New to dogs & dog forum - help re rescue dog coming tomo pls?

catembi

catembi

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I started permanently working from home in August and after a lot of thought, have decided to get a dog to keep me company. Our home has been vetted by the rescue organisation & I will possibly be getting my new best friend tomo.

I haven't had my own dog before, although my parents had collies who did obedience trials, & I want to check my shopping list to see what I've forgotten.

Food bowl, water bowl, collar & lead if he doesn't come with one, food, bed, ball, toy to chew on.

Also, any tips re introducing to horses? Apparently he's been interested but not aggressive when he's seen them out on walks.

I've done some reading, but all hints & tips on anything would be appreciated.
 
I'd say, take it easy as he will be out of sorts coming from the kenels. Animals like routine and dogs are no exception, get to know him and then take him up to the stables for short periods, once he trusts and knows you he'll think he's the luckiest dog in the world getting a horsey life!

Good luck! What is he like?
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I.d chip, i.d tag, insurance, good quality food, and bed.
Ask when he was vaxed, last flead and wormed so u can keep a programme.
Also if working from home, do not allow him to spent every minute with you, as when u leave him, as u will have to, when u go about your chores that cannot include him, you may experience seperation problems/destruction with him, so either an indoor crate or baby gated area, like kitchen, for him to have time out periods, to prepare him for being left and for bed time, and introduce this routine as soon as possible, believe me, and read through some other seperation destruction posts, u will see what Im getting at.
Alot of new owners get a dog, and lavish lots of time on (hope this makes sense)

A Kong is a fab stimulating toy, you can leave as a postive reward when he is left alone, as opposed to destructive type toys he can rip up, I would go for stimulating toys, or toys u can play with him with, like ragger or ball.

Re horses, keep him on the lead and allow him to see horses when they are calm, eating or maybe let him see them a few times from the car, when u are feeding b4 introducing him, and maybe introduce some smelly horse gear, b4 u introduce him, so he can familiarise himself, also if he does lunge or get excitable, be firm and let him know it's not acceptible from the word go.
Good Luck & lots of piccies
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You will gets loads of advice from the doggi section if u need it.
 
Thank you everyone, esp CALA - didn't occur to me re separation anxiety.

The horses live at home, so he will have to see them sooner rather than later.

The ad says that he's good with birds - is there a 'right' way to introduce or is it best to keep apart? I have 4 cockatiels - 3 in an enormous outdoor cage which should be okay & my tame one Peter which is allowed loose in the house. Peter usually perches high up e.g. on top window catch, so should I assume that he needs to stay out of reach or he'll be dinner?? (I did make the rescue place aware of my other pets.)

Link to advert... I've got a jolly long drive tomo...

http://www.preloved.co.uk/fuseaction-adverts.showadvert/index-1031602001/beae866b.html
 
Use a dog-harness and long line ( not retractable lead, without a long line, 10 to 25 meters long lying on the ground ) when introduced to horses on a distance. Stop the line by stepping on it by your foot or grab it with a gloved hand. That way he/she won't react because it feels restricted by the lead.
I would rather say try to ignore all bad behaviour if possible/as long as possible, just hold the lead/stop the line so that the dog can't go further, and only give attention when it does something you want, such as when the dog looks at a horse, stands ( resonably ) still and doesn't bark = treat and praise. If it get's obsessed though, then you need to do something to change the dogs focus.

As Cala said, use things that smells horsey, when you can, around the dog.

Remember to not make a to big fuss about getting him/her used to horses, that might come across as you hearing yourself say "look at that nice horsey" and the dog only hears "IT eats dogs and I'm just trying to lure his next dinner within reach..."

( Edited to say ) Looks fully capable of slobbbering everything within a 5 meter radius!
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Don't know what to say/think about the no children under 5 years and not good with male dogs, maybe it's because of his size/previous owners mistake...
About Peter and his outdoor friends, use the same advice as for the horse-socialization. Don't know if it needs to be said, but how ever well he behaves with Peter, don't leave them alone together.


Good luck from Sweden.
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RIGHT....I take it he is the humungus male rotti in the picci
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OK, without sounding condisending, be prepared to be firm from the get go, rotti are lovely loyal dogs, I have one myself
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but they need a firm hand, esp as a rescue with limited background.
He could be the lovliest, most laid back boy in the world, on the other hand he could be a strong willfull boy that
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needs a firm hand, and you have to take that little extra care in regard the your other animals, being a big boy, if an incident occured, you need to be confident to step in and reprimand.

