So you want to adopt a dog? Read this first
The dream
We all admire those people in pubs with their perfectly behaved dogs. That lovely labrador who patiently tolerates your friend's kids climbing all over her and pulling her ears. That obedient dog who walks off lead along the side of a busy road on their owner's heels. The dog that stops whatever it's doing and comes right back when the owner calls. All of these things make us dream of having the perfect dog in our lives. But if we think we can all have that dog, then we are fooling ourselves and could be setting ourselves up for a BIG disappointment.
We all admire those people in pubs with their perfectly behaved dogs. That lovely labrador who patiently tolerates your friend's kids climbing all over her and pulling her ears. That obedient dog who walks off lead along the side of a busy road on their owner's heels. The dog that stops whatever it's doing and comes right back when the owner calls. All of these things make us dream of having the perfect dog in our lives. But if we think we can all have that dog, then we are fooling ourselves and could be setting ourselves up for a BIG disappointment.
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There are two ways you can have that dog - it is either inherent in the dog's nature, in which case you are the luckiest person on the planet. Or the dog is incredibly responsive to training and you are willing to put in the time and the effort.
But you have to face facts:
Some dogs are bullet-proof and other dogs are fearful. Some fearful dogs will take flight, and others will fight. Either way, the best chance a dog has is your willingness to give it sufficient exercise (a tired dog has less energy to misbehave or feel anxious) and your willingness to work with it to help it be the best it can be. |
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The reality is, you get the dog you get. Whether a dog comes from a reputable breeder or a reputable rescue - any dog can have issues.
Unless you are prepared to work with your dog to overcome those issues to the best of THEIR ability; unless you are prepared to accept that despite your best efforts, your dog may still have issues. And unless you are prepared to honour your commitment to look after them for the rest of their natural life, then please do not consider getting a dog - any dog,
Unless you are prepared to work with your dog to overcome those issues to the best of THEIR ability; unless you are prepared to accept that despite your best efforts, your dog may still have issues. And unless you are prepared to honour your commitment to look after them for the rest of their natural life, then please do not consider getting a dog - any dog,
Considerations
When we do our homechecks, we now give every potential fosterer or adopter our considerations form. Here is what we ask them to agree to. Please read it, and if you cannot honestly accept each one of these points, then we don't believe our rescue is the one for you.
Adopting a dog is a big decision that shouldn't be taken lightly. It should be based upon your lifestyle and capabilities as a family or individual, rather than on your emotions due to the plight of rescue dogs or Romanian dogs.
Adopting a dog is a big decision that shouldn't be taken lightly. It should be based upon your lifestyle and capabilities as a family or individual, rather than on your emotions due to the plight of rescue dogs or Romanian dogs.
Dogs take time and commitment:
- All dogs need exercise and mental stimulation
- Dogs need to be walked for at least an hour a day over one or two walks
- Dogs cannot be left alone for long periods of time
- Training classes may be required to help with things like recall
- Longer haired dogs need brushing, some may need professional grooming & all dogs need nails trimmed
Rescue dogs in particular need time and patience. Some may take weeks to settle and might never have lived in a home and:
- May need toilet training (many have never lived indoors)
- May need to learn how to walk on a lead
- Will need to learn to bond with all family members
- May exhibit food guarding behaviour so might have to be fed separately, away from people and other dogs. Even non-rescue dogs can exhibit this behaviour and they haven’t had to fight for food
- May be afraid of men and will need space to adjust (most dog catchers in Romania are male)
- Will need slow and managed introductions to other animals in the household, including other dogs and cats.
Dogs cost money:
- There is an adoption fee of £450 to cover costs incurred including travel, passports, vaccinations, neutering etc
- A dog will need: collar & tag, bed, safety equipment for transportation, food & possibly a crate as a safe place
- You may need to pay someone to care for them if you go away or to walk them if you are out most of the day
- They need to have their nails clipped regularly and some may need specialist grooming
- They need to be vaccinated annually, and de-wormed / treated for fleas and ticks regularly
- Vet visits may be required for other ailments, and you should have pet insurance
- You may need to purchase / install stair gates at our recommendation
- You may have to pay for a trainer or a behaviourist to help you work through some issues.