Unwanted dogs

[moosea]

. Nobody would have got a pup without doing their research and would invest in training and be prepared to learn as they go along, they would have plans in place for housing, ill health and the inevitability of death. There also wouldn't be the attitude that an animal is a disposable accessory rather than a sentient being. However, in the real world that is rarely the case and as a result rescues are full. However they are not full of 'desirable' easy animals that can slot into a new home seamlessly like a new pup can. Because they've already been let down by people, they will have issues that most rescues - with their limited resources and facilities - will work with. In that fabulous ideal world, every dog would go to an experienced foster home for evaluation and to work out their issues before rehoming. I used to foster the young males to evaluate, house train and put the basics of civilisation into but no longer do because I don't have the private land to exercise and train on any more, I own dogs rather than very stable bitches and quite frankly, I am not as young and fit as I was 20+ years ago and cannot cope with an extra large, untrained dog in the busy areas available to exercise near me now. Then, I knew the dogs that I fostered inside out. Much more of breed rehoming was done through word of mouth as the internet wasn't such a thing and as quite a close knit breed community, there was a lot of support (along with cliques to be fair) available. It feels like breeders were much more involved in rescue too, the difficult, not suitable for a pet home dogs were often rehomed with them even if they hadn't bred them. There were also a lot less dogs! Things have really changed in the last 20 years certainly but at a rate of knots since the pandemic. Having the dog you want at all costs, often based on appearance with no regard to breed traits and what you, as an individual can cope with is rife. Let alone the genetic and medical timebombs that were/are being bred by bad breeders, reared badly and clogging up rescues because rescues now rarely accept a dog with a bite history - too big a liability, has to be disclosed on rehoming, it's really hard to find a home that will stick to what they said they would during rehoming to keep everyone including themselves and the dog safe - so they lie. You get the sob stories about losing houses, allergic children, change of job, relationship break ups, can't afford the vet bills ( but a small rescue can?) and cynically I'd say that the reasons given for giving up the dog are true less than 50% of the time. Rescues then find out the hard way that a dog is a biter/resource guarder, reactive to certain other dogs, needs expensive medical treatment, has SA (which rarely shows in kennels by the way as they are busy with people around all day and often into the evening/night if there are poorly dogs or pups in and of course many other dogs 24/7) When you refuse a dog either through lack of space or because of a bite history, we're talking bad enough for hospital treatment rather

Do I think that rescues get it right all the time? Of course not!
Are there dogs rehomed that shouldn't be? And conversely, are there dogs not rehomed when they could be? Yes to both.

But remember that if all dog owners were as good as the ones here there would be no dogs in rescue.

But here are plenty of good owners who have been tuned down. That is why the rescues are full!

ETA: Sonehow removed the quote box!


However, in the real world that is rarely the case and as a result rescues are full. They are full because they are to rigid with their rehoming IMHO.
However they are not full of 'desirable' easy animals that can slot into a new home seamlessly like a new pup can.
I do not think anyone expects a dog without some problem or trauma from a rescue.

When someone contacts a rescue to enquire about a dog all the above is in their mind and sadly, good responsible sensible owners are tarred by the experiences of the people you are talking too. We ask that you fill in an application form before you contact us, just so we only spend a couple rather than multiple hours a day on the phone talking to people about potential homes.

If the basic requirements were put onto websites, enquiry forms etc then this could be avoided. However I would expect a rescue that wanted to rehome to prioritise talking to those who can offer said home. The res ue expects potential adopters to spend hours filling in forms and attending talks on dog behavior, but is not prepared to get to know those people???

It's self preservation, nothing else, not personal - you may only have a couple of questions but so do many others. A couple of paragraphs write up about a dog can only cover so much. The dog you applied for may no longer be available or there could be details that weren't in the write up that mean that your really great home offer wouldn't suit that dog in my opinion (FWIW) but another dog would be suitable. You can say no at that point! Some dogs have no history so while they might be ok with kids, cats, your hamsters, be house trained and could cope with a cross country train journey through London's Paddington, we don't know that. We only have one kennels, it's where it is, we cannot transport dogs to another kennels at the other of the country for a meet nor will we deliver them without you meeting the dog first and us meeting you. We're not bloody Amazon If you've filled the application form, you'll know all that before we talk.

