Thinking of getting a dog...

[potsy]

Most probably from the dogs home/trust.

Not had a dog since I was a kid, but due to a change in circumstances feel it would be a good time to bring one in that needs a second chance.

Any experience good or bad with going for a rescue dog?

So far the thought is to get one that is maybe 2-4 years old.

Springer spaniel or Labrador are preferred but any medium sized dog would be considered.

 

[swee'pea99]

Hate to say it but I'd suggest caution. No guarantees with any dog, but a rescue dog ups your chances of neurosis, which can make life very fraught, and health problems, which can make life very expensive. I'll be interested to hear what others say, but like I say, I'd be hesitant. We got a rescue cat, and that ended up being 12 years of bonkers, with, TBH, not a lot to show for it.

PS Having said which, best not to forget that getting a dog, per se, is a great idea!

 

[smutchin]

We got a dog about 16 months ago - first time we've ever owned a dog and it's a lot more challenging than anticipated. Our inexperience has been shown up, and although we try to be responsible dog owners, we have been not been hugely successful in the training department.

Breed may have something to do with that - ours is a feisty terrier. Very good natured on the whole but quite strong willed. Maybe other breeds would be better choices for inexperienced owners.

As I understand it, Dogs Trust take the time to assess prospective owners quite thoroughly to ensure they are a suitable match for their chosen dog. We got ours as a puppy from a breeder but if we ever get another, I would probably go to the Dogs Trust.

 

[uphillstruggler]

be prepared to have your spare time taken up by the dog.

I really enjoy taking our dog out but when time is tight as mine is, other things (cycling) take a back seat. that's not a complaint, just a fact.

saying that, I wouldn't change it for anything now.

 

[welsh dragon]

I would urge caution as well and not just about getting a rescue dog. Dogs take up a surprising amount of your time and effort, can cost a lot of money to keep in food, vet bills, (kennels) maybe.

They can/do smell as well (even if you can't smell them) others can as soon as they walk into your home. They drool, dribble, and shed hair all over the place. You have to clean up after them as well. This is a fact.

Your time away from home, and ability to just take off somewhere can also be a problem. Finding holiday accomodation with a dog can cause problems if you want to take the dog with you as well. And of course you always have to get home because of the dog, and you can't leave him on his own for to long.

Having had a dog in the past i know how great they can be. I also know how much I / we enjoy our freedom now that we do not have that burden.

It is also wonderful to be honest that the dog smell and hair are no longer a problem. I loved my dog dearly and missed him for a long time when he died but to be honest, i will never have another dog. They are too restrictive and i no longer want the burden.

They can be a joy, but dam hard work. Good luck if you make the decision to have one.

Spaniels can be demented dogs, very excitable and will run circles round everyone. Labradors are greedy dogs that will eat anything they can get hold of.

 

[Slick]

Training any dog is a fairly straightforward affair, but it does require a bit of effort and the ability to remain patient and able to remain constant. Sometimes our insistence on humanising animals is our and their downfall.

A rescue dog is a great idea. It no way means any additional expense and may actually mean less as everything will be up to date. Enjoy.

 

[Slick]

I would urge caution as well and not just about getting a rescue dog. Dogs take up a surprising amount of your time and effort, can cost a lot of money to keep in food, vet bills, (kennels) maybe.

They can/do smell as well (even if you can't smell them) others can as soon as they walk into your home. They drool, dribble, and shed hair all over the place. You have to clean up after them as well. This is a fact.

Your time away from home, and ability to just take off somewhere can also be a problem. Finding holiday accomodation with a dog can cause problems if you want to take the dog with you as well. And of course you always have to get home because of the dog, and you can't leave him on his own for to long.

Having had a dog in the past i know how great they can be. I also know how much I / we enjoy our freedom now that we do not have that burden.

It is also wonderful to be honest that the dog smell and hair are no longer a problem. I loved my dog dearly and missed him for a long time when he died but to be honest, i will never have another dog. They are too restrictive and i no longer want the burden.

They can be a joy, but dam hard work. Good luck if you make the decision to have one.

Spaniels can be demented dogs, very excitable and will run circles round everyone. Labradors are greedy dogs that will eat anything they can get hold of.

Both your examples are good dogs but need worked.

 

[Time Waster]

New puppy owner here. Although it owns me really. Forget about going out and leaving it alone unless you know you'll be back guaranteed by a reasonable time. No more popping out and coming back an hour or more late. No more last minute holiday bookings because you'll have to plan what to do with the dog. Basically it takes a lot of your time up.

OTH it's the best thing you can do. Get the right dog for you and the rewards will be worth it. Certainly outweigh the negatives. Learn to enjoy being with it. You both will learn each others ways.

