For all dog lovers what do you make of this ?

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Gremlin

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Just been pointed in the direction of this cinema advert for Battersea Dogs Home
Not sure what to make of it though

Battersea Advert

:thinking:
 
We've got a Battersea rescue dog, found as a stray and suffering from parvovirus, not that I suppose that has much to do with anything other than to say that I have some familiarity with Battersea and their aims. We've had her for a year and she is a lovely creature. Before her we had a rescue dog from the RSPCA. He was a smasher too.

As for the video, I have no idea what the message was meant to be or quite how Geoffrey's life related to the works of Battersea or a dog's life before or after rescue/adoption. Geoffrey's story has little in common with the daily experiences of the two rescue dogs we've owned and own now. I certainly don't understand the closing part about reconciliation in the evening. It was all very odd.

My own experience of Battersea in terms of animal welfare during care and when it comes to adoption is very, very positive. Without doubt the animals come first. But that video..... :thinking:
 
Having been involved in rescue for a while I guess the message is that not all dogs are cute and cuddly, they come with their own problems :shrug:
Reconciliation in the evening well I guess that means that whatever they do we still adore them and enjoy their company when we settle down in the evenings
Still can't quite make my mind up though
 
I thought you had reconciliation when you had "differences", possibly even arguments or fights beforehand. It seems a very odd term to have chosen.
 
The whole advert seems odd to me ....................................
But having dealt with some very difficult rescue dogs after a really hard and trying day with them it is all forgotten when they curl up next to you for a fuss.
I think this is poissibly the message as said, sometime you are lucky and get an easy dog, but often they come with baggage
 
Very Clever and funny in parts but the message is very powerfull. so I guess that makes it a good advert!
 
I think I've worked out why the advert fails for me big time....

If we are to believe that Geoffrey is a dog and the other guy is his owner then what I take from the advert is that Geoffrey's owner is failing to provide sufficient guidance, leadership, exercise or stimulus for Geoffrey. Geoffrey is in a pack without a leader, so Geoffrey is the leader. He calls the shots, does whatever he likes, and the owner puts up with the behaviour. The dog is miserable and the owner is none too thrilled either.

By the evening Geoffrey's circadian rhythms mean he is ready to settle down, creating the illusion of a dog that is peaceful, happy and loves his master, but really he is just glad to have reached the end of another day, when sleep can transport him from the living hell of his waking hours, full of frustration, torment and stress.

I feel sorry for Geoffrey. His owner has much to learn about being a pack leader for Geoffrey and providing an environment and routine in which the dog can be truly content.

I have no idea what any of that has to do with Battersea and its work.
 
If Geoffrey is supposed to be a difficult rescue dog I think they have failed miserably in representing this.
1. The house is still in one piece
2. "Owner" does not have neighbours complaining about the "dog"'s noise

If they are trying to present an inadequate owner then they are succeeding but as Tim asks - what has this to do with Battersea?

Fairly forgettable for me - but then I have a really difficult rescue dog to contend with - although he is much better than he was when I got him when I began to dread the thought of his being around for the next 8 or 9 years or more
 
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Never had a rescue dog, but have had a search & rescue dog. Wouldn't like my dog to be as badly behaved as "Geoffrey".
 
Kerioak said:
If Geoffrey is supposed to be a difficult rescue dog I think they have failed miserably in representing this.
1. The house is still in one piece
2. "Owner" does not have neighbours complaining about the "dog"'s noise

If they are trying to present an inadequate owner then they are succeeding but as Tim asks - what has this to do with Battersea?

Fairly forgettable for me - but then I have a really difficult rescue dog to contend with - although he is much better than he was when I got him when I began to dread the thought of his being around for the next 8 or 9 years or more
Click to expand...

I know what you mean, my dogs (3) are all rescues with their own issues.

My big GSD is much better than when he arrived, after 3 years hard work but he still has his issues.

Just returned from the vets where I have given him his jabs as the poor vet would not stand a chance. He has never forgiven them for removing his status bits, and it is strange for outsiders to see a 95lb GSD quaking in reception.

Poor lamb;)
 
Clever catchy advert :thumbs:
But if you start to psycho-analyse it then its a load of [PLEASE DON'T TRY TO BYPASS THE SWEAR FILTER] ;)

Best just accept the ad for what it is without trying to find hidden means I think?

