Got our little rescue Doggie........all advice welcomed!! **Updated with pictures**

LoopyLinz

Hi All

Well after a lot of thought and research we have decided to get a dog. I posted on here about 6 months ago as at this stage we were considering a puppy, after a lot of thought we have however decided that a puppy probably isnt for us. We have never had a dog before and realise that we dont have the experience or know how that is needed.

This has lead us to rescue dogs, I was amazed whilst doing my research at the number of dogs who a awaiting re-homing. Thought that as we have a lot of love and care to give a dog, why not give it to one who maybe hasnt had such a great start.

Now as we are complete novices we need all the help and advice we can get :rolleyes: We know it is a relatively small dog we would like but we are not set of a certain breed, I actually think a lot of mongreals are so adorable (although hubby did tell me off for saying one dog was so ugly he was cute!) I know it needs to be a dog I can walk by myself and as I suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis we will hopefully be able to train him/her to walk 'nicely' on their lead. Although hubby will also be here for lots of running and longer walks. Have a few questions that Im sure all you knowledgeable folks will be able to answer......................

1. We are in NI and I have been looking at the re-homing centres we have, are we better to go to one of these or a dog pound? I read on the web site of our local dog pound that if dogs are not re-homed within 7 days they will be put to sleep :eek:

2. Will the dog have been vet checked if it comes from a pound?

3. Can anyone tell me what the process is for re-homing, I know with our local animal shelter there are home checks, etc carried out. Would the pound also do this? (we have no problem with this being done, am just curious)

4. Is it possible to take a dog of any age to training classes if they require it or is this only really suitable for a puppy?

Sorry for the long post, we are trying to make sure we are equipt with as much information as we can................informed choice is a good choice and all that.

Linz xox

foreign_correspondent

Glad you are looking at rescuing a dog...

...as a novice dog owner, I would strongly recommend you go to a good rescue not the pound - many rescues take the dogs from the pound and find them homes - the difference being that a good rescue will have assessed the dog properly, had it checked over, neutered and vaccinated.

They will know the dog better and be able to suggest dogs that would meet your own specific needs - its no good coming home with a dog from the pound that appeals to you, but proves to be a terribly lively lead puller!

Good rescues will also offer to take the dog back if you cannot keep it for any reason.

Generally the pounds will sell you any dog you want, (suitable for you or not!) but often the checks on the dogs temprement and health are minimal, and if you have problems generally you cannot return the dog and they offer little help. I cant say if this is the case for your local pound, so do ask around!

When you take up a dog from a rescue, you free us a space for another dog from the pound anyway, so you are still helping save the lives of dogs in the seven day pounds.

You can take a dog of any age to training classes, and you can definitely teach an old dog new tricks!

My advice is to research your local shelters, check whether the dogs come neutered, vaccinated and chipped or not, be very honest with them about your requirements, and your wants and needs, and ask them to bear you in mind if a suitable dog comes in. It is worth waiting for the right dog for you, and sadly new dogs come into rescues every week.

You may also want to have a look at dogpages for general rescue info and a list of local rescues: www.dogpages.org.uk

good luck!

JennyW_2

Some great advice from foreign correspondent and I'm pleased you have now decided on a rescue doggie :j

I have 2 rescues and they are the most loving dogs ever with no issues or problems whatsoever. So many rescue dogs are there because they are unwanted

you sound as if you've done your homework and given this a lot of thought so you just now need to visit your local centres. You'll know when you see the dog for you :heart2: My first rescue came from Battersea in Windsor and he just had the saddest eyes - he's now my best friend I also have a greyhouse (ex-racer) - the laziest dog in the world

Good luck and check out dogpages.org.uk - lots of helpful advice and dogs looking for their forever homes

mrcol1000

Your better off getting a rescue dog if you have never had a dog before. As they can match you with one that has basic training and knows basic command.
Our first dog was a rescue dog and to be honest we were a bit loss at what to do and it knowing basic commands and being house trained made it bearable. Do you really want a puppy you have to take out to toilet every 2 hours??

LoopyLinz

A big thank you for all your replies. You have confirmed what I think we had already decided...........a rescue dog is definately the route we are going to take.

Now my next task is to make a list of all the re-homing shelters that we have and check their times, etc to make a visit. I honestly dont mind if it is a long wait for us to get a dog, I know that we need a dog that will fit in with our family lifestyle and while it would be very easy to go to the pound and say oh I want that one it probably isnt the most practical option.

