So...The home check is on Monday

vicki85 · 29-05-2007, 15:23

Some of you may recall me talking aout our plans for a rescue dog...well the home check is on Monday (4th June). We haven't picked a dog yet as we cannot get one until the 1st of July, but they said they could do the check in advance to speed things up when we are ready.

So, my question is, whats important. Obviously things like safety and security (gate situation is all in hand), but what might they ask, or should I say to charm the pants of them. I am a little worried as we share our back yard and althought he neighbours are OK with the idea and we speak to them, because they are rentong short term, they are not the keenest to do any work in their garden and it is frequented by the odd paint tin and bit of wood, any advice, I am SO nevous.

Just is case it makes a difference, its Thornberry that are coming.

Vicki

p.s. We (well I, OH will be at work) have tomakea good impression becasue the girl that currently lives with us (until end of June-see the link) neglected to tell us that the home check guy kept phoning-doesn't exactly make us look good now does it!

Lindseyw · 29-05-2007, 15:26

Makes a BIG difference who it is.

1 - no children under 12
2 - no unsecured garden, must be compleatly secure.
3 - no kenneling for holidays
4 - no more than 2 hours alone a day.

Hope this helps.

vicki85 · 29-05-2007, 15:31

Thanks, think we have them covered:
Definitely no children (at least I damn well hope not for a while), garden will be doubley secured (gate at end of alley and on our garden) and have already checked wityh them that it doesn't need to be a full height gate on our garden if we are never going to leave them in their alone.
If we ever get rich enough to afford a holiday, the dog will go to OH's parents (and vice versa, we get their boarder).
Occasionally over 2 hours a day alone, but only if we tell them

I'm a student so its pretty flexible, and I have 2 and half months from July to get doglet settled-but we aren't having a pup either. We will by then be living witha nother couple too, so there is a good chance it will never be alonefor more than 5 min.

We were thinking of having OH's parents dog over when tey are here (he comes for the weekend quite often anyway-its a long story) Do you think that would be a good idea or not?

Lindseyw · 29-05-2007, 15:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by vicki85

Occasionally over 2 hours a day alone, but only if we tell them

You just did

- see my sig

Quote:

Originally Posted by vicki85

We were thinking of having OH's parents dog over when tey are here (he comes for the weekend quite often anyway-its a long story) Do you think that would be a good idea or not?

Always a good idea

vicki85 · 29-05-2007, 15:45

Doh! observation is not my strong point, will have to get blade to lick him to death until he says yes instead-unless we're already cast off the list??!

Lindseyw · 29-05-2007, 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by vicki85

Doh! observation is not my strong point, will have to get blade to lick him to death until he says yes instead-unless we're already cast off the list??!

Don't worry - so long as it's not more than 'a bit over 2 hrs' that would be fine.

Be nice, offer tea & be honest x

vicki85 · 29-05-2007, 15:52

Thanks, I can do that. Its not like this hasn't been thought through-we've been planning this since September (I actually found OH adding dog chews to a shopping basket a while back), but now its come down to it I am terrified they will say no.

I am now wonderign whether I've spoken to you or met you at somepoint though Lindsey!

Lindseyw · 29-05-2007, 15:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by vicki85

I am now wonderign whether I've spoken to you or met you at somepoint though Lindsey!

You just never know

Good Luck & let us know how it goes x

vicki85 · 29-05-2007, 15:58

Definitely will, do we fidn out there and then?

xxhunniixx · 29-05-2007, 15:58

hiya we had a home check not long since from thornberry as we saw a pup we were after but we didnt get her in the end the bloke that came walked in the back door hardly spoke signd the form then went! lol
!

vicki85 · 29-05-2007, 16:00

I fear that being young (I'm 22 but look about 11) and living in a terrace we might not be so lucky, but thatnks for the reassurance.

Lindseyw · 29-05-2007, 16:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by vicki85

Definitely will, do we fidn out there and then?

