Best option for new dog

hethmar

Wow, thats quick! You said you were prepared to do fence didnt you? Mind you, I cant see that a front/side garden is like a back garden. People arent likely to put a dog out into a front garden unattended are they!

Be positive about what you have to offer - home most time, experience in caring for labs, enjoy long walks, can afford pet insurance (I always ask that one) and what you will do if you go on hols - show you have really thought about all it involves.

And good luck

krlyr

I adopted Casper from a rescue that 'failed' my homecheck because of fencing (I knew they would, because it didn't meet their homing policy rules) but the homecheck was also a good opportunity to discuss how we could adapt things to be approved yet not have to fence the entire garden (which would have required over 300' of new fencing). So think of the homecheck not just as a test on you, but also a good test to see how flexible the rescue is and if they're willing to reach a good solution with you. The rescue can see you as an individual once they're at your house and talking to you face to face, much better than trying to answer general enquiries via email/phone without knowing the person or the house.

RevolvingDoor

krlyr wrote: »

Another one, South East Dog Rescue. Other side of Surrey though. Lea Valley Dog Rescue is one I heard of recently, in NE London but home around the area.
You could browse Dogsblog as well, many rescues post on it, its a picture blog more than a discussion forum

Dogsblog is great.:)

Katiehound wrote: »

Oh dear, I shouldn't have looked at ProDogs Direct as there were a few I would have chosen! Don't think my two hounds would be too thrilled.......and seriously I don't have the room.
I seem to think that PDD is a spin off from the charity PRO Dogs which sadly folded about 8 years ago.

I adopted one of my dogs from PDD. :A

cepheus wrote: »

Someone from lab rescue is coming round tomorrow to see my house.

:T I hope it goes well.

cepheus

Phew, not quite what I expected. he was here for 75 mins.

Didn't get off to a good start, with me clearing dog !!!! of my lawn as he was driving in, 'sure you don't have a dog?' Damn Staffy owners at the back. grrr.

He asks: what do you think insurance costs, what will food cost, what else will you need to do. Give me an account of what you think the typical day in the life of your dog would be. You do know most of our dogs are a nightmare for the first few months, all our dogs have problems. You're not very experienced are you? Sure he said one I was interested in tore up some furniture, doesn't say that on the site.

Strangely enough the least important thing was a fence, in fact he seems to think enclosed gardens encourage people not to take them out and exercise them properly.

Not sure what to think really! I think they are going to offer one all the same.

cepheus

They have just offered me a small 4 year old pedigree which is dominating an older dog.

I suggested this younger dog with a similar issue, don't fancy a pedigree. Think about it overnight.

http://www.labrador-rescue.org.uk/images/1lib.jpg


Libby


Libby is a 2year old Labrador X. She is currently living with another !!!!! and is being quite dominant over her and wants all the cuddles and fuss just to go to her. She really needs a home where she is the only dog. She is good with children but her ever wagging tail might knock very young children over, so probably 6+. She is very sociable with other dogs when outside the house but makes it apparent she is the boss. She is a very lovable girl and will make someone a great family dog.

hethmar

My goodness that went well and very quickly didnt it. Which dog did they want you to take - to be honest, they will know the personalities of the dogs and who they would suit, so do see the one they have put forward wont you.

Is that girl the one they said tore furniture? Have you double checked with them about that? My last rescue dog took 4 months to stop pooing and weeing round the house. He had been kept tied in a yard up til then and simply didnt know how to let me know he needed to go out. He got the hang in the end though, bless him. I take it you arent overly houseproud though as dogs do take a toll on furnishings and carpets!

Do you feel excited about getting a dog now?

cepheus

All I know it is 4 yr old small pedigree Labrador called Pippa who was bullying a 14yr old Labrador in the same house.

I am starting to have second thoughts to be honest, don't think I could manage a dog with too many problems, it seems rather silly taking a difficult dog, in a terraced house without an enclosed garden. The last thing I want is to encourage the neighbours to be even noisier and nastier than they are.

Problem is you don't really see the dog before one is committed, as one might if buying privately or even the local dog rescue place, although they will take it away if you can't manage, but you lose what you pay.

The woman who phoned me did suggest that the guy who visited me exaggerates a bit about the problems. He used to head the section and insists on high standards, and doesn't mind putting someone off. I think they have high numbers of dogs on their books though.

hethmar

Doesnt make sense not actually meeting the dog first does it? May be speak to them and explain your concerns. Or are you feeling now that it is not a good idea to get a dog at all?

I would say that rescues all tend to over emphasise the problems involved to test commitment.

I cant see the 4 year old on the site? Did they tell you much?

krlyr

It seems to have happened quite quickly - if you're having doubts, hold off a while and see. There will, sadly, always be dogs in need of homes (for the immediate future anyway). Some rescues can get quite heavy handed at the glimmer of a home and push too far, too fast IMO and this doesn't do anyone any good as someone can end up with a dog they can't cope with and the dog not only has the disturbance of bouncing back but it can be a traumatic experience that may put that person off approaching a rescue or recommending one to friends in the future.
Others may rush things simply because they're being rushed too - I had to commit to Casper on quite a short timescale because the rescue had other dogs waiting to come in, so his kennel space was vital to save another dog. Someone else was interested in him so whoever was ready to take him first got him, there was no reserving him until we were ready, because that then means the rescue has to turn away more dogs - and with the risk of the potential owner changing their mind and leaving the dog needing to find a home again (and they may have turned away potential owners because the dog was reserved, only to find they've found a dog elsewhere when offered the original dog later).

Take your time, perhaps speak to some other rescues, consider maybe fostering just to see if it is a practical option and so on (many rescues may need a one-off fosterer as a stop-gap between old owner and getting a rescue space or longterm fosterer). Join up to some dog forums, maybe get to know local dog owners, get along to some group dog walks, rescue charity events etc. to emmerse yourself in the doggy world and see where it takes you.
http://www.dogpages.org.uk
http://www.dogrescueworld.org.uk
http://www.unleashedforum.co.uk are a few I would recommend (the latter has quite a few members in Surrey & surrounding areas)

cepheus

hethmar wrote: »

Doesnt make sense not actually meeting the dog first does it? May be speak to them and explain your concerns. Or are you feeling now that it is not a good idea to get a dog at all?

I would say that rescues all tend to over emphasise the problems involved to test commitment.

I cant see the 4 year old on the site? Did they tell you much?

He told me not to take much notice of the site, only a few dogs they have are on it, and many who are shown are taken!

If it was a moderately well behaved dog like the two I used to keep during the day (both were initially rescue) it would be OK because they rarely barked and settled down inside.