Rescue dogs :)

I've been thinking about getting a new dog for ages like most of you know, I love staffys and I've always wanted to get another one to join our family.

Well I found the most cutest staffy near me that needs a good home.
I've already mailed the rescue center to arrange a meeting so I can go there and see the gorgeous Buster, I'll be taking Dragon and see if they get on. I'm sure after a big long walk Dragon will be ok with Buster and will play with him. We've had other dogs and Dragon has never bitten any of them, all he needs is to meet the dog and get to know him, so I hope he gets on with Buster and that they let us take Buster for a walk with Dragon.

They said Buster would prefer a house where he'd be the only pet but I think he's been in the rescue center for a while and I'm sure somehow we'll manage to get him, which would be amazing.

Not only would I be saving another staffy that needs a good home, but I would also be giving Dragon a play mate and a new member to the family.

If I do get buster it would probably be one of the happiest moments of my life. He's 3 years old, here's a picture of the gorgeous Buster!



Fingers crossed that I get a reply soon and hopefully a good reply!

good luck

You can't imagine how excited I am!

Good luck, can't believe Buster has hung around in the rescue, he's a cracker

I think he's not dog friendly, I went on there facebook page and someone said ''If he was dog friendly he'd be coming home with me'' I just hope they give us a chance to take Dragon and Buster for a walk, they might get a long and it would be good for both to have another dog friend, and also he'd have a good home where I know for sure he wouldn't be abused like he was before.

he's gorgeous,hope it works out

Good luck with it all, I really hope it works out well for you all.

I really do hope we got him, he's a cutey Don't know how he's still there, hopefully he'll be coming home with us soon.

He's a great looking dog. Just take your time introducing dogs, especially two males. But I'm sure the rescue staff will provide a lot of help too

Yes hopefully they'll give us a chance to meet him and introduce our boy to Buster. Just hope they like each other, I'll take them for a big long walk if they let us.

Do you guys have any recommendations on introducing my boy to Buster, I mean my boy can be quite aggressive towards other dogs he doesn't know, and from the looks of it Buster is the same, so I need to show them both that it's ok and there's no need to be nasty towards each other, hopefully with a big long walk they'll get to know each other.

This is what I was thinking, walking them together every so often bring them both close to each other so they can sniff, any signs of growling etc and we'll stop and keep on walking them and after a while do it again and again until the growling stops. We might need to meet Buster more than once though and take him on another long walk and see how he reacts the second time (if the first time doesn't go as planned). What do you guys think?

Joe , if you don't mind me saying I think you should back away from this one a bit. Reading throuhg your posts you can tell you are getting really excited about the idea but the odds really are not stacked in your favour . Both dogs seem to be a bit DA , both are males. Maybe it could work but maybe it wouldn't and then if the rescue were to allow you to bring the fella home he could only end up having to go through it all over again. Realities are if the Rescue aren't sure then they will say no anyway so that is dissapointment from the outset.
I honestly think you should spend more time socialising Dragon before you contemplate anyhing as brave as this , but I really do wish you all the luck in the world with whatever you decide to do. You are a nice guy and I would hate to see you dissapointed.
Really hope you don't mind me saying this

Joe, I don't want to dampen your enthusiasm - you have a great heart - but the rescue centre would have given Buster quite stringent tests to see whether he is dog friendly or not, and I'm sure they're right when they say he isn't.

That being the case, they are very unlikely to let you have him because they couldn't chance the consequences if it went wrong.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but I really don't think this dog's for you.

If you're really set on getting a rescue dog to keep Dragon company then I'd go for a bitch (spayed, of course, as she would be from a rescue centre) that's either quite young, or a lot older & bomb proof!

I know it will most likely not work out, but there's a chance it could work. He's been in the rescue for a while now, so if the rescue are willing to let me see him every so often to introduce my boy to him then that would be great, also it would help Buster socializing and my boy, I'd be doing them a favor if I went there walked the dog and helped him socialize really , I'm not expecting this to be easy at all. I was also thinking about keeping Dragon with my girl for a bit and take Buster to my mums and stay there for a while and meet my girlfriend every day and walk both dogs together.

Well see what happens when we meet Buster I'm excited but I am also prepared for the worse, which would be Buster and Dragon not getting on and me not getting Buster.

I also thought about asking my mum if she'd like to keep Buster. Buster would still have a lovely home and have great owners, and I would be able to see him everyday and walk him. ( I don't live with my mom neither does Dragon, so they'd only meet on walks and always on the lead). This is my other option.