Some rescues have policies and procedures you don't like or manage their animals in ways that you disapprove of. That's fine too, just move on.

That is why they are full!!

Rescues are not always right, in fact they often get it wrong. But what are the options? Shall we just allow dogs or any animal to be passed on to whoever wants them with no consideration for those who might come into contact with them or the dogs themselves? It's all very well not wanting to fill in forms, to get to know a rescue by volunteering - just go and buy a pup but that might not be easier. I'm talking to breeders now and I'm quite amused by how much info they want from me and references etc before they will consider me for one of their pups. Don't have a problem with it but it makes me smile and all wasted if they don't have a bitch pup available in their next litter which could be 6 - 8 months time.

Change things? It's not working how it is. All the great homes on this thread, non good enough to have a rescue dog? Change things.

I don't want to spend 12 months of my life shoveling poop. I've done my time doing it, I know how rescues operate. I don't need to see it again. I just want to adopt a dog! And a dog I like, a breed I like, a size I like, an age I like and a personality I like. How is this so hard?

 

[skinnydipper]

To me this thread is not so much about the overflowing rescues it's about unwanted dogs, why are they are not wanted and what happens to them when they are not wanted.

I have had 8 from rescue organisations.

• Elderly dog with elderly owner. Owner went into care.
• Dog born deaf. Handed over to rescue as a puppy, lived in rescue kennels for her first year. (it would have been a tragedy if she had been PTS, she was a lovely dog, bright as a button, quick to learn. Pts at 13 due to cancer)
• Stray
• Stray
• Removed from breeder along with 27 others due to appalling condition of environment and dogs
• Abandoned by travellers
• Left tied to some railings so emaciated she couldn't stand
• Returned to rescue 4 times before she came home with me.

2 private rehomes

• Someone came to the door and asked if I would take the elderly dog they no longer wanted.
• GSD who was f*cked up by previous owner.

I have given up wondering what people want from a dog.

When I was out with my dogs I had people ask if I would take their dog:

• A man asked if I would take the Dalmation his girlfriend had bought him, he didn't want a dog
• The springer spaniel that had been bought for a child when his parents separated. Too much for them and although they had him from a puppy still not housetrained at a year old.
• A German Shepherd. I don't know why the owner didn't want him, he seemed like a nice dog
• Woman trying to sell pet insurance in supermarket, would I take one of her adolescent Weimaraners. She had bought two pups and she wasn't coping.

 

[Ditchjumper2]

When we wanted a rescue the RSPCA didn't want to know at all. Country home, 7 acres of fields, yes we worked but generally someone always there.

Went to the Blue Cross and were a bit more economical with the truth. They at least showed us a terrier! But this poor dog had a list of faults and had had several homes. When you looked at him you saw in his eyes he had been a square peg in a round hole. We passed to home check and they spent more time looking at our horses. When we went to collect him they said have you come to collect Sherman The Shit! He was the best dog ever! He was not keen on small boys so had probably had a bad experience. Lived a full and varied life well into his teens. But on paper we shouldn't have had him.

It is difficult for rescues, I get that, but in life very little is perfect you have to compromise. I suggest rescues do similar. I now buy puppies as far easier and its much easier to put my stamp on them and they have no history. Even when I WFH they mainly sleep so why everyone stresses over this can't leave for more than 4 hours is beyond me. I can leave my dogs all day and have done at times. They are fine.

 

[skinnydipper]

When my last GSD died 5 years ago and I was looking for another dog, I went to the regional RSPCA rehoming centre. They were full but only 1 dog was available for adoption. The rest couldn't be rehomed until after their court cases.

 

[I'm Dun]

Not all rescues are equal - there are no official standards in what they take and what criteria they apply for rehoming so there are huge variations between rescues. There are also big differences in resources and time to spend with dogs and publicising them if that makes sense. Plus what you are happy to have forever online about your dogs and how you operate.

