Hello folks
Hope you've all had a good weekend.
I wanted to know how many of you have taken on an older, say 10-11 month old, dog and been able to bond well with him/her?
Have you been able to work with the dog in sports etc?
Opinions welcome.
Thanks
Yash

Several of my dogs have been rescues around a year old and we have had no trouble bonding at all. If it's the right dog for you, he/she will be as good as if you'd got a puppy.

As for working with a dog, it all depends on your relationship with the dog. I used to do obedience and agility with a shar-pei that I didn't even own. He worked better for me than his 'mum' and he still makes a big fuss of me every time I visit.

Well I took on first a ten YEAR old one and then (after the death of the first one) a 9 year old one and trained them and they were two of the best dogs I've ever had. :)

I have to admit that I had problems bonding with an older dog I took on. I bought him as a 2 year old, he went on to win many open best in shows and group best in shows for me and became a champion very quickly, despite only going to a few ch. shows. Still we never bonded with each other - I know it sounds awful but I never really loved him at all, he never did anything wrong but never paid any attention to me either. I eventually gave him away to a friend that adored him. I still feel guilty about it and for that reason I personally would never get an older dog in case it happened again. I know many people who have taken on older dogs with great success it's just not for me.

Hi i took on a 10 month old cocker spaniel who had been toatly mistreated and was going tobe put to sleep because he chewed things ,well i dont supose that it had nothing to do with the fact he was locked in a little 6 by 4 room 12 hours a day with a slipper for company (the mind boggles why people bother) anyway we did a bit of pet obedience to build up some confidance he is still a bit timid, but he is one of my very best freind and i love him dearly. I always tell my husband that barney was in my live first and if i ever had to choose there is no contest (and i truly mean this ) my husband can carry his own bag. And my lovley little dog and i have been together for nine years, so yes it is realy worth taking on an older dog and especialy one that needs a GOOD home as the bond is unbeliveable

I took on my dear old cocker spaniel, Bob, at the age of 6 when my friend's father died and although I'd "known" him since he was a pup, I had probably only seen him twice since puppyhood. However, I had no trouble bonding with him and I was absolutely knocked for six when we lost him just before he was ten to cancer. Admittedly Bob was a merry and loving fellow (if stubborn at times!!) but I had wondered whether I would come to love him as much as other dogs I'd had from puppyhood. After 24 hours he'd well and truly stolen my heart though!

HI i would say one though if you feel negative about rehomeing an older dog i would think twice as you may not put your whole heart in ,and that would be a shame for you and the dog as you would only have to look for another home and it would be a confidence knock for you both

Yash, all my dogs, past and present, have been rescue dogs and have come to me at around one year of age.  They came with various problems but after alot of hard work and perseverance (none of them had any basic obedience or social skills) they all turned out to be really lovely dogs.  Fortunately, for me, they've all been food orientated so bonding wasn't a problem;P

Hi yashokumar,

Like chalkley I have had the vast majority of my dogs (7) from rescues and, as I'm not keen on pups, go for 12 -18 month-old dogs.  Of the two I have now have from B'ham Dogs' Home,one is very food orientated, the other couldn't care less, one I fell for, the other was thrust on me by a relative who found her too much to cope with.  Bonding?  Just not a problem.  Spend time, pay attention, learn and have fun.

There may well be a dog that you just don't click with, but in my (limited) experiece, age is not likely to to be the major factor.

Good luck.

Our first rescue dog was about a year old when we got him and he was wonderful. We had him for 12 years and sorely missed him when he was no longer around. Our latest rescue dog was only 10 weeks old when we got him and he also is great. Bonding with an older dog was just as easy as with our pup but we knew when we chose him that he was right for us. We looked at quite a few and originally wanted an older dog ie several years old but just knew when we saw him that Boot was the right dog for us.

Our rescue was 4 years old and just as devoted to us as we were to her.  Excellent gun dog, (well, actually she would hunt for anyone), and we were told a fabulous obedience trial prospect, though we did not follow up on that.  I think she would have bonded with anyone who provided consistant love and kindness so perhaps the personality and disposition of the dog is more important than age.

Our Rhodesian Ridgeback was a rescue, she is around 3 years old and is the lovliest dog i have ever had.  We have 2 Weims, one a rescue and one we have had from a pup, and a Great Dane we have had from a pup, and the whole family have bonded with Lola the Ridgeback more than the dogs we have had from 10 or 12 weeks. 

I took on a Ridgeback dog at 11 months.  I was meant to just be a temporary home (train and assess him) but within 24 hours he was my dog.  I had him for nearly 11 years and he was so devoted and loyal. 

My sister got a rescue lab from a desperate woman at a bagel shop. They found her just wandering around and took her home but it looked like she came from a puppy farm. She was young 1-2 years probably but had no idea how to play, what grass was, couldn't swim - and was extremely shy. You should see her now. She's earned her nickname of Princess Pea! Newton is the most loving and well bonded dog you've ever met. She's just a perfect girl and works very well.

Thank you all for sharing your experiences. I have still not made up my mind, but looking at the majority of your experiences an older dog is certainly one that we will seriously consider.
Once again thank you for all your opinions and suggestions.
Yash