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Puppy priorities: to rescue or not to rescue?
01/11/2021 - Training
There’s a common phrase doing the rounds at the moment: “adopt, don’t shop”. It’s not one I’m a big fan of as I believe every family, every household and every lifestyle is different and therefore the perfect dog is different for each scenario.
There are pros and cons to getting a rescue dog, just as there are getting a puppy from a breeder. But the really important point is to do what works for you. I really can’t underline this point enough: if you don’t consider what will work for you and your personal situation, you will inevitably struggle. When training new skills we call this ‘setting the dog up for success’, but this notion starts way before enrolling in classes, the first thing to ensure your dog is set up for success is ensuring you have the right home/family environment for that dog to succeed in. Having a dog is a long-term commitment and starting on the wrong foot is only going to bring pain and grief and spoil your experience of being a dog owner.
Let’s start with rescue dogs. There is something very rewarding about getting a rescue dog and giving it its forever home. But, because they are a rescue and you don’t always know their background, you need to be realistic rather than romantic about the idea of rescuing a dog.
These days, there are some rescue centres which state you can’t have a rescue dog if you have young children and that’s exactly as it should be. As a child, I was always around rescue dogs and we were very lucky with their temperaments and behaviours. But children are unpredictable as well as rescue dogs and the combination could spell disaster. It’s important to remember that rescue dogs will need considerable time and commitment to help them overcome any insecurities or potential behavioural issues.
Unfortunately, because of these rules, some people who want to rescue end up bringing a dog in from a foreign country. As far as foreign rescues go, I do have my reservations. Dogs are not treated in the same way in other countries as they are in the UK. Breeds and experiences will differ greatly to those we see here and therefore the risk of something unexpected happening can be greater with a foreign rescue than a domestic one.
Getting a puppy is a wonderful experience but still one that should not be entered into lightly. Bringing any animal into your home needs careful thought and preparation. I would never judge anyone’s choice when it comes to rescue versus puppy, but I do struggle with the fact that people might be made to feel they have somehow been irresponsible in choosing a puppy.
As I keep saying, there are different dogs for different people. Not every family will be right for a puppy, just as every family will not be right for a rescue. As before, you need to look past the romantic ‘Andrex puppy’ scenario and be prepared for reality but certainly getting a puppy is not irresponsible, providing you choose a caring and reputable breeder and DEFINITELY AVOID puppy farms. Likewise, if choosing a rescue dog, ensure you rescue from a reputable centre/source who have the dog’s welfare at the forefront and ensure they choose the right family for each dog.
Bringing a puppy into your home is not an easier option as they still need time and lots of attention (more than you first imagine) to help them settle in. Providing you are committed to them, and you’ve done your research, you’ll get the best outcome possible.
I think the key message here is to remind you that every family has different circumstances. No-one should be shamed for choosing a rescue or a puppy, providing they are fully aware of the pros and cons and what to expect. Don’t forget, we’re always here to help you think through your options but make sure you don’t be made to feel guilty for choosing what works for you!