01529 304273 - [email protected]
There are lots of dogs in rescue centres all over the country and quite a few in Lincolnshire that need a good home and a loving owner. It may not be as expensive rehoming a dog as it is buying a new puppy and maybe more rewarding knowing you have given a dog the loving home it deserves. It might be that they already have some basic training and sometimes be very well trained it all depends on why they need a new home. However, you must always remember that they may also have some behavioural issues that need to addressed but nothing that can’t be overcome with a little patience and lots of love.
Most rescue centres ask for donations but some have fixed fees. We have heard of up to £250.00 which may seem a lot but remember that money goes towards looking after all their dogs some of which might be there for a long time due to all number of reasons. Also this cost normally includes all their vaccinations, microchipping and neutering. The staff have to do a home visit to make sure that your home and garden, you and your family are suitable for a dog and this all costs money.
Dogs from rescue centres may need more time than a puppy. It will take time for them to get used to their new surroundings and to you. You must remember that in most cases their history is not known so they may have been mistreated or in kennels for a long time so you might need to go back to basic training. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE TIME TO SPARE the last thing the dog or the rescue centre and indeed you is that dog back in the rescue centre because you cannot cope and have not got the time to spend helping that dog settle in.
1. Pick the right re homing centre they are not all the same. You may not find the right dog first time either so don’t be afraid to keep going back. Take your time and get the right dog for you and your family.
2. Choose the right breed of dog for you there are lots of web sites full of information on breeds and their temperaments. You might find a heinz 57 dog that suits you and don’t just go on looks alone so many wonderful dogs get left behind because they may not win a beauty contest.
3. Think about what age of dog would suit you best e.g what age are your kids, what have you got planned in the future, it’s no good getting an older dog if you plan to take long holidays walking in the hills but generally older dogs are calmer and more frequently trained but are overlooked more for a younger version so think carefully.
4. Get as much info on the dog as possible ( I know this is usually very difficult) and write it down. If the rescue centre knows the last owner obtain as much information from them as possible. Write a list of questions to ask the rescue centre that relate to you, your family and your lifestyle and what you can offer a dog. eg has the dog ever lived with or been around cats if you have cats at home,did the home it come from have kids if you have children at home, why does it need a new home, has it had any basic training or will you be starting from scratch , whats it like with other dogs. The list goes on just look at your home and life style and ask all the questions that you need to so you get the right dog. IF YOUR NOT SURE DON’T.Your not doing the dog any favours picking the wrong one.
5. Once you have picked your dog the next thing to look at is when to take it home and is your home ready for the new dog. Make sure you have settling in time we have seen people take dogs home for a week then put them back in kennels for two weeks while they go on holiday. This is no good for the dog as it will not know what’s going on and be very unsettled and could become very anxious. A good centre will not force you to take the dog now just because they need the room they will want you to be ready for the dog. Don’t invite the whole world and there dog round to see your new friend immediately. Just meeting you and your family and his new home will be enough so just take it slowly. Try going out and leaving them for short periods to make sure they can cope and to see how your dog reacts. There is no point taking two weeks off work spending the whole time at home with the dog if that’s not going to be their normal routine and then you go and leave them at home on there own all day when you go back to work. Make sure you get all the things they will need, food, bed, bowls,collar, lead etc. Visit your local pet shop and spend sometime there talking to them getting the right stuff first, it will make make your new friends home a happy one.
6. If you have any problems ask for help from the either the rescue centre, your vet, a dog behaviourist or a dog trainer. Most behaviour problems can be solved this way with a little time and effort.