Planning on getting a dog (rescue only)

eviltimeban

Hello all, I'm a non-pet owner and looking for some advice around getting a dog. We take regular trips up to the <snip> and would only consider a rescue, and with two younger children we would be more likely to take a dog that is already used to kids / trained / slightly older.

I have a few questions that I'd hope to get advice on.

1. As we've never owned a dog before, how big a lifestyle change / addition of responsibility is it? Should we foster or care for a dog part time to get used to the idea first? We're pretty much likening it to having another child, so we're prepared for the upheaval (and fully aware of the impact it would make on things like holidays, eating out, etc. No different from a baby really!)

2. Should we wait until summer, as it might make setting up and getting used to walking the dog easier?

3. What's the average cost per month on food for a medium / small sized dog? I can price out things like vet visits but just curious on the food consumption.

4. Do you need pet insurance and all the "add ons"?

5. If you use dog walkers during the day, would the dog get attached to that person, more so then her owners?

6. If a dog has been pre-trained, is it easy to train him into a new routine, or accept that you are his "master"?

7. Is it practical to leave your dog in one room during the day, e.g. the kitchen? We both work but are looking into working from home a few days per week, and employing a walker on the days we aren't there. The back garden is a reasonable size so we have room for a kennel, but I wouldn't want to leave it outdoors all day long. Would you leave a radio on for example, so it has some "company" or would that make it worse?

Sorry if some of these questions are a bit obvious, but having never owned a dog (or any pet other than fish / birds) I'm keen to hear any advice on dog owning!

cocker5

Hi OP,

Just a few things to note lots of rescues wont adopt out a dog to a home where both parents work full time I'm afraid and usually to children 10 years and older. some will but most wont

With regard to food costs - like anything you can pay as much or a little as you want but for good quality food for a medium dog ie 18kg in weight it should cost around €65 ish for a 15kg bag of food which should last 2 months or so.

then you have treats, leads, collars, toys, beds, again as much or as little as you want.

cost of vet visits, kennelling costs (€25 per day)...

are you renting or a home owner?
do you have a secure garden?
where will the potential dog sleep? (again most rescues wont adpot out to a home where the dog will be sleeping outside)

pet insurance IMO is a must id never be without it.

being the "master" is long outdated.. dogs adapt the are very accepting anyway so yes given the right family they can / will adapt.

just on the upheaval.. some dogs require lots of exercise etc just to bear in mind also

eviltimeban

cocker5 wrote: »

Hi OP,

Just a few things to note lots of rescues wont adopt out a dog to a home where both parents work full time I'm afraid and usually to children 10 years and older. some will but most wont

With regard to food costs - like anything you can pay as much or a little as you want but for good quality food for a medium dog ie 18kg in weight it should cost around €65 ish for a 15kg bag of food which should last 2 months or so.

then you have treats, leads, collars, toys, beds, again as much or as little as you want.

cost of vet visits, kennelling costs (€25 per day)...

are you renting or a home owner?
do you have a secure garden?
where will the potential dog sleep? (again most rescues wont adpot out to a home where the dog will be sleeping outside)

pet insurance IMO is a must id never be without it.

being the "master" is long outdated.. dogs adapt the are very accepting anyway so yes given the right family they can / will adapt.

just on the upheaval.. some dogs require lots of exercise etc just to bear in mind also

Thanks for the reply. We spoke to the <snip> and they didn't seem to have a problem with full time workers, as long as we are able to walk the dog in the day, which we are planning to do via being at home ourselves or employing a walker.

Our plan would be to adopt a type that can be left alone for a few hours at a time, so that certainly rules out a number of breeds. We're aware of that.

Home owner, secure / fenced off corner garden, I would expect the dog to sleep in the kitchen, there's a nice corner where a doggy bed would fit.

Cherry Blossom

Hi OP, please be aware that specific rescues cannot be named or discussed in this forum.

Ashbx

Hi OP,

Well done for doing some proper research and asking questions before committing.

If you never have had a dog before, then maybe fostering wouldn't be such a bad idea. I am just not sure how strict rescues are on fosters (as in, would they prefer people who have had experience). Someone else who works with rescues may be able to answer better.

My opinions on your questions anyway:

1. It is a big lifestyle change. I dont have kids myself but would assume it would be similar upheaval as having a child. One main thing is that dogs have to be walked everyday...in rain/snow and even if you are dying sick yourself....dogs still need to get out. Are you and your family willing to do that? Buying stuff for the dogs initially can be costly but I have found if you pay money now for good quality products, it will save you in the long run. Also I would factor in either costs of kennels for when you go abroad or do you have a friend or family member who could take the dog for you.

