Adopting a dog -complete beginner

lestat21

Hi all,

I'm looking into adopting a dog from one of the local spca, because I know the animal will have had a thorough check-up as well as been neuteured and vaccinated.

I'm wondering what these organisations look when rehoming dogs. I do not have a secure garden area. I literally live in the middle of a small coillte forest. There is a green area but no gate and driveway leads directly onto a quiet road. I was planning to have a house dog and bring him on daily walks to my mums house which is literally two min away. My mum has a gated garden area and another small dog living with her. I also take my mums dog for semi regular walks on the beach. Would any of this be an issue when adopting a dog?? If so what would I have to do to make my home a more suitable home...

Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated...

Shazanne

Well done to you on choosing to adopt a dog rather than buy one!!!:)
It warms my heart to hear that, it really, really does.
What part of the country are you in?

lestat21

Mayo but I'm looking at spca's in roscommon and leitrim as well. I previously worked with the NWSPCA so I know how well animals in their care are treated!!! ... and I know how older animals often take months to rehome. I am hoping to adopt a dog that is at least a year old in the hope that he/she will get on well with my mums dog.

Shazanne

Well done! I did the same - mine were older too and I did it for the same reason as you.
And, believe me, you will be giving that lucky dog a second chance - but the dog will more than repay you with uncondional love!
Let us know how you get on.
Some lovely dogs at East Galway Animal Rescue as well who would love to meet a person like you.
I am in the Midlands but the work that they do there would prompt me to travel there to support them. They are totally full at the moment, which means they can't help many other dogs who need them. Its so very sad:(

Really glad I checked on here tonight - I love to hear a nice story:)

kylith

IME rescues will be looking for you to have a secure garden, but if you plan to keep the dog indoors when you're asleep or out then that may be ok. Be aware that the dog may need some recall training, so don't let them off lead until you're as close to 100% positive as possible that you have that sorted. Also bear in mind that some dogs can never be trusted off lead, so you might want to look at enclosing at least a portion of your garden so that you can have your door open in summer without having to worry about him wandering off.

Above all, enjoy!

lestat21

Thanks so much for all your advice. Kylith, I would be very looking for a dog that I would be able to keep indoors because of where my house is, but its jst not possible to fence in the garden. At the moment the boundary is marked with large boulders that a dog could very easily climb over. I was going to try and train him to stay inside the green area, but I know that will take a lot of time and effort. (WHich I'm very eilling to put into training) The same goes for training him on the lead.

Shazanne I will definately take a look at the Galway Animal Rescue Centre. Kylith, can you tell me a little bit more about IME rescues? I googled them and nothing came up ....

kylith

Sorry, IME just means In My Experience; in my experience rescues will want you to have a secure garden.

lestat21

O my god, Im so blonde sometimes

cruizer101

Haha I made the same mistake was trying to think what it would stand for, Irish Mongrels somthing or other

Bit off topic but I'm fascinated by the sound of your house, in a green area in middle of a forest surrounded by boulders souunds nice although maybe I have the wrong image in my head.

Best of luck with the search anyway.

Shazanne

Lestat - I'm just as blonde as you!!! I thought the very same!! My "text talk" leaves alot to be desired!!!!!:D:D:D

I too love the sound of where you live - it sounds idyllic!! The doggie that end up there will be a very lucky one!!

lestat21

Ya it is really nice... When coillte cut down the trees in 10 - 15 years the view will be spectacular!!

It would be a bit nicer if weirdos werent driving up and down my road in the middle of the night!! Bloody road goes to nowhere... so hoping a yappy dog will scare them off

kimberworth

Good for you wanting to offer a dog a forever home. I wish more people would consider doing this.The reason many rehoming organisations insist on an enclosed garden is that many of the dogs that come into their care are strays. Therefore it's not a good idea to rehome dogs that like to go for a 'wander' in homes that do not have enclosed gardens ... otherwise the situation would be repeated over and over again.

lestat21

kimberworth wrote: »

Good for you wanting to offer a dog a forever home. I wish more people would consider doing this.The reason many rehoming organisations insist on an enclosed garden is that many of the dogs that come into their care are strays. Therefore it's not a good idea to rehome dogs that like to go for a 'wander' in homes that do not have enclosed gardens ... otherwise the situation would be repeated over and over again.

That makes a lot of sense. I was planning to train the dog to stay inside the garden by using the lead in the first month or two. Then slowly giving him more freedom and seeing how that turns out. If that doesnt work out I was planning to walk him down to my mums house every evening. She has a large enclosed gardent that would be suitable for a dog and I usually spend my evenings down there anyway. I'm not sure if this would be enough for some dog rescue centres but I would never mislead them about my situation. I know just how important it is that these dogs find a suitable and loving home

Cherry Blossom

OP, you can't train a dog not to go beyond a certain point, you can train them to come when called but that's not the same thing, you have to be out with them for this to work and not every dog can be trained to come on command and listen 100% of the time, actually very few can and you need a secure area to start with in order to teach them this. If you have already helped out for a rescue that's were I'd be looking if I were you, I don't know of any that would re-home a dog to someone that doesn't have a secure garden unless that person was already known to them.