Have been looking at the link that you posted FC thank you it has really helped.

I was also wondering if anyone knows of any good websites for first time dog owners with regards to practical things, what we need for our new arrival (think we have covered the obvious things but im sure there will be something we havent thought about)

Thank you once again for all your help

Linz xox

thriftmonster

Hi - we live in NI as well so some of your options are:
Dogs Trust at Ballymena - limited selection of dogs but superb on checking that the dog is right for you, home checks etc
USPCA at Benvardin (Ballybogey) - we got a dog from them in 2003 - and at that time they did no home checks etc - in fact we were the ones to insist on bringing our other dog up to check they were ok together. They did castrate him as part of the rehoming fee. At that time they had a big selection of dogs - but someone said recently they had a lot less.
Council pounds - sorry - no experience - but you could try phoning the dog warden.

There is also Assissi at Newtownards - dont know what their policy is.
HTH

LoopyLinz

Hi All

Well you may remember I posted a few weeks ago that we were looking for a rescue doggie, we have now got him and he is the perfect addition to our family. Muttley has been with us just over a week and so far things are going great! He sleeps in the kitchen at night with no crying or barking or anything like that. He is relatively good on his lead and is the most affectionate little man. He is a terrier cross, 4 years old and has the most adorable little grey eyebrows!

Anyway................so far we have had two little accidents where he has wet in the house, I have put this down to him still settling in. If it continues to happen can anyone advise what the best course of action would be to take?

Also, we have been trying to teach Muttley recall................so far not really all that successfully! I spent 20 minutes in the garden yesterday calling him whilst he just sat there looking at me. He will come if he is in the house, for example maybe we are in the living room and him in the kitchen, we call him and he will come in. Just doesnt seem to be working in the great outdoors! Anyone any suggestions?

Thanks
Linz xox

mrcol1000

Our rescue dog wouldn't go to toilet for so long when we first got her depsite lots of walks that we were about to take her to the vet and as soon as we got her outside she suddenly went to toilet and we both felt the relief.
Our rescue centre told us that we'd have to teach the dog it was wrong to go inside and a good thing to go outside. So for the first few days everytime she went to toilet outside we praised her. She had a few accidents inside and the final time she was mid flow when we caught her and told her no and quickly got her outside where she finished and got praised. If she is going to toilet inside at night and when your out you may need to cage train her so she gets use to sleeping on her bed at night and feels a bit safer in a strange place.
As for the recall its all about making yourself intresting to the dog so when you call them they want to come. You know put on a stupid voice, have something they want and give them loads of treats when they come to you so they learn coming to you is a nice thing.
It took ages to get our dog to come to us outside though. There are too many other intresting things. Sometimes now you will call her and she will look at you go back to what she was intrested in and then realise she probably should come back to you and come bounding over.
Also I think its something you learn over time. She now knows the difference between come here I've got something for you and you shouldn't be doing that come here away from that. The latter is usually a half recall and then go and find something else. All down to the tone of voice which you call her in.

hethmar

Rescue dogs have been through a lot of trauma, they often dont show this, but it comes out physically. My last rescue boy took 4 months to be clean in the house. On top of that, he could just be marking his new home, so it makes him feel secure. All you can do is treat him like a puppy - take him out in the garden every hour or so, stand there, arms crossed, not smiling and tell him to "have a wee" and wait. When/if he has one, go over the top fussing him.

Recall - terriers can be very stubborn. All you can do really is get some coachie tit bits and use them to encourage him to come to you. ONLY use them when he comes after calling. Silly thing, but dogs seem to enjoy coming to you more if you are actually crouching down, arms open - worth trying anyway.

Good luck. Hope you have many years of happiness.

foreign_correspondent

ooh we need piccies!!! where did he come from OP?

re: weeing - agree with Hethmar!

re: recall - try and use different rewards, but make them really good ones - depending on what he likes - so a bit of cheese, or ham, or a play with a squeaky toy, or a ball! Some dogs are more motivared by food (mine is) whilst others love nothing more than a game of fetch!

You may want to keep him on a longline and harness (not a neck collar) in open countryside till you are happier with his recall - terriers can be very distracted by rabbits, rats etc. and be very hard to get back!

BitterAndTwisted

I agree, this thread is completely useless without pictures. I want to see those little grey eybrows