit more, so definitely all of Devon.
Margaret Green looks good I think - but yes it’s the cat issue that gets in the way!

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Springisintheairohyeah · 09/02/2026 17:14

My rescue dog has been an absolute dream (I am experienced dog owner/trainer which definitely helps). My main bit of advice is don't be held back by the fact that they are a rescue - just work with the dog in front of you. I see a lot of people who live in a state of almost perpetual fear or restriction because their dog has had a bad start/been attacked/scared of people etc. and very often it's the owners who are holding on to those emotions more so than the dog

Confessionsofa40yrold · 09/02/2026 19:28

I’ve had several dogs over the yrs and can honestly say, my labradors, both rescues, were two of the best dogs I’ve ever had.
one of them had the most awful first 4 yrs of her life and was petrified of her own shadow to begin with but she turned into a beautiful swan. Sadly they’re both gone now but If I had to chose again, I’d pick them both.

Twoshoesnewshoes · 02/04/2026 18:21

Resurrecting this thread, hope that’s okay-
exciting news! My rescue street doggie arrives on the 15th!
I’ve had lots of dogs before but indulge me here - what do I need???

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Wexone · 02/04/2026 18:24

Twoshoesnewshoes · 02/04/2026 18:21

Resurrecting this thread, hope that’s okay-
exciting news! My rescue street doggie arrives on the 15th!
I’ve had lots of dogs before but indulge me here - what do I need???

be patient allow the three threes
three days to decompress
3 weeks to learn a new routine
3 months to fully bond
Get set up with vet and insurance if you can get it
groomer if required
Keep in touch with rescue and ask for advice if need be
Well done wish you best of luck
show us a photo too when arrive

Thehorticuluralhussie · 02/04/2026 18:30

My own experience of street rescues has been that settling and bonding can take a very long time (a year for one of them) but I hope that’s not true for you.
And don’t go outside of your home and garden for a couple of weeks. Too stressful.
I wish you both the very best.

Twoshoesnewshoes · 02/04/2026 18:34

That’s great, thank you, all days out are cancelled !

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painauchoc512 · 02/04/2026 18:52

We have had two rescue dogs. They both needed a bit of time to settle and some training, and one was deaf which added some challenge, but they were lovely dogs. Miss them both lots.

noscoobydoodle · 02/04/2026 19:16

We have a Romanian rescue who was a street dog (although still young when we got him). He has been a dream (except all the hair!).he was a bit nervous to start with - had to introduce him to traffic, stairs- lots of little things. But he has always been clean in the house, walks a dream on the lead and is very tolerant of the kids and our other rescue dog who is a bit full on sometimes!. He's a bit aloof compared to our other rescue dog, and we sometimes call him a cat as he likes to do his own thing and snuggles on his own terms. He is 10 and sadly has cancer and not much longer left with us :(.

DisforDarkChocolate · 02/04/2026 19:28

Congratulations, you are all so lucky.

Our street dog loves having a cosy bed, one that feels a bit of a next.

She wouldn't stay in the garden for the first week or two even though that's the advice. Our girl loves walks, especially up a hill. It is quiet where we are though.

She has a collar but she does not like having a lead attached to up, she's fine with a harness though.

Twoshoesnewshoes · 02/04/2026 19:33

Good tip about the harness.
i was thinking of getting a kennel as she’ll be used to being outside. Only for when she wants to be outside for the day, not to sleep in over night.

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Twoshoesnewshoes · 02/04/2026 19:33

She is coming from Bulgaria

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DisforDarkChocolate · 02/04/2026 20:00

Mine got used the the safety of indoor very quickly, she is the best girl ever though.

noscoobydoodle · 02/04/2026 20:07

Oh and our Romanian hates being outside in the cold and wind and hates getting his paws muddy so I wouldn't assume she would want to be outside. Ours does like sunbathing though! Wishing you and your new dog all the best of love and happiness I'm sure she will be great!

Twoshoesnewshoes · 02/04/2026 21:45

Awwww thanks everyone
im excited now

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Twoshoesnewshoes · 02/04/2026 21:55

Can anyone recommend a good book specifically about rehoming street dogs?

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Dymaxion · 19/04/2026 13:51

Both of my previous dogs were rescues, one was a true rescue from a rescue organisation and the other we took on as elderly owner was going into care.

First one was about a year old when we got them, and it took a good six months to bond with them and for them to settle, after that they were a fantastic dog and I still miss them. Second one walked into the house, plonked herself on the sofa and was the easiest dog in many respects but she was eleven so well past the giddy phase.

All dogs need time to settle into a new environment, I would not take them out and about for a while, walk them in quiet areas/times to begin with so they aren't overwhelmed with too much new stuff at once, also just let them sniff their way around a walk, not too much training or expectations on them.

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