Best option for new dog

cepheus

To me this is like entering into a relationship for life, so I want to get it right. What is my best option from housing a dog or pet? Rescue, pup - or are there any other options, I think you can take a dog temporarily until it is fully re-homed?

My situation:

I am single

I live in a suburban 'terraced' (modern back to back) house with a front and side lawn but no wall. Difficult to Mow with wall!

Don't want to annoy neighbours, since they have annoyed me with leaving barking dogs in all day

I work from home, but might have to leave the house for a few hours at least several times a week. It would be nice to have the option to go abroad once in a while

I am good with dogs, have experience of looking after dogs part time, prefer a Labrador or Border collie, not Staffie

There are good walks nearby and I like walking

I keep on meaning to move but never get around to it!

Fire_Fox

Adult rescue that is living in a foster home not a kennels so its temperament is known, or a return to a reputable breeder through no fault of its own (eg. owner moved abroad). Generalising: puppies are more likely to be over-excitable and disturb the neighbours, older dogs can often be left for longer.

You certainly could consider fostering for a rescue, you might then get an unknown who has just come into rescue or you might take on ones who are moving from another fosterer. Not sure what you mean about no wall, do you mean the garden is not secure with a tall fence and gate either?

cepheus

No there isn't even a minor wall, so I might have to erect one if they insisted. My lawn is open onto a cul de sac and walkways.

I have looked after two labs for a friend during the day until a few months back, and both dogs could be managed inside the house and being taken out to the nearby woods and parks without any problem.

Fire_Fox

Not many rescues would look at you without a secure garden with a tall fence plus you have a legal responsibility to keep the dog under control at all times. A dog ideally needs more than just formal walks, they should have regular access to the garden, not have to hold their 'business' too much and little and often activity through the day as they would in the wild.

lostinrates

I know peoe do cope without secure gardens (living in flats etc) but I personally would not want to. The ability to pop mine out in the garden knowing they are secure and safe for five minutes or so while I vacuum the room (mine dislike the vacuum) or for the afternnon on a lovely day (I have one sun worshipped and one who loves to sleep in the shade of trees witha breeze running over her). And just to let them play.

Person_one

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Not many rescues would look at you without a secure garden with a tall fence plus you have a legal responsibility to keep the dog under control at all times. A dog ideally needs more than just formal walks, they should have regular access to the garden, not have to hold their 'business' too much and little and often activity through the day as they would in the wild.

Oh dear, I'd better give up my dogs then. Its a shame because they seem quite happy here...

OP, I think the most important thing for you is to be prepared for it to be hard work, for hiccups and setbacks and for your dog to slip up and be annoying at times!

There's no such thing as a perfect dog, but I agree that an adult rescue dog who's been thoroughly assessed in a foster home is probably best for you. Non-reactive, quiet and low energy.

Good luck.

YORKSHIRELASS

Hi, we have a secure garden but our poor rescue dog cant have free rein in it at the moment because next doors dog hates him and they try and attack each other through the fence.

People have dogs in flats and many rescues would be keen to talk to you because you are at home so much. We rescued a terrier who had been neglected and ended up as a stray. He needed a home where people were around most of the time.

As Person_one says if you are prepared for some settling in you sound like an ideal candidate for a rescue dog. I combine working from home with being a carer and my dog is great for getting me out of the house every day.

Fire_Fox

Person_one wrote: »

Oh dear, I'd better give up my dogs then. Its a shame because they seem quite happy here...

Don't be so ridiculous. If you thought before you posted you might remember that I am on my second indoor only cat, I am unable to supply the ideal indoor-outdoor lifestyle so have chosen to only have cats that are best suited to an indoor lifestyle.

"A dog ideally needs more than just formal walks, they should have regular access to the garden, not have to hold their 'business' too much and little and often activity through the day as they would in the wild."

Person_one

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Don't be so ridiculous. If you thought before you posted you might remember that I am on my second indoor only cat, I am unable to supply the ideal indoor-outdoor lifestyle so have chosen to only have cats that are best suited to an indoor lifestyle.

"A dog ideally needs more than just formal walks, they should have regular access to the garden, not have to hold their 'business' too much and little and often activity through the day as they would in the wild."

Then why say 'A dog' not 'some dogs'?

Stooby2

"A dog ideally needs more than just formal walks, they should have regular access to the garden, not have to hold their 'business' too much and little and often activity through the day as they would in the wild."

Can someone point this out to our Labrador. You might have to wake him up to do it though.

coinxoperated

cepheus wrote: »

To me this is like entering into a relationship for life, so I want to get it right. What is my best option from housing a dog or pet? Rescue, pup - or are there any other options, I think you can take a dog temporarily until it is fully re-homed?

My situation:

I am single

I live in a suburban 'terraced' (modern back to back) house with a front and side lawn but no wall. Difficult to Mow with wall!

Don't want to annoy neighbours, since they have annoyed me with leaving barking dogs in all day

I work from home, but might have to leave the house for a few hours at least several times a week. It would be nice to have the option to go abroad once in a while

I am good with dogs, have experience of looking after dogs part time, prefer a Labrador or Border collie, not Staffie

There are good walks nearby and I like walking

I keep on meaning to move but never get around to it!

It's not the breed, its the personality. Do not label staffies in such a way that deems them to be 'inappropriate' dogs. They are and can be as clever as Labradors / Border Collie, give just as much love, need you as much as any other dog, but if you don't like them because of what they look like, I have little more to say to you.

You shouldn't want a dog because of how it looks!!!!!!!

I don't have a Staffie myself, but I certainly wouldn't rule one out of having a home with me just because of the breed. So many people give Staffies a bad name and it would seem your not helping the problem either