Dogs in Rescue

[Drab]

Tonight I have attended another rescues monthly meeting, and one of the items was about two dogs that they have had returned back into there care by the people who adopted them. Both were homed as pups, and both have been returned at a simular age, the reason - both dogs have proved too boisterous for there owners.
One of the dogs keeps knocking the small children of the family over, not intentionally but regularly so this is the reason for his return.
This is also the reason for the return of the second dog by his owners although, he is deaf as well which is also proving to be a challenge.
I think that one of the problems is that people get a pup so that it will grow up with the children, good idea in theory, but dogs age 7 times faster than a human so while little Tommy is still toddling at 2 years old, Fido is entering his delinquent years shown as giddy, boisterous and demanding. If people just sat out this period for another couple of months, they would see the glimpses of the potential that the dog shows, and hopefully this would encourage them to ride out the storm, Stopping the dog from returning to rescue at a crutial time in his development.
As for the other dog, well he was deaf when they got him, surely they knew it wouldn't be plain sailing, but in saying that, i've got a dog that can hear and he hasn't been plain sailing either!!

[Sean Benson]

This is perfectly true and why we, as an organisation, must keep in touch with our customers to ensure we give them as much support as possible, thereby increasing the likelihood of a successful outcome.

[Drab]

Wow i'm actually agreeing with you Benson, a good support network offered to new owners would not only re-assure them of any doubts they may be experiencing, but guide them through the sometimes difficult times of settling a dog and learning about that dog.
Rescue dogs come with baggage sometimes obvious, sometimes not (i got the latter) and having someone to give you support and advice would make all the difference, an added bonus is that the charity would also get a good reputation for the support it offers, nothing carries more clout than word of mouth, unfortunately for a bad experience as well as a good one!

[TwaceJet]

Here goes, last time you heard from me we had just had my big cuddly girl Jet put to sleep, although missing her we have another dog now. Her name is Mia, we got her from a German Shepherd breeder somewhere in Nottingham, shes only 20 months and been in kennels for most of her life so far. Shes been with us approx. 10 days now she is now learning bit by bit that this is her life now! Although she has shown a bit of aggression to some visitors to the house but I think that was through fault of the visitor and maybe us as well! I have to shout and say 'Its me!' when I come through the gate so that she knows my voice and mainly so she doesnt disturb herself too much, Shes very lazy for a young girl but I guess thats ok! You can tell she isnt used to house life as the first day arrived she was watching everything and everybody with interest, even smelling everything that she could, especially when it came to the dishwasher all the new smells, and the washer I found myself laughing at her as she watching the water come down the door and the listened as it started washing my clothes. Then I found her watching tv. I dont know why im telling anyone this but I though I would share her with you maybe even go to find her photo, not sure where it will be though. We are now not filled with sadness but with care for another without forgetting little Jetter!!!

Sorry to go on a bit but I dont know what im typing half the time!

Tracy

[Drab]

Thanks Tracey, its nice to hear from you again, and with some lovely news please keep us updated on Mia's progress and get a photo on! Its sad that she's spent most of her life in kennels, but i think you'll find she won't be lazy for long, she's been used to doing nothing for most of the day but when her senses awaken properly, you'll have your hands full.
When i brought Sam home from the kennels he looked such an old dog and we did actually talk about not adopting him because he was too old, and then you go down the avenue of but if we don't who will, anyway given a few days with regular meals, attention and exercise the years fell off him, and after i'd signed on the dotted line to adopt him, his aggression reared its head - just my luck, well its all good fun at times!
Don't worry about waffling on, they don't call me the gossip queen for nothing you know.

[Lisa]

Going back to the point made earlier about follow-up and advice. I was reading an article about dogs returned to rescue – you probably already read it – which looks at which dogs have the highest chance of being returned. It might be that extra attention or information given to rehomes involving these risk factors could be helpful??

The dogs at highest risk of being returned included: aggressive dogs (the risk doubled where the owners did not seek advice – just the point made earlier), large size dogs, families with pre-teen children, destructive dogs, dogs where the owners didn’t anticipate the level of care needed.

Here’s the link to the article – hope it works.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6TBK-4RW4RT6-4&_user=6564543&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=6564543&md5=b8faf4b17f1f76c6b93a8bdb9ac90898

[Lisa]

I forgot to ask - how many dogs usually get rehomed per month?

[Drab]

Hi Lisa, B.A.R.C re-homed 4 dogs in July and R.A.W. re-homed 9.
it does fluctuate quite a lot, and as it is holiday season, people are away on holiday.
Because R.A.W. rents a few kennels within a bording kennels they are only allowed 4 dogs at the moment because the kennels need there spaces back to cope with the holiday dogs, where as B.A.R.C. rents a whole block at Wath so they can fill it.