P.S. I kinda think you have to be over 18 to adopt as well.

Yea the dog would either stay with me my girlfriend and her mum or my mum, if we do go to pick up the dog, we'll either take my mum with us (if he's staying at my mums) or take my girlfriends mum (if he's staying with us).

I'm prepared for the best outcome or the worse.

I really think you need to take a step back and wait until you can be sure of dragons own dog aggression and your own situation. No rescue will be willing to let a dog go to a dog aggressive home

It fab that you want to rescue, but you must put dragon and the rescue dog first. Your situation just might not be right for another dog. I would love another dog but i won't buy a puppy and i can't rescue cause of lexi's aggression. She will be fine with a dog for a while but i know she can turn, so i just don't get into that situation.

Have you ever thought of volunteering at a dog rescue Joe? You seem like you'd have a lot of drive to help the dogs there.

That way you could keep working with Dragon.

MatLogan wrote:Have you ever thought of volunteering at a dog rescue Joe? You seem like you'd have a lot of drive to help the dogs there.

That way you could keep working with Dragon.

That sounds like a great idea

Yes I know, I got way to over excited when I seen that Buster needed a home and he was right near me, although I've been thinking and I think if they do not get on, my mum could get Buster. That way Buster could still come on walks with Dragon both on the lead of course. This would help both dogs socialize and he'd have a great home with a lot of people to give him loads of attention and without any other pets.

Then once him and Dragon start getting on, I'd have to talk to my mum to let me keep Buster

I think this idea is more reasonable and would work great. Buster would go on long walks everyday and he would have a good home to go to at the end of the walk etc, plus I'd get to see him

Matt would I be able to go there at the age of 17? If so I wouldn't mind. Would be a great way for me to learn more about dogs and help them, and also I'd try get Dragon to come on walks with the dogs over there and maybe with time he'd end up stop being so aggressive. I'll have to see if they'd let me.

At 17 you mightent be given full responsibilty with everything but there's no reason in my head why you couldn't help. Worth asking, esp if you have the time.

MatLogan wrote:Have you ever thought of volunteering at a dog rescue Joe? You seem like you'd have a lot of drive to help the dogs there.

That way you could keep working with Dragon.

Great idea Mat

You may have to forget taking Dragon, but you most certainly could volunteer, or as we like to call it, a work placement (I have an 18 year old with me atm)! Looks great on any cv for the future, and can open a few windows!

Most rescues where I live only take work experience people as they have long waiting lists to volunteer. However, that's not to say you can't get on a list to help with the dogs.

At the Blue Cross where I did a placement, they co-ordinate morning and afternoon shifts of volunteers who either walk/play with the dogs or help in the kennels. Your best bet is to start off with the cleaning side of things, as this will show you really are dedicated, and when spaces free up you'll already have your foot in the door.

When we adopted chance we had to be over 21 and when i've looked recently most rescues say you must be 21 now to adopt a dog.

Leaving the DA of your 'two' aside when we took harv to meet chance, they met from a distance and then they asked they meet side on rather then face to face, they went for a walk and then a play off lead in an enclosed area.

It may work between them but it certainly sounds like a big risk and not 'cos their both male, my two are but neither of mine are aggressive to other dogs

having 2 dogs is a huge responsibility. Surely you will be working soon and having time for 2 will be very hard work.
I know the feeling of wanting another staff because ive been there before and i was adamant that i was gonna get another. Until I realized how crazy it was and knew my capabilities. Your so young and i would wait until you've settled down maybe.

I would also say that if your gf mum gets buster don't think you can then tAke him if he and Dragon get on. You will be forever living in hope. If your gf mum wants a dog that's great but she shouldn't get one because she thinks she will only have to have it until you take it, cause that may never happen. I hope that made sense

It's great you're looking into it, but don't get your hopes up. It's hard enough with one aggressive dog, but two? That's double the risk of them not getting on. You love Dragon and ever since you first joined here you've been asking for advice on how best to train him and socialise him, which is brilliant. But I think you should focus on Dragon for now. I know how you feel, honestly, I'd want another dog (or two or three) right now if I could, but I think Dragon would benefit if you focused all of your attention towards socialising him. I mean, if he and Buster got on, they might not get on at home. Some dogs just can't 'become' friendly, and if it didn't work out, you'd be in a tough spot.

