Redefining a “good life” for dogs

Whenever I am rehoming a dog as a potentially good working farm dog, I inevitably get someone grizzling about the awful idea of a dog going to be a working dog on a farm or lord forbid, not being allowed indoors. And I think a lot of this comes from a complete mismatch between what a lot of the pet industry sells you as a “good life” for a dog, vs what dogs actually want.

Yes, I’ve dealt with many a neglected dog from a farm, with equally as many terrible neglect cases via urban properties. It exists, but bad dog owners are everywhere. When rehoming dogs it is up to us to do our due diligence, ask questions and find out how that dog will be cared for before handing them over regardless of the type or home it is.

But the things I’m looking for are not the most expensive dog beds, a wardrobe of dog collars, a shiny Instagram profile or even being allowed to sleep indoors necessarily. That’s all nice, but doesn’t really matter.

It’s “will this dog get the work that they crave?”

For a working breed dog who wants to work, doing the job they were born to do - or a proxy activity such as dog sport style training in a pet home (even if not interested in competing) - is the best gift we can give them. Mentally and physically worked dogs with a lifestyle that suits them are the happiest dogs.

It’s “will they get the time put into them that they deserve?”

While dogs on a farm aren’t necessarily out all day long, the act of being a working dog means they generally have a decent amount of time out doing cool things. As pet owners we generally have to work a little harder to achieve this among our non-dog friendly commitments!

It’s “will they get quality nutrition and good vet care to keep them healthy?”

“Do they have a clean, comfy and warm place to sleep?”

“Do they get treated with kindness and the respect they deserve?”

The basics every dog deserves - not spoiled, just good husbandry.

I love working with pet working dogs and their committed owners in providing amazing lives that allow them to thrive.

But when rehoming rescues, we do the dogs a disservice if we blanket reject the very homes they were bred to thrive in favor of the commercialised “pet” life.