I'd love some imput here re adopting an adult OES vs pup
What I would like to hear are your opinions on the pros and cons of adopting an adult OES versus Pup,male versus female,and is it wise or not to change an adult dogs name?I am sure some of you will have strong thoughts on some of these issues. Our current situation is,we have grown kids,I am virtually home alone all week as my husband works away,I have quit work and hope to never have to go back,and I want some company. We met a lady via an online craft club I am a member of,who has a male adult OES needing a home and she is vetting all applicants,rightly so,so there is a chance I may be the chosen one and have him quite soon,so far she and I are happy with each other. There are apparently waiting lists for pups,imagine that,and I am pencilled in on a couple,in case we dont get this boy. His name is the same as my sons name and I would prefer to change it.I would go with something similar sounding.I have had adult rescue dogs before whose names were not known so gave them random names and they soon responded,especially if I said "Bayley,dinner time"lol! On the pros for an adult,I would really like company on my long rambling walks immediately,not in a years time when the pup has grown enough,I prefer walking everywhere and go a few miles every day,go to the beach,nature rambles etc.I would like any locals who may have noticed my husband isnt home every night,to be put off by a large hairy dog.And the whole "guard dog" thing,he would be sleeping inside but I always found their loud bark enough to discourage uninvited guests in a hurry. Cons are..I wont know if he has any unobvious health issues,any bad behavioural issues,he is too far away and would have to be flown up to our nearest airport sight unseen,except for photos.A pup you can mold into what you want in a way,and discipline early so it learns the things you wont allow,I always take my pups food out of their mouths and so on,so they know I am the boss,not them,and train them from puppyhood to fit into our lives.But theres the whole "baby" stage and the fact it would be home alone while I go walking,until its an age to cope with long walks. I have only had females,so dont know any of the down side of having a male.If I wait for a pup,I would choose a female . Any comments please?I shall check back in a few days and see what you all have to offer,Thank you,Cleo |
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For me, dealing with a puppy was much easier at 25 than it was at nearly twice that age.  The biggest advantage would be that now I'm home most of the time. Most of the rescue dogs we get are young adults and they're the perfect dog for someone like you to adopt. They're very active yet less frustrating than a puppy.
Dogs respond well to name changing so don't be afraid to give your dog a new name for his new start in life. It doesn't take them long to figure it out. When we got our first OES puppy, I wanted a male. He killed all our shrubbery with urine burns. Years later, we rescued a female and she killed patches of the lawn with her urine burns. We joke that the choice between getting a male or female depends on whether you're more attached to your lawn or your shrubbery.  Seriously, our boys have been sweeter and more dependent on us. The girls seem to be more aloof and independent thinkers. All are devoted and loving. Some people base their choice on whether they want a large or small dog. I'm 6' tall and love my big male OES. 
Be very careful about adopting a dog from an on-line acquaintance. Why is she giving up the dog? Are there any medical or behavioral problems that she isn't telling you about? Unfortunately, people who surrender their dogs are not always honest about the reasons for doing so. Do you have some type of contract where she cannot legally take the dog back if she changes her mind? If things don't work out, will the dog need to be shipped back to her or will you be free to work with a rescue group to find a permanent home? Just a few things to consider. Good luck in whatever you decide to do. Please keep us posted. 
Nita Midwest OES Rescue |
| Older vs puppy?
You are home and a puppy might be alot of fun and any bad habbits are yours to teach or not???? But there is the training, that could be a job, or it could be fun. You could get a show quality pup from a great breeder and get on the show circut or agility circut. Adoption of an older dog. All of my have been around 4 years of age. If you do, you have to accept the dog personality as it comes and work with it. I also don't recommend changing the dogs name, but to modify a nick name form his/her original name works okay. They will learn to respond to it in a rather short amount of time. I'm personally all for adopting an older dog and probably will always do that for me, but on the other hand, pups are so cute and so fun... How about both.... get the older one and when a pup comes available, get him too. I currently live with three crazy sheepies. it's a thought |
| I like that idea,an adult and a puppy,lol!Well,the owners were giving him up due to husband being "downsized" or whatever they say for losing ones job and they thought they would have to sell the house and move into a small apartment but Fate smiled and he got a way better paying job today so they are keeping their boy.So its worked out for the best for them and I shall continue looking and offering a home for an adult OES,I agree,an adult if what I ideally want at this point.None of the OES Rescues appear to need to rehome any dogs at present so not sure where to turn next.Just keep looking and hoping,I guess.Thanks,Cleo |
| Hi Cleo:
Many of the OES rescues don't post all the dogs that are available. You might want to contact the local rescues and at least get on their waiting list. Quite often, by the time you fill out an adoption application and get a home check, a dog will become available. Jennifer, Baxter, Cassiopia and Abby |
| Where are you located? I know that the So Cal rescue has had more rescues than in prior years due to "downsizing" and people who have lost their homes (foreclosure)... So get your name in and wait for a match made in sheepie heaven...
