Have you got an older dog that needs a home?

This is a question that I have been asked a lot this year. People like the idea of taking home an older dog for a variety of reasons, but some people have a really unrealistic idea of what lies in store when you 'take on' a mature dog. Most people understand the commitment and dedication required when taking a new puppy into their home, and for some this is reason enough to consider having an older dog instead! For others it may be for financial reasons that an older or 'rescue' dog seems like a good alternative, and for some it is a genuine desire to 'help' an older dog, but there is a great deal to be considered before opening your home to any dog.
If a Cocker (or indeed any dog) has been living with a family since puppy hood and is then offered for re-homing, what is the reason? Often families who give up their dogs aren't entirely honest about the reasons behind their decision, after all why would anyone want to re-home a 'perfect' dog? Occasionally, perhaps due to ill health or re-location, or perhaps at the start of the holiday season, a seemingly 'perfect' dog may be looking for a new home. But even this dog, is unlikely to fit into a new home without any teething problems. A dog that is house trained and neutered, that is good with other dogs, cats and children, who comes when they're called, only barks when someone knocks at the door and doesn't want to go out for a walk in the rain, even this dog goes to his or her new home with some baggage. This dog has been in a routine set by his previous owners, and now, often through no fault of his own, he finds himself having to adapt to a completely different lifestyle with a completely different set of rules. He will need patience, love and understanding and plenty of time to come to terms with his new life and to learn what is expected of him. And what about the less than perfect dogs? The dogs that get stressed because they have been left home alone while their families go out to work full time, and become destructive or noisy when they are left, or those who have been treated like toys by small children and are now scared of them. What about those who have never been housetrained those who have been kennel dogs perhaps. What about noisy dogs, dogs that don't like other dogs, dogs that don't like cats, dogs that dig up the garden, dogs that seemingly go deaf when they are called, dogs that steal food from the table, dogs that tear up cushions or chew door frames. What about the dogs that are given up because their owners can't cope with their behavior? These are not 'bad' dogs or 'difficult dogs' but dogs that are in need of a loving committed family who will gently and patiently re-train them to become happy, confident family pets.
It is most rewarding and very satisfying to take an older dog into your home and slowly but surely bring them round to the ways of your family... but it is not the easy option! So please don't even think of taking on an older dog if you haven't got the time to devote to him. If you were thinking that because you are out at work all day it wouldn't be fair to have a puppy, then the same applies to an older dog. However, if you have a genuine desire to offer a permanent loving home to an older dog, baggage and all, and you feel that you have got the time and commitment required, then you are exactly the sort of people from whom I welcome the question.... Have you got an older dog that needs a home?


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