Downlands Boarding Kennels and Cattery

Westfield Road, Cholsey, Wallingford, OX10 9JW

Tel : 01491 651053     Email : Downlands-Kennels@Supanet.com

                

Considering Getting a New Dog/Cat

There is a lot to think about before getting a new dog or cat to join your family. Many people give it insufficient thought and consideration and end up with either a dog that they cannot manage properly or a dog that is inappropriate to their lifestyle. This sadly results in loads of dogs, through no fault of their own, ending up in rescues, being put to sleep or existing in situations that are not good for them or their owners.

It is a huge commitment taking an animal into your life for up to the next twenty years. It has many, many rewards but brings with it a lot of responsibility. The whole family needs to sit down and fully discuss what having a pet really means – both the positives and the negatives. If the time is not right then try to wait till the right domestic/financial time arrives. Something that is planned for and waited for is often much more appreciated and precious as a result of the wait.

Do your research – the internet is an excellent resource for this – look at what type of dog would best suit your particular family and your likely family situation for the next 10 to 20 years.

We have tried to sit down and come up with some things for you to consider based on both our personal experiences with dogs and our experience of meeting and talking to many dog owners at the kennels, as well as getting to know all sorts of different dogs that have stayed with us over the last six years. We do not profess to being experts or knowing all of the answers – it is just that we see both the good and the bad side of dog ownership, from the real loving life enhancing relationships to abused and abandoned dogs or owners that are desperate for help with their out of control dog.

We have tried to come up with some simple snippets of info for you to maybe think about.

MISCONCEPTIONS and TRUTHS about Rescue Dogs

·        All rescue dogs have major behavioural problems – especially aggression.

v      Many dogs in rescues have been perfectly normal family pets but there has been a change in the domestic circumstances of the owners (for example moving into a flat, divorce, illness etc) which means that the dog can no longer be cared for appropriately. The owners have done the responsible thing and are trying to ensure their beloved dog is going to find a new family who can offer the dog what they cannot.

v      Many rescues will perform behavioural assessments and provide training to ensure that only dogs that are suitable are rehomed.

·        You don’t know the past history of a rescue dog.

v      As many dogs come directly from homes the rescues will ask all the relevant questions of the previous owners and this information will be passed on to any prospective new owner.

v      Some owners that can no longer keep their pet will be happy to talk to new owners – they want their dog to find the right home and they want to help the new owners get to know their dog as quickly and as well as possible.

v      Some rescues even do home to home rehoming – where the dog stays in its old home until a new home has been found for it. The dog then goes straight from one home to another without having to go into the rescue itself.

v      Many dogs are unfortunately in the rescues for a long time before a new home is found. During this time the rescue staff will get to know the dog very well and will have offered it some constancy in a caring environment. They will also have known lots of different dogs and are likely to be a good judge of character and temperament.

·        All rescue dogs are emotionally damaged and incapable of loving or being loved.

v      Dogs have a huge capacity to love and be loved. We have seen many badly abused dogs and they never cease to amaze us with their forgiving ways. They seem to know that you mean them no harm and will give you the chance to prove yourself to them. Sometimes it seems that they realise how lucky they are now and appreciate your kindness even more than other dogs.

v      It is incredibly rewarding to feel that you have made a really positive difference to a dog’s life just by giving them the time, space and love to allow them to mend.

·        All rescue dogs are adults or elderly.

v      Many puppies are actually born in rescues – having been cast out when the owner realises they are pregnant. Responsible owners will ensure that their dog cannot suffer an unplanned pregnant (either by having her spayed or by keeping a proper eye on her when she is in season).

v      A lot of people will take on a cute ball of fluff but then be faced with the realities of having a puppy or a young dog and no longer want it. There are loads of dogs between the ages of 6 months and two years that end up in rescues – due to people not really thinking about what they are taking on when they see that cute little puppy.

v      Many people would be better suited to taking on an older dog – that is calmer, less demanding, easier to manage etc.

·        All rescue dogs are mongrels.

v      Many purebred dogs end up in rescues for very much the same reasons as crossbreeds and mongrels. Most breeds will have a breed rescue that is dedicated to them (you can easily find these on the internet).

v      Don’t dismiss the crossbreed or mongrel though – they need loving homes just as much as the purebreeds, and will make lovely family pets too. They tend to be healthier than purebreds, don’t suffer many of the breed specific features (both in terms of health and behaviour), crossbreeds often exhibit the best bits of each of the parent breeds and mongrels are all unique, come in all shapes and sizes and are true individuals.

·        All rescue dogs are riddled with disease and fleas.

v      Most rescues will have the dogs routinely checked out by a vet. Many rescues will have dogs vaccinated, wormed etc before putting the dog up for rehoming. Many rescues will also have the dog neutered and microchipped. Rescues do not want to perpetuate the problem of yet more unwanted dogs or strays – so they do all they can to prevent this from happening. They will try to find responsible owners who will care for their new dog properly.

·        All rescue dogs are untrainable (which is why they have been dumped).

v      There is no truth in the idea that you cannot teach an older dog new tricks. It may take a little longer but you will still get there if you put in the effort.

MISCONCEPTION and TRUTHS about Rescues

·        They are desperate to get rid of the dogs so will lie about the dogs just to get them homes.

v      They are of course keen to see dogs in their own loving homes but not just any home – it needs to be the right home.

v      If a rescue places dogs inappropriately then the dogs are likely to end up coming back and the rescue will get a bad name. This neither helps them nor the dogs in their care.

·        Offer you no backup after you have taken the dog home – what if it all goes wrong ?

v      Most rescues will offer you advice both before you rehome a dog and after – this may cover matters like food, training, health issues as well as behavioural stuff. They want the rehoming to work – so will do all they can to help you. Many dogs end up in rescue because people didn’t seek this kind of advice soon enough.

v      Most rescues will take a dog back if the new family doesn’t work out. If a rescue does not offer this then you need to question why and maybe go to a different rescue. There are lots of brilliant rescues out there – both large and small, but there are also some dodgy ones. Don’t judge a rescue simply by what it looks like but rather by what it is trying to do.

·        Are just in it for the money and will sell anyone any dog just to get your cash.

v      There are some less scrupulous people and rescues out there – but they are definitely the exception not the rule. Most rescues are run by dedicated volunteers and financed by donations from the public. People get involved because they want to help the dogs to find loving new homes and to get a better life.

 

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE GETTING A DOG

 

WHY GET A RESCUE DOG

 

LINKS

The Dog Rescue Pages        http://www.dogpages.org.uk/index.htm

 

The Dogs Blog         http://www.dogsblog.com/index.php

 

LRRSE (Labrador Retriever Rescue Southern England)         http://www.labrador-rescue.org.uk/

 

RWA (Rottweiler Welfare Association)      http://www.rottweilerwelfare.co.uk/

 

Wiccaweys Border Collie and Working Sheepdog Rescue          http://www.wiccaweys.co.uk/

 

 

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Having a dog is a very, very rewarding experience and I love my Meg to bits. She is an absolutely integral part of my family and I wouldn’t be without her for a moment. She brings fun, laughter and joy to our lives. I cannot imagine living my life without a dog – but we didn’t get a dog until our lifestyle suited one and we thought long and hard before taking her into our lives. She came into the kennels as a stray, we guessed that she was probably about four/five months old and probably a Collie X Lab – she was scared of everything and ended up hiding inside my coat and would only eat from my hand. She is now over seven years old and a complete star.

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