Getting a new dog...slightly effing frustrating

[Craphouserat]

Thanks for everyone's replies. Very interesting reading others experiences. My wife and I are experienced dog owners - personally I've worked with working dogs and more recently just had them as pets.

It has been the Dogs Trust that have really put us off. Their general lack of interest in us was almost verging on ignorant. No questions - just a quick perusal of the questionnaire and effectively no - go away...we are busy here.

We are in the East of Scotland - St.Andrews in Fife. We visited some local places and headed through to Glasgow for a couple of days and had a look through there whilst we were through.

We have done research into breeds and we would prefer a Terrier...the one we prefer would be a Border Terrier or Patterdale. Labs are also high on our list...the main reason we went to the Dogs Trust in Uddingston was the 2yr old Black lab they had there. Looked well if a bit skinny - but no.

I would like everyone to know that despite me starting this thread I do appreciate what they do and respect the fact they know dog better than us and they have the dogs interest quite rightly at heart. My frustration lay in the way we were treated - we're not inexperienced owners and have a lot to offer..and ofcourse we would not look to rehome if we were going to leave it alone a lot. quite the contrary...because of hours my wife and I spend a lot of time home alone...so we want a companion !!! When we have time together long countryside walks and weekends away are how we spend our time...a new dog will love it...one day !!

[CAPP0]

Glad to hear you're feeling ready to find another friend, Barry

Regarding the rescues, it's massively frustrating but some of them seem to have a rigid set of rules where no common-sense is applied. I volunteer occasionally for a group of GSD rescues, mostly doing homechecks, and I have never yet turned anyone down. However, I will, where appropriate, note any issues which might affect the type of dog selected (e.g. 4ft fencing? No jumpers!). My belief is that in the vast majority of cases, a dog will always be better off in a home than in a kennel, as long as the rehomer and the dog are considered and matched as well as can be.

I've rehomed 4 rescue dogs myself over the years. Most, but not all, the rescues have home checked us first, but (in answer to a post above) I have never had a re-visit from a rescue, and on the same point, I have never been asked to, or wanted to, revisit a home I have previously checked.

The restriction on the home you mentioned where they won't tolerate 2 x 4hr periods is utterly ridiculous. All the rescues I have ever known have been fine with a 4-hour period, regardless of frequency. Going back to my point about the dog's suitability, obviously this wouldn't be the best approach in the case of a dog with known separation anxiety, but it sounds like they have simply ruled you out full stop. Maybe you should point them at your thread about Ozzie, nobody could be in any doubt as to your care or intentions after reading that

The vast majority of the dogs in the rescues I have volunteered for have been GSDs but they do occasionally have others, or crossbreeds. Mainly in the South East but with connections elsewhere in the country. Drop me a line if I can be of any help.

[Craphouserat]

CAPP0 said:

Glad to hear you're feeling ready to find another friend, Barry

Regarding the rescues, it's massively frustrating but some of them seem to have a rigid set of rules where no common-sense is applied. I volunteer occasionally for a group of GSD rescues, mostly doing homechecks, and I have never yet turned anyone down. However, I will, where appropriate, note any issues which might affect the type of dog selected (e.g. 4ft fencing? No jumpers!). My belief is that in the vast majority of cases, a dog will always be better off in a home than in a kennel, as long as the rehomer and the dog are considered and matched as well as can be.

I've rehomed 4 rescue dogs myself over the years. Most, but not all, the rescues have home checked us first, but (in answer to a post above) I have never had a re-visit from a rescue, and on the same point, I have never been asked to, or wanted to, revisit a home I have previously checked.

The restriction on the home you mentioned where they won't tolerate 2 x 4hr periods is utterly ridiculous. All the rescues I have ever known have been fine with a 4-hour period, regardless of frequency. Going back to my point about the dog's suitability, obviously this wouldn't be the best approach in the case of a dog with known separation anxiety, but it sounds like they have simply ruled you out full stop. Maybe you should point them at your thread about Ozzie, nobody could be in any doubt as to your care or intentions after reading that

The vast majority of the dogs in the rescues I have volunteered for have been GSDs but they do occasionally have others, or crossbreeds. Mainly in the South East but with connections elsewhere in the country. Drop me a line if I can be of any help.

How are you getting on Cappo?

