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Out of idle curiosity (ok it was window shopping) I was looking through local ads for dogs for sale. I picked up on a few well-worn cliches which sounded alarm bells...things like:
rehoming due to no fault of own....
last of litter, was going to keep myself but....
can't give him/her time they deserve....
photos of dog on sofa / bed etc
poor, blurry photos
made-up breeds, normally involving Poodles or "Jackawawas"
Some of these statements would make me run a mile.....am I right in thinking they are a poor reflection on the dog/owner....?
i guess proper rescue centres are better at identifying and/or notifying or screening out troubled individuals...but Dogs Trust in particular are very stringently against rehoming with young families.
Yes, you’re right about rehoming centres - they will generally screen the potential new owner as well as advise on the suitability of a particular dog or breed to your situation /home /family.
The thing about a rescue dog is that you often don’t really know their heredity and what they’ve experienced in their formative months /years. Problem or flashpoint behaviours might only emerge as a response to specific stimuli. In the case of aggressive or defensive behaviours (biting, growling, resource guarding) young children might grab, squeeze, hurt or otherwise inadvertently place a dog under stress that might prompt such a reaction - which is not the way that you want to find out that there is an underlying problem. It’s unfair on the dog, and potentially dangerous for the child. I completely understand the Dog’s Trust’s stance on young families.
That said, our animals have always been at the heart of our family, and we’ve brought up our boy (human!) to respect dogs and treat them with caution - especially around flashpoint events (feeding time for the JRT, getting over excited for the Briard pup, for example). You need to train and control the children as well as the dog.
I don’t really advocate the ‘gumtree’ or free-ads route of buying a dog - go to a trusted rehoming centre (unless you are after a very specific breed, have done your research, sought recommendations for the breeder and know that they’ve not been ‘farmed’).
In my experience, dogs are more likely to end up in rescues/shelters/gumtree, due to the failings of people rather than the failings of dogs.
The other thing is, if you get a rescue dog, you'll expect to have to put the time and effort in to help them with any issues which is something which should apply to all dogs.
Just because a dog comes from an breeder (amateur or professional) does not guarantee trouble free dog ownership.
We rescued a bull lurcher about 5 months ago who was given up due to separation anxiety but we've not seen any sign of that at all and believe it's due to giving her plenty of exercise and mental stimulation as well as some clear and consistent boundaries.
She seems to be turning in to a sweeter and happier dog on an almost daily basis right now.
The vast majority of dogs want to fit in harmoniously with their lives and won't misbehave out of badness, it just needs to be clear what you want from them, and in return, you need to meet their needs.
Wise words I heard recently, your dog isn't giving you a hard time; your dog is having a hard time.
Poor reflection on the owner for sure. One I saw a lot was 're-homing due to relationship change'.
All too often people get these fashionable breeds without thinking of the time etc. needed to keep the dogs happy and healthy, then give them up when it does not fit in with their lifestyle.
When we got our dog 6 months ago, we used the Dogs Trust in Ilfracombe. They were absolutely amazing. We went in with an 'ideal' dog, which I must admit was a lab as family has had them all our lives. But they went through all the dogs with us and said no to quite a few of the ones we saw until we met our dog, Wallis, a boxer Rotty cross.
They are ultimately there for the dog, not to provide us with a dog we would like. The last thing they want is for a dog to be rehomed with a young family and have a kid pull at a dogs ears etc. only for the dog to turn round a bite them. They do their
We have a shared adoption scheme with them, as he came with loads of medical issues, so DT pay for pre-existing medical conditions. The previous owners just could not afford the medical bills, so must have just dumped him.
Very pleased to say now he is one happy dog!
I can't see Bingo on Gumtree. Maybe he's been rehomed already.
Wallis is ace! That's a fantastic cross. Love boxers, love rotweillers. Nice photo, too!
Some very good, informative and well thought out replies above and very well done to MrWhyte for rehoming his dog. I would steer well clear of Gumtree.
This lot - Dog for Plums - are flexible when it comes to rehoming. They do some very good work with their dogs and they never give up on them.
BTW I found Dogs Trust difficult to deal with, although others may not have experienced difficulties dealing with Dogs Trust.