More often than not, unless you have the holy grail of an experienced foster home for every dog, a lot of dogs do not display bad or difficult behaviour in kennels when they are being handled by experienced people. I can't remember when I last got bitten by a rescue. Not because I'm an uber dog handler - I'm really not - but it's absolutely ingrained in me after a lifetime of dogs and horses not to stick my face in a dogs face, to let them come to me, remove the dog from something they're guarding instead of sticking my hand in their mouth, not grab the collar of a dog I don't know routinely, to use body language/blocking rather than flap hands at a stressed dog. In a new home and with people who are strange to the dog at that point is when bad behaviours can be shown. Some are temporary because of insecurity, being unsettled, some are more established and may be a permanent feature of this dog. I strongly feel, that as a breed rescue there is a huge issue with people forgetting that each dog is different even if they look the same. Your new younger dog, with a different, probably less than ideal background will behave very unlike your old faithful that you had for 10 years plus from a pup, trusted and knew each other inside out. But it's very easy to forget that and go to remove the teatowel from a dogs mouth without thinking, go to step over them while they are eating and give yourself a fright when they react. My dog lost his mind and went berserk the first time he saw a bin man - young, tall, head to toe high viz with a bushy beard - luckily I had him on head collar as well as a collar and was able to shout to ask the bloke to stand still for a moment while I hauled the dog away but I still remember the shock as he had been absolutely fine with everyone until then. 4 years on he is still wary of young men, high viz etc but is trained and trusts me enough to ignore them on command.
Rehoming any dog is not easy. There will always be the WTF moments from you and the dog which can go south and result in a dog being returned. I know I have been guilty of blaming the home when actually it's the dog, they have an issue that didn't show in kennels. Other times, it is the home, they weren't honest, often through ignorance, you don't know what you don't know after all, sometimes they lied or despite saying all the right things, found the reality was too much.

We don't take dogs with known bite histories or serious behavioural issues any more as we don't have homes for them. But we do get lied to by previous homes and some dogs were strays/abandoned/seized by police (not because the dog did anything wrong) so have no history. A lot are adolescents who will push boundaries if allowed but are actually nice dogs underneath. As a breed, they are strong willed, intelligent, independent minded dogs with a long memory and left to their own devices, without guidance and clear, fair handling will make bad choices.

We do as much as possible with them while we have them but we cannot replicate every possible situation and every type of handling that they will have in a new home.

Assessing people - well, that relies on them being honest and realistic to themselves as well as us as to what they can and want to deal with. There is no shame in saying 'that's too much for me' but really that should be before you take the dog home. You know, plan for the worst, hope for the best. Accept that sometimes this breed, or in some cases any breed is not right at this time for your circumstances. Maybe a pup would fit better into your household now with multiple other pets, small kids, lots of visitors, a ROW across your garden (!) even if waiting for a well bred one would take longer, cost more, be harder work in the short term and you really, really wanted to rescue. Sometimes people will have to wait longer, accept that while they may be a great home that the dog they saw went to another great home that wasn't them. There was only one of that dog, but believe me, there will be more and with patience and understanding on both sides, you will probably end up being offered a dog. I know that we often will accept a dog with someone in mind to rehome them. We still need to have a kennel free to take them in and assess them before we contact that person and as always, there are no guarantee that the dog will be as expected or the home is still available but the people waiting are always kept in mind. Other rescues may operate differently of course.

Other times a rescue may not want to rehome to you. They have their own criteria and for whatever reason, good or bad, that is their prerogative. They may want you to jump through more hoops than you feel is reasonable but again, their prerogative. It's annoying and disappointing but walk away, get a dog somewhere else be it rescue or responsible breeder.

But please do not blame a single rescue for your decision to buy a back yard bred/ farmed puppy or import from abroad without doing your due diligence.

You are getting a lot of grief here, but I am very glad you are posting and giving the rescues side even if I don't agree with you. Maybe dialogue like this will help both sides. Yours does sound like one of the better ones, and I do think the smaller rescues are more pragmatic.

 

[Kaylum]

Blue Cross was the most realistic place we found. We have had plenty of dogs before but they sit you down and go through the costs. My little terrier with insurance, feed etc costs me well over £100 a month. She doesn't need a dog groomer but add those costs on and its a lot of money per month.

I don't have a dog walker but if I needed one that would increase the costs. When we go away that's £200 for the week.

Costs are raising and nobody thinks how much it's costing pet owners.

We are experienced terrier owners and they said we asked all the right questions.

She has behaviour problems but so do we we manage them.

They also checked with our vet for references.

