Hi guys, Some of you have probably seen me lurking on here - posting links to The Labrador Site, where I work with Pippa. But now I need some advice! I just can't make up my mind whether a new puppy or rescue dog would be better for my situation at the moment. I would be happy with either myself, but I have a two year old toddler. So here's the concern: Am I crazy to do the puppy stage with a toddler around, who will inevitably get bitten, distract me, and stick her hands in potentially wormy puppy poo at some point… Or am I equally crazy to take on an older rescue, who although will be house trained and past the biting stage, will almost certainly have other ingrained training issues I will need to tackle, with a toddler clinging onto my other arm? I have no idea which is the more sensible decision! I am driving Pippa and my husband crazy by banging on about this, so any thoughts or advice would be extremely welcome! Lucy
Re: Puppy or Rescue? Help me make my mind up! What about a third option, which is an older (past the puppy stage) dog that is being rehomed by a breeder? Breeders sometimes keep a pup from a litter that might turn out not to make it in the show ring. They turn seek a pet home for that dog. Are you after a Labrador?
Re: Puppy or Rescue? Help me make my mind up! Hmmm, personally, with a toddler around, I'd be more inclined to go the route of a well-vetted rescue. Because, as you know, it's not just the initial, relatively quick, puppy stage you have to contend with, but the adolescence that follows and having a very bouncy, full grown dog. Of course you'll have training that you'll want to fix or extend, but with the right rescue, you'll have so much done already, from house training, maybe even a sit and walk to heel. With a puppy, you have EVERYTHING to do and even though you can mould it from the start, it's still such a long process. I think you would have to do a lot of work to make sure you get the right rescue for your family, though. Have you looked at Black Retriever X Rescue?
Re: Puppy or Rescue? Help me make my mind up! I've got a 7 month old spaniel and a coming up for three toddler (as well as a nearly 4 year old lab) It's worked ok but I work from home so toddler is in childcare and I can do little bits of training throughout the day. If I had Lizzie with me all day it would be hard. It was easier with the lab because he was one when Lizzie came along and we'd established good basics plus he's happy to go for an ambling walk which my somewhat higher drive spaniel wouldn't be. I think the most important question for me would be temperament whether that's an assessed known thing through rescue or rehome or whether it's from looking at parents and previous puppies from them. I chose to have a puppy both times as I felt we could influence them more rather than a dog with unknown history but then I've been turned down by rescues for rehoming due to the fact we both work so I had fewer options. That doesn't really answer your question I'm afraid but is my 2p worth ;D
Re: Puppy or Rescue? Help me make my mind up! Hello Lucy! Good to chat to you. I took a puppy, rather than a rescue because I wasn't confident about dealing with any problems that a rescue might come with. I live in London, and need my dog to deal with all the challenges that brings, business, thousands of other dogs, being left while I work (not too long!) and so on. And having said that anyway, like Barbara, some rescues aren't so keen because we work and where we live sometimes we don't really have a garden (we have a beach next door, but no garden.... : ). If I had to choose between the challenges of a puppy, and sorting out persistent problems with a rescue, while looking after a small child, I'd choose the puppy. And buy a stack of baby gates, puppy and toddler pens (at least one each)! ;D ;D ;D But it depends what dogs in rescue are available. I'm sure there are some fabulous ones that are in rescue through circumstances rather than because of behaviour. You could always go look...but if I did that, I'd come home with a dog, no doubt about it.
Re: Puppy or Rescue? Help me make my mind up! My tuppence worth. I've had mainly rescues all labradors. Our first labrador was an 8 week pup. My children were 3,4 and 9 years old. I really don't remember it being that hard, she just slotted in with the family. We had resource guarding of food resolved with the help of my vet. We look back and say she was our biddable lab. Our next dog was 18 months and we got him through lab rescue. This was 6 years after getting Dawn. He was a nightmare. No manners, training of any kind. The youngest child at that time was about 10 years. I could not have coped with him if I had got him when my children were smaller. A major problem was his pulling on walks. Jake was over 30 kg . I had to spend a lot of time training him and teaching him manners. He jumped up at everyone and he was tall. He stole food off the plates as we ate our dinner. We knew his problems and the reason he was getting rehomed but until you actually see the dog in action , youre inclined to underestimate the problem. At least we did. On saying that it never stopped me from taking in a rescue dog. Jake was our first rescue ,I've had three more since and every single one of them has had issues. I would never talk anyone out of getting a rescue, because I've had an amazing and wonderful time with all of these dogs. they can be a challenge. I think by getting a pup any mistakes will be yours, instead of having to correct someone elses. Good luck in whatever you choose.
