Janty Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 I took Bob to agility training when he was younger (I got Bob prior to having a family) and he loved it. We took him to an open show for pets when my son was about five and there was an agility section. My son proudly walked on with Bob by his side (never needed a lead since puppy training) and as my son ran round the outside of the obstacles, the agility training obviously came flooding back to old Bob and he roared through the hoops and poles much to the delight of my son who was shreiking with laughter. Bob came first, son got a rosette and Bob slept for the rest of the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoriabunny Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 I wouldn't get a border unless you are going to work it every day - they are such smart dogs that their requirements are above and beyond the average mutt. Lots of physical exercise is a must, but on its own isn't enough - you must either work sheep with them or get into agility, flyball, obedience or even doggy dancing. If you don't you'll have a frustrated dog who will take out his frustration on others or your furniture. If your Mum is to be the main carer as you work full-time, is she happy with this? If not I'd go for something slightly more low-maintenance. What about a border terrier? Gorgeous little dogs with bags of personality who love long walks in the woods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 Border collies are lovely but I think they function better in a working enviroment tbh Peng. (of course its entirely up to you ) Even when you think you've tired it out enough it will still want more! What about a greyhound?......they are couch potatoes and so loving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 Border terrorists are lovely but I wouldn't trust them near any chooks... ever Greyhounds are great... after the first year when they settle down.. I can put you in touch with a greyhound rescue friend if you're interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoriabunny Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 Ah yes, forgot about the chooks. Possibly not a border terrier then (or any other terrier for that matter). Hmm...*scratches head* - greyhounds are fab but you will struggle to get a puppy if that's really what you want. A retriever? Golden, or my personal fave, flat-coat? Beautiful dogs with lovely personalities. Or a standard poodle? They have fabulous personalities, are very smart and don't have to have a high-maintenance hairdo - if you do an all-over lamb trim every couple of months they just need brushing, and it's easy to learn to do this yourself. No moulting either! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudgley Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 I've skipped through this and not read all the posts, but here are my thoughts. Go for a puppy not a rescue - if you have chickens & cats, it's much easier with a younger pup. I wouldn't take on a rescue if you have children (regardless of what anyone says) you would only know limited history about the dog & I wouldn't recomend that. And before anyone tells me how many rescue dogs need a home - I am fully aware of that. Breeds, labradors are honest & faithful, although can be excitable. GR's - very self centred & can be stubborn. What about a Flat coated retriever, good temperament & very biddable. Need lots of excercise though.Can I just point out one more thing - Labradors can only be - black, chocolate or yellow. No such thing as a golden labrador! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Go for a puppy not a rescue - if you have chickens & cats, it's much easier with a younger pup. I wouldn't take on a rescue if you have children (regardless of what anyone says) you would only know limited history about the dog & I wouldn't recomend that. Even though you've said 'regardless of what anyone says'- me, my two kids, my chickens, and cats say you are completely wrong there. And it is precisely that kind of prejudice that keeps the rescue centres full to the brim. Rhapsody (owner of rescue SamoyedXHusky aged 12, rescue StaffXWhippet aged 9, rescue American Bulldog aged 2) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 I can echo what Rhapsody has just said - my previous lurchers have always been adult or adolescent rescues and it's how you train them and the care that you give them which counts. As with any dog, you still have to put in a lot of time, care and training to end up with a biddable, affectionate dog. All rescue centres worth visiting will always test all dogs they take in and rate them for behaviour, previous training, child/cat/animal compatibility, aggression. The animal will be neutered, wormed and de-fleaed; you will be home checked and invited to take the dog you like out for trips, or to foster it for a while to help you decide whether it is the one for you. My last lurcher didn't come from a centre; she was left in the house that I bought , 2 years old, not neutered, skin complaints, malnourished and in a dreadful state - I nursed her back to health, trained her and she remained a faithful and loving companion until she died aged 16. Jezebel (Belle) was very emotionally attached to me and would follow me everywhere and guarded Rosie's pram when it was out on the patio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 I sort of agree with you. I've had a few rescue dogs and they have been wonderful. But the one that I got before Cookie was from Battersea. The way they tested to see if she was ok with cats was to put her in a room with us. They then let a cat out of a basket and this poor terrified cat slunk round the edges of the room and hid under a chair. Honey looked at the cat but didn't go for it. Honey was deemed to be ok with cats from this. I think she was just more interested in us in the room then. But in reality she would not leave the cats alone and chased Dave until he injured a ligament in his leg. No matter what we did (and we got a trainer in for one to one) she would not stop. She had to go back for all our sakes. I think you really have to be sure about the dog if