 

[skinnydipper]

People should be able to take their unwanted dogs to a vet to be PTS without judgement and without some do-gooder stepping in and "saving" them without securing a home first. There

It is usually the dog's owner who has appealed to the rescue for help to save their dog from being pts.

Could be for any reason, eg moving house and new landlord won't accept pets, someone has died and relative unable to take care of the dog, dogs unsettled by new baby in the house.

 

[skinnydipper]

https://www.facebook.com/SAINTSSLEDDOG/posts/pfbid0CGmXb6AQMm2nJxaExJ5BEGzCnhdiwfJwS6uHvkMNrxfGp6jWsu5kp7NiKjRURsKXl

 

[skinnydipper]

Connect2 GSD Rescue | THIS FOR ANOTHER RESCUE WE ARE TRYING TO HELP | Facebook

THIS FOR ANOTHER RESCUE WE ARE TRYING TO HELP . This is a call-out for two Foster homes . It’s for another rescue who are trying to help two 1 year old Females , need tobe homed separately, because...

www.facebook.com

 

[millitiger]

I don't understand how so many dogs end up unwanted but I think most people on this forum would put our pets before almost anything else.
So perhaps we aren't the right people to come up with the answer!

When I see dogs come up on pets4homes, it is usually changed job and no time to look after dog, had a child and no time to look after dog, dog not getting on with other resident dog.

The rescue thing is a whole other matter and why they don't/ can't re-home in a more efficient way.

I want a boy long dog; I recently spent hours with a local rescue researching, applying, emailing and speaking on the phone.
The boy I wanted was re-homed but did I want a collie bitch?
Um no, that won't fit my home requirements or other 2 resident dogs.

 

[marmalade76]

https://www.facebook.com/SAINTSSLEDDOG/posts/pfbid0CGmXb6AQMm2nJxaExJ5BEGzCnhdiwfJwS6uHvkMNrxfGp6jWsu5kp7NiKjRURsKXl

IMO this type of dog shouldn't be in a pet home, they're working dogs that need lots of stimulation and exercise, they need to work. I also wonder how ethical it is to keep a dog designed for snow in a centrally heated home. No wonder they have problems.

 

[JBM]

IMO this type of dog shouldn't be in a pet home, they're working dogs that need lots of stimulation and exercise, they need to work. I also wonder how ethical it is to keep a dog designed for snow in a centrally heated home. No wonder they have problems.

As long as they’re exercised properly there is 0 problems having sled dogs as pets
Their coats regulate their temperature so they’re happy enough laying on top of each other in a centrally heated home

 

[skinnydipper]

IMO this type of dog shouldn't be in a pet home, they're working dogs that need lots of stimulation and exercise, they need to work. I also wonder how ethical it is to keep a dog designed for snow in a centrally heated home. No wonder they have problems.

I posted the link to show you that the "do gooders" as you call them are stepping in to try and help dogs at the request of owners who have said they will pts if a home can't be found, there is usually a deadline. The same with the Dalmation post #11. He is now with someone with experience of Dalmations.

You might think that there are worse things than being pts but there are also better options. Why not give dogs the chance of a happy life with a new owner rather than pts?

ETA. I wouldn't want to try and fulfil the needs of a working dog but there are plenty of pet homes that can and do, if the dog isn't doing the job it was bred for there are dog sports. You only have to read AAD to see the time and effort people put in to ensure their dogs instincts and needs are being met. Protection, agility, fly ball, scent work, canicross, terrier racing, bikejoring, etc.

 

[skinnydipper]

Remember Pablo with a cancerous tumour on his face whose owner could not afford vet care

"Our groups aim is to get direct help for any dog that has untreated medical conditions and or suffering from neglect . The sooner we help we increase the dogs chances of survival and significantly reduce suffering . In memory of Pablo let’s save dogs lives !"