Re: Puppy or Rescue? Help me make my mind up! I have always had rescues 'till recently - all have been nutty in their own way, but just fine with my kids when little But they were smaller dogs - Heinz 57 and Cavaliers. Our first was Boogie, who I name myself after. He came from Battersea Dog's Home and lived a happy, healthy 19 years. I still miss him. Personally I wouldn't have a Lab if I had a toddler. Far, far too much hard work. I know it can be done, but I wouldn't want to do it! When my niece comes round with her 18 month old twins I have to put Tatze in her crate, she is simply too big, bouncy and friendly. The twins get knocked over. Gypsy is fine, but she is half GR so less bouncy - and wasn't fine with them when she went through the crocapup stage. But now I have to protect Gypsy from them as they try to pull tails, ears and prod eyes! Here is a third option - a withdrawn Guide Dog. There are quite a few and they are withdrawn for reasons like - 'don't use stairs confidently', rarely are they any problem as a pet, they are very, very well bred, trained and cared for from before birth - so no trauma issues a recue could have. I knew one that was withdrawn because he had recurring ear problems and hated having ear drops in, a blind owner wouldn't cope with that. If they are withdrawn it can often be around 11 months old - before they start school as working difficulties are usually flagged up by then. Sometimes it's health but usually it's about the work - maybe they don't cope with trains and buses. You have to apply, then if you don't get one, re-apply as they don't keep a list.
Re: Puppy or Rescue? Help me make my mind up! Hi Lucy, nice to see you in person, so to speak!! I think you can be lucky or unlucky, either way. You can have a nice friendly calm puppy, or a mad whirling dervish. You can get a sweet-natured rescue, or one who has got issues with small children. I like the idea of returned guide dogs, or returned dogs from a breeder. A friend of mine bought a failed gundog from the UK - she was 18 months old when she got her, great pedigree, beautifully trained, and just doesn't like retrieving!!! ;D
Re: Puppy or Rescue? Help me make my mind up! Hi Lucy , what a dilemma I`ve had both pups and rescues, both have their merits and drawbacks . I used to work for the Blue Cross so have always been involved with animal welfare and can say hand on heart that there is no perfect rescue dog, many come with baggage , some with loads of it and some not so much . Problems can usually be ironed out but it does take a lot of time and patience, plus endless enthusiasm My current rescue is Millie who came with several issues , and, just as I thought we were home and dry , she has over the past few days regressed, so its back to the drawing board to get her back onto the straight and narrow, hey ho, such is life A pup is without doubt also hard work, but is a blank canvas for you to mould , to suit your lifestyle . I think if I had children at home , I would most likely opt for a puppy , good luck with your decision x
Re: Puppy or Rescue? Help me make my mind up! Thank you so much for all of your opinions and stories everyone! They are really appreciated. And lovely to hear I think I am over-thinking this decision now, and have become more muddled than I have a right to be. In response to some of your kind points: - I really want to have a Labrador, or Lab cross (although my husband is still gunning for a whippet!) - I am concerned about the bounciness of an adolescent Lab, and my daughter getting knocked over. But this could also arise as a problem with a rescue dog too, as I expect they get bouncier once they are settled and confident in your home, so you wouldn't know until they were with you. - Guide dog and breeder rehoming are great ideas, and ones I will definitely look into. The lovely Black Retriever X rescue have my details on their books. I've also spoken with Battersea, but they say they rarely get older dogs they are happy to rehome to young families - it's mostly puppies they recommend to you (and they are understandably gone within seconds of arriving)! I started this journey intent on rescuing, and wonder whether the fact it's taking me longer than I thought it would to find a rescue dog is why I am now thinking about puppies. The more time goes on, the more I am worried that what I am hoping for in a rescue dog isn't actually out there. A Labrador who is calm, great with kids and for some daft reason not already got a home. I bet there are a million of me out there looking for exactly the same thing. Hence I am veering now towards getting a puppy, which as several of you so rightly say will be a blank canvas. …… I still don't know! I tried asking my daughter several times yesterday, whether she would like a dog or a puppy. She gave a different answer every time too
Re: Puppy or Rescue? Help me make my mind up! I have several nieces/nephews and god children who are aged 1-16. In all honestly, Harley is brilliant with them. She follows my god daughter around and stops her trying to get up the stairs. She won't try and take a toy from any of the children. She lets them throw her toys and feed her treats. They have all known her since the day we got her and have never had any problems. I know they don't live with me 24/7, but they are here a lot. My nephew who is now 4 follows Harley around constantly touching her in some way, it doesn't bother Harley, but if an adult done that she would take herself off or jump up on them. Harley is now 19 months and seems to know that she can't be boisterous around them ever. We have trained her how we want her to be with children and am glad that she is so gentle with them
