Adopting an adult dog

[Ocelot0411]

All

Your help please. My dog walker has told me this morning (I am off work sick - sympathy please ) of a dog needing a new home. He is a three year old Rottie called Max. I love Rotties and have wanted another dog for ages, but couldn't face / didn't have time for full on puppyhood again (I am still mentally scarred from Ellie May ) soooooooo this is a tempting prospect.

BUT and this is a big BUT, I need to know that this is the right thing to do for me, Ellie and Max before I do it. If he comes to me it wil be on a forever home basis and of from what ever reason I can't give him that then I am not going to take him.

I am told that he and Ellie are already big pals and that they love to play together when they go walking together. Good start. He is not housetrained as he has spent the majority of his life as an outdoor dog. So I would be faced with the puppy-like behaviour of a dog who is not used to living indoors, i.e. I will have to house train him and teach him not to rip up my stuff. But my thoughts are that I have already done this with Ellie so surely the same applies i.e. in that respect I start to train him in exactly the same way I would do a pup and retrain myself to keep things I don't want ripped up out of his way.

He is not currently neutered but as he is going to go to a rescue of I don't keep him his current owner would neuter him before he leaves him.

My other concern would be financial, as Ellie Mae is a little leach who sits on the top of my bank account sucking up my salary!! In seriousness though my main costs with Ellie are daycare (four days a week @ £16 a day) however I have just managed to get my flexible working back in my new job (yey for me ) which means I will be back to three days a week in the office so only two days of day care (my mum & stepdad do the Friday shift). The other theing I was think was that if I had two dogs would they both need to be in day care for those two days or would a mid day walk do until I got home? Max is certainly used to spending most of his time alone (bless him) and I think Ellie would be quite happy as long as she had a pal. Ellie costs me nothing to feed so times that by two doesn't have much of an impact. Leaving the only other concern vets bills -ouch. Ellie currently costs me £38 a month in insurance. This times two would be a lot.

Anyway what are your thoughts? Also what i am really looking for is people to point out things that I have not thought of and to tell me the things I need to know / consider before I commit to this fella. To be honest the only thing that i think would put me off at the momment are agression towards other dogs / people, which I am told is not an issue. He hasn't had much training and is a lead puller but my theory on this is rotties are intelligent dogs and I am sure that he quite 'trainable' if someone is prepared to put the time in.


Ooooh yes sorry one other thing. My other concern (this is a bit pathetic) but Ellie is mummy's little girl, centre of my universe and the entire world revolves around her and her every whim You guessed it she's a bit spoilt. So how to you think she would feel about a new little bird in the nest? Could she possibly resent him or I am being silly and anthromorphosizing too much?

Thanks

[Ocelot0411]

Oh Em, mattie, Nettle where are you today!!

Help, help i am all excited and need your wisdom.

[Fundog]

First of all, I'm so sorry you're sick. That's no fun at all, and I hope you feel better real soon.

As you may have read in several of my posts, my family took on a second dog last February. The difference here, of course, was that until the day we went to pick her up, the dogs had never met. And they did have some scuffles in the beginning, requiring a lot of supervision and refereeing, but they have become fast friends.

Now, not to make any promises, but I too was told that Dottie (my recent addition) was NOT housebroken, having spent her life outside. So we were prepared for all that, since we were in the market for a puppy anyway, but found Dottie instead. However... it turned out not to be a problem. The only difficulty for Dottie was in learning the doggy door. But once she learned that, she had no more accidents in the house. As it was she only had two or three accidents in the first two weeks she was with us! So the hard part was already done! I have actually heard that a lot of outdoor dogs transition to indoor living quite nicely, since having lived their whole lives outside, it feels "weird" to them to potty in the house, so housebreaking for them is really nothing like for a puppy. Plus, since they are older they understand a bit more, so if you can somehow tell/show them where you want them to go, they get it right away. For example, when we brought Dottie home, we took her out to the backyard and had Annie give her a "tour." I think that may have made a big difference too.

Granted, as we can see from all the threads asking for help potty training adult rescues, it doesn't always work out this neatly for everyone. But we got lucky, that's for sure!

[Ocelot0411]

Thanks fundog that's good to know. To be honest i was wondering about that, the outdoor living I mean, but not just in relation to house / potty training.

My thoughts were how do i show an adult male dog who has never kived indoors the 'boundaries' (granted there aren't really that many in my house). What I mean is I am happy for my current dog to sleep on my bed sit on the sofa next to me etc. However, when i ask her to get off or say 'no' to her on her way up, i expect her to heed me which I am pleased to say she does.

But thinking about Max i then started to think 'hang on a minute though he's never lived indoors', so as such its not as if I am trying to impose boundaries on him where he didn't have them before am I? In that way I thought it might be a bit easier? also surely to at least some extent the urge to chew and destroy things should have passed him by a bit by now or am I being ridiculously optimistic?

[Nettle]

Never ever make decisons when you are ill


So you don't fancy a full-time puppy. So you plan to get a dog with all of a puppy's problems and needs except bigger piles and puddles and more destruction, some added aggression (or not) plus you are adding a male dog and you already have a male dog whose nose you (k)nose will be put out of joint.

