[Wanted] Young small dog

GraZ · 29-08-2010, 14:33

Does anyone know anyone who is wanting to rehome a small young dog, preferably short haired. Unable to adopt through RSPCA due to living in a flat but looking for one to give plenty of love and daily walks in the park. Thank's to anyone who responds.

willman · 29-08-2010, 15:31

Contact Sheffield Dog Rescue we homecheck and allow dogs to be adopted in flats. I've homechecked more than this year.

poppy2 · 29-08-2010, 19:30

Do remember that living in a flat will almost certainly be a big commitment. Every time that the dog wants to wee or poo you will have to take it out and possibly it will be at least half a dozen times during the day. Occasionally he/she might 'get caught' and want to go out in the night too. Putting on your coat and shoes and going out in all weathers is not always much fun, especially if you have to stand around while they 'perform'.
Rescue centres are full of dogs who have never been toilet trained properly because of living in unsuitable surroundings.
My first small dog was purchased many years ago when I lived in a flat (although it was first floor I did have my own front door).
I did not have an enclosed garden. Looking back I can see just how difficult it was and I definitely would not do it again.
I have owned and bred small terriers for many years and would say that dogs need outdoor space. Think carefully.

GraZ · 29-08-2010, 19:58

Thank's for the sound advice will think about what you've said.

beansforyou · 30-08-2010, 08:44

I'd agree with everything Poppy2 has said, having done it myself, it's not much fun at all, looking back.

The only way I think it would work for both you and your dog, was if you got a toy breed, and either litter trained them like a cat (possible) or got them used to using puppy pads (expensive) - so that at least overnight, they can be toileting without fear of recriminiation in the morning, and also somewhat hygienically.

Strix · 30-08-2010, 08:51

Having lived in hotels whilst working away, and having the fuzzy person in tow, I'd say if you're happy with the commitment, then there are ways of limiting the impact on yourself and the chosen dog. I'd definitely not buy a new puppy, but a dog over two years old, a placid breed with no guarding instinct (so less likely to bark at passing neighbours), would probably be relatively easy to manage

I'm home all day, but Brude goes out at breakfast at 6, doesn't bother all day, then asks again at around 5 or 6, then once through the evening maybe, and then bedtime. All perfectly manageable... especially with a proper goretex coat, and warm waterproof boots

GraZ · 30-08-2010, 09:02

We live on the bottom floor flat with two cats, their happy to jump in and out the window but my fiancee is really wanting a dog to take on walk's regular and just keep herself busy.

poppy2 · 30-08-2010, 09:30

Imagine this scenario:
You have come home from work, it's December and bitterly cold. At some point you have a nice warm bath, put your pjs on and settle down in front of the television. Doggie wants to go out for it's wee or poo before you go to bed. You then have to get dressed again, put on your coat, shoes and hat and take it out. Recall how bad the last winter was and decide if you are up for it.
Agree about the puppy - it is hard work house training them even with a garden. Older, more placid dogs might be OK but when they get quite old they need to go to toilet more often. My oldest is 15 and in the evening she tends to need to pop out every hour or two or we have an 'accident'.
She sleeps in the kitchen with the others at night and we put a thick wadge of newspaper down just in case she gets caught short. When we had her in the bedroom overnight we frequently used to have to get up to let her out for a wee as she could not always go through. It was very tiring as we then found it difficult to get back to sleep.
Anyway, just a few thoughts.

beansforyou · 30-08-2010, 09:35

^ Add to that scenario, that you've just come home after a hard day, and your first job is to clean up loads of poo and wee, thats been trampled in all day, plus the joy of having an under-excercised dog use your furniture as it's own private playground/demolition derby.

Just thinking of worst case scenarios.

Strix · 30-08-2010, 09:43

I'm of the opinion that a dog is better off having a home until it is old, and being put to sleep then, rather than being destroyed now because scaremongers have put perfectly good potential owners off looking after that dog for about ten years

beansforyou · 30-08-2010, 10:03

Good for you.

I'm of the opinion that potential owners should be aware of what owning a puppy/dog can actually be like, then making a well informed decision, rather than telling them everything will be fine, sure go out and get one - then them having to rehome it and feel miserable aftwards.

If breeders are going to get the third degree when they post their pups for sale, then surely the buyers should also be made aware of what it can be like, or is it just a one sided argument?

Strix · 30-08-2010, 10:21

it was a one-sided argument hounding this person into abandoning the idea until I posted Beans. Yes, looking after a dog isn't all nice little trots round a sunny park and waggy tails, but there's no need for the unbalanced scaremongering going on here

GraZ · 30-08-2010, 10:26

How on earth did this turn into such a fight fest? We'r both fully aware of the commitment and work required into this, all i was after was wondering if anyone had one to rehome, not needing a lesson on 'what ifs'. Please dont turn this thread into a fight, i'm only looking to help someone by taking in a dog their unable to care for and provide a loving home for the pooch.

diamond123 · 30-08-2010, 10:40

good for you GraZ you obviously have thought it through and discussed it with your partner and dont need patronising about things you have already considered.

i hope you find the right dog for you.

beansforyou · 30-08-2010, 10:40

hehe, don't worry this isn't a fight, most people are happy to just post their opinion, sadly some have difficulty respecting other peoples, and throw the teddy out of the cot if they feel overlooked.

Apologies also, as I had been reading through the thread and thought you'd asked for advice, but you hadn't, so i'll shut up now

I hope you find the right one for you, and there is a wealth of knowledge and support online nowadays, that we didn't have before

Edited to add: I saw an ad on preloved this morning for a young yorkshire terrier looking for a new home, there are always dogs on there being rehomed, there's also epupz, pets4homes, freeads etc - if you are getting a puppy, try and find a breeder that will offer support after money has swapped hands, as that can be invaluable.

Moonbird · 30-08-2010, 10:59

What kind of dog are you looking for Graz? only I do know of a lovely little Lady that has lived with cats before and is house trained who so deserves a second chance in kennels at the moment.

willman · 30-08-2010, 14:35

Graz - tell them all to sod off.
Having a dogs a commitment - owners who just turn them out on the back garden 'cos they've had a bath and got their pj's are some of the worse kind of dog owners.

GraZ · 30-08-2010, 14:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moonbird

What kind of dog are you looking for Graz? only I do know of a lovely little Lady that has lived with cats before and is house trained who so deserves a second chance in kennels at the moment.

Not sure to be honest, misses is bit fussy, i know she's after a smallish dog, doesnt want some galloping giddy horse knocking stuff down.

poppy2 · 30-08-2010, 15:41

Quote:

Graz - tell them all to sod off.
Having a dogs a commitment - owners who just turn them out on the back garden 'cos they've had a bath and got their pj's are some of the worse kind of dog owners.

How anyone could totally misconstrue what someone has quite correctly pointed out is beyond me. This comment is really out of order.
Nobody is talking about 'turning them out' into the garden and you well know it - you are being deliberately provocative.
When you have a (secure) garden you let the dogs out and they come straight back in - end of story. What would you have dog owners do - let them relieve themselves in the house?

Having been in the situation that the OP describes I would not do it again, not least because the dog cannot go out for fresh air at will and be free. Mine love to pop in and out when I have the back door open, which I often do during the summer. I would not wish them to be deprived of it.

Anyway, clearly the OP is able to make up his own mind. All that is required is a balanced argument and thoughtful consideration of the matter.

willman · 30-08-2010, 15:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by poppy2

Anyway, clearly the OP is able to make up his own mind. All that is required is a balanced argument and thoughtful consideration of the matter.

Which is what i've hopefuly given by adding my twopenneth.