Has any body ever adopted an older rescue dog?

[Mr H 10]

Next summer I am going to bring a dog into my family.

 

I am spending my time now researching all the different options.

 

My first thought was to get a puppy but now I am looking into rescue dogs and maybe adopting an older one 4 - 7 years old.

 

The only thing I am wondering is that will an older dog still bond with my family in the same way a pup would. I have read about how the first few months of a puppies life is a crucial bonding period which you will obviously not get with an older dog.

 

Also, are older dogs still responsive to new training?

 

Thank you for your advice.

[cavi lover 10]

I have rescued a 2 1/2 and a 4 yr old cavaliers and I have no problem bonding with either. I will say that they are the most loyal adorable and velcro type dogs. I have 2 more cavis that I have had from puppies and we are well bonded but not in such an intense way.

 

I foster dogs for Hope Rescue so if you need any help pm me!

[Moonbird 11]

Almost 2 years ago I adopted an 11 year old dog, she fitted right in no problems what so ever, she is a really loving little dog and I don't love her any differently because I didn't have her from a puppy at all, and I think I can safely say she is well bonded to me and the rest of the family she is never far from my lap bless her.

One of the other dogs was around 4 years when I got him and I can honestly say that I couldn't love a dog more than I love him and visa versa, I know I shouldn't have favourites but he really is mine.

I will always have older dogs now, no more puppies here I'm afraid, oldies are sooo much easier and just as loveable, plus you see exactly what your getting.

[sezbetz 10]

We adopted on older half hairless dog from Thornbury Animal Sanctuary as a companion for our greyhound. She was on her last day on death row when the sanctuary took her in poor thing and she had obviously been neglected in the past. They thought she was around 7 but both myself and my vet think she was older than that - probably pushing 10.

 

She would never win a contest for her looks and she is now almost deaf and completely blind in one eye but we love her to bits!

 

I would def get another old dog in the future. Each dog should be judged on its own merits and not discounted due to age... and lets face it those puppy years can be sooooo demanding!

 

As for behaviour and bonding... I have a young family so best behaviour needed around the kids. Millie was snappy and obsessive with her food... you had to take her bowl using a broom handle or have no fingers! She is now reasonably trustworthy and I can pick up her bowl mid meal with no problems. She is also starting to learn some basic sign language due to her deafness so training not a problem and although I am always more wary of her around the kids she is a different dog to the one that I first brought home.

[Mr H 10]

Just a quick question (and I hope I explain properly). From reading various posts am I right in understanding that a lot of rescue centres are privately run and they save dogs who are in the 'pound' and are close to being put to sleep.

 

So therefore, if I wanted a well balanced dog would it be best to go straight to the 'pound' as these local sanctuarys / rescue centres only have the dogs that are not wanted by anybody else (maybe because they are difficult dogs?)

 

Also finally, where are the local pounds in South Yorkshire that put down dogs after so long?

[Lotti 10]

My Eddy was 11 1/2 when I got him from dalmatian welfare. He will be 13 in January.

 

When I got him he was overweight, arthritic and completely untrained - just the basic sit and housetrained.

 

He now knows loads of tricks, is much better trained and has recall (well, his hearing/sight is going a bit now so not so good).

 

He was also nervous aggressive of other dogs as he had lived pretty secluded on a farm and not socialised with other dogs - 10 months after getting him, he played with other dogs.

 

Yeah - they are still VERY capable of learning

 

As for the poundie question, I don't think you can get dogs straight from the pound which is why these rescues operate. Dogs have to go from pound, to pound rescue, to new home in order to be assessed and in the right home. I THINK. You'd be best asking Jaq from RainRescue.

[dane-katie 10]

There is a pound in sheffield look on the sheffield councils website and they have pictures of some of the dogs they have in, i was told (dont know id its true or not) the dogs have 7 days in the pound and if not collected by owner or adopted out they are put to sleep unless a rescue take them on, you could go straight to the pound but i was advised that in the rescues they do behavour assesments on them and see how they are around people and dogs etc i personnally would rescue a dog from somewhere like rotherham dog rescue etc.

 

To be honest yes there are plenty of well balanced dogs out there but it takes a long time to see this as ive seen dogs that are really nice for ages and then they can change and snap this may be due to the fact of being hurt by previous owners etc this is only in small cases, all id advise is to go somewhere where they have had to dog assesed and see what there personality is like, i know RDR as we have our Davey from there and they are great! Sue is a lovely woman and knows so much about each dog and whats best etc. Good luck!!!

[geerarffe 10]

I'll vouch for sue. Both of them actually. The dogs are well looked after and cared for at both centres.

 

With reguard to the poundie question. What katie said. The dogs are either PTS or a rescue place is found on the last (8th) day of their stay. No I wouldn't advise going straight to the pound as the rescues do get behaviourists in to assess the dogs before rehoming. On the other hand getting a poundie would definatly save a dogs life and is a fantastic thing however you look at it.

[Mr H 10]

thanks everybody - really useful stuff

[joanne5600 10]

we have had two older rescue dogs now the first he was 6 yrs old when we got him and until a month ago at the age of 15 he was still with us - he really got on well with us and our kids and he was before them then just two weeks ago we adopted a greyhound at 4 1/2 and touch wood hes doing fine

[Gemima 10]

I adopted a 5yr old dog who unfortunatly I had to put to sleep two weeks ago, she was 15 and we had 10 wonderful years together. My other two dogs were 2yrs and 18months when they came to me both also rescued.

 

Personally I would never have a puppy. I would always rescue an adult dog.

[Adz 10]

I have a 9yr old rescue and recently got a 12-14yr old girl. I adore them and they live for us. My girl is a wonder she is the my shadow she doesn't have seperation anxiety she just loves to be around us and we her. They both give each other comfort and since being together they now enjoy each others company as they were [reviously dogs who were indifferent about other dogs.

My lad is my heart dog i have had him just over a yr and cannot imagine life without him i feel like i have always had him. I would always get an oldie they have so much to give and deserve a chance of happiness and who ever said you can't teach an old dog new tricks never met mine!!!! Tilly has leant to sit give paw, wait and recall in 3 months not bad for 12-14 aye.