Thanks for your post. I am trying to look at the visit there objectively and not be too judgmental...but I know I'm not doing too well with that right now !! Still smarting a bit I guess. Please don't get me wrong - we knew it wouldn't be like going to buy a loaf of bread and expected a bit of a grilling and maybe 3 or 4 return visits to any centre...but the lack of interest in us on their part was a bit surreal. We felt like others were getting a lot of their attention - getting the history of dogs etc and a lot of attention..where as we were generally ignored.

Maybe I'm just still a bit sensitive about the whole dog thing just now and I'm jealous because a family got the dog and despite what I've said it probably will have a good life with them....maybe I had my heart set just a bit quickly !! I gave the Trust a decent donation but doubt I'll waste my time going back - I respect what they do and respect they have reasons for saying no but at the end of the day every dog will at some point in anybody's week will be on its own just for a short time.

We will find a dog and we won't rush in - like many have said here - we are still going to continue research and perhaps get a pup. It's hard work but a very special and fun time having a pup around. We would like to give a rescue a life though...just wish I could give an older one a good end but after Ozz I don't think I could put myself through the end of life thing too often. Didn't appreciate how attahced I was to the wee man.

All the best mate.

[eybic]

We had similar when looking to rehome a cat from Battersea in Old Windsor. We were told that we'd need a home inspection (really??? but we accepted it), if we had other cats it wouldn't be great and if we were out in the day then it's unlikely we'd be "allowed" to take a cat from the rescue centre into a loving home

We ended up getting 2 kittens from a friend who are still with us and very happy 8 years on.

[bigandclever]

226bhp said:

Out of interest, does it matter what you tell them? Do they come round afterwards and check?

Exactly. "Is there someone home all day?" "Er, yes". What are they going to do?

[Spiffing]

Retired friend approached several homes looking for a older dog. She was told that she wasn't suitable as she lived on her own and had no family to look after it if she died! She had backup, I would have taken her dog, has a garden, is very active (2 hrs walking a day) and is around all day. She ended up with a local small rescue and rescued a 5yr beardie who she has had for 4 years now.

[alteredracer]

Turn7 said:

You can also try breed specific rescues - check the breeds websites, they nearly always have rescues.

I second this. In my experience breed rescue are much better than a national 'chain' - they see less volume of dogs so are more able to take individual circumstances into account.

We were turned down by a large national rescue, again, because we both work full time. They didn't ask what our working patterns or jobs were like, just flat out said 'no, go away', so didn't get as far as us explaining that OH runs his own business, from home...

Our experience with breed rescue was the opposite, they were friendly, willing to listen to what plans we had in place for times we may need to be away from home, genuinely pleased that we were a suitable home and very supportive throughout the rehoming process.

Lab rescue in Scotland can be found here www.lrrss.co.uk and I'm sure 5 mins on Google would find similar for the other breeds you're considering.

Good luck with finding a new dog!

[CAPP0]

Craphouserat said:

How are you getting on Cappo?

Not too bad thanks - I posted in the other thread earlier, won't clog this one up, but thanks for asking

[HTP99]

eybic said:

We had similar when looking to rehome a cat from Battersea in Old Windsor. We were told that we'd need a home inspection (really??? but we accepted it), if we had other cats it wouldn't be great and if we were out in the day then it's unlikely we'd be "allowed" to take a cat from the rescue centre into a loving home

We ended up getting 2 kittens from a friend who are still with us and very happy 8 years on.

RSPCA were a nightmare wehn we wanted to re-home a second cat from them. The first cat that we had, they were fine and asked only a few rudimentary questions and I seem to re-call a home visit, however a few years later we went back for a second and the criteria had changed, the main one was along the lines of "do you live on a main road or side road?" well we live on neither, as we don't live on a side road they put us down as main road and declined us our second cat from them.

Oh well, we obtained a second cat elsewhere and in total since then have had five over the years, not all at once. The first cat that we had from them was PTS in jan at the ripe old age of 21, we had her for 18 years and the last remaining cat that we have would have been the second cat from the RSPCA, we have had her since she was a kitten and she is still going strong at 14 years old.

We will most likely be looking for a second dog next year and we will probably be going down the breed specific rescue route; either a French Bulldog as we have one now, or a Pug as we used to have one.

