All systems go – we have a new dog!

J

Jingleballs

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 May 2008
Messages
3,353
Visit site
After a successful home check, we have been approved to adopt a black & white, 11 month old lurcher bitch called Rowan.

It’s only been 10 days since our last dog sadly passed so we are reasonably well equipped in terms of beds/bowls etc although we are going out to buy her some of her own stuff.

I’ve never owned a lurcher before and it’s been a long time since I’ve dealt with something so young but she seems very trainable – she’s just quite excitable and loves meeting new people and dogs.

There are some things that are new to me though. Firstly, she is crate trained and currently sleeps in her crate and is crated for up to 7 hours a day while her foster mum is at work. We’d never leave her for that length of time and in fact she’ll be at my parents house Mon – Friday 8 to 5 while OH and I are at work. She’s only currently crated as the foster home has 6 other dogs, two of which don’t get on with her. Prior to that, she was always loose in the house with apparently no problems. Should we continue the crating as it’s familiar to her and seemingly a safer option in the early months until we know a bit more about what she’s like at home?

Next is feeding – the old boy didn’t like dog food and lived on chicken and rice but we’re not going down that route again. I have some nutriment raw food that we’d bought for him recently due to his liver issues and wondered if that might be an option to keep her on that diet. She’s currently fed raw tripe and some chicken wings but has also been on both a dry and wet dog food diet and did well on each of these. Dry kibble would obviously be the easiest choice and I’d appreciate any recommendations for brands to consider?

We can’t wait to get her home this weekend – she seemed such a happy and loving dog – the polar opposite of our old boy who was quite independent and reserved and didn’t really like meeting new people. She’ll certainly keep us on our toes!!
 
I would keep crating her to start with, it is a safe place for her to feel secure in. You can always leave the door open when you are there so she can just use it as a bed.
I would gradually move her over to a decent dry kibble if thats what you want her to eat. My lurcher is on Harringtons but there are hundreds of options.
Can't wait for pics - well done!
 
My Ruby was a rescue and was used to kennels, we started off with a create as she wasn't house trained so we would lock her in the crate at night which helped her feel safe and we also put a towel over the top, and gradually we changed things and now she has a big round plastic bed!

In my opinion i think she would feel safer starting off in a crate as it is something she knows and is used to, and gradually change to a normal bed.

Food wise It was trail and error with Rub as she has a slightly sensitive stomach, she is now on half pedigree tin and a big scoop of Burns which agrees with her, dry food isn't her top choice but with a bit of gravy she lick the bowl clean! (not much help! but im sure you will find the best diet for her!)
Good luck!

Bxx
 
Thanks both - I think I might just put her on the nutriment raw diet for now.

Is it possible to combine raw and dry food - not fed at the same time but in the same diet?

I've ordered a crate so that will hopefully give her something familiar - going shopping tonight for some other bits and pieces for her. Also need to measure her for a wee indoor jumper so she doesn't get cold!
 
My lurcher is never cold, she has a very slightly broken coat. I have got her a rug but she hates it and so she just goes naked!
 
Clodagh said:
My lurcher is never cold, she has a very slightly broken coat. I have got her a rug but she hates it and so she just goes naked!
Click to expand...

I'll bear that in mind Coldagh - she seems to have a fair bit of collie which might make her a bit more hardy. She was wearing a dog jacket when we walked her on Sunday so we'll maybe get a wee something for her just in case.
 
How exciting and well done on having a rescue dog, I'm sure you'll find it extremely rewarding. I LOVE lurchers ! It sounds as if she's going to have a wonderful life. I give my dogs a variety of food, usually a handful of dried food mixed with Butchers Tripe (that seems to me to have more meat in it than most other tinned food) and often some cooked offal as well. I have tried tripe but just could not bear the smell! I hope she settles in well but don't expect too much of her in the first few weeks she has to get used to your routine - which sounds so much better than she has been used to. Look forward to lots of happy pics :-)
 
Thanks everyone. It looks like she'll be coming on Friday evening!

OH and I hit pets at home last night and got her some bits and pieces - still haven't sorted out food yet so need to do that ASAP.

I also had a really long chat with her current foster mum - she's going to give us her bed, favourite teddy, coat, collars and leads.

We are absolutely prepared for a few weeks of settlign her in - her new routine should be better suited to her than her current one which sees her crated for 7 hours a day. She is quiet a bold and friendly little thing so hopefully she'll feel at home quickly and I can't wait to spend all weekend getting to know her!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top