you take on an older rescue dog. I was talked into taking on Honey by the rest of the family. I didn't feel totally comfortable with her. I wish I had listened to my gut instinct. Sally my ex-Battersea, was between 18 months and 3 years when we got her. They had no history with her as she was a stray and had only been there 7 days. She was great, brilliant with the children and everybody loved her. We managed to get her to leave the cats alone eventually although they were never great buddies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 My current lurcher pup is the first non-rescue dog I've had since childhood and I met her with her parents and family. They breed working dogs, so as you can imagine, the house was full of dogs and children. Ruby has always been excellent with children, if a little excitable. She also gets on well with other dogs and was used to being indoors too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fowlbird Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Go for a puppy not a rescue - if you have chickens & cats, it's much easier with a younger pup. I wouldn't take on a rescue if you have children (regardless of what anyone says) you would only know limited history about the dog & I wouldn't recomend that. Even though you've said 'regardless of what anyone says'- me, my two kids, my chickens, and cats say you are completely wrong there. And it is precisely that kind of prejudice that keeps the rescue centres full to the brim. Rhapsody (owner of rescue SamoyedXHusky aged 12, rescue StaffXWhippet aged 9, rescue American Bulldog aged 2) ooooooooooh, I'm with you there! I thought we couldn't have a terrier because we have the girls and our cats (previous JRT RIP killed one of our Irish chooks) but have read of several rescue dogs of all ages which are considered good with cats, chooks and small furries. At the moment I'm totally enamoured of a whippetXstaffie which lives happily with it's fosterer, her cats and her chooks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhapsody Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 At the moment I'm totally enamoured of a whippetXstaffie which lives happily with it's fosterer, her cats and her chooks Ours is a diamond. She doesnt touch any of the chooks or cats and is fab with the horses, but a ruthless ratter, she never puts a paw wrong and is by far the easiest of my dogs. She is also as tough as old boots and never had a day ill in her life- people ask me if she is a puppy still! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fowlbird Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 she sounds absolutely gorgeous, Rhapsody quite honestly, if OH would agree, I'd be filling in the adoption form for 'my' little boy... even though the dog I dream of is a small, ladylike black one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudgley Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 I'm all for taking on a rescue - but not with young chidren. I've worked with dogs all my life & help run a local cat rescue - but I still don't think people with young chilren should take on an adult rescue dogs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 It all depends on how well your children are trained. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoice Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 At the moment I'm totally enamoured of a whippetXstaffie which lives happily with it's fosterer, her cats and her chooks This one? My brother has put up some nice pics of Gina on his facebook page with me and my parents on a wintery walk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 We are still considering - definatly not a greyhound as I don't like them. No terriers as I'm not too sure of them around the chooks, we've already had run ins with a couple of our neighbors ones! I wouldn't bring an older dog into the house with our cats becasue I really think they are too elderly to deal with much - better to have a young un that they feel more on top of from the start. It will probably be only 2 cats in the house by then as we keep making appointments with the vet for the eldest one and the decision to have her put to sleep changes on a daily basis at the moment - yesterday the vet was booked to come here today and today the cat has beeen a lot better so she was cancelled. Long story but she isn't well and we don't want to put her through a load of tests just to find she is too ill to save. At the moment I'm right off dogs - the tenants in my other house had one and it was well trained but they NEVER cleared up after it and the garden is under a sea of poo that I need to pick (I'm waiting for it to freeze again!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 You'll find a puppy far more bothersome towards the cats than an adult dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoriabunny Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Agree with Claret - My rescue lurcher cross Charlie is an absolute gent with animals in a house situation - I was very nervous with him around my rabbits as they free-range in the garden during the day and didn't ever take him out not on his lead, but I noticed he always completely ignored them and tried cautiously letting him off his lead with me there. He has always ignored them, even when they are doing their mad dashes around the garden - in fact they are more interested in him and usually come up to sniff him. He is exactly the same with my aunt's cats when we go round there and can be trusted in a room on his own with them - he's been like this from the start. If we're on the hills and he spots a wild rabbit that's another story and he's off, but in a domestic situation he's fine. On the other hand, I've never known a puppy that wasn't a pest towards cats or small furries at first. Bear in mind too that cats are quite capable of doing serious injury to a dog - lots get lacerated eyeballs after a swipe with those paws - so a curious puppy could be in as much danger as the cats. I think a steadier, older dog would be less stressful for your cats to be honest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victoriabunny Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Plus