Would you take on this rescue dog?

[Nopenousername]

I’d really appreciate some outside opinions as I’m going round in circles!

I have a four-year-old working Lab who is high energy and still pulls on the lead. I’m actively working on this with him and have started taking him back to dog training classes.

Four years ago when we got him, my husband worked long hours, so most of the walking/training fell to me. Things are different now, I work from home 75% of the time and my husband works four days on four days off, with plenty of AL.

I’ve passed a home check with a local rescue and met a two-year-old Staffy/Lab cross who I’ve completely fallen for. He’s been at the rescue for two months after being found severely neglected and starved, living in his own faeces and apparently being due to be PTS. He’s now doing really well and is the sweetest, most affectionate boy, but he is boisterous and isn’t house trained at all.
My husband’s main concerns are:

1. How difficult/long is it to house train a two-year-old rescue who has never really had the opportunity to learn?
2. How realistic is it to eventually walk two strong, high-energy dogs together?

I’d obviously put the same training into the rescue dog, but I’m realistic that there would be an adjustment period. I work full time and ideally don’t want to be doing two separate long walks every day indefinitely.

We have met another rescue dog, but he definitely wasn’t right for us. This one however, I’ve fallen in love with!

Am I being realistic, or am I being blinded by the cute face? Would love to hear from anyone who has house-trained an adult rescue or gone from one energetic dog to two.

Have had many rescues; all quite old.
So I am biased. Have you got plenty of spare cash?? This would help you all along. In your shoes I’d do it; as long as there is zero history of aggression from either dog.
Id get a decent dog trainer and I’d get a dog walker on call - exercise will heal everyone here greatly during the settling in period. If the shelter are good I’d start with a trainer now during walks around the shelter. I might even try and do a session at home or in the garden to add more familiarity.
Make sure you can divide your house up if needed - eg one room gated off so you can separate the new or old dog as required.
I have never ever ever had a dog from a shelter who has not had either an ear infection or a urine infection. Or both. Get your vet to test for both of these when you adopt - the stress and trauma of the shelter etc is huge for them and these are easily missed amongst all the more serious questions yet cause huge discomfort. A dog who is in pain won’t be themselves either so i also give a short course of anti inflams after adoption (mine are always seniors) to help them just that little bit more to relax and feel better.
good luck. I think you’ve already made your choice!!
The best you can do is to prepare well; I have only had one failed adoption ever; who was actually cognitively unwell and extremely aggressive, (we didn’t know he was poorly until a later diagnosis) and it sits heavy in my heart even now.

To add specifically about the toilet training - yes all of mine bar one have learned to go outside after 11+ years. Consistency is key! If you’re consistent with the rewards they’ll be fine in a matter of weeks.

Where did i say very occasionally? I said he was very inconsistent. You come across as very angry and unpleasant

I just feel sorry for your dog, it’s sounds like an unpleasant life for a working dog that I assume gets no outlet at all for what it’s been bred for? Instead it gets a walk on a lead that it finds so frustrating that it’s trying to get away the whole time. How often do you take it hunting?

Why ask me anything when I’m not going to engage with you. You are very judgmental and you need to find some other outlet for that

Oh I feel sorry for the dog now, he nearly had a loving home and you a dog you have fallen for.

your husband does need to be on board, but if your dogs get on, you could make this work, you can also get harnesses for walks. I’d really not put the lead pulling put you off

Does the rescue employ a trainer?

If they do I would ask if they would be willing to do training sessions with you with both dogs. No point even considering him if he might not get along with your dog and the trainer could be really useful for both.

The housetraining will probably be ok but I would be worried about two strong dogs and both still need training on a lead I think I would focus on getting my existing dog properly trained to walk on a lead without pulling etc. before considering a second dog. I can understand your DH reservations and agree with him. How would you feel if you discover that you can’t manage them both together on your own . If they become problematic to other dogs etc. one might have to go back and that would be awful. There will always be rescue dogs that need a good home but if I were you I would focus on completing the training with your existing dog first.

Are you trying to suggest that we should feel sorry for working line labs that don’t get to go hunting?

I actually think it’s brilliant you have the sense to ask. It’s because you have a doubt, which is great.

no, I don’t think this is the right dog at this time with the dog you already have.

Keep going to the rescue, volunteer.

if I brought home every dog dear me.

It’s hard, and you want to do well, but I don’t think the mix is right at this moment. Remember introducing one changes everything as well.

I would also chuck my experience into the mix.

Walking your dogs separately ALL THE TIME can be mind numbing and time consuming. DDog1 is very reactive and has walked separately from our late dog for some time, and has never walked with DPup. This is the best solution for us as I don't want her arsey behaviour influencing anyone else, but (obvious as it sounds) it doubles the length of my walks. I'm on an early shift tomorrow and leave at 6am, my alarm goes off at quarter past 4 to make sure both dogs have had the attention they need before I leave for the day.

A lovely long walk for one cannot be too long as I've got another at home waiting to go out. Wet or cold weather is a ball ache.

I can manage this as DDog1 is 12 1/2 so I know it won't be forever. If she was 4 and I faced the prospect of walking her and the new dog separately forever it would give me serious pause for thought.

We’ve had several rescues. None of them have arrived in perfect circumstances, with perfect conditions. Dogs seem to just find us! But we will never give up on them. And we’ve always got there sooner or later with all our dogs. Most of them had dodgy pasts, some of them weren’t house trained. All of them turned into fabulous dogs, and lived long, happy lives as part of our family.
So I’d be going to meet him!

It was a neglect case. Read the original post 🙄

Will do.

Re-read it - 'abandoned' vs 'neglected' seem much the same to me. What"s the difference?

Isn’t if about to be pts

I’ve always had rescues from all sorts of backgrounds and they have all grasped house training very well. I think it’s really positive that you are asking for advice and taking it on board. In my experience, when you and your DH agree you’re both keen to get another dog, a good rescue will be heavily influenced by what your dog thinks. My older dog basically chose my latest! Another dog I had was useless at this as she adored everyone and all dogs but if your guy is at all selective, his choice will be key.
If you do get another, start as you mean to go on with routines and boundaries. Initially feed separately and make sure either gets space if they need it.
I love Staffie crosses so can understand why you fell for one. If they do get on really well they sometimes help exercise each other. Mine play a lot.

I had a staffy/lab/german shepherd cross and she was lovely.
I would start by walking separately just to get to know the new dog and any quirks they have but if the new boy walks well taking him out with your Labrador could help him learn to walk well on a lead.

Take them out together the first few times with your dh there.

I think you will be fine. Has your dog met the new dog yet.

Sometimes one dog will learn from another as they are pack animals. If the new dog sees your other dog doing his business on walks he will likely copy. You might need to walk them together when both you and DH can take one dog each. DH and I do this.