Pansy, what an absolutely brilliant post. I have had 2 rescue dogs one from the RSPCA one from THE BLUE CROSS both absolute disasters.We lived near an animal rescue place before we moved here LAST CHANCE.Hubby wanted s Border collie,they wouldn't allow us to have one, you could only have one if you had had one before, I did but as a kid,we now have our 3rd as family.I meet a huge amount of folk with rescue dogs,all from abroad asked them why, because it's so difficult to rescue in this country. We had an RSPCA home check in our last place, quarter of acre of garden backing on to fields,lived on the edge of a village,they put medium-sized garden!!! Would only let us have a dog, hubbies bitch was 15, they said you cannot have 2 bitches,we bought a border collie,when Pepper died we got another border collie,both bitches.
For a dog as big as a Doberman (I've had Weimaraners) training has to be meticulous for them to be enjoyable. I've now got a Cav Spaniel who's far less trained but it doesn't matter as much because he's not 40kg of muscle.
Personally, I'd be vary wary. Try and spend as much time as possible with the dog before committing and speak with the staff who handle him everyday. You'd probably find the rescue place very understanding and accommodating (even more so if you have kids involved).
My preference is always to purchase a puppy, so you know full history and take full responsibility for training but it is a shame that there's so many dogs in rescue centers. With a bit of luck, the price of puppies remain at the current high so that people really consider the commitment and responsibility involved before paying £3,000 on a puppy.
I got berated big time on MN, some one asked for the truth about having a puppy. I told it,they came down on me like to a ton of bricks. THEN, the woman who asked said,she didn't think she would actually bother,they liked to go out at the drop of a hat and a puppy wouldn't actually fit into their lifestyle. I did actually get apologies. Where we used to live,when I walked my daughter to school with the dogs so many people were,"oh little Zack wants a dog" one woman used to walk her dog in the fields the fog would follow me home I used to go for the papers before going home to bed. Was worried the dog would get run over I tried to catch it,was told. It wouldn't recall so she just gave up and went home!! She had had rescue dogs as well
Course even having a puppy isn't s guarantee of temperament. I see a woman with 2 lab/doodles both from same little (brothers, something else you should not do) she said ones lovely, ones nasty. We did try Battersea,it was full of Staffies
@Jason milly has explained that Dobermans are known as Velcro dogs because they want to be with their owner ... in my experience a dog with that sort of temperament can be very unhappy to be left alone for periods; they get stressed and anxious, and a stressed and anxious dog can be unpredictable, and an unpredictable dog can be dangerous ... I would not have a rescue Doberman unless I had lots of experience in owning and training Dobermans, particularly not in a family home with young children.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
For a dog as big as a Doberman (I've had Weimaraners) training has to be meticulous for them to be enjoyable. I've now got a Cav Spaniel who's far less trained but it doesn't matter as much because he's not 40kg of muscle
That really annoyed me. You should year every dog as a large one when training in as far as you need to make sure they're well trained. It's not a question of being too small to be a problem. The dog isn't going to be as happy or well adjusted if you ignore training and bad behaviour/ traits because you can handle them due to low weight.
I have two pet hates when it comes to dog owners. Those who buy totally inappropriate dogs on looks alone (huskies in town) and any dog that's not been trained especially smaller dogs. It might sound harsh and judgemental but imho the owner types in both those pet hates of mine aren't fit to own dogs. Buying dogs for looks not lifestyle and not training your dog especially if your excuse is they're light enough to control.
We've learnt how I own a dog through reading up and experience of our dog. Also we learnt from more experienced people from professionals through to people with breed experience. We feel our dog is worth the effort to train if you don't then don't have it.
I agree Northernjo,you can't ride a motorcycle without some training,I watch Graham Hall with amusement, every program I say to the old man, its not the dog!!! Add to the pet hates, extension leads. Last year walking along in the autumn late low sun,( yes I had prescription sunglasses on,nearly got garroted by the bloke on one side ( he was actually walking in the proper cycle lane,we are on the right,can't see the stupid skinny cord as the fog comes to say hello to ours
I agree ... extension leads are useless and potentially dangerous. A dog on an extended lead is not under control.
I once witnessed a Spitz-type dog drag the chap at the other end of an extended lead across a patch of grass on his face and belly, while trying to get at a small dog who was on a short lead and being walked safely on the pavement by a young woman with a child in a pushchair.
The only reasonable use for them is to clip onto a dog who will not reliably recall when in an open space, but always away from other dogs and people and never when walking roadside.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Posts
Personally, I'd be vary wary. Try and spend as much time as possible with the dog before committing and speak with the staff who handle him everyday. You'd probably find the rescue place very understanding and accommodating (even more so if you have kids involved).
My preference is always to purchase a puppy, so you know full history and take full responsibility for training but it is a shame that there's so many dogs in rescue centers. With a bit of luck, the price of puppies remain at the current high so that people really consider the commitment and responsibility involved before paying £3,000 on a puppy.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I have two pet hates when it comes to dog owners. Those who buy totally inappropriate dogs on looks alone (huskies in town) and any dog that's not been trained especially smaller dogs. It might sound harsh and judgemental but imho the owner types in both those pet hates of mine aren't fit to own dogs. Buying dogs for looks not lifestyle and not training your dog especially if your excuse is they're light enough to control.
We've learnt how I own a dog through reading up and experience of our dog. Also we learnt from more experienced people from professionals through to people with breed experience. We feel our dog is worth the effort to train if you don't then don't have it.
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
If you need sound advice, contact your nearest Kennel Club.