Plus your daycare is costing you nearly all you can afford, and assuming you can find a day centre that will take on this bundle of trouble, you are set to pay more and no of course you can't leave the boys at home together or even apart unless you really really want to come home to Armageddon.


Ought I mention more vet bills at this point?

Plus you can't train a dog when you aren't there. And this guy is going to mean a heap of training, and time taken off your sleep and leisure time, and your pleasure time with your existing dogs.
Your *****'s best friend and happy playmate. Ha. Not when he is living with you.


Do you really want a Rottweiller THAT much?

If yes, get a well-bred well-reared well-socialised puppy.

[Ocelot0411]

Nettle that was not the answer I was looking for.

So could you please write me a nice response telling me that it will all be great?

OK OK point taken (although i don't actually have a male dog at the mo, still just me and Ellie May) so would you not rescue at all or just not rescue a dog like this?

I consider my bonfire well and truly p'eed on

[Nettle]

Sorry Ocelot - I somehow got the idea you had a male dog too. It's been a long day!

Ask yourself - WHY do you want another dog?

Why THIS dog?

Why now?

How do you plan to pay the extra bills?

How do you plan to find the extra time and energy?

Now, as I should have said of course it will be dead easy, he will housetrain in no time even though you aren't there, your Lottery ticket will come up for a modest amount that is enough to cover any bills, and your existing daycare person will just love a walloping big undersocialised lout with dodgy bathroom habits. Your other dog will love him totally, and it will be such fun to walk them separately until he stops pulling on the lead.


And what I say doesn't matter cos you'll do whatever you want anyway, just as we all would.

Um - will that do?

[Smillin'Sammy]

I'm afraid Nettle is right. I don't think now is a good time for you to take on another dog. Don't worry, the time will come. I don't have a dog at the moment, though I'd love one, because I know I can't provide the full care it needs. Sometime in the near future, though, hopefully

Good luck with whatever your decision is!

[Ocelot0411]

Now, as I should have said of course it will be dead easy, he will housetrain in no time even though you aren't there, your Lottery ticket will come up for a modest amount that is enough to cover any bills, and your existing daycare person will just love a walloping big undersocialised lout with dodgy bathroom habits. Your other dog will love him totally, and it will be such fun to walk them separately until he stops pulling on the lead.

And what I say doesn't matter cos you'll do whatever you want anyway as we all would.

Actually you're wrong there, I won't. I came here for a 'sense check' and I think its safe to say I have had it. My motivation here is that I like the idea of rescuing a dog that no one wants and that may fall into the wrong hands. However, you are right that this isn't enough and maybe it isn't the right time so thanks for your help (and that goes for everyone else too) and now you must excuse me as I am off to trawl the internet for a single billionaire husband then I can have as many lame ducks as I want!!!



ps bonfire is now steaming rather than smoking....

[Fundog]

Poor Ocelot. (That mean old Nettle anyway-- Just kidding, Nettle)

So who is Max?

And about boundaries/furniture, etc.: When Dottie came home with us, Annie did not allow her on the furniture for a good 48 hours. Even though we invited Dottie up with us, Annie simply did not allow it. After a 48 hour probation, if you will, then Annie declared Dottie an official member of the family by allowing her on the furniture. So that worked out.

This isn't to get you to ignore what the others have said, but rather, for future reference when the time is right for you to expand your fur-family.

[emmabeth]

I think, and with a bit more insight into 'you' than some other posters... if you are excited by the idea then thats a good indicator (thats NOT the same for everyone but I happen to know Ocelot doesnt get giddy over silly ideas!)...

Some of the problems that would come with a puppy wont be there..... and some that wouldnt come witha puppy WILL.. in all honesty its six of one, half a dozen of the other.

Do the maths - insurance being the biggy, is he currently insured? And does he have any on going conditions, because its highly unlikely you can take over his insurance from his current owners... and if he does have any existing conditions they wont be covered (ditto that latter if hes not insured already).

If your dog walker already walks him or knows him and is willing to walk him, thats ok..

Ellie may like him as ' a guy to meet in the park'... but does that translate to 'i wanna spend all day with this great lummox'... it might!.. or it might not.

Ditto you! You dont know this dog.... you might fall for him, or you might hate him, or you might be totally indifferent to him...

So.... relight htat bonfire a little..... go and meet him. Discuss his needs with his owners... if you like him and you like the way Ellie and he get on, the next step would be a trial run for a few days to see how they get on living together.

You are right I think, in thinking of an older dog rather than a pup.. and Ellie is now of the right sort of age to be considering this.

So... carry on in the same sensible vein and see if it could work out. If not - you gave it a good think through and thats all anyone can do (because taking on dogs we dont get on with or cant help.. is no help at all to the dog!).

One last thing and you probably have thought of this already but...

You already have one 'controversial' breed.. in the eyes of the hysterical tabloid reading public.... A rottie is even more controversial than a Dobie these days.... if you dont have people crossing the road to avoid you and Ellie now, if you get this guy you quite probably will.

