Making the Right Decision to Rescue or Not.

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I'd love to give a rescue dog a loving home, but I want the decision to be right for all involved. I've always had dogs and only JRT's. I have a seven year old female JRT (neutered) who's already a large part of our family in every which way that you can imagine. She's a house dog and she tends to be overly protective of the home which ain't a bad thing. My concern is how she'd react if we were to introduce another dog in to the equation. She's developed a very strong bond with me from the get go. She also sleeps up on the bedroom and even though she's got her own bed she is allowed on and in our bed. When she's out for her walks, she gets on well and socializes with other dogs both large and small. She can tend to get pretty irate with over boisterous dogs though. She's got dermatitis which I've managed to get under control with medication 5/7. There is also someone at home with our existing dog throughout the day.

As for the new dog, I'd be willing to adopt a dog with ongoing health needs or not. I'd be inclined to rescue a small to medium sized dog who's either young or old. I've been keeping an eye on a dog rescue site that works in conjunction with my local vet and there's been one dog up for re-homing who's deaf and another who's got difficulties with anxiety. Both are young dogs over 1 year old. I can't offer a home to two dogs for practical reasons no matter how much I'd love to. I don't know if the anxiety issues are related to the dog being mistreated previously. It would also be interesting to learn sign language. I haven't yet approached the rescue because I want to make sure that it's the right decision first. I am also afraid of making the wrong decision if that makes sense. If I am totally honest, I'd love to rescue and to give a dog a good home from the pound who's on death row. It's hard to know whether to go down the rescue or the pound route.

The question is how do I know if it's the right decision for our family and the dog that I already have and the new dog? Do I bring my dog up to the rescue/pound and see how she socializes with the prospective new dog? Do I introduce the dogs on neutral territory and then bring the other dog back for a home-visit and see how they get on first? Would a female JRT get on with another male/female JRT? Can you get pet insurance for a rescue dog? Would the rescue/pound allow me to bring the dog to my vet for the once over before I decide to rescue him/her?

I am probably over thinking things.....but opinions welcome.

Cristiano Shaggy Trigonometry

Cristiano Shaggy Trigonometry wrote: »

I'd love to give a rescue dog a loving home, but I want the decision to be right for all involved. I've always had dogs and only JRT's. I have a seven year old female JRT (neutered) who's already a large part of our family in every which way that you can imagine. She's a house dog and she tends to be overly protective of the home which ain't a bad thing. My concern is how she'd react if we were to introduce another dog in to the equation. She's developed a very strong bond with me from the get go. She also sleeps up on the bedroom and even though she's got her own bed she is allowed on and in our bed. When she's out for her walks, she gets on well and socializes with other dogs both large and small. She can tend to get pretty irate with over boisterous dogs though. She's got dermatitis which I've managed to get under control with medication 5/7. There is also someone at home with our existing dog throughout the day.

As for the new dog, I'd be willing to adopt a dog with ongoing health needs or not. I'd be inclined to rescue a small to medium sized dog who's either young or old. I've been keeping an eye on a dog rescue site that works in conjunction with my local vet and there's been one dog up for re-homing who's deaf and another who's got difficulties with anxiety. Both are young dogs over 1 year old. I can't offer a home to two dogs for practical reasons no matter how much I'd love to. I don't know if the anxiety issues are related to the dog being mistreated previously. It would also be interesting to learn sign language. I haven't yet approached the rescue because I want to make sure that it's the right decision first. I am also afraid of making the wrong decision if that makes sense. If I am totally honest, I'd love to rescue and to give a dog a good home from the pound who's on death row. It's hard to know whether to go down the rescue or the pound route.

The question is how do I know if it's the right decision for our family and the dog that I already have and the new dog? Do I bring my dog up to the rescue/pound and see how she socializes with the prospective new dog? Do I introduce the dogs on neutral territory and then bring the other dog back for a home-visit and see how they get on first? Would a female JRT get on with another male/female JRT? Can you get pet insurance for a rescue dog? Would the rescue/pound allow me to bring the dog to my vet for the once over before I decide to rescue him/her?

I am probably over thinking things.....but opinions welcome.

As a general rule males and females get on better than females and females.

Going the route of a shelter gives you the opportunity to do a few things: learn all about the dog and his personality to see if you think he would be a good fit for your home, lifestyle and current dog.
Most shelters will also allow you to bring your dog in several times to assess how well the two get on.
Furthermore most shelters will let you 'foster with a view to adopt'. This means you can bring your new friend home with a view to keeping him assuming everyone is happy and gets on. It just takes some of the pressure off as nobody wants to have to return an adopted dog if issues arise.

Several months ago I adopted a second dog and I had many of the same feelings your having. Let's face it, your current dog is spoiled rotten just like mine was. I was worried she would have problems sharing the love and attention (and my bed). What I discovered is... I can spoil two dogs just as much, if not more. She's as happy and adored and she ever was but now she has a little brother who dotes on her too!

awanderer

With the rescue I got my (perfect) dog from, you can arrange to visit the rescue before with your own dog and if you decide to take the dog, there is a 3 weeks (they are not strict about it being 3 weeks) trial period. If you realise that the dog is not right for you (or that you are not right for him/her) you bring it back, otherwise, you sign the papers. If you bring a dog back, they don't see that in any way as a sign that you shouldn't be able to adopt another of their dogs. A previous family hadn't realised how perfect my dog was and had sent him back for example. They couldn't deal with his neediness .