Personally I'd buy a puppy from a breeder if you have children. It'll be hard work but worth it.

Breed? We've got a border terrier puppy. Bright as a button and a more manageable terrier trait. Learnt sit second attempt. Learnt paw like first attempt. Lie down first attempt. Little tip it's where you put your hand that's holding the treat. Bring it over the head for sit, hair height in front after the sit command for paw then to the ground for lie.

We looked at cocker spaniel. Don't! It's very intelligent and will try to outwit you. By that I mean it'll think it knows best and will take over if you're not careful and consistent with training. Two sets of cocker spaniel, working and show. Working are nicer looking IMHO but you need to factor in their working nature or you've got trouble.

Labrador? Big garden / house? Great, go for it. Food obsessed training. Go for a working Labrador if you're buying from a breeder as a puppy. Otherwise you'll get a fat lab from a breeder or rescue.

We went for a border terrier for several reasons. Intelligent, proper working dog, small size (actually a medium sized dog), double coat so hardy, has less of the terrier trait for turning a deaf ear, not yappy, if socialised when young they'll be good with other dogs and kids and mostly when no longer a puppy or adolescent they will become very calm dogs. Not the sort to go running of with another dog or just run off.

For us the hest bit is they are bred to run with hounds and horses. That means you'll not tire one out when older if you bring them up to be active. Mine is long legged. It follows us on walks and it's beginning to get recall even with other dogs to distract. Best thing still is it loves to run alongside us on our bikes on cycle paths. We don't go fast because of our 5 year old but she will be capable of going a lot faster. Only a puppy so we're careful of not pushing her. But she loves our rides along the canal towpath.

Seriously consider a BT. If you don't want a rescue you'll pay £700-1000. Worth every penny IMHO.

Just make sure any puppy gets properly crate trained from the earliest opportunity. You'll regret out doing it.

If you do get a BT puppy that's anything like ours learn to laugh at punishment poos if you ignore it. They're intelligent and I'm convinced ours likes to get us back.

 

[raleighnut]

I'd love another Dog but Maz won't hear of it, she says "We'll never have as good a Dog as Sabor was" but give me a Pup and he'll be just like him but then German Shepherds are so easy to 'train'.

 

[Dave 123]

We got an 18 month old black lab from the Labrador Rescue Trust.
Cracking dog. Had him put down at 14.

We don't have one now, too much of a tie.

 

[Andrew_P]

Having three cats, a small dog and some rodents when they die off they will not be replaced.

Hard work at times, I also see a lot of people struggling with new Puppies some not all can be pretty troublesome and destructive when left alone even for a small amount of time

 

[Katherine]

Most probably from the dogs home/trust.

Not had a dog since I was a kid, but due to a change in circumstances feel it would be a good time to bring one in that needs a second chance.

Any experience good or bad with going for a rescue dog?

So far the thought is to get one that is maybe 2-4 years old.

Springer spaniel or Labrador are preferred but any medium sized dog would be considered.

I'm sure you will give a great home to any dog.

My son and daughter in law have 2 rescue dogs. (The second was to help settle the first - big mistake) Despite lots of attention and training, due to their emotional needs they are not able to be left in kennels, which mean that they have to go to a dog sitter when they go anywhere that you can't take dogs.

 

[bigjim]

One of our neighbours got a rescue dog last year. It's totally off it's head. Never stops barking. Barks at everyone from behind her legs. You can't hold a conversation with her anymore. She loves it! Got rid of her lovely cat that she had had for a long time because it was being stressed out by the dog. I'd have dumped the dog.
I like dogs, proper well trained dogs, but don't see many of them about these days. On my rides I'm forever avoiding untrained, crazy, baby/child substitutes with useless owners.

 

[jongooligan]

I'd echo everything @welsh dragon said. We got a pup from the Dogs Trust when my Border terrier died. It was the kids idea as they could see I was lost without my dog. It was an emotional decision and the wrong one. Thing is, I didn't really bond with this dog and now the kids are gone I'm stuck with it and it's very tying. I'm partially retired now and want to spend my time on the bike and I resent having to be at home twice a day to feed and exercise it when there's nobody else here to do it.
The dog has a nice life (my wife and MiL spoil it) and it will be well looked after but I won't be sorry when it's gone. Think long and hard before you make your decision.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Agree with the advice above reassuring you that a good Dogs Trust-alike is a very safe way to go v-a-v matching you to your new owner.

The two breeds you have highlighted need a lot of exercise - do you have the time & space? OTOH there are dozens of Staffys waiting for new homes, which might be an alternative thought, and who make great pets, particularly with kids.