New and hoping to home a rescue staffie very soon :)

Hi all

We have been looking into getting a dog for some time, and are quite excited and a little nervous at present as a local rescue may have a dog we will be just right for, and vice versa.

He is an 18 month staff called Denzil, has lived with 5 cats and 5 young children (we have two cats and 3 children, 12, 7 and 4) he is fab with the cats and the kids apparently and is being taken into rescue due to social services stating that the family have too many animals (obviously I don't know the rest of the details I just know it's not Denzil who is the issue - but the owners, no surprise there then ) We are having a home visit tomorrow...hoping all goes well with that, we have a lovely big secure garden and we live on a quiet road, plus great fields within walking distance, and woodland etc which I'm sure he will love if he comes to live with us. Now the reason I have come on here is not just to
share my half mental excitement with strangers hehe, but to ask you all if there are any crucial questions I should be asking the rescue folks when we go and see him for the first time? When I get enthusiastic I have a tendency to get carried away, and I am aware that this is such an important decision and I want to be sensible and cautious along with my grinning like an idiot when we get to meet our (potential) new family member!

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I can't really give any advice on what questions to ask to the people at the rescue, but it sounds like Denzil would be very happy with you, so I really hope the home visit goes well, and welcome

Massive good luck with your home visit, to me you sound well prepared!

Hiya and welcome from me and Moo

I hope so! So excited, thank you both for the warm welcome!

Hi from me and the boys

Hi & welcome!

All I'll suggest is that you give the dog some space when he comes to you. Don't crowd him, just let him find his space!

Good luck!

welcome

Try and find out what he has been fed on, then if you want to change him to a better food you can do it gradually instead of immediately, much better for the dog. This may help when you bring him home.


When you get your dog home
The big day arrives and your new rescue dog arrives home, everyone is very excited and wants to welcome your new dog and give lots of fuss and treats. This is the wrong way to introduce your new dog to your home.

It is better for your dog to come into a quiet home to start with, he will be stressed and very unsure of what is happening. He doesn't know he is now in his forever home, all he knows is that he is with people he doesn't know in very strange surroundings and he doesn't know what is expected of him, so a nice quiet home is best for the first few days.

Many rescue dogs are well behaved and obedient but others may have been abused or had no training. No matter what your dog's past is, this is a new beginning and he should be taught the house rules as soon as he enters the house. No point in letting him on the sofa when he first arrives then shortly afterwards ban him, he won't understand that.

The first thing to teach him is his name, this is usually forgotten in the excitement of having a new dog but unless a dog knows his name he can’t do what you want him to. I always change a new dog’s name but this isn’t necessary, if a dog has a bad past or been abused then changing his name may help, his name may have some very bad associations.

Encourage him to do what you want him to. If you want him to come to you call him and when he comes, lots of praise and treats, he should be quicker coming the next time. Once he understands this you can drop the treats and just praise. Always set him up to do as you want, he doesn't know if he has done wrong because he can't speak our language for us to tell him.

Some dogs will toilet in the house when they first move into one, this is just nerves and will go. If he does go in the house, put him outside while you clean up. Dogs smell is more sensitive than ours so you need to use either white vinegar or biological washing liquid or buy something from a pet shop. Never punish your dog for toileting in the house, many dogs will start to hide were they do it and the first you will know is the smell.

Bed Time

A lot has happened to your dog today and now it is bed time. He doesn't know what is expected and he may never had been on his own before. I always find it better to let a new dog sleep in my bedroom at first, a nice comfy bed on the floor for him next to my bed so I can reassure him during the night. He can also tell me if he wants to go out to toilet. If you don't want him to sleep in your bedroom, this is the one exception I have for teaching the house rules. Once he is settled with you, you can gradually move his bed to the door, then to the landing and gradually away from your bedroom. Dogs do need a lot of reassurance when they first arrive in a new home.

Just wanted to say good on you.
I foster staffies (among others) and am really pleased you're considering a rescue dog.

Hi and welcome from me and Charlie

Great to hear that you're rescuing, good luck with the visit and please let us know how it goes

Hi and welcome to the forum from Rocky and me.

Some questions to ask at the home visit:

Does he have a micro chip and who holds the details ?
How does he get on with other dogs/well socialised or not ?
What is he currently eating-type of food, kibble or whatever ?

Hope it all goes well, very exciting times ahead, just give the little fella some space and time to settle in.

Hi & welcome to the forum

Hello and welcome to the forum

Hi and welcome from us and Suki

Hi & welcome to the forum ><

hia from me and sasha
well done you for rescuing,good luck for the home visit

Welcome and well done for looking for a rescue i hope everything turns out well. x

Hello and welcome from me and Tyson. Hope all goes well for you.

Hi and welcome from me, Millie and Bella

hey, hope all goes well with denzil, you sound like a wonderful family and i'm sure you will get as much joy from Denzil as he will get from you! Good luck and welcome!!

Hi and a big welcome from Kia and me,
well done on going for a rescue dog, hope all goes ok with the home visit, you sound like a great family

Hello and welcom efrom me and the kids , hope the home visit went ok

Hello and welcome aboard

Hi again all, thank you so much for all the lovely well wishes and the advice, will be sure to remember all that particularly the bits about having the house nice and calm for him - makes perfect sense.

Quick update, our home visit was great they were very happy with our set up etc, we are having Denzil on a weeks trial at some point in next two weeks, he is being assessed at the rescue centre at present but the news from the lady working with him is that he is 'bomb proof' with cats and kids from everything they have seen so far. He is a very pleasant fellow apparently, can't wait to meet him! Will be sure to get some photos on here as soon as he begins to settle, and will let you know how it's all going soon!

Thanks again, some really nice folks on this forum

Awww I am really pleased to hear it, nice one

Make sure you keep us updated when your trial week is, as I doubt very much it will end up as a trial

Great news and hope the trial goes well , but be warned !!! We might seem nice people but if you don't keep us updated with lots of pics we will call upon our nearest member to ahem pay you a visit >

OOPs just noticed that might be me and in which case you may be interested in this , what a lovely way to go for a walk with your boy , I'll be there (unless that's a reason to keep away )

http://www.sbtrescue.org.uk/dates.htm

PygmyParrot wrote:, can't wait to meet him!
Thanks again, some really nice folks on this forum

I take it you have met this dog before

Hi kathytake, no we have been in touch with the rescue for some time and they have had us on standby for when a suitable dog given our cats and childrens ages, lifestyle etc came into rescue. We will meet him initially before the week trial starts, but everything we are hearing is very positive

Dave, that looks great - will definitely keep that in mind thanks for the link!

Phewww now I'm with you, thanks for that

No problem, can see why you asked though

just saw your post, hope your trial period goes well! He sounds like a good family dog