Please someone bring me back down to reality (Rescue Dog)

TheFox

TheFox

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Good afternoon all.

I've had one heck of a exciting morning, after being dogless for the last 8 months (other dog went to live with my parents due to a housing suituation, the plan being she would return to both me and parent. However she had other ideas and soon built a strong bond with my parents rottie, meaning we have been unable to settle her into our new home being a only dog :( so the decision was taken for her to become a permanant resident with my parents.)

However this morning after much persistance my other half has finally agreed that its time with had a new four legged friend in the house :D. In my cloud of excited I decided to visit my local dogs home, as although I would love another puppy, due to being in rented accomdation, I feel we would be more suited to a dog that has already been 'started' so to speak.

So here lies the problem, prior to our visit I set out stingent conditions as to the type of pet we would be looking for, these were as follows:

*Not a large breed, due to limited space in the house
*Nothing to young or to old
*Something good with other pets (guinea pigs and horses)
*Not overly energetic
*Not a staffy: please note it is not because I dislike the breed, they have never been a breed that have appealed to me.

Overall not partically difficult critera.

And guess what the dog I have now had my heart stolen by is a lovely Staffy, no history known however looks like a young bitch, great temperment from what we can see and in a lovely condition (a lovely brindle colour.)

I won't even lie I am so massively tempted to go and pay for her right this minute, I felt so guilty leaving her behind.

My hearts screaming yes, but my heads just not sure.

It worrys me alot that we don't have any background infomation on her, that Staffies are known for being chewing monsters and shes highly lacking in training. Also having never rescued a dog before it concerns me the constraints the rescue centre may apply to us.

So my real question to you all, should I or shouldn't I?
(Or any suggestions that help me make my mind up)

Also any rescuing success stories would be gladly appreciated.

Cakes for all who got through my ramble.

Mrs_T
 
Rescuing any dog of any breed with unknown history is a risk. All will need some sort of training or another to fit in with your life style no matter whenere they have come from, kennels, foster etc.
What constraints have the rescue applied to you?
Staff's can be quite high energy, but depends on the dog
Had it been a mongrel would you have hesitated?
 
I would of been equally as hesitant with a mongrel if the history was unknown. Like I said before its nothing against the breed and I do look at other features in a dog and it wouldn't all come down to breeding.

Obviously I understand time and patience along with training is key to making a dog great. I think its more the case that the 'permission' to have a pooch was sprung upon me with no warning and I was running to buy without thinking properly of the implcations and the impact it would have on my everyday life.

I think she's a great dog and she was great with both me and my parent. I just need someone to snap me out of it and get me to focus on the points I should focus on when getting a new dog.
 
As lexi said, any rescue could come with baggage, well literally peoples baggage not their own, as in no one gave them a chance and expected too much and put in to little.
Do you have time for training class and patients in regard to training this little lady if she needs it?
Does this rescue allow you to walk the dogs? could you take her for a walk and get a better feel for her or even ask if you could see her interact with another dog if it settles you mind any.
All dogs are bags of "out of routine energy" when you take them from the kennels and for some it can be a frightening experience but with help and support it's easy enough done, Im doing it here very day of the week, Im taking dogs from homes/kennels/vets, all situation and all breeds. Yes I have experience but I also have pretty good routines to settle them in.
I am happy to share all my guides lol:D:p I now have a "settling in your new rescue" guide:p
It is true they do suffer from separation anxiety more so then most breeds (because they thrive on company) but it's something you can over come with routine (no body has probably bothered to do it thus far) and she is possibly not looking like the tiny cute pups she once was and therefor easily discarded.
For what it's worth the staffs we have in and have gone have been pretty easy to work with.
I think if you don't have to many expectations and time to work with her then give her a try. The worst thing is you return her but giving her a try could change her world for the better and possibly yours:).
Is this a pound based rescue?
how old is she?
How long are u out for any one time?
How much exercise can you give her a day?
 
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I feel your pain, I have fallen for a rottie x GSD which is totally not the dog I would have gone for, just waiting to get a new job now so I can make it a reality :D
 
This is the thing, your heart is saying yes so you have a connection already to this dog, because you love with your heart not your head.:)

As Cayla said rescues are an unknown quantity and come with baggage, I have had 4 Dobe rescues all very different with different man made problems, working through those problems builds an unbreakable bond with that dog.

Good luck in deciding what to do.
 