It may seem that you are in an ideal setting for a dog but I'm afraid most Coillte property has rules in force that means dogs actually aren't allowed to be off-lead, so I would definitely make enquiries into what the rules are where you are.

lestat21

adrenalinjunkie wrote: »

OP, you can't train a dog not to go beyond a certain point, you can train them to come when called but that's not the same thing, you have to be out with them for this to work and not every dog can be trained to come on command and listen 100% of the time, actually very few can and you need a secure area to start with in order to teach them this. If you have already helped out for a rescue that's were I'd be looking if I were you, I don't know of any that would re-home a dog to someone that doesn't have a secure garden unless that person was already known to them.

I understand what you mean. Would a rescue centre consider me if I explained to them that the dog would be kept inside, walked regularly and exercised/socialised at my mums house where there is a secure garden???

I really dont want to be considered for adopting a dog just because I previously worked with the organisation. Anyway I was involved in the fostering and caring of cats, and dogs require a lot more training, and attention.

Cherry Blossom

lestat21 wrote: »

I understand what you mean. Would a rescue centre consider me if I explained to them that the dog would be kept inside, walked regularly and exercised/socialised at my mums house where there is a secure garden???

You would need to ask each one individually tbh.

lestat21 wrote: »

I really dont want to be considered for adopting a dog just because I previously worked with the organisation.

Why not? It gives a clear indication of your motives and intentions, which is exactly what they want to know, even if it's a different rescue it will add weight to your suitability as a pet owner. They want to know that their animals are going to the right place which is why so many questions are asked on each persons circumstances and lifestyle.

Shazanne

You appear to be very responsible and conscientious so that will stand to you.
Also, a reputable rescue will carry out a full home check before they allow you to bring a dog home so that will be reassuring for you as well as very important for the dog.
And the rescue should take all your circumstances into account to ensure that you are selecting the best possible dog for you.
If your a dealing with a good rescue centre they will also be there to provide you with follow up advice.
It is always wise to deal with a rescue centre that operates in this way as they will always have the dogs best interest at heart and won't just forget about him or her once you take the dog.
The dog should also be neutered before you adopt it and, in most cases now, it should be microchipped as well and have a proper vaccination record and, very importantly, some knowledge of the dogs temperment.
Best of luck and act wisely

Millem

I know some rescues allow their dogs to be be rehomed to people who live in apartments, therefore it is kind of the same thing as not having a secure garden!

planetX

Even if the rescue doesn't require it, think about how you can make at least a part of the garden secure - it's a lot of trouble when you don't have it, and for your peace of mind I think it's vital.

Millem

planetX wrote: »

Even if the rescue doesn't require it, think about how you can make at least a part of the garden secure - it's a lot of trouble when you don't have it, and for your peace of mind I think it's vital.

Totally agree! Even if you need to let the dog go to the loo it would be an absolute pain to have to keep bringing it out on the lead especially if you were in a rush!

LucyBliss

Millem wrote: »

Totally agree! Even if you need to let the dog go to the loo it would be an absolute pain to have to keep bringing it out on the lead especially if you were in a rush!

It really is! We go stay with my aunt in Co. Meath every so often and her garden has this big gaping hole in the hedge. My first realisation that it was there was two years ago when I turned around and saw Meg's backside disappearing through! Luckily, she came back when I called her, otherwise I'd have been running down the village trying to find her.
Even though we take them out for walks when we're there, they find it a bit restrictive to have to do their final outing for the night on the lead when they're used to galloping about our own garden quite freely. Plus it takes them longer to do what they have to do. Last weekend, I thought at one point I was going to turn into a one woman cheerleading team: "Give me a P! Give me an E! Give me another E! What's that spell? PEE! PEE! PEE! PEE! For the love of all that's holy, will you just pee and let us in out of the cold!!!"

Not to mention, it's very handy during the warmer months if you want to air the house or have to give it a good going over and you need to put the dog outside securely.

lestat21

Thanks for everyones advice... I'll now start looking into getting some kind of wire fencing round the garden

In reply to a previous comment that I forgot to quote, (Sorry) I dont want to be allowed to adopt a dog just because I used to work for the spca. If my lifestyle or facilities are unsuitable, I'd prefer if that was pointed out and I was given an opportunity to solve any problems before getting a pet. Which is exactly why I started this thread... There are loads of so called pet lovers who have been guilty of animal cruelty!!