Re: Puppy or Rescue? Help me make my mind up! You sound like you need a puppy. My dog is the bounciest Labrador in the world. Truly. When he was younger, he was like Tigger but on illegal drugs. : But, for some reason, which is nothing to do with my skills as a trainer - more like his skilled puppy minder had loads of kids - he is as gentle as they come around kids. He has had billions of opportunities to knock them over, and never has. kids and charlie by julieandcharlie, on Flickr
Re: Puppy or Rescue? Help me make my mind up! Hi Lucy, How lovely that you have posted and thanks for all the articles you post for us I bought our very first dog as a puppy and she is an absolute sweet heart, beautiful inside and out . We rescued a Labrador x Pointer and he has been difficult to say the least but we love him and like Kate we just keep going having said that I know lots of people that have rescued dogs and they have been wonderful it's like flipping a coin in my opinion I very much like the idea of a Guide dog that hasn't quite made the grade and I would seriously consider this option myself. You can buy a Labrador and still have lots of issues or a rescue that comes with none it's really luck. A friend of mine adopted a beautiful Spaniel from an Army base near to her home as a failed sniffer dog and he is absolutely wonderful and beautifully trained, you can get Labradors, Pointers just about anything and of course they are eager to retrieve as that's how they reward their success. Good luck with your decision xx
Re: Puppy or Rescue? Help me make my mind up! Love that picture of Charlie!! ;D We had baby gates long before we had a baby. We used them to keep Riley contained in safe rooms and now if Lizzie wants to play on the floor and she thinks the dogs will spoil her game she asks for them to be put in the kitchen. Sometimes we say yes and other times no. It's helped her as a only child to realise you have to take your turn. She also enjoys cuddles on the sofa from Riley the lab and goes and cuddles him if she's feeling unwell or sad I guess it's frustrating when you're ready for a dog and can't find the right one. Best of luck!!
Re: Puppy or Rescue? Help me make my mind up! Just to add Lucy , when we had Sam as a puppy, I had one grandson aged three and a half , one aged four and one still in his Mums tummy Sam seemed to sense that he had to be gentle , and he is a whopper of a dog but was a proper gentle giant
Re: Puppy or Rescue? Help me make my mind up! My first dog was a golden/lab cross that my family got when I was 3 years old. The SPCA turned us down for adopting a rescue from there because I was too young. Did I get knocked over? Yes… was she chompy? Yes… but she was also the sweetest, loveliest dog ever and was my best friend. The only problem I see with a puppy is it's really hard to predict what you'll get. If you get a puppy I'd try to find a really good breeder who helps you pick out the pup that will be the calmest and best around kids (as much as you can know that when they're that little).
Re: Puppy or Rescue? Help me make my mind up! I guess the bottom line is that it is impossible to predict what any dog will "turn out" like, either rescue/rehome or puppy. Certainly with a puppy you can do all the training yourself, but it's hard to say what the pup's temperment will be. If you get a calm one, great. Of not, well, you could struggle for quite awhile. With a rescue, you can at least have some idea of temperment, but the dog could come with particular baggage that could some nasty things that will take some work to resolve. My personal story with my current dog is that he was a re-home that we got when he was almost a year. If you asked me then if he had a calm temperment, I would have had a hard time seeing it, as he was pretty out of control behaviour-wise. But with consistency and training he settled down a lot. We still have some resource guarding issues though. I am very careful to watch him closely when we have kids over. I don't think he would hurt anyone but I can't be 100% confident, not yet anyway. :-\ I guess in the end you do your research on either option, and hope for the best once you have made your decision!
Re: Puppy or Rescue? Help me make my mind up! I think you should go out and meet some dogs, some breeders and some puppies, as a family; remember though that puppies need a lot of your time. It'll all come out in the wash.
Re: Puppy or Rescue? Help me make my mind up! Ah Lucy ,Hi from me ,your head must be spinning but isn't great to be able to get such first hand advice and experience ,go the Forum ;D Our experience....... Dexter fitted our circumstances at the time....adult only ( most of the time ) home,no / very little dog experience so I would have been apprenhensive about dealing with a rescue.I do have a niece and nephew that live close by and I see them most days ,they were 18 months and 2 1/2 when Dex arrived.We managed those early times with supervision and sectioning off the house.If I couldn't supervise him while they were playing he did get put behind his gate when he was young but I wanted him to learn that they could play and he couldn't pinch their toys,I've always wanted us to be able to have him free , out amongst whoever is in the house and be well mannered....I despaired at times and never thought we'd achieve it but he's really good now.....The children were brilliant too to be fair ,they were so young but we trained them to be careful and not leave temptation in his way......let us know what you decide. Best wishes and best of luck Angela x
Re: Puppy or Rescue? Help me make my mind up! Hi Lucy! Dilemmas, dilemmas...... No experience to offer personally, and think the puppy is probably going to be your choice but just wanted to mention East Midlands Labrador Rescue (EMLR) too - they seem to be really good at matching fosters too if you are still looking at that option. Good luck! jac