Right I'm off to chew the carpet BRB :D

Oh and yes I have had 3 rescues in my time all with their own little problems and idiosyncrasies ;)
 
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I thought it was very clever, not every rescue dog that Battersea or any other rescue centre rehomes will come to you as a perfectly formed, well trained dog - the whole point of the evening reconciliation is surely that if you are prepared to take on and work with such an animal, there can be rewards as well as tribulations.

Love it or loathe it, it has got people commenting and ultimately that's what any good advert should do ;) Battersea don't actually have to advertise what they do, even as a northern girl I knew of Battersea dogs home many many years ago, they are certainly the most famous in the country - the point of their advertising now is almost like Coca Cola or McDonalds, its all about brand awareness and maintaining that awareness amongst the population, especially during a credit crunch when people are less likely to donate, and less likely to adopt an animal.



However, as with all big, well known charities, I sometimes find myself wondering how much these big advertising campaigns are taking away cash from their frontline services .... :thinking:
 
another one that works in rescue, all of mine are dogs that couldn't have been rehomed for various reasons so stayed with me, and to be honest that advert wouldn't make me want to adopt a dog from battersea or anywhere else for that matter, its too deep
 
To me it's a meaningless advert. They've had a human impersonate what dogs do and it just makes them appear irrational actions. There's no humour there and there's no sob story. And "reconciliation"...what exactly are they reconciling? I can just imagine that playing in Alan Sugar's boardroom on the Apprentice and there being an awkward silence to follow before he says "What the HELL was that? That's why you've lost this task!". To me it doesn't have a message and does nothing to promote the cause.
 
As someone who has both worked in rescue places and has had rescued dogs I click this with great trepidation.

What in the blue hell was that? It's just too depressing, not the visual but the audio, you switch it to benny hill music and "look at the little scamp now" and it's a happy advert. Another thing, why use some fat greasy nerd?
You could have used an old man, a scrappy little boy or even a supermodel and it would have been better.
I had a pedigree Chinese crested powderpuff from a rescue and I'm offended on her behalf.

Best way to re-home dogs is to show before and after pictures a lie your arse off to the customers. "He never goes for the postman and we've never had a problem with him escaping madam" (He lives in a pen, we have no idea if he eats mail and he's spent the last month trying to dig his way to freedom) "We will take him back anytime you like if it does not work out."
terms and conditions apply
 
I read this thread with all its criticism before I watched the YouTube video - but I think the advert is superb!

It has raised my appreciation for Battersea Dogs Home [from a previously pretty low level], although one of the four rescue dogs in my lifetime came from Battersea.

If the advert can help some people understand dogs' psychology and behaviour a bit better, it isn't a waste of the charity's money.
 
lizzy23 said:
another one that works in rescue, all of mine are dogs that couldn't have been rehomed for various reasons so stayed with me, and to be honest that advert wouldn't make me want to adopt a dog from battersea or anywhere else for that matter, its too deep
Click to expand...

Yep same here I never take the easy option, most of the rescues I have had have had major issues but I think this is exactly what the advert is trying to say and possibly the evening is a reference to when the hard work pays off any you can relax with your dog :shrug:


Decca said:
Best way to re-home dogs is to show before and after pictures a lie your arse off to the customers. "He never goes for the postman and we've never had a problem with him escaping madam" (He lives in a pen, we have no idea if he eats mail and he's spent the last month trying to dig his way to freedom) "We will take him back anytime you like if it does not work out."
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Actually in my experience it is the owners trying to dump the dogs that say this
and perhaps the we will take him back is exactly what they are trying to avoid

Yves Geza said:
I read this thread with all its criticism before I watched the YouTube video - but I think the advert is superb!

It has raised my appreciation for Battersea Dogs Home [from a previously pretty low level], although one of the four rescue dogs in my lifetime came from Battersea.

If the advert can help some people understand dogs' psychology and behaviour a bit better, it isn't a waste of the charity's money.
Click to expand...

Perhaps hopefully make people think before they adopt a dog that takes there fancy.
My only criticism with Battersea last time I went there was that they choose the dog they think suits you rather then listening to what you want.
There are certain brreds I have no wish to own so would walk away if that's what they offered me
 
I don't wish to knock all rescue centres or tar them with the same brush,
but what really ****es me off is th high prices that some charge, under the guise of a donation.
(ok so they have to recover some of their expenses, I accept that)
and the fact that some can make it very difficult to "adopt" (OK so they do have a certain amount of responsibility)
However if it was cheaper and easier, then people would be more likely to adopt than buy
another potential "re home" when the puppy gets a little large / they want to go on holiday/ it ****es on the carpet etc................
And yep I guess I will get some **** from at least 2 people I know on here for that :D
 
Well I suppose one reason is to make sure people think before they adopt.
Yep you can cheaper ones from the internet sites, but then I recently saw a sad tale of a dog rehomed free/cheap that turned up dead, found with it's legs and mouth taped and and badly mauled, used as bait by dog fighters !!