Bei Facebook anmelden

Melde dich bei Facebook an, um dich mit deinen Freunden, deiner Familie und Personen, die du kennst, zu verbinden und Inhalte zu teilen.

www.facebook.com

 

[JBM]

Owner should’ve been done for that

 

[Celtic Jewel]

A lot of time stray dogs are just lost dogs with irresponsible owners that don’t microchip or don’t change the microchip and don’t have a collar or anything on the dog . They don’t bother going to look for the dog so they end up getting rehomed the problem is when someone spots the dog they can give the person who rehomed it a hard time even though they don’t legally own the dog anymore and chances are the person that adopted spends hundreds/ thousands on the dog . It really something you have to be careful when adopting and Google the dog your adopt to see if you can find anything on social media

 

[I'm Dun]

I posted the link to show you that the "do gooders" as you call them are stepping in to try and help dogs at the request of owners who have said they will pts if a home can't be found, there is usually a deadline. The same with the Dalmation post #11. He is now with someone with experience of Dalmations.

You might think that there are worse things than being pts but there are also better options. Why not give dogs the chance of a happy life with a new owner rather than pts?

ETA. I wouldn't want to try and fulfil the needs of a working dog but there are plenty of pet homes that can and do, if the dog isn't doing the job it was bred for there are dog sports. You only have to read AAD to see the time and effort people put in to ensure their dogs instincts and needs are being met. Protection, agility, fly ball, scent work, canicross, terrier racing, bikejoring, etc.

But that really isnt the majority of owners. 99% of people looking for a dog want a sweet, friendly, easy family pet. I walk for miles, I rarely see another dog after the first mile as that's the point that most people stop. They don't want to be or don't have the time to be walking for hours a day, or committing to dog sports. I had a dog who would have been a superstar at flyball. He was made for it. I did the initial course and stopped going as I didn't want to be travelling for hours to shows and spending the whole weekend there. Just wasn't for me, and wouldn't be for the vast majority of people either.

 

[TheresaW]

I have a husky we’ve had from a pup. A malamute from rescue, who we’ve had a year today. He was picked up as a stray, in a bad way, a 6hr operation to remove a tumour. We also have a “husky” who is more than probably X Mal, who again was picked up as a stray. He is the dopiest dog I’ve ever met. How he ended us homeless is beyond me.

We took on a 12yo collie a couple of years ago. Her owner died. She was a lovely girl, but just did not settle here. We tried everything. Plug-ins, calmers etc. We didn’t have the 2 rescues at that point. In the end, we had her PTS at almost 14, as she was not a happy dog, and at that age, it didn’t seem right to pass on again.

 

[marmalade76]

I posted the link to show you that the "do gooders" as you call them are stepping in to try and help dogs at the request of owners who have said they will pts if a home can't be found, there is usually a deadline. The same with the Dalmation post #11. He is now with someone with experience of Dalmations.

You might think that there are worse things than being pts but there are also better options. Why not give dogs the chance of a happy life with a new owner rather than pts?

ETA. I wouldn't want to try and fulfil the needs of a working dog but there are plenty of pet homes that can and do, if the dog isn't doing the job it was bred for there are dog sports. You only have to read AAD to see the time and effort people put in to ensure their dogs instincts and needs are being met. Protection, agility, fly ball, scent work, canicross, terrier racing, bikejoring, etc.

Owners like these are the minority, most folks want a dog as another family member that will fit in, this is not enough for a lot of working breeds. If there were more dog owners working/competing their dogs we'd have considerably less dog problems.

 

[skinnydipper]

But that really isnt the majority of owners. 99% of people looking for a dog want a sweet, friendly, easy family pet.

Well then, that's what they should get.

But if a dog has the misfortune to find itself in a home that doesn't meet its needs, it should be given the opportunity to find a home with someone who can.

 

[Clodagh]

Well then, that's what they should get.

But if a dog has the misfortune to find itself in a home that doesn't meet its needs, it should be given the opportunity to find a home with someone who can.

I agree with both of you. I rehomed the spaniel as we were incompatible, having her pts would have been a bit harsh. She’s living her best life now (with an older man who couldn’t adopt from a rescue due to his age).

 

[CorvusCorax]

I actually moved away from rehoming dogs (we usually got show bred dogs who did not make the grade) because I got involved with sports and thought it was fairer to pick a horse for the course
However I tend to keep my dogs for life/they retire here. I have also taken on the dog of a friend who passed away, who ended his days here.
I would only ever consider a private/direct rehome, I would never send one to kennels, as to me that absolves all responsibility, I would rather PTS and in one of the two cases I have rehomed as an adult (IE not my mother) that is what happened because no one wanted the dog and she was not happy in the head. The other had a very happy life with a new family and lived to a ripe old age, but she showed sheep chasing tendencies and we lived on a mountain surrounded by sheep.