2. The pro to adopting a dog now is that there are so many out there after Christmas (which is a sad fact). However, I personally would wait to the brighter evenings as it just gives you more time to bond with the dog. And as you said, will be slightly easier to get out with them. If you are leaving the dog alone all day, you NEED to make sure they are worn out before you leave which means early starts out of bed to walk the dog in the morning. This will be easier to do at first when its bright in the mornings. But if you are determined to get a dog, and do what you need to do as a pet owner, it really shouldn't make a difference what time of the year you get the dog.

3. Food can vary as it depends what food you want to feed them really. However, I spend €57 for my collie which lasts about 2 months. And I spend €59 for my terrier and that lasts nearly 3/3.5 months.

4. I would get pet insurance if you can. However many insurance companies have an age limit. If you are getting an older dog, unfortunately you may not have the option to get insurance. This happened to me with my rescue. Thankfully, she hasn't cost me too much since getting her 4 years ago.

5. Doubtful! You want your dog to have a good bond with the dog walker, and they absolutely will but I really don't think dogs have favourites. My dogs follow me around the house more as I am the one who trains, walks and feeds them. But doesn't mean they "love" me more....they just know that I am the source of some tasty treats! Plus, you will still be walking your dogs in addition to your dog walker so it wont make a difference.

6. Absolutely. It may be a bit difficult to get your dog out of a habit it has picked up but all dogs are trainable. Its all about hard work. I would suggest attending an obedience class with the new dog anyway as its a great way to bond. But training is on the owners! They need to be consistent or a dog will never learn.

7. I wouldn't leave a dog outside all day in my opinion. Weather is unpredictable here (I am aware you would have a kennel for shelter) but also there is a chance the dog could get stolen so its something I wouldn't risk. My dogs are kept to the sitting/dining room when I go to work everyday and they do fine. Just make sure they have access to water and somewhere comfortable. I personally do leave a radio on for them but that's just my preference. The house is dead quiet during the day and my dogs are quite reactive to noises outside. So I just do that to drown out the street noise a bit more and make them feel a bit more comfortable. Not sure if it does anything for them but it puts my mind at ease a bit.

If you have any more questions, feel free to post here and we will help you as best we can!

eviltimeban

Ashbx wrote: »

Hi OP,

Well done for doing some proper research and asking questions before committing.

Thanks for that, that's great advice. I'm not surprised or put off by any of it so that's a good sign!

Mod note, noted.

Doctors room ghost

Cost of feed for one medium sized dog would be fairly small.start as you mean to go on.get the dog on a good quality complete nut available in pet shops or from vets and give them the odd tin of sardines in oil available in aldi.a good quality bag of complete nuts is around 50 euros and should do the dog a month to a month and a half.use a routine feeding.maybe handful in the morning and a measure in the evening.measure and feed guide in bag.offer the food to the dog and if it doesn't eat it all within 5 minutes take it away and same next day.
Other than that a dog is a good source of exercise for the owner as they will need around a half hours walk every day.
Get a good quality lead and collar first time and get an engraved name tag with your number on it.tags are around 10 engraved.
Only main issue with owning a dog is when you go away you have to get someone to mind them or put them in kennels.dont feed the cans of dog meat in cans they aren't good for dogs in long run.
Other costs are microchip which rescue crowd might be able to get at discount,dog will probably be neutered in rescue or else you will have to get it done.roughly 80 for a dog or 120 for females.apart from that yearly shots and hopefully that's it.
Overall it's well worth it.in regards the rescue dogs we have them here and no issues.id only ever get rescue dogs.only advice I can give you in relation to picking a dog is don't be overwhelmed in rescue centre.take your time and pick something that suits ye in relation to size,hair type etc.get something fairly young that will last you years and healthy.
Rescue crowd will do a house check before you get dog and advise you on the rest.decide where it will live.if it's in house you won't have to get a kennel only a bed and a rug.ours sleep in kitchen.i think rescue donation is around 100 Euro.
Only other advice I can offer is if you get a dog be patient as it will take ye and the dog time to adjust and get used to each other so expect them to mess the house a bit bark at night and chew things up but they will settle down after they get used to things and ye be grand after that Hope that helps

eviltimeban

^ great, thanks. The more I read, the better it's sounding.

aonb

Hi OP, I think no child should grow up without a pet! How old are your children?
Are you and your partner animal lovers? If you dont really empathize with animals, I dont think, not having had a pet before, that you should start now - with work and children, life is so hectic its the pet is usually the one who suffers...

But if you will enjoy having a dog, I think fostering would be a very good idea. Then if you are a failed fosterer its win/win.

I would talk talk talk to the rescue folks about the kind of dog you would like - personality/size/temperament - I would go to the shelter and walk the dogs you are interested in, several times. See how s/he is when you are walking them, see how your children interact with him/her and the dog with your children, and with yourselves.

An adult dog, who is good with children, of a quiet disposition would be ideal -