So perhaps it is to stop these morons from gertting free fodder for their
disgusting sport :shrug:

My gripe with rescue is mainly the blanket neuter policy, never had a dog done in my life and never bred either, my lasy GSD had behavioural problems and I was advised not to get him castrated as the loss of testerone would have made things worse
 
Gremlin said:
Well I suppose one reason is to make sure people think before they adopt.
So perhaps it is to stop these morons from gertting free fodder for their
disgusting sport :shrug:
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I agree people should be made to stop and think!
But I don't think that would stop the dog fighters getting their bait
there are plenty of other source's, you only have to look at the "free to a good home" on places like E-pups :(


Gremlin said:
My gripe with rescue is mainly the blanket neuter policy, never had a dog done in my life and never bred either, my lasy GSD had behavioural problems and I was advised not to get him castrated as the loss of testerone would have made things worse
Click to expand...

Actually I am in full agreement with you on this one :thumbs:
 
Cobra said:
But I don't think that would stop the dog fighters getting their bait
there are plenty of other source's, you only have to look at the "free to a good home" on places like E-pups :(
Click to expand...

If you read my post that is exactly where the dead one came from :(
 
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Cobra said:
I don't wish to knock all rescue centres or tar them with the same brush,
but what really ****es me off is th high prices that some charge, under the guise of a donation.
(ok so they have to recover some of their expenses, I accept that)
and the fact that some can make it very difficult to "adopt" (OK so they do have a certain amount of responsibility)
However if it was cheaper and easier, then people would be more likely to adopt than buy
another potential "re home" when the puppy gets a little large / they want to go on holiday/ it ****es on the carpet etc................
And yep I guess I will get some **** from at least 2 people I know on here for that :D
Click to expand...
I agree, most rescue centres charge too much and are a tad too selective.
I thought about getting a working cocker, but looking online, none of the rescue centres would accept me. Why? Because I live in 2 places, one of them has 60 acres of land but the other has no back garden, and anyway apparently I'm too old for a dog that needs a lot of care and exercise - yes, right:)

As for the ad, I think it fails for all the reasons others have mentioned, and also because it seems to be that the people who are intelligent enough to realise that Geoffrey is supposed to be a rescued dog are also intelligent to know that most rescue dogs come complete with their fair share of problems, therefore it's wasted on them - and of course it's also wasted on the people who can't work that out...
 
Gremlin said:
If you reasd my post that is exactly where the dead one came from :(
Click to expand...

I did ;)
Garry Edwards said:
Why? Because I live in 2 places, one of them has 60 acres of land but the other has no back garden, and anyway apparently I'm too old for a dog that needs a lot of care and exercise - yes, right:)
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FFS! What gives then the right to say whether or not you are too old for a
"working dog"?
Some people just never exercises their dogs no matter what their ages
and old gits like us are pleased to have an excuse to get out of the house :D

I bet the true reason was that you
mentioned "worker" and they thought Hmmm he goes shooting and kills stuff
he ain't having one of ours to help him ;)
 
Cobra said:


Oh and yes I have had 3 rescues in my time all with their own little problems and idiosyncrasies ;)
Click to expand...

Bet they were fine before spending time with you.............:lol:
 
Cobra said:
I did ;)


FFS! What gives then the right to say whether or not you are too old for a
"working dog"?
Some people just never exercises their dogs no matter what their ages
and old gits like us are pleased to have an excuse to get out of the house :D

I bet the true reason was that you
mentioned "worker" and they thought Hmmm he goes shooting and kills stuff
he ain't having one of ours to help him ;)
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Well, of course it had to be a worker, I'm a bit daft but there's no way I'd want a show specimen...

You don't think they saw the BASC sticker on my 4x4 do you?:lol:
 
I believe the youth of today would say "working dog high five" o/\o
I have a short haired working stock border collie and often get asked "what is she?" just because she's not as "pretty" as the fluffy ones. (We breed in the short hair because they don't get as covered in burs and sheep ****, also ticks are easier to find)

I've found that with the pedigree collies they have the manic insanity but no where near the same amount of brains which makes them far more difficult to control. A pedigree