I love your enthusiasm, I wish more people had it, but you're young, you have a LONG time to focus on Dragon before you add another dog to the home. There's always going to be lots of Staffs needing homes, and I think there's no harm in waiting a bit, until Dragon's doing better. Because rehoming another dog, that's a permanent thing, so I think it's best in the long run to wait a while. There are too many what ifs.

Hayley wrote:

MatLogan wrote:Have you ever thought of volunteering at a dog rescue Joe? You seem like you'd have a lot of drive to help the dogs there.

That way you could keep working with Dragon.

That sounds like a great idea

Joe, your energy and love for the stafford breed is admirable. I think you have had lots of really positive feedback/comments. I think mat's idea is a fantastic one, rescue centers need young enthusiastic knowledgeable people to advise, and your on the front line to educating others in the art of loving a stafford , Something i and i am sure many others will agree you will excell in. The very best of luck whichever way this turns out

Thank you everyone, yes me and my girlfriend have been talking and we decided to stay out of this one because of Dragon, not that it's his fault I mostly blame his old owner for probably baiting Dragon and not socialize him right. I'm going to look into volunteering at a dog rescue and see if they're willing to let me in, although I'm also looking for a job so I won't have much time to be at the rescue but it's hard finding a job at 17, most jobs ask you to be 18... So if I'm not able to find a job I'll contact a dog rescue center near me and see if I'd be able to go there and help out etc, will keep me busy and I'm sure I'll learn quite a bit from all that.

Maybe in 1-2 years I'll be able to get another staffy once Dragon is dog friendly (if that ever happens) and when I get my own house and have a job of course.

But I still wanted to go meet Buster He looks like an adorable dog.

well thought joe.. Keep trying to get that job though mate

I'll be emailing the dog center closer to me, although I'm not sure what to actually tell them?

Would someone kinda help me make this email, so it sounds nice and kinda ''professional'' .

DragonTheStaffie wrote:I'll be emailing the dog center closer to me, although I'm not sure what to actually tell them?

Would someone kinda help me make this email, so it sounds nice and kinda ''professional'' .

take your time with it

DragonTheStaffie wrote: I'm going to look into volunteering at a dog rescue and see if they're willing to let me in, although I'm also looking for a job so I won't have much time to be at the rescue but it's hard finding a job at 17, most jobs ask you to be 18...

Joe for a young lad you put my thinking skills to shame and you should be proud of yourself. That statement above say's you won't have time for buster once you do work. Most employers would rather take a 17 year old who has held down a 9-5 voluntary job for 6 months than a 18- 50 year old that has sat around doing nothing for 6 months. Give it a try you won't lose benefits, in fact you may get more help

This is what I've written please do let me know if i should change or add anything to what I've written, so I don't look like an idiot

''Hello, my name is Joe and I'm emailing you because I'd like to volunteer to help out at the dog rescue center, if there's any place for me there.
I don't mind what I have to do there, at the dog rescue center, I'm willing to start anywhere.

Why I'm interested in helping:
Well I have a dog myself a Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Staffy), and this dog has grown on me so much for the last year that I felt the need to help other dogs in need of help.
I've been thinking about getting a rescued dog but that's not an option because of my boy being quite aggressive towards other dogs, which isn't our fault as we bought him of someone when he was one year, that person never socialized him and probably did bait him, we've been trying to teach him how to be nicer towards other dogs but it's not working so we'll be looking for some help of someone who knows what they're doing.
I'm also interested in helping because I want to learn more about dogs and that will be helpful so I can teach my dog other things that I might not of known etc..

I'm only 17 years old but I'm very committed to what I do specially when it comes to helping dogs.

Thank you so much for reading,
Joe.''

How about ringing them or just calling in? rescues are pretty relaxed places, and the people that work there think like a lot of the people on here that you have spoken to, less stress for you and they instantly see the decent young man stood in front of them

Yea might be a better idea, I shall try to ring them tomorrow.
I just hope Buster gets rescued soon, he's a lovely staffy.
Thanks everyone for your help and support once again.

I'm quite excited to see how this volunteering thing goes, would be a great experience and also I'd learn a thing or two .

good luck with it all Joe

I'm wishing you all the best of luck Joe

Already got a reply, they said the dog is not at all dog friendly and that they'll only let him go as the only pet, I expected that. No problem though I just hope someone nice gets him and soon.