Are you prepared for that sort of thing on a daily basis, because it DOES grind you down and it DOES get very very wearing, constantly being told your dog is vicious, your dog should be muzzled/banned/shot.... and generally treated like some mass murdering lunatic...

Anyway - you'll do whats right for you and Ellie...

[Smillin'Sammy]

One last thing and you probably have thought of this already but...

You already have one 'controversial' breed.. in the eyes of the hysterical tabloid reading public.... A rottie is even more controversial than a Dobie these days.... if you dont have people crossing the road to avoid you and Ellie now, if you get this guy you quite probably will.

Are you prepared for that sort of thing on a daily basis, because it DOES grind you down and it DOES get very very wearing, constantly being told your dog is vicious, your dog should be muzzled/banned/shot.... and generally treated like some mass murdering lunatic...

Anyway - you'll do whats right for you and Ellie...

This is true. Please don't let it wear on you though There are plenty of people who support owning any breed of dog, and I think I can safely say that everyone at this forum knows that dobermans, rotweillers, and pit bulls (and other such breeds) are actually sweet dogs. As are just about any dogs that is well raised I think my next dog is either going to be an adult pit bull from the shelter or a samoyed puupy from a breeder... really different but I have a hard time deciding. Samoyeds are my favorite breed, the are just so beautiful, smart, and friendly. I can barely resist those smiling faces

But enough about me, I can only say do what you think is right. We'll always be here for support Again, good luck with either choice.

[Ocelot0411]

Poor Ocelot. (That mean old Nettle anyway-- Just kidding, Nettle)

Yes indeed poor poor ocelot

So who is Max?

See below, Ellie, catherine (my dog sitter / walker) and the man himself. don't be too alarmed, ellie is a petite girly which makes him look humungous!

http://www.wigantoday.net/wigannews/Wom ... mentPage=3

Catherine thinks he's a lovely dog, but just hasn't had any real time spent on him. she also said she has never seen any sign of aggression in him towards other dogs or people. that would be an absolute deal breaker in my view as I have never had to cope with an aggressive dog and wouldn't feel experienced enough to be equipped to do so, let alone with a large male Rottie!

The insurance is well, expensive, but I am still looking about and getting different quotes. As for ongoing conditions etc, i have no idea and obviously this is something I would need to be asking about. I am guessing that it is high due to a Rotties reputation and perhaps simply because the larger the dog the larger the vets bill?

I think, and with a bit more insight into 'you' than some other posters... if you are excited by the idea then thats a good indicator (thats NOT the same for everyone but I happen to know Ocelot doesnt get giddy over silly ideas!)...

yey! I love you!!

Re the Rottie reputation bit, in a way that is one of the reasons why I would like him to come to me. What I mean by that is if enough responsible people owned contoversial breeds (and kept them under control) perhaps the view of them could improve? I do understand the responsibility of taking on a guard dog breed as I vowed that when I got ellie i would make sure that she was always under complete control when out and about and that as such no one would ever have cause to fear her. In a way I achieved that end a little too well and Ellie now has the feriousity of your average tellitubby!

However, I know that a Rottie is a different prospect all together, you just have to read the comments from the article above to see that. I will be quite honest with you, I have never faced this with Ellie and I have only had one family who I used to live near recoil in horror at her. This was a Polish family who had just come to the UK and it made me wonder if the Dobermann still has a more fearful reputation there? I never got around to asking them. Just goes to show though doesn't it the 'Doberman killer / attack dog' hysteria has died away and was replaced by the 'Rottie killer dog' hysteria, which has now also (to some extent at least) been replaced by 'devil dog pitt bull & pit bull 'types'. Again this is food for thought, but I would hope that, as I do, people would look at the person with the dog to make a judgement about the dog rather then just the breed? And I would hope that seeing a dog like this with someone who is clearly not a thug (I am small blonde female and very unintimidating (unless you really upset me!!)) would make people think that the person with the Rottie is a dog lover and not a drug dealer, hoodie, gangster, general undesirable.

So, i will go meet Max (whooop) and see what we think of each other and take it from there. I guess I could offer him a foster home for a little while if the trial run goes well and then see if he could become a full time family member? that way if I can't keep him for whatever reason I at least have some control over his destiny and can try and find him a good permanent home.

[Smillin'Sammy]

Just goes to show though doesn't it the 'Doberman killer / attack dog' hysteria has died away and was replaced by the 'Rottie killer dog' hysteria, which has now also (to some extent at least) been replaced by 'devil dog pitt bull & pit bull 'types'.

Yeah, what really annoys me is the fact that "pit bull-type dogs" encases about 20 breeds. I mean, if you put any 20 breeds together, of course they are going to have more total bites per year than any one. And because people misidentify pit bulls so often (I had Reader's Digest try to inform me that a pit bull was 3 foot one... lol) that further adds to the confusion. And I've also found that most people couldn't identify a pure-bred American Pit Bull Terrier to save their life... an example: http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html

[Noobs]

Wow, lots of dog-haters commenting on that story. Sad, they have no idea how much richer their lives would be if they had one.