Hello all! I'm new to this Forum and am hoping to get some advice/support. I have a two year old Cavalier named Rosie. My husband and I have had her since she was a puppy and has been an absolute joy. We recently adopted a 3-5 (not sure on the exact age) rescue Cavalier named Hollie. The two have been getting along alright, though Hollie is still learning how to play. Hollie's health hasn't been ideal; her tummy has been very upset, she's having a reactoin to her suture from getting spayed, and may need some more teeth pulled. We really enjoy having Hollie, but it has been a lot more work then we were anticipating. I'd love to hear from anyone else who has adopted a rescue and/or added another dog to their home. Thanks!
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Rescuing a Cavalier
- Thread starter Brooke16
- Start date
murphy's mum
Well-known member
Hello and welcome, we will of course need to see some pictures :snap:
It's nice to hear you've added a rescue to your family, there are many people on the board who have done the same, so hopefully you'll hear from them too.
We adopted our girl Misty three years ago now, when she was around three or four. We already owned a three year old male, called Murphy at the time. We've had him since he was a puppy, and adding to the family put his little nose out of joint. Misty was an ex breeding bitch, who was quite fearful of strangers, and not house broken. She was harder to train than Murphy was, and I remember sitting crying on the living room carpet one morning after another accident, thinking we'd never get there. Now three years later I couldn't imagine not having her, it's been great to see how she's grown into the cuddle monster she is today.
We took Misty to puppy classes to help her socialise, and start her training off. It also helped her get used to strangers. As for Hollie not playing, Misty was exactly the same, it was like she didn't know how. Now though, as long as her SM isn't bothering her too much, if Murphy has the zoomies and is diving about they will normally end up wrestling and chasing each other. She never plays with toys on her own, but if you waggle a stuffed toy or a ragger under her nose, and she's in the mood, she'll tussle with you. I'm sure Hollie will come into her own soon
It's nice to hear you've added a rescue to your family, there are many people on the board who have done the same, so hopefully you'll hear from them too.
We adopted our girl Misty three years ago now, when she was around three or four. We already owned a three year old male, called Murphy at the time. We've had him since he was a puppy, and adding to the family put his little nose out of joint. Misty was an ex breeding bitch, who was quite fearful of strangers, and not house broken. She was harder to train than Murphy was, and I remember sitting crying on the living room carpet one morning after another accident, thinking we'd never get there. Now three years later I couldn't imagine not having her, it's been great to see how she's grown into the cuddle monster she is today.
We took Misty to puppy classes to help her socialise, and start her training off. It also helped her get used to strangers. As for Hollie not playing, Misty was exactly the same, it was like she didn't know how. Now though, as long as her SM isn't bothering her too much, if Murphy has the zoomies and is diving about they will normally end up wrestling and chasing each other. She never plays with toys on her own, but if you waggle a stuffed toy or a ragger under her nose, and she's in the mood, she'll tussle with you. I'm sure Hollie will come into her own soon
emmastewartliberty
Well-known member
Hello and welcome. Well done for taking on a rescue. Be ready to lose your heart! I currently have 2 rescues- one here permanently and one on a kind of long term foster( it's a long story!)
Tilly is an ex puppy farm breeding girl and I have had her for 18 mths. She was totally unsocialised and is coming on now, it's slow, but she is now house trained. She doesn't play either but loves my golden retriever and snuggles up in bed with her. We think she's maybe around 9. She knew nothing about walks or cuddles, and while she still doesn't want cuddles and is still a bit fearful, she loves her walks and treats. Prior to her I had another puppy farm rescue, Whisper, who came to me younger but with the same problems, but she adapted quicker and again adored the golden, and did start to learn to play. The main thing I found is that because they have had their tough times rescues somehow seem even more precious and repay in bucket loads the work you put in with them and they make them selves a very very special place in your heart, and although sometimes you feel they are never going to turn the corner they will, albeit in their own way, -some dogs are naturally more reserved than others, but I'm willing to bet that very shortly you'll be wondering how you ever did without her! There are others on this forum with way more experience than me but feel free to pm me if you fancy. Good luck with Hollie and well done for taking her on.