[moorx]

I know that I'm new here (hello) but to balance some of the comments/experiences, I have always worked full time, and have successfully adopted 11 rescue dogs in the past 20 odd years. As has been said, some rescues have 'blanket' rules which they just won't be swayed from. At the end of the day, they are entitled to have whatever rules they wish, but you don't have to adopt a dog from them. There are other (generally smaller, independent) rescues which are more flexible and will listen to what you can offer.

Have you looked here: http://www.dogpages.org.uk/forums/index.php?act=id...

Some of the smaller rescues post there, or you could start a thread in the 'Homes Offered' section.

Best of luck in your search and I (for one) really hope you find a rescue dog

Clare

[moorx]

Sorry - by way of introduction, I should probably say that I'm Clare, I live in west Wales and I currently have four dogs (two greyhounds and two very naughty whippets - all rescues) and six rabbits (all rescues except one) - not an obvious combination, I know and one very ancient goldfish.

[Craphouserat]

Guys thank you for the replies - i will have a look at all those links later with the O/H - breed specific seems the way to go I think.

Thanks again all....Claire that is some mix...welcome to Pistonheads....never forget the ancient goldfish...very important !!!;)

[CAPP0]

moorx said:

I currently have two greyhounds and two very naughty whippets and six rabbits

And you spend your evenings HOW exactly?

moorx tomorrow said:

I currently have two greyhounds and two very naughty whippets and six five rabbits

[Staplebug]

Hi all,

A friend of mine runs http://newhopeanimalrescue.co.uk/
Take a look and I can put you in contact if needed.

[tedmus]

Lots of smaller rescues post on the Dogpages forums.

We're on our second rescue dog and we both work, never had a problem.

Edit - beaten to it I see

Edited by tedmus on Wednesday 22 October 15:08

[Craphouserat]

tedmus said:

Lots of smaller rescues post on the Dogpages forums.

We're on our second rescue dog and we both work, never had a problem.

Edit - beaten to it I see

Edited by tedmus on Wednesday 22 October 15:08

Thanks - I've just registered on this site and will be posting in the coming days.

Again this part of Pistonheads is proving to be the best. Thanks all for your help.

[Morningside]

Craphouserat said:

egor110 said:

put up a post up on the agilitynet facebook page, lots of people there have there fingers in lots of pies.

Thanks - I've never heard of them before.

I was about to ask what buying from the net is like..gumtree etc? i imagine like everything else...some good sellers online...some not so good.

I placed an advert on Freeads ( This one) and we ended up with a really lovely sweet Lhasa Apso.

Added: On facebook we have a "Puppies, dogs for sale in Lowestoft,...." and I sure you have an equivalent one where you are.

Edited by Morningside on Wednesday 22 October 15:28

[egor110]

bigandclever said:

226bhp said:

Out of interest, does it matter what you tell them? Do they come round afterwards and check?

Exactly. "Is there someone home all day?" "Er, yes". What are they going to do?

They might bang on your door make a few calls to see if anyone's in, if not they might continue over a longer period of time just to clarify if the person was just out then or they are always out.

[Dolf Stoppard]

Good to hear that you're thinking of getting a new friend. I replied to your post back in September as we'd just taken on a puppy a year after losing our last dog.

I have to say that while I think The Dogs Trust are a great charity they can be a little frustrating.

We were in a very similar situation to you in that my other half works shifts, I work normal office hours but I'm often at home, so the longest a dog would be left for is a morning or afternoon. The Dogs Trust were actually ok about this so I wouldn't necessarily give up with them.

What we did find really frustrating though was that the most appealing dogs were always rehomed even before their picture appeared on the site. How this kept happening I don't know. Whenever we turned up there only ever seemed to be a small number of dogs available, with all of the others in some sort of maximum security type wing they wouldn't even let you in. The whole thing also felt quite competitive, with loads of families / couples competing for a small number of dogs, while the staff were not all that interested in helping find the 'right' dog.

In the end we decided to go for a Cockapoo puppy and haven't regretted it one bit - although in many ways we'd have loved to 'rescue' a dog. I do think that the smaller charities are perhaps a better bet and have more realistic expectations of those looking to rehome a dog. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to do this or not but have you tried:

http://www.terrierrescue.co.uk

We very nearly had a dog from them and they seemed a decent, straightforward bunch. Always plenty of little scamps to choose from as well!

Good luck with your search though.

[Jasandjules]

A smaller local rescue is more likely to be helpful. People who actually realise a dog left alone for a few hours a dog is better off than a dog stuck in kennels in their place for 22 hours a day.....