VonVix

I think fostering with a view to adopt would suit you, whattow. It will allow you to trial having a new dog in your home, how the dynamic will change and how well your dog will get on with this new dog. If it doesn't work, there are no strings attached. Most if not all rescues have this option. A meet and greet between the dogs on neutral territory should be the first port of call before considering bringing the dog into your home in my option.

How does your dog get on with other dogs, generally speaking?

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VonVix wrote: »

I think fostering with a view to adopt would suit you, whattow. It will allow you to trial having a new dog in your home, how the dynamic will change and how well your dog will get on with this new dog. If it doesn't work, there are no strings attached. Most if not all rescues have this option. A meet and greet between the dogs on neutral territory should be the first port of call before considering bringing the dog into your home in my option.

How does your dog get on with other dogs, generally speaking?

She does be OK when we meet other dogs when we're out on our walks. She'd be inclined to want to go over and socialise and play with them. Originally, she was afraid of larger dogs like labradors - tail would go down and under - but she grew out of that - now she's confident. She can get irate with over boisterous dogs who are pups and then she tends to be jumping up for me to lift and protect her. Fostering is a good idea to check out the dynamic - I never thought of that.

VonVix

Cristiano Shaggy Trigonometry wrote: »

She does be OK when we meet other dogs when we're out on our walks. She'd be inclined to want to go over and socialise and play with them. Originally, she was afraid of larger dogs like labradors - tail would go down and under - but she grew out of that - now she's confident. She can get irate with over boisterous dogs who are pups and then she tends to be jumping up for me to lift and protect her. Fostering is a good idea to check out the dynamic - I never thought of that.

Good you know what kind of dogs she gets along with, means you have an idea of the personality type she may be comfortable living with, that's half the battle. Don't overthink it, you won't know anything until you actually have a 2nd dog in your home, that's when you can truly start using your noggin' :P

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VonVix wrote: »

Good you know what kind of dogs she gets along with, means you have an idea of the personality type she may be comfortable living with, that's half the battle. Don't overthink it, you won't know anything until you actually have a 2nd dog in your home, that's when you can truly start using your noggin' :P

She tends to act territorial if dogs come in to the front garden too - but she acts fine with them once she meets them outside the house boundary.

VonVix

Cristiano Shaggy Trigonometry wrote: »

She tends to act territorial if dogs come in to the front garden too - but she acts fine with them once she meets them outside the house boundary.

So do mine, the behaviour is almost ritualistic rather than them acting completely territorial, they have become so used to reacting the way they do, that it's weird for them not to react that way.

The most "territorial" of the two is the most eager to play and interact with new doggie guests in the home, he just doesn't know how to introduce himself properly and thinks barking in their face will help them get the message. :pac:

I wouldn't focus on that behaviour too much as a reflection of whether she will accept a dog or not.

Jimmy Bottlehead

I know the deaf dog you're referring to and I love you're willing to give him a chance

I've two stray dogs i took in, both female. Small period of adjustment while they figured out the pecking order.
They currently live with my parents who have another female dog and they all get along amazingly.

It'll just depend on the two dogs but it's definitely worth testing. And as said, fostering with a view to adopting is the best option.

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VonVix wrote: »

So do mine, the behaviour is almost ritualistic rather than them acting completely territorial, they have become so used to reacting the way they do, that it's weird for them not to react that way.

The most "territorial" of the two is the most eager to play and interact with new doggie guests in the home, he just doesn't know how to introduce himself properly and thinks barking in their face will help them get the message. :pac:

I wouldn't focus on that behaviour too much as a reflection of whether she will accept a dog or not.

Yes I suppose so. It's funny she also goes crazy if strangers come in to the house - but she's OK when she gets to know them. Himself keeps on saying that she just wants to get to know them - but you just have to be so careful.

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Jimmy Bottlehead wrote: »

I know the deaf dog you're referring to and I love you're willing to give him a chance

I've two stray dogs i took in, both female. Small period of adjustment while they figured out the pecking order.
They currently live with my parents who have another female dog and they all get along amazingly.

It'll just depend on the two dogs but it's definitely worth testing. And as said, fostering with a view to adopting is the best option.

Is that the same dog that was in the rescue before - or was it another deaf dog? I tend to gravitate towards white haired dogs - one's that shed .

ShaShaBear

Cristiano Shaggy Trigonometry wrote: »

Is that the same dog that was in the rescue before - or was it another deaf dog? I tend to gravitate towards white haired dogs - one's that shed .

Oh I have a particular white-haired JRT deaf dog in mind that I know is in rescue too!

pegasus1

We have a rescue foxhound and a rescue carkie, little an large so to speak, they get on like a house on fire...no probs..Just go for it, find the dog you like, and that your dog likes too and your away..
As he normally gets on with other dogs when out in the park etc, should be no problem...
Two dogs are better than one..they keep themselves company..

muddypaws

pegasus1 wrote: »

We have a rescue foxhound and a rescue carkie, little an large so to speak, they get on like a house on fire...no probs..Just go for it, find the dog you like, and that your dog likes too and your away..
As he normally gets on with other dogs when out in the park etc, should be no problem...
Two dogs are better than one..they keep themselves company..

What is a carkie?

Cherry Blossom

muddypaws wrote: »

What is a carkie?

Cairn x Yorkie?

Only thing I can think of.

pegasus1

adrenalinjunkie wrote: »

Cairn x Yorkie?

Only thing I can think of.

Yep!! We know the mother was a Yorkie and we spotted an image online and the dog was the exact same...so googled it and voila!
Shes Gorgeous! so Active..

pegasus1

Here she is..:)
Gizmo.. by niall.hirsch, on Flickr

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Well guys, I'll keep you's updated....fingers crossed .