Tilly is an ex puppy farm breeding girl and I have had her for 18 mths. She was totally unsocialised and is coming on now, it's slow, but she is now house trained. She doesn't play either but loves my golden retriever and snuggles up in bed with her. We think she's maybe around 9. She knew nothing about walks or cuddles, and while she still doesn't want cuddles and is still a bit fearful, she loves her walks and treats. Prior to her I had another puppy farm rescue, Whisper, who came to me younger but with the same problems, but she adapted quicker and again adored the golden, and did start to learn to play. The main thing I found is that because they have had their tough times rescues somehow seem even more precious and repay in bucket loads the work you put in with them and they make them selves a very very special place in your heart, and although sometimes you feel they are never going to turn the corner they will, albeit in their own way, -some dogs are naturally more reserved than others, but I'm willing to bet that very shortly you'll be wondering how you ever did without her! There are others on this forum with way more experience than me but feel free to pm me if you fancy. Good luck with Hollie and well done for taking her on.
Lani
Well-known member
My Sparky is my rescue dog. He was rescued from a mill that was raided in West Virginia. I have had him about 3.5 years now. He was about a year when I adopted him. Overall, his major issue is just that he his a bit hand shy and he gets overly excited when we go on outings (he barks loud and whines like you would not believe).
Strangly, the reserved dog is Lucky, my non-rescue dog. He was actually pretty playful until I brought Sparky home and now he is more content to sit and watch.
Rescue dogs can be a lot of work. I am not sure if you adopted from a rescue organization or a shelter. Normally rescues (at least breed rescues in the US) will try to do some socialization to get the dog ready for the adoptive family. That is also why the questionnaires seems so rigorous - because it really can be a lot of work (although totally rewarding!) to give a home to a rescue dog.
My only advie to you is to be patient and your efforts will be rewarded many times over by the love of your rescue. I know my Lucky loves me, but when my rescue Sparky looks in my eyes, I know he loves me so much more because of all he went through before he came to live with me. Good luck
Strangly, the reserved dog is Lucky, my non-rescue dog. He was actually pretty playful until I brought Sparky home and now he is more content to sit and watch.
Rescue dogs can be a lot of work. I am not sure if you adopted from a rescue organization or a shelter. Normally rescues (at least breed rescues in the US) will try to do some socialization to get the dog ready for the adoptive family. That is also why the questionnaires seems so rigorous - because it really can be a lot of work (although totally rewarding!) to give a home to a rescue dog.
My only advie to you is to be patient and your efforts will be rewarded many times over by the love of your rescue. I know my Lucky loves me, but when my rescue Sparky looks in my eyes, I know he loves me so much more because of all he went through before he came to live with me. Good luck
Thank you for the responses, I so appreciate hearing from others who have gone through similar experiences We had a small "break through" last night with Hollie...she played with Rosie for a few minutes! I never knew something as small as two dogs playing would make me tear up, but it certainly did! It seems like each day we're taking small baby steps in the right direction.
I'll add pictures tonight
We had a small "break through" last night with Hollie...she played with Rosie for a few minutes! I never knew something as small as two dogs playing would make me tear up, but it certainly did! It seems like each day we're taking small baby steps in the right direction. I'll add pictures tonight
MomObvious
Well-known member
Hi,
I have never rescued a cavalier however, I have had 3 rescue dogs in the past. Still have one the other 2 has passed on. All of these dogs have turned out to be a total joy. Even my fat shedding Beagle who came to me with some serious medical problems. I know all of them were a lot of work. Progress was slow. They say "You can't teach a old dog new tricks" well we all know thats wrong, it just takes longer. There is a reason you and your family decided to take in a rescue. Good luck
Melissa
I have never rescued a cavalier however, I have had 3 rescue dogs in the past. Still have one the other 2 has passed on. All of these dogs have turned out to be a total joy. Even my fat shedding Beagle who came to me with some serious medical problems. I know all of them were a lot of work. Progress was slow. They say "You can't teach a old dog new tricks" well we all know thats wrong, it just takes longer. There is a reason you and your family decided to take in a rescue. Good luck
Melissa
JeanKC
Well-known member
We just added two to our group a few weks ago, a male and female that had been togther since pups. After maybe 10 minutes of sniffing, they all just acted they'd been together forever. Neatest part is how they worked out the new 'seating chart' when everybody wants to be on the same lap at the same time.