Ask lots of questions, why they are parting with him e,t,c, how is he when left alone?, is he good in the house?
ALSO, take him for a walk whilst u are there, see how he handles, if he has any manners, dont worry to much, if he pulls, this can be remedied, but if he lunges for people, animals, he obs, has not been well socialised.
Give him a few commands, sit, paw, and give a treat, test his general manners, and try to see him in the company. of other dogs.
I AM IN NO WAY , trying to frighten the life out of you or tell you what to do. I just want to get a dog within you capabilities, that u feel comfortable with.
Any rotti owner on here, will tell u, they make fantastic pets, in the right hands, he looks stunning, a right chunky lad
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re the birds, see how he reacts when they are in their cage, and maybe long line him, a dog like that could literally concust the bird, knocking the cage slightly
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If this is to full on , tell, me to mind my own
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and if it's not the rotti, tell me in numb, as it's the only pic I can see.
 
Also ask them how well he travels and to pre-starve him, the last thing you want on a long car journey home is a puking rotti
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Also just re read your OP, I would persoanlly, not that everyone will agree, get a good training lead, and check chain, for whe he meets horses, if he does lunge, you need to mean business in regard to reprimand, which from me, would be a harsh jerk of the check chain, and a hugely stern NO!!
a long line will be ok for birds in house, but for horses, that are not fast movers themselves, I would want him pretty close to my body for complete control, same with walking him, if he is a puller, as a strong large breed, u need good walking aids, u cannot get better than the old trainng lead and check chain, then revert back to normal collar, or half check no need to panick or hold him tight, but be ready any over selous signals he gives off, also treat him for good behaviour with a command and praise or treat.

Another tip, socialise, socialise,socialise, is the key to a nice natured, well adjusted dog, esp with other dogs/animals.
Dogs react very differently on lead to off lead, so ask if he has had loose play with other dogs.
They are the loyalist of breeds, and their love and need of it is full on!!, u will see what I mean
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, they are however also fiercly protective of their own, so get him used to friends and family in a positive manor, familiarise him as soon as he has had chance to settle.
I most likely over doing it here, he will hopefully be lovely, but I just want to to go armed with a little insight.
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Yes it's the big rotti. Please, please don't worry about telling me stuff - I don't want to 'over-dog' myself...

I haven't gone for a puppy because I'm not 100% that I'd get the basics right. I've also avoided all the ads which said 'experienced owner needed'. My parents did obedience with their collies, as far as scenting, so I'm hoping to get some hands-on tips. Their dogs were incredibly obedient & they once 'lost' them on a walk cos they crossed a road & forgot to say 'over'. The dogs sat & didn't move & were nearly out of sight when my parents noticed they were missing! They had to go back for them.

You've thought of some good questions to ask & things to try. The last thing I want is to get an animal I can't manage & make it worse. I was going to get a parrot a couple of years ago, but researched it & didn't (even tho I really wanted one) because I was out all day at work then & they get v distressed if under stimulated. So if it's the wrong dog, I will keep looking!!
 
Cala has told you all you need to know so just want to wish you good luck! Plus if you do say Yes! We want lots of photos & updates!
 
Tell me to butt out, I don't mean to interfere, but just a thought: taking on a rescue dog is a wonderful thing to do, but it's important to consider why the dog needs re-homing. If it is because of problems, can you handle them? Dealing with a dog with established problems is a lot more demanding than a puppy, so I would consider re-homing a puppy or an adult dog that has come up for re-homing due to unrelated circumstances, e.g. owner is unwell.

On the other hand rescue organisations are responsible places so hopefully they have put some thought into matching you with the right animal - good luck tomorrow and post photos!
 
Excellent advice given. Just one thing- make sure he knows you are "pack Leader" things like you going through a door before him, waiting for his dinner until you say the word (My word is "OK" but we all have our own words) and work on the separation bit by bit and gradually increase the time.
And most of all
ENJOY
 
[ QUOTE ]
Tell me to butt out, I don't mean to interfere, but just a thought: taking on a rescue dog is a wonderful thing to do, but it's important to consider why the dog needs re-homing. If it is because of problems, can you handle them? Dealing with a dog with established problems is a lot more demanding than a puppy, so I would consider re-homing a puppy or an adult dog that has come up for re-homing due to unrelated circumstances, e.g. owner is unwell.