 

[skinnydipper]

Update by Saints Sled Dog Rescue 30.5.24: Huskies now safe.

 

[cbmcts]

But here are plenty of good owners who have been tuned down. That is why the rescues are full!

And that's a real shame. FWIW I don't think anyone here would be immediately turned down by us based on what's been described here - but you'd have to want a rottweiler...


However, in the real world that is rarely the case and as a result rescues are full. They are full because they are to rigid with their rehoming IMHO.
However they are not full of 'desirable' easy animals that can slot into a new home seamlessly like a new pup can.
I do not think anyone expects a dog without some problem or trauma from a rescue.

You'd be amazed. Many people really don't have much understanding of animal behaviour and even more think that love alone will cure everything.

If the basic requirements were put onto websites, enquiry forms etc then this could be avoided. However I would expect a rescue that wanted to rehome to prioritise talking to those who can offer said home. The res ue expects potential adopters to spend hours filling in forms and attending talks on dog behavior, but is not prepared to get to know those people???

They are on ours - both on the app form and a tab on the website explaining what's required. We added the info to the app form because a lot of dogs are seen on social media rather than the website. (also the website is slow to be updated..) The form is only 4 pages and the point of it is to see IF you can offer a suitable home. Even if you can't for whatever reason, we'll reply and say why we can't help. If you sound even vaguely suitable, we'll be calling...much as I love chatting to people, especially about dogs there just aren't enough hours in the day to contact everyone who shows interest without some kind of filtering first.

That is why they are full!!


Change things? It's not working how it is. All the great homes on this thread, non good enough to have a rescue dog? Change things.

I don't want to spend 12 months of my life shoveling poop. I've done my time doing it, I know how rescues operate. I don't need to see it again.

I or any other individual cannot change how another organisation operates (as long as they are legal!) unless I/we get involved in some way. Rescues/charities are essentially privately run with the freedom to do things their way, just like any other private 'business'. We then have the choice whether to deal with them or not, just like you decide where to shop or not or which tradespeople you employ.

BTW,I don't shovel poop or clean kennels. Nor do we ask any one to take dog behaviour courses I walk and train dogs (the best bit), homecheck (interesting and meet some great people) collect dogs (more new places to get lost even with Google Maps and Waze), review applications, talk to prospective rehomers and do meets. I don't have anything to do with finance, SM/websites or fund raising by choice. I have no real authority as a volunteer but I do have some influence.

I just want to adopt a dog! And a dog I like, a breed I like, a size I like, an age I like and a personality I like. How is this so hard?
I wonder is it because you want the type of dog that is high demand and low supply? Genuine question! It shouldn't be that hard. I really do understand your frustration but if you don't want/can't compromise on the type of dog, you may have compromise on the hoops you are prepared to jump through.

If you want to PM me your area/where you are prepared to travel to and what type of dog you are looking for, I might be able to signpost some rescues that are reasonable.

 

[I'm Dun]

Well then, that's what they should get.

But if a dog has the misfortune to find itself in a home that doesn't meet its needs, it should be given the opportunity to find a home with someone who can.

But where are all these homes coming from? I don't think they exist for the huge numbers of dogs who need them.

 

[TheresaW]

I am nowhere near as involved in our breed specific rescue as cbmcts, but I am a volunteer. I do homechecks, fundraising etc. I think our rescue is realistic with regards to rehoming dogs. We have 2 ourselves, both work full time.

We advertise the dogs on FB, and have a website. If you’re interested in a particular dog, you can fill in a form, have homecheck etc. All the dogs have as good as description as possible. The amount of people that have young children, that will ask after ones that say no children under 10 or whatever and then get annoyed.