She is coming from a pound based rescue, I believe they got her on the 15/03 this year when she was found as a stray. Unfortunately they had very limited infomation on her. Although from the staffies I have met she looks about a year old or so and her teeth looked in good condition (all there and tartar free).

We would be looking to walk her between once or twice at day, with her having several off the lead runs several times a week (will be on a lunge line to begin with). We also have a good sized garden for her to play about in.

Unfortunately the rescue centre don't allow you to walk the dogs, as some idiots decided to let them off there leads! (some people baffle me) And they have no inclosed facility. We did however get her out of the pen for some lovely doggie kisses and cuddles.

I will also be around most of the day bar 3 and a half hours when I'm at work, so she shouldn't be left alone for long periods and when she is a believe a nice bone would suffice until I return :)

Unfortunately I didn't manage to get any great pictures of her, but heres one so you can she her size, and how much filling out she has to do :)

dog.jpg
 
Stencilface said:
I feel your pain, I have fallen for a rottie x GSD which is totally not the dog I would have gone for, just waiting to get a new job now so I can make it a reality :D
Click to expand...

How exciting! I do love a Rottie, and I did quiet fancy a few today but unfortunately they would barely have space to turn around in my living room (big furniture) and I know what big dopes they are with their tails :)
 
I could be wrong but she does not look full staff to me?

You're in no hurry, I know you are smitten but head over heart to begin with!!
It does not sound like the facilities are ideal at this rescue in terms of proofing the dogs so you are still left with some unknown quantities.
 
The one I'm looking at is docked - but its pretty long, so I think may have been done more for medical based reasons? Either way - means my wine glass will stay on the table! He is far from the butch type though, just a big wally :)
 
CaveCanem said:
I could be wrong but she does not look full staff to me?
Click to expand...

I also thought that, but the rescue centre we're certain she was, I also don't think she has much of a staffy face. Not that it puts me off her being a crossbreed. It's all down to getting the correct dog. Its just a difficult descion and one I don't want to jump straight in to.
 
A few years ago we got a rescue dog, she was a cross staffie bullmastiff, she was the besT dog in the world, she was like nana out of peter pan with our daughters lol. Before she had been handed into the rescue she had been used for dog fighting but because she was so gentle they breed from her until she couldnt have any more and then dumped her. The only time she went for another dog was the second week after we got her a dog ran out at me barking and going to bite me she got to it before it got to me and for that I will always be grateful. She was about 7 when we got her and she was with us for about 3 years in the end she was so poorly and couldnt walk we decided to put her to sleep. That was so awful but at least she found love and new she was loved at the end of her life and we are still grateful we had her for the time we did and often talk about her. 2 days ago we went to look at a puppy when we got there the puppy was starving underweight, has a bad leg through being starved and an ear infection she is also being treated for worms we couldnt leave her there so she has now became our second rescue, If you have the time love and space to offer a unwated dog a I would so do it.
 
I have to say I know what you mean when you say you aren't normally drawn to staffie types as I am the same - nothing against the breed but I guess everyone's different and you shouldn't feel bad for not being keen on certain breed types (i don't like chihuahas either). However, i have met lovely dogs of staffie type and, like anything else once you meet a certain dog, they either grab you or they don't

I got a rescue in early december (just a general mongrel - no idea what) and they did know a bit about her history (she was only 9 mths) but only had her in the rescue for 2 weeks so didn't have that much time to assess her. All they knew was she was reactive with other dogs. I have since found out she is also reactive with strangers and men in particular and can appear aggressive but she wouldn't ever bite even though she may give that impression. It's not plain sailing with a rescue as sometimes they do have ingrained issues and a rescue may not be able to be aware of these as how a dog acts in a rescue/kennel situation is not the same as when it's in a home environment and builds an attachment.

For what it's worth, my understanding of staffies and staffie types is they are very people friendly and very loyal and all the ones I have ever met have been very sociable but a little OTT friendly so need to be well trained as an over-exuberant dog of sturdy type can be quite a handful when they want to say "hello"!!! lol.

I think that one in particular looks like a cross, not full staffie but then I am no expert. I do love brindle coloured dogs though! :)
 
Cant bring you back to reality! Your heart should rule your head!:D
She looks smashing, trust your gut instinct, here comes your new best friend!
 