On the other hand rescue organisations are responsible places so hopefully they have put some thought into matching you with the right animal - good luck tomorrow and post photos!

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As a rescue I can firmly say a good 90% of dogs we get are due to numpty owners, they dogs themselves just need a chance to be owned by a sensible caring and responsible individual, I would not neccesarily agree with getting a puppy or a dog where someone has been unwell, as that could be a lie anyway, but of course always keeps your whitts and ask questions, as to why the dog is being re-homed, the advert does give a fair bit of detail and the dog is neutered and vaxed, and is in a foster home, and they specifically say, not to be a guard dog, so they are trying to do the best for the dog and sound like sensible rehomers, and they have home checked Catembi. I dont know they would go to succ lengths, if he had serious problems, as they know he would be returned.
It's obs a good point, to ask why he is being rehomed, but to be honest we have 2 rotti's in, both lovely dogs, one because they have moved country and the other because the woman could not walk the dog, as it was to strong, and had grown to big
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she had no interest in tackling the problem
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, just wanted shot for a smaller dog, he is a lovely dog and very sociable.
I do understand your concern though
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Just to clarify, I only suggested introducing with a long line on a distance, I didn't mean walk straight up to the first horse you spot, with only a long line to hang on to.

I to believe in telling a dog off, but I believe in trying to reward wanted behaviour first and ignoring unwanted IF possible, but trust me I can tell a dog off.
We had No-training in this weeks puppy-class, and I was told that I maybe was a little bit harsher than the instructor had intended. So I explained, that if I have three dogs loose at the same time, I want them to know that NO means NO!
But I save on my No's, I really try not to use them in the daily situations, if they chew on a chairleg I rarely say no, but when I do use them, my voice shows that my brain thinks of motorways and ratpoison straight infront of my dog! If that makes any sense.


from Sweden.
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Hi Catembi
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I agree with all other suggestions and advice provided here. I apologise if my post becomes a little long! As this is a rottweiler and a male with currently unknown previous owner history you need to be very very aware of your own ability and strength of character. Rottweilers are very different dogs to most breeds. Firstly, around the horses, remember that rottie instinct is herding and guarding so you must be aware of that and introduce safely - just by distant view in the first place would be my suggestion. Secondly, around you. You MUST let the dog know who is boss and this does NOT mean aggression.
I have two rottweilers, one female aged 6 and one male aged 2. I have had them both since they were 8 weeks old. My boy was the best puppy in the world couldn't fault him at all, he didn't even mouth. However, when he hit 13 months all hell broke loose in his brain. I came home from shopping one day and he jumped up at me (to get attention before my girl could) and I pushed him down and he growled and pushed back at me and grabbed my arm. He was hormone central! I was not afraid of him and pushed him to the ground, (as you would a puppy) holding him by his scruff. I did not talk to him at this point (if you talk in situations like this it it going to be yelling and that does not help). He tried this level of aggression twice only, but the other behaviours such as mouthing for attention trying to shove me around etc, lasted about 5 months - he was exhausting, but you have to remain completely consistent and calm. Never ever hit! Also, never show fear or turn your back on him.
I could go on endlessly re this and I am more than happy if you would like to pm me. One thing I cannot stress enough is do not read any doggie behavioural book and think it applies to strong guarding breeds, ie if they mouth you do NOT yelp and turn your back (as you would a puppy) this is like a red rag to a bull for a strong male trying to dominate you and they will persist (found this out to my detriment with Bailey).
All that said, I love Rottweilers, they are the most wonderful, kind, loyal and gentle of breeds but only in the right hands. I would not swap my two for the world and Bailey now just 2 is a wonderful sweet boy who is my shadow.
Sorry so long!!!! So much to say re rotties
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Just do not want you getting eaten
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You sound very sensible and prepared to work with the dog. Lots of people on here will give you lots of really good advice and I would just like to add, have a look at The Dog Whisperer on digital TV. He is amazing and it all really boils down to ground rules, letting him know who's pack leader and the vibes you give the dog. I have been watching and following his advice and the difference in my rather mental rescue lurcher has been fantastic. Good luck, he looks like a great dog.
 
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