of course a lot of dogs that end up in rescue have been used to living with cats - and many are there through no fault of their own, eg the death of an elderly owner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 You'll find a puppy far more bothersome towards the cats than an adult dog. The cats will feel more in control over a young animal than an older one. Although as I said it's unlikely we'll still have the eldest one who was the biggest worry , my 2 are far more adaptable than Poppy. I don't think this is going to happen this year now, we have no holidays to do this in as we are away in May then the middle 2 weeks of August. Mum is away at Easter. We could end up in the cliche of having a puppy for Christmas which is a sod as I can't walk it to pick James up from school then (there is not pavement all the way and the verge is treacherous in winter). I reckon on my current timetable I could make it home in time to jog up to the school with the dog then we could walk home via the longer bridle path route. Its a trip I would love to do on a regular basis. If the right rescue dog was offered I wouldn't say no but it would need to be a young one, not too established in its ways and be able to fit in with our lifestyle - too many of them say not good with children. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clur Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 quote="smudgley"]Go for a puppy not a rescue - if you have chickens & cats, it's much easier with a younger pup. I wouldn't take on a rescue if you have children (regardless of what anyone says) you would only know limited history about the dog & I wouldn't recomend that. I don't think you should dismiss it out of hand, as though this is true in some cases, it's not true in all. Some of the independant rescue centres will actually foster dogs with families to test how the dogs are. No rescue home will rehouse a dog with a family with young children unless it has a proven history. When we got a dog I personally wanted a rescue dog, and this was the sticking point we had until we found Tilly. The benefit of a pup is that you get exactly what you want in terms of breed, age and looks - with a rescue dog you sometimes need to be a bit more flexible. I wanted a Patterdale or a Jack Russell Terrier, around the age of 2-3, we got a 7 year old Patterdale. Very happy, but we'd have waited much longer for a dog that was good with kids had we been too set in our minds on age. Benefits to both, I was just anxious to rehome an older dog, not go through the pains of puppyhood (it is like having another baby!), and where there are so many dogs in need of homes, I thought it a sensible option. Personal preference at the end of the day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 You'll find a puppy far more bothersome towards the cats than an adult dog. The cats will feel more in control over a young animal than an older one I'm not disagreeing with you here Pengy, but have you had a puppy and cats together before? Cats will find a puppy far more disruptive than a mature and settled dog - the cats will take their sense of control from you, so you have to lead in that situation. As Clur has said, having a pup is just like a small baby, with all the noise, disruption to routine and mess that goes with it, with the exception of the fact that a puppy will chase them relentlessly until it has been trained not to do that. I have had Ruby for 12.5 weeks now and am experienced in training dogs; she is 20 weeks old now and much better with the cats, but will still try to chase them unless I keep an eye on her:? constant positive reinforcement is the key, and commitment from the whole family to a training routine so that you are all singing from the same hymn sheet. Puppy training is far harder than training a mature dog and unlike children, needs constant reinforcement and work until they are about 18 months old. Despite having plenty of experience (I have had mature rescue dogs and pups in the past), I enrolled Ruby in a puppy training class - it helped her to learn with the disruption of other pups around her and the socialisation aspect is very important as Lesley would tell you. I hope that you can find the dog for you, if that is what you really want - it is a lifelong commitment for all of the family, so I am sure that you will think long and hard about it. There's a wealth of experience on this forum and I'm sure that we'd all be here to help you if you decide to go ahead. This quote about house training pups made me laugh the other day.... 'they need to be taken out to toilet after eating, after sleeping, wwhen they get excited, every hour... and any time in between that' How true! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seagazer Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Claret - that last paragraph is oh so true. Having dogs is a way of life, to a certain extent they fit in with you but they do alter your life in many, many ways. There are so many things we would like to do but can't unless we have a dog sitter. We accept this because we love having Cookie. I've started looking for a job but even this is being sorted as to the dog's needs as opposed to anyone elses including my YS! It is a big commitment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 You're spot on there Ann; my last dog died years ago and left with a small baby and on my own, having to work full time, I really couldn't get another dog. I have waited until now, when I work 5 mins from home, can pop home if needed and Rosie is much bigger... the time was just right. We only go 'away' once a year when my parents take us abroad, other 'hols' are taken in the UK and mainly involve walking and other outdoor activities. Ruby enhances our life to an enormous extent, but as people always say... a dog is a tie...much more so than a cat as dogs identify with a person or their family whereas cats (and I have two) love whoever feeds them! Rosie has had to learn that she has to be more dominant than the dog and neds to show that - they really love each other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
