Adopting an older dog - any tips?

Debt_Free_Chick

missk_ensington wrote:

DebtFreeChick- very funny! lol,

still not convinced though!

I don't blame you, given your experience of your in-laws dog!

You're welcome to meet my loveable, sweet Spaniel anytime. Are you tempted?

black-saturn

I can understand what she's saying about the smelly house. Before I had a dog I could tell who had a dog in their house or car just from the smell. Now that I have a dog again I don't think it makes my house smell but I bet it does. Theres also a house along my street which you can smell from several doors down that they have dogs.

missk_ensington

"In a domestic situation, the order is ... owner; partner; children; guests; every other human; and finally "dog"."

Thank you! But how many owners actually do this in reality?? Most people I know who have dogs, regard the dog as another person on the same level of importance as the humans! I share your view that the dog is at the bottom of the hierarchy!

bulchy

debt_free_chick, I cant see a pic of your spaniel. What sort is it? I have an American Cocker, shes absolutely adorable, a real little character, runs rings around my weimy :rotfl:
Would love to see some pics.
Sue

Debt_Free_Chick

bulchy wrote:

debt_free_chick, I cant see a pic of your spaniel. What sort is it? I have an American Cocker, shes absolutely adorable, a real little character, runs rings around my weimy :rotfl:
Would love to see some pics.
Sue

Mine's an ESS ... but I love all Spaniels. Simply the best companions you can get. They never, never do anything "wrong" ... but they're incredibly mischievous.

Try pasting this link into your browser ... but add www to the beginning
.photobox.co.uk/album/thumbnails.html?c_album=1325173

Dora_the_Explorer_5

People's varying responses to the OP will usefully draw their attention to the fact that the world is divided into dog lovers and dog haters.
I'm with the dogs - they don't gossip behind your back, are always ready for a good time, don't pinch your boyfriends and never mention a bum might look a trifle fat in that.

bulchy

Still not working, will get DD to try it for me, am not too hot with the old pc :rotfl:
I must admit this is my first spaniel, and I'm totally taken by her, shes such a character. Its the first !!!!! I've had as well, and shes a proper bossy boots.We got her as a walking companion for our weimy as people tended to steer clear of us when we were out walking him, as there unsure of his temprement,dont know why cos hes daft as a brush, but now that they've seen the 2 of them together they get loads of attentionpeople just fall in love with her.
Sue

Debt_Free_Chick

Dora_the_Explorer wrote:

and never mention a bum might look a trifle fat in that.

:rotfl:

You don't have a Spaniel, though. They can certainly give you that "What? Are you seriously going out in that?" kinda look.

Mostly, what they mean is "What? Are you seriously going out without feeding me? walking me? chucking that ball? .... "

Thriftylady

I'm certain my house doesn't smell of dog, because my most dog hating friends and relatives (of which I have many!) would take great pleasure in telling me if it did. I know they would, because before I got my dog I said exactly the same about other people, that they only thought that their house smelt ok because they had become immune to it. But when you've no carpets, theres nothing for the smell to stick to, so as long as the animal itself is clean then you need never know its there!

On the other hand, I have a sister whose tiny house is crammed with animals, and which smells so bad that you are overcome as soon as she opens the door. Her house and car are knee deep in dirt and rubbish, and her clothes (and sadly her childrens clothes too) are always grubby and covered in paw prints. It turns my stomach, and actually her behaviour was the reason why I thought for many years that dogs were disgusting creatures who would never share my home. I'm glad I changed my mind though.....

WeirdoMagnet

To the OP - you sound like you've thought about it, and if it feels right for you, and you think he's the right dog, go for it! We were in the same boat about a year and a half ago, I was half looking for a dog, when I saw Tilly (see the avatar!) online. She's a Parsons Jack Russell. We were thinking "is it the right time?", "is she the right dog?" etc etc, but we went to visit, and the rest, as they say is history. :dance:

She is a great dog, and even converts the non-doggie people we know! (OK, she might not convert missk_ensington!) She was about six months old, and didn't seem to have seen/experienced much, although she hadn't been beaten up. She'd been handed into the police as a 'found' dog by a bloke, but he'd already contacted the rescue to see if they would take her! :think: We go to an APDT (Association of Pet Dog Trainers) training class (£2), which is good fun and has been a great help in socialising Till with other dogs, and of course basic training. We're doing our Kennel Club Good Citizen Bronze Test on Sunday, so fingers crossed!

Ordinarily, they don't cost much to keep. I feed Tilly Burns which is at the more expensive end of the market (£17.99 for 7.5kg, which lasts me at least 3 months), but if it keep her healthier in the long run, it'll be cheaper too. I think CSJ or Dr Johns are also recommended and are cheaper than Burns. I would avoid 'commercial' food (Bakers, Pedigree, Iams) like the plague - too many additives will make your dog hyper, just like kids! We had her spayed as she was too young when we first got her, and she'd been to the vets a couple of times for minor things, but I take her just to be on the safe side. I get her teddy bear type toys from charity shops, and get cheapy tennis balls which she loves. She doesn't really go for 'dog toys'! She's insured with M&S who are seem to provide the best cover, that's about £10. We have a trail harness too, which helps with teaching walking to heel, which she almost doesn't need any more.

missk_ensington - I feel sorry for you! Having a dog is not like having a disabled child at all! You know a dog is never going to be an adult human, so you don't have the same aspirations for it! We're learning together all the time, doing new tricks, or learning new things, but know she won't be a high-flying lawyer one day, or look after me when I'm old and grey! They give you unconditional love, cuddles, they listen to you if you need a chat, they don't answer back, and she makes me laugh with her antics.

It really depends on what type of dog you have, what you feed it, whether it is a naturally clean/dirty animal as to whether your house will smell. Like others, I know that my friends and family would not hesitate to tell me if my house did smell, so I can categorically say that it does not smell! OK, we do have to contend with some white hair, but Till is a very clean dog.

Not all dogs jump up, slaver, scavenge or hump your leg! It is a matter of consistent training and conditioning. Canine Behaviourists are now moving away from the 'pack' and 'dominance theory' - it is possible to have a biddable, obedient pet without subscribing to the 'eating before it, not allowing it on the bed/sofa' book of thinking! The newer research is summed up in Barry Eaton's Booklet Dominance: Fact or Fiction.

There is tonnes of information on The Dog Rescue Pages Forums - the people on the Training & Behaviour Board are very knowledgeable and all use kind, non-aversive methods to get results. It's worth a read, even if you never post, and of course, all for free!

What rescue is the dog in ftbworried? Do they have a website, can we see pictures?!

Good luck whatever you decide!

Georgie