It is always difficult when you do not know their full history and all rescue dogs take a little time to settle in, so any problems can sometimes take a little while to materialise! All my dogs have been rescues and they all have had their problems, one I got because she suffered separation anxiety, mainly because the first owners had treated her like a baby. Staffys love human company but can be a little dog aggressive and if she has been on the streets she might be a little defensive so as long as you are prepared to deal with things like this and have an experienced trainer on hand to help you, she should be perfectly ok.

I would take Cayla up on her offer and read the guide.
 
She looks like a Staffie cross :)
I rehomed my Staffie from a private home when she was 18 months old. Her previous owner couldn't cope with her.
She was very, very high energy to begin with. Lots of long walks and training classes helped her to contain her over exhuberance. She particularly enjoyed agility training, and was very good at it, a little flying machine :D but I had to stop going because of my back problem. (I fell over a few times trying to keep up with her on the obstacles).
Training a Staff takes time and lots of patience, but is very rewarding when your people friendly dog turns itself inside out to please you.
I've used clicker training to teach mine, not only basic things like giving paws and fetching a ball, but also some more "very interesting" tricks.
For example, I've taught her to pick things up for me when I drop them, which helps me as I have arthritis of my spine. She doesn't have to be asked, she automatically picks things up as soon as they hit the floor then gives them to me.
She has learned to find items that I've hidden, and she loves nothing better than to hunt for them and bring them back to me.
She can (and really enjoys) pick up things like a mobile phone, money, pens, or anything I ask her to.
She brings my shoes when asked, and can take my shoes and socks off my feet. Very helpful when I'm stiff and sore and struggle to do it myself.
One of her favourite "tricks" is to bring the TV remote. She also fetches the post.
She lifts her left or right paw when asked, always lifting the correct one.
When she is lying down, I can say "head down" and she immediately puts her head on the floor. There is so, so much more that she can do it's unbelievable. She's a dog in a million :D.
She is also dog friendly, which a lot of Staffies are not, and her recall and leave are both 100%.
Yes, Staffies can be great, and YES they are trainable (very in my Staff's case), but the main point to bear in mind is that most can be dog aggressive.
Another thing I love about them is the short coat. Yes, they do cast like other dogs, but the hair is short and fine (I use a rubber curry, an old body brush and a damp cloth to groom mine).
She is always clean and dry after walks, even when she paddles in the sea or plays in a stream, because the short coat dries quickly, there's no undercoat to hold moisture, and the mud falls straight back off.
They don't do well in hot weather, and can collapse with heat exhaustion if walked/playing when it is very hot (one book I have tells you the signs, and expresses that it is an emergency and you MUST cool the dog down immediately (lots of water - get the dog into water if you can to get its temperature down - they can die quickly if overheated)).
Some Staffies also feel the cold (again, as with heat, the very short coat offers no protection from the elements).
Anyway, she looks nice but not a full Staffie.
Good luck, and have fun :).
 
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Make sure she's not pregnant - you could end up with more than you bargained for so to speak ! may be a reason she was chucked out.

I'm no expert but she looks a bit tall to be full staffy, nice looking though

Edited to add - The springer I have was not intentional, previous owners decided they didn't want her and her sister anymore after a year of owning them, 2 members of a family had one each. We had our and my OH's mate (his 2 daughters are the ones who didn't want them anymore) had the other

My OH told me about her needing a new home and I was like don't tell me with my fingers in my ears, and a springer was not a breed I would have gone for due to their mental reputation, all I can say is that she is the mose lovable dog I've ever had, I had a GSD who was MY dog so to speak and he was affectionate but she is much much more, so glad I said yes to having her
 
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We have rehomed 3 dogs so far. 2 with no history. The most recent was a 2 year old staffy x in November. She was not rehomeable with children and she was fear aggressive. She is a nice friendly dog, as long as she came approach people at her pace if she is nervous. Although still finds dogs fairly intimitating and will try to lurch towards them It is going to be a long project to get her right.

She was totally unsocialised and untrained. But she is coming on really well. She going to weekly dog classes.

She some times have a bit of a chase at the guinea pigs. But she now comes away from them when she is told off. I was looking to rehome a staffy or x when I got her. Purely becuase there are some may of them in rescues and they seem nice dogs.

Would it be possible for one of the staff to take her for a walk and you go with them and see how she behaves.

Also might be worth having a look on this staffy forum or even post. They don't mind in the slightest if you have a pure breed or a cross breed or a rescue.

http://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/
 
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