 

[sarah.oxford]

I rehomed a dog once.
I bought him off Gumtree as he was the breed I wanted and could have fitted with the only other I had at the time.
He was about a year old, entire, and they didn't have time for him.
It was clear quite quickly that he wasn't a good fit as he was very overpowering to other dogs, all be it in a well meaning way, but he was relentless.
I booked him in for castration and set about finding him a home without other dogs.
I also found a rescue who was willing to provide rescue back up and provide a contract for the new owner. This was the rescue my bitch came from so we knew each other.
I had a lot of enquiries but one stood out. Family home, lost their 13 year old Rottweiler the previous year and felt they were ready to fill the gap. Willing to travel 2 and a half hours to meet the dog and offered to pay for the castration which I hadn't asked for, on top of what I was asking for the dog (what I'd paid for him).
He came to view him and we went on a walk across fields so he could see exactly where we were at with recall training.
We are now 4 years down the line and that dog has a home for life. He pops up in my Facebook feed now and again and is very much part of the family. They have moved house so he could have a bigger garden (the original one was 5 times the size of mine) and if they go abroad the in laws move in.
I ended up with a very well bred health tested puppy, from a breeder who only breeds when he wants to keep one. I still have my rescue bitch, going strong age 13.
I did spend a year navigating the rescue process, as my first 2 were rescues, but none of the dogs I applied for were able to be homed with another dog sadly.
It all turned out very well for everyone in the end, and I am glad I was able to help Dave (previously Busta) find his forever home.
He's still called Dave.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I rehomed a dog once.
I bought him off Gumtree as he was the breed I wanted and could have fitted with the only other I had at the time.
He was about a year old, entire, and they didn't have time for him.
It was clear quite quickly that he wasn't a good fit as he was very overpowering to other dogs, all be it in a well meaning way, but he was relentless.
I booked him in for castration and set about finding him a home without other dogs.
I also found a rescue who was willing to provide rescue back up and provide a contract for the new owner. This was the rescue my bitch came from so we knew each other.
I had a lot of enquiries but one stood out. Family home, lost their 13 year old Rottweiler the previous year and felt they were ready to fill the gap. Willing to travel 2 and a half hours to meet the dog and offered to pay for the castration which I hadn't asked for, on top of what I was asking for the dog (what I'd paid for him).
He came to view him and we went on a walk across fields so he could see exactly where we were at with recall training.
We are now 4 years down the line and that dog has a home for life. He pops up in my Facebook feed now and again and is very much part of the family. They have moved house so he could have a bigger garden (the original one was 5 times the size of mine) and if they go abroad the in laws move in.
I ended up with a very well bred health tested puppy, from a breeder who only breeds when he wants to keep one. I still have my rescue bitch, going strong age 13.
I did spend a year navigating the rescue process, as my first 2 were rescues, but none of the dogs I applied for were able to be homed with another dog sadly.
It all turned out very well for everyone in the end, and I am glad I was able to help Dave (previously Busta) find his forever home.
He's still called Dave.

We have rehomed 5(?) over the years, a 12.month old Lab dog who had been a 'pick of litter' pup for his sire's owner. He was shown in puppy classes and did well because he was a big strong pup but he grew to be overweight, so was rehomed to a couple who lived in a flat, who needless to say couldn't cope because he couldn't cope with being left alone all day.

Then I took on a LabxCollie bitch who had previously been rehomed by the RSPCA, they seemed to have washed their hands of her.
Then a friend had taken on a Rottweiler bitch aged about 5 months when the original owner couldn't cope but he often brought her to us when he was working and then needed to go away for a month, so she stayed with us and never went back.
The next one was a Border Collie bitch who had been taken in by someone who couldn’t keep her when she was abandoned tied to a lamppost near the school where I was working.
And the latest one, a brown Lab bitch was advertised on Preloved aged 5 months as the COL crisis began to hit.

 

[skinnydipper]

Please listen

https://fb.watch/sDHL3bs2Dj

 

[whirlwind]

I wouldn’t be approved by a rescue as we don’t have a fenced garden but have never managed to loose a dog (2 private rescue/ if you don’t come and get this dog today it will pts collies in the mix). There tends to be someone around most days and the dogs hang out with whoever’s here round the yards or they come and do jobs at the horses and hack or sometimes work the sheep. Last night then went to the river for a swim and most weeks we go to the beach. Sometimes there’s no one here so they hang out on the sofa and have the door open so they can patrol!

Do I think my dogs have a happy life? Yes! Would I get approved by a rescue? Not a chance! I’ve been asked to take on more than I can count though, generally people who have bought a working bred dog and then are surprised when it wants to work.