You should do

vicki85 · 29-05-2007, 16:04

So, expect the news (with even more spelling mistakes than usual due to shear excitement) about 11 on Monday

kittenta · 29-05-2007, 16:07

Good luck

By the sounds of it you have everything covered and are well prepared. With everything you've said they'd be daft not to say yes

keely · 29-05-2007, 16:28

hope it goes well

katkin · 29-05-2007, 19:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by vicki85

I fear that being young (I'm 22 but look about 11) and living in a terrace we might not be so lucky, but thatnks for the reassurance.

Dont panic Vicki85 - try to focus on all the positive things you can offer to a rescue dog -a loving, caring and stable home for starters. As mentioned before on a previous thread, we live in a terraced house too - pokey litle place with a right of way round the back like you and it's not a problem for us owning a dog and 5 cats as their needs always take priority. You've already addressed the issue of access and you ought to stress that you will never allow your dog outside on its own anyway and that you will always check that the gate has been secured before letting it out.

Show the 'inspector' where your intended dog will sleep and eat and indicate where there are local parks and other areas where you hope to exercise your dog.

Assure him/her that you will be a responsible dog owner, prepared to clean up after your dog and attend to its health and welfare needs. Oh and if you are turned down on this occasion for whatever reason, dont give up- some agencies are much more stringent than others and unfortunately some (but not all) have a thing about people who can't be at home all day because they have to go out to earn a crust...

I can see why that might be a problem with a dog that has come from an unstable background and has 'issues' but it can be a little shortsighted too - Dogs like routine and will adapt to a new routine provided it is introduced gradually (ie not from the very first day you get your new dog as s/he wil have enough new stuff to adapt to as it is). A happy dog is one that has been exercised and fed and then sleeps whilst you are out - AIlsa goes out every morning for a walk/ play with either or both of us, then an hour after she has returned she is fed and then she sleeps until lunchtime.

We work full time and were convinced for many years that we would never be able to own a dog because of that, but we wanted one so much we changed our routine to enable it to happen, We come home every lunchtime to see to Ailsa n the cats have done for almost 6 years now without fail. The maximum time she is ever on her own is 4 hours and she has been settled in this routine right from when we first got her.

If you are likely to only be out a couple of hours at most you ought not to have any problems and it would be such a shmae and a wasted opportunity to rehome if they turned you down on that basis. Good luck- keep up posted and all fingers and toes crossed xK

rubydazzler · 29-05-2007, 19:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindseyw

Makes a BIG difference who it is.
1 - no children under 12
2 - no unsecured garden, must be compleatly secure.
3 - no kenneling for holidays
4 - no more than 2 hours alone a day.
Hope this helps.

Is that really the case? I could understand it if they said, you shouldn't leave the dog alone overnight or whatever, but what are you supposed to do with them if you want to go away?

It seems a bit excessive really. Aren't all these stipulations likely to put people off having a rescue dog? I was thinking about getting a couple of greyhounds when I sell the shop and retire but I'd certainly think twice if they were making demands like that.

And as for the two hours rule, what about when you go out for the evening, are you supposed to find a dog sitter?

Lindseyw · 29-05-2007, 19:32

The rules are in place because alot of dogs come into rescue becuse they have been abandoned - either dumped or left for hours or days on end.
I doubt it's a rule for all, but it is for the 3 I work for

Really, as far as the holiday rule goes, if you kennel a rescue dog, she is never going to know if you are leaving her again. It's best to be able to leave with a friend or relative.

rubydazzler · 29-05-2007, 19:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindseyw

The rules are in place because alot of dogs come into rescue becuse they have been abandoned - either dumped or left for hours or days on end.
I doubt it's a rule for all, but it is for the 3 I work for

Really, as far as the holiday rule goes, if you kennel a rescue dog, she is never going to know if you are leaving her again. It's best to be able to leave with a friend or relative.

Thanks for the explanation

bigben · 30-05-2007, 19:54

don't meen to thread pinch but we have 3 young children and would love to get another dog (would prefer a rescue dog) are there any rescue centres that would let us adopt a dog or do they all have the same ruling