Last month the RSPCA reported it had been swamped with abandoned pets during the festive season. Have you been tempted to help out by adopting a dog into your family?
I’ll come clean straight away – I’m very fond of dogs and we’ve always had at least one. When I was a child we had a Pembrokeshire Corgi, then there were Beagles, a couple of Heinz 57s (a mix of unknown varieties), a Collie-Labrador cross, more Corgis and even more Collies crossed with other things.
We had a gap between the last Corgi and our current big dog but I did have the habit of reading the free to a good home column in the local newspaper. I loved having a dog as a playmate and I wanted my daughters to have that chance too. One thing led to another and we found ourselves contacting the local Dog’s Trust representative about adopting a dog. He is a handsome, slimline black Labrador x Staffie - a sort of Labrador-lite. We wanted a Labrador because they are good with children and I had experience of owning a similar dog in the past.
Adopting a rescue dog is like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates; you’re never quite sure what you’re going to get. We were very lucky with Mido. He has a gentle, easy-going temperament and a very loving and willing nature. He’s a very athletic dog and needs a lot of exercise, but we live on a farm so he has plenty of room to run. His only drawbacks are travel sickness (which we’re still working on) and the propensity to inadvertently coat everything around him in copious amounts of black dog hair.
He was timid at first, scared of the sound of his own bark, but we gained his confidence and taught him to woof on command. We made sure he was used to children – ours were then aged six and four – and I am at home during the day, so he was not expected to spend long periods on his own.
We had him on a two week trial and by the end it was obvious he fitted in well as a new member of our family. Importantly for us, he didn’t chase our sheep. We once had to have a rescue dog put down on veterinary advice after it attacked our flock. It was a hard lesson to learn but adopting a dog doesn’t always have a happy ending.
Choosing your dog
My friend Jo, a vet and mother of two boys, advises against adopting any of the large breeds unless you know the dog very well. Talk to other dog owners about the breed they have chosen and use the internet to find out more.
Visit the dog at the kennels or at its home and spend time getting to know it. Ask the owner or handler why the dog needs a new home. Mido’s previous owners’ change in work commitments meant they couldn’t be at home to look after what was a very active young dog. My mother once adopted a Miniature Schnauzer which needed a home after its owners had a baby and my sister had to give up her dog when a relationship ended (the dog found a happy new family home).
If you have a particular pedigree breed in mind, it is worth checking on the internet, as some breeds have their own rescue websites looking for new homes for unwanted pedigrees.
Consider your home circumstances. Do you have a big garden or a postage stamp-sized lawn? Would you be upset by a dog shedding its hair on to your furniture? Take into consideration the size of the dog and the size of your home.
Take the dog for a walk and, if everything goes well, ask to have him for a trial period to see how you all get along. Like all long term relationships, you have to match the dog and the owner. The dog may behave differently in a kennel environment to how it does in a family home.
Dogs love dens
One very positive experience we have had with Mido involves using a dog crate. We originally bought it for him to travel in but when we offered him the chance to try it for size, he moved right on in with his toys and bedding. It gives him a safe haven – vital for him when there are lots of children about or visitors. It also gives us somewhere safe to put him knowing that he - and the contents of our house - can’t come to any harm.
With children in your home, you have to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to aggression in your new doggy friend. If the relationship isn’t working out, don’t be afraid to admit it – like Mido, it might take the dog a few goes to find the right home and a happy ending.
Useful links
- The Dog’s Trust A to Z
- Battersea Dogs Home – responsible dog ownership
- Blue Cross – choosing the right pet
- PDSA – fun quiz to find your right pet
- Purina has a fun dog breed selector
- The Kennel Club has advice on choosing the right breed.
Photo: Mido and his new family by Maggie Christie.
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editor
27 January, 2011
Maggie thank you so much for writing this very useful piece for anyone considering adopting a dog.
We took the plunge shortly before Christmas and like you, our new little member of the family was timid.
We don't know who had been looking after her or why she was in the shelter except that she had been a stray. You can see from scars on her body that she has had fights with other dogs and we were advised she may have been having a phantom pregnancy.
But a month on I think she is a different dog. When she first came home with us she didn't want to go out (it may have been the snow) but from day one she loved having her tummy tickled.
She has definitely taken to my partner most of all and we wonder if this is because he is the only man in the house. Now she is eating well and enjoys our affection.
We do have to be careful not to overwhelm her I think. Out on a walk though her behaviour can be quite difficult as she goes a bit ballastic with other dogs. We are going to take her to classes to help her with this.
mum
27 January, 2011
That's a very good point about not overwhelming a dog Linda. Mido was definitely overwhelmed by moving to yet another home and spent quite a bit of time looking stressed. It did take at least a month for him to settle and there were days when we wondered if we'd done the right thing.
I wonder if Fudge didn't want to go out because she thought you might take her back to the shelter again? She obviously loves living with you! What a lucky dog.
We also found the books Give a Dog a Home by Graeme Sims and The Practical Dog Listener by Jan Fennel useful.
27 January, 2011
I can highly recommend a book for children to read if you are considering adopting a rescue dog...
Poppy The Dogs Trust Dog (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Poppy-Dogs-Trust-Dog-Life/dp/tags-on-product/0340997761).
My daughter has read it umpteen times and now either wants to be come a vet or work for the DogsTrust.
mum
27 January, 2011
Thanks for the link Lins, I think I might have to get a copy of that for my two - they're very proud Mido came from the Dog's Trust and I know they'd love to read about Poppy.