Romanian Rescue Dogs

SootySweep1

Thanks everyone,
I must admit I am very nervous ! I
They've done the home check virtually and I'm waiting for them to confirm everything is OK.
I've gone for a puppy because I know we don't have the experience to manage an older dog and the issues 
I suspect they'd bring.
Cheers
Jen

Fighter1986

SootySweep1 said:

Thanks everyone,
I must admit I am very nervous ! I
They've done the home check virtually and I'm waiting for them to confirm everything is OK.
I've gone for a puppy because I know we don't have the experience to manage an older dog and the issues 
I suspect they'd bring.
Cheers
Jen

Jen - ours was an eight month old puppy.

How old is yours? What breed / mix is s/he?

Love to hear your story with the pupper as it unfolds ☺️

Katiehound

Just be aware that puppies also have issues!
Get yourself a good handbook (The Perfect Puppy by Gwen Bailey used to be the  popular one.) Use charity websites such as Dogs Trust to check for their advice.
 Start training asap
If you have friends will well trained dogs ask for their help.
As soon as possible (when allowed to open!) look for puppy classes in your area.
A puppy is a huge commitment but can be a lot of fun
Enjoy!

Rosie66_2

Hi
Please consider Romanian dogs as they are treated appallingly in Romania and the kill shelters out there are simply dreadful!!. I had never considered a dog from abroad before because I told myself that they would be damaged and wouldn't adapt well here and they may be dangerous. I want to share with you the fact that I have recently fostered a 6 year old Romanian mixed breed who is such a gentle-natured lady; she has adapted well to living in our house and has learned to trust us and although a little nervous of other dogs because she has a disability due to being hit by a car and shot in the leg, she seems just so grateful to have a soft bed, regular food and most importantly people to love her. 

With the Charity we used, we went through vetting interviews and a virtual home check and were suitably matched by  Luckys Legacy Rescue who are extremely professional. We were sent lots of pictures and videos of her in the shelter where she had been since being rescued and could see she was being looked after very well whiltst finding a new home in the UK.
Our dog arrived in the good hands of a reputable transport company straight to our door after a 3 day road  trip.  Luckys Legacy resue offers excellent support, from behavourial training to just being at the end of the phone to talk over any queries or problems. (You rarely get this kind of support if you buy a puppy from a breeder).  We have become part of one big family sharing our photos and the progress of all the dogs on a Facebook page.  Giving any dog a home is a big commitment and yes you may not make it through the vetting process, but thats most likely because of a valid reason. Good luck with your adoption of fostering, it is so rewarding to see how they blossom.

Katiehound

I forgot to say that  I would consider crate training to be essential .
I have used it with my x 2 rescue hounds.( each was 2 yo when rehomed) It means they have a cosy bed, quiet place to rest and then they can spend time in there when you are out- away from any dangers! It is not a punishment!
Once they became house trained and were reliable as regards things around the house the crate went. However I use made-to-measure crates in the car for safe travelling and they jump in and settle straight away.

Katiehound

Lots of useful info here- from a list of what you need to loads of other dog topics:
https://www.dogsforgood.org/good-advice/guide-to-living-with-your-dog-for-the-first-time/

WolfSong2000

I adopted a Romanian dog last year. Also fostered another from another rescue (also Romanian based) who I found a home for just before Christmas last year. Whilst i am not sure I would use either rescue again, it hasn't put me off the idea of adopting from Romania again - I would just need to do more research into the organisation.

Rather than adopting a puppy I would look into adopting a slightly older dog that has already spent time in a foster home. Why? Puppies are hard work, even for experienced dog owners. They need to be toilet trained, they chew, whine, bark, frenzied bursts of energy and require a lot of good quality training.  Compare this to an older rescue with experience in a foster home - they'll likely be calmer, already toilet trained, used to wearing a collar and walking on a lead, etc.  Alao just as trainable as a puppy in terms of learning commands, etc.

Approach the rescue with the characteristics you want from a dog and see if they have any dogs they can recommend. For isntance do you want a super calm dog or a more energetic dog that will love going on long hikes?  Does the dog need to be good with children (if you have kids or visiting kids) or cats? Things like that.

Also be prepared to deal with behavioral issues that may not be immediately evident. A lot of Romanian rescues arrive pretty shut down - including my own boy.  As he's come out of his shell, he's also developed some fear reactivity tendencies (barks and lunges at strange people and dogs) which he didn't do for the first few weeks with me as he was still shut down and processing.  I'm working with a wonderful behaviourist and we are already seeing positive progress, but it's not an overnight fix.

A family member rescued a puppy who to this day (he's almost 10) is obsessed with food and will steal at any opportunity.  I rescued my boy when he was 2.5 and he's never once showed any of the same tendencies and is as good as gold in the house.  He was also toilet trained pretty much immediately.  He's a sweet, intelligent and loving soul who is very sensitive and lacks confidence (which I am working with behaviourist to improve).

All dogs are different but rescues of any age including puppies) will likely have experienced some sort of trauma and will come with their own quirks. Being ready for that, and being willing to commit to resolving that (which can cost $$$ if you need to involve a professional) is part and parcel of adopting a rescue.

SootySweep1

Thanks Wolfsong, our Romanian rescue arrived last Thursday so its been an interesting week 😀. He's 5 months old. We are facing a few challenges around toileting & settling at night but I think time will sort that out. He is a lovely dog & so far he is settling really well. I've adopted through The Responsible Dog Rescue & I can't fault them. Their communication has been good & we're getting support from a behaviourist too. He was born when his mum was in their care.
Thanks
Jen

WolfSong2000

SootySweep1 said:

Thanks Wolfsong, our Romanian rescue arrived last Thursday so its been an interesting week 😀. He's 5 months old. We are facing a few challenges around toileting & settling at night but I think time will sort that out. He is a lovely dog & so far he is settling really well. I've adopted through The Responsible Dog Rescue & I can't fault them. Their communication has been good & we're getting support from a behaviourist too. He was born when his mum was in their care.
Thanks
Jen

Toileting takes time and patience with puppies. Am sure the rescye and behaviorist have given a lot of helpful suggestions around that already

If your dog is struggling to settle at night, you can get dog plush toys with a warming pad and an internal device that mimics a heartbeat - I've seen them on Amazon.  emember your poor boy has been through a lot - torn from the only place he's ever known, 3 days or so on a van and now in a strange new place with people speaking a different language and a totally new environment for him to adjust to. That's a lot for anyone to deal with!

Jenni_D

WolfSong2000 said:

SootySweep1 said:

Thanks Wolfsong, our Romanian rescue arrived last Thursday so its been an interesting week 😀. He's 5 months old. We are facing a few challenges around toileting & settling at night but I think time will sort that out. He is a lovely dog & so far he is settling really well. I've adopted through The Responsible Dog Rescue & I can't fault them. Their communication has been good & we're getting support from a behaviourist too. He was born when his mum was in their care.
Thanks
Jen

Toileting takes time and patience with puppies. Am sure the rescye and behaviorist have given a lot of helpful suggestions around that already

If your dog is struggling to settle at night, you can get dog plush toys with a warming pad and an internal device that mimics a heartbeat - I've seen them on Amazon.  emember your poor boy has been through a lot - torn from the only place he's ever known, 3 days or so on a van and now in a strange new place with people speaking a different language and a totally new environment for him to adjust to. That's a lot for anyone to deal with!

That's the bit a lot of people might forget ... any commands they were used to will have been in Romanian, so they need to learn a new language.