L |
Ditto, ditto everything. Puppies are fun, but oh, so exasperating at times: chewed furniture, carpet spots that don't quite come out, adolescent behavior (grumble, grumble) and so on. I so love adopting adults. Their adjustment time is shorter, they are usually potty trained and need only a bit of guidance. Their brains are usually attached, well except for the young males.....that takes a bit longer 
Do contact your local rescue and maybe one or two nearby. Many have a policy they won't adopt out of their area, but that's not always true. I urge rescue over private adoption for reasons given above. With rescue the dog has been vetted, health check, "brains" or temperment check, tendencies around other dogs/cats/children checked. Don't forget http://www.petfinder.com Becareful, strange "things" pop up under Old English Sheepdog. If its shaggy it must be sheepdog. |
| don't overlook humane societies in your area - tell them you are looking. we found our first OES at the local humane society. there was an add that he had been there sooo long cause no one could handle him. I went and visited him - he did pull but sat by my chair quietly when asked so we took him - a few weeks later after a couple of visits and some convincing on my part to the director of the humane society that I wasn't crazy because I had two unspayed female dogs at home.
If I had contacted them and said I was interested in OES Max wouldn't have spent three months there - although believe me he never showed any baggage because of it. |
| I am in Australia.I have tried to contact all the OES Rescues,but none have replied,so I assumed there arent any sheepies needing homes at present.
I feel so sad today,last night I was just happy he could stay in his own home but in the light of day,my selfish section of my brain is just crying over not getting him.The owner was really apologetic for getting my hopes up and seems like a lovely person and I am grateful she explained everything to me and didnt just ignore me,but you know how it is,I was out walking earlier yesterday before I heard the news,and was mentally writing a list of what to buy today,pale blue lead and collar,as all my old ones are pink!,brushes,bowls,etc and really imagining myself walking with him really soon.Now I just want to move on and keep looking.One day my sheepdog will find me,I shall keep looking.I noticed in Google searches,it keeps showing US OES needing homes even though I specify Australia only.I have to change my dream and put my name down for a puppy I guess but I really,really wanted to rehome an adult . |
| you could contact a breeder to see if they have oler dogs needing homes. |
| Cleo,good luck with your search.I joined this forum a while back with exactly the same hope,that I would find a sheepdog out there needing a home.I gather you are after a male,I am after a female.I have my name on a puppy list as after months of searching and emailing and making Blogs etc,I just conclude there are not any mature Sheepdogs out there needing a home.Like you,I would so prefer an adult dog.I want to do everything NOW,I am out walking twice a day,I live in a little fishing village I guess you would call it and have always been "the lady with the sheepdog" and now I have no sheepdog.I know a pup brings its own magic and joy and always planned on getting a pup when my husband retires,but I miss having a big hairy dog lying on our bed,and walking with me,I have resorted to walking a locals Great Dane as she works weekdays and her dog is otherwise left alone in her small yard so I figure,I shall just pretend she is a sheepdog!Please pm me,so we can see if we are anywhere close to each other,maybe we can cry on each others shoulders!My name is Lyn btw.I think they are really rare nowdays,particularly in Queensland where I am,I dont even see any out walking any more when we go down to the Sunshine Coast.My kids have always been sheepdog spotters and its been years now since we spied any.I have contacted breeders and asked about retired showdogs as I got 2 of ours this way,Amber was too small and Brodie damaged his "bits" in a dam so the breeders sold them to me to keep as pets,and they were both wonderful dogs.The breeders I knew in the past all seem to have quit breeding.I always thought I would be able to get another sheepdog as soon as I was ready,no such luck.Good luck to you,I hope we both end up lucky enough to find the sheepie we are after. |
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