Question about adopting an older dog.

[TNDemo]

My SIL has a dog (border collie/spitz mix) that is about 12-13 years old. Her daughter was volunteering at the animal shelter as a teenager and this was one of the puppies she helped bottlefeed and she kept this one. Niece went on to college and moved back and about a year ago moved out to her own place. Basically the dog has ended up being SIL and BIL's dog and they have little interest in having one. They provide food and medical care - if needed badly, like the knee replacement last year. The dog is always kept outside in a fenced area and occasionally gets walked. When niece is around she pays the most attention to her. I have pitched the idea of making her an indoor dog but BIL is OCD and that is absolutely not an option. Tonight I was talking to niece and asked if doggie was going to make it through another winter at her age and suggested she bring her to her apartment. She said she would be too hyper to be inside and I said she was just hyper because she was lonely and would calm down if she was with someone on a consistent basis. She also works long hours and would not be there to take her out. She suggested I take her in for the winter. I have been kinda thinking maybe I should, if I could get my slightly neurotic rescue beagle/basset to adjust. What would the chances be of a dog this old house training and adjusting to my household? Should I just let her finish out her life the way she has known it?

[friesianrider]

1. I would absolutely give it a shot.

The main thing is researching the proper way to introduce an older dog into a household. I just rescued a kitty from a very high kill shelter and she was borderline psychotic when she got here thanks to an abusive owner (the guy beat her and had a 5 year old kid who chased her relentlessly). It took almost 8 months, but now she gets along famously with the rest of the furkids....she isn't elderly, but she is 6 years old which is definitely not young. It took awhile but with persistence and consistency, she's settled in well.

It is a horrible life for a dog to live chained up outside - just horrible. Dogs are pack animals and want more than anything else to "be" with their pack - their human family.

If you want to do this (and I think you should, and also think you're a *wonderful* person for considering this!), I would google some good tips on introducing a new dog to the household. I will warn you it will probably be rough for awhile as they get adjusted, but if you are as consistent as possible and try to help both dogs adjust, I would bet that it will work out. A major problem is that a lot of people give up after a week or two and throw their hands up. Or, it's possible they will get along right away. But you just want to be prepared in case things don't work out immediately. Housebreaking *shouldn't* be a problem, but again - just be prepared that some accidents will happen. You could try crate training, which seems to be very effective and since this poor guy is used to living penned up, it may not be much different. Just make sure you have a crate that is big enough for the doggie.

I can guarantee you this pup is craving attention and a warm home. Not only is it wrong to leave an elderly dog outside for the winter, it is wrong to leave any dog outside 24/7 with only human interaction once every few days. Hell, I'd be hyper too if I only saw people once a week.

I think you're *absolutely wonderful* for considering doing this. No animal deserves to die alone (and/or in the cold) like that - even if it is what he's used to. Please let us know what happens, and feel free to PM me (or post in the pets group) if you have any issues. I'm sure we can help! :)

[havocmom]

2. What friesianrider said ^ ^ ^ ^

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Get some good info on how to introduce the dogs, be very patient and CONSISTANT, give them both lots of TLC and reward good efforts on their part to make it work.

The old dog deserves a loving, warm home and some friendly attention in its last years. Be a saint and give it that. Your rewards will be many.

You seem to understand the problem well. Dog is craving attention/touch. It is not healthy for a dog to live alone. It is a pack animal and needs some sort of company and affection.

Bless your heart for caring about the dog.

[friesianrider]

3. Very well said...

I forgot to mention as havocmom did that it sounds like you (the OP) has a very good grasp on the problem, particularly about the dog being "hyper." Poor old guy doesn't ever get to roam around anywhere other than his kennel - no grass to sniff and people to meet. Poor dog doesn't seem to even see his own people that much.

I really wish you the best - it is cruel to force any dog (let alone an elderly dog) to live outside during the winter, and equally cruel to deprice him of a "pack" environment. If you do this, you will mean the world to the dog, and I'm sure he will return many blessings to you, too :)

Again, please write us at the Pets group (or even the vegetarian group since we're all animal people) if you run into any problems. :hug:

[Floogeldy]

4. It's not that bad.

Well, the meat is kinda tough but the flavor remains, they say.

;)

[driver8]

5. This story absolutely breaks my heart. I would take that dog

home in a second, if it was me. The thought of this dog spending his life tied up outside pisses me off; I don't understand how people can do that.

I am so glad to hear that you are seriously thinking of giving this guy a loving home. Please let us know how it turns out.

Yay for you!! :headbang:

[Longhorn]

6. I bet it would take her no time at all to adjust.

I had a dog about the same size who lived to be 17-1/2. You could ensure that the last several years of her life are the best ever! What a wonderful gift! I sincerely hope you do it. :hi:

[Straight Shooter]

7. I adopted (rescued) a Rottweiler/Border Collie mix who was 10 years old.

She had been kept in a fenced yard all her life, very little human interaction. She was brought to the animal shelter by her owners and was actually scheduled to be put down because the owners said she was hyper in the house and that's why she had to be outside, but she was always trying to escape from the yard. No wonder.

Well, the shelter called me because they knew I was looking for a dog as a companion to my 9-year-old Rottie. So I made the 150-mile round trip and got her.

It took a few months for her to really get adjusted and feel secure. At first she took off like a rocket any time I opened the door and went tearing around the neighborhood, but after a while of taking her for a hike every day, she calmed down because she knew she would have her chance to go out. It's been 3 years and even though she still has great health and energy, I can leave the door open and she'll wander into my yard or maybe the neighbor's yard, but she never goes running off.

Also, she has been an indoor dog since I got her and she's never been hyper. Admittedly, I work at home and so I'm with her 99 percent of the time, but the times that I've left her, she's never done anything destructive whatsoever. I think she just sleeps until I get back.

I hope this helps you in your decision. If it's in your heart to bring the dog into your home, by all means do so. Remember that winter in cold climates is harder on older dogs than younger dogs. Best of luck to you.

[roody]

8. The two dogs will probably be very happy

to have each other and to have you.

[TNDemo]

9. My biggest concern is housetraining.

She has never been inside once and she is an old girl. What are chances she will continue to go outside??

[China_cat]

10. If she's never known anyplace else to go

she may not do anything in the house. Plus, there's another dog there to show her 'the rules of the road'. My last pup was housetrained in 3 days...by the 2 older dogs. Rescues and rehomes often have a few accidents right after going to their new homes but get the hang of things very quickly.

Introduce the 2 dogs on neutral territory but, from experience, older dogs are willing to take a back seat, let the other(s) be alpha, and just accept a nice place on the couch or a cushion on the floor and people around to please.

You'll probably have a week or 2 of hyper, until she realizes she's really not getting thrown back out. I've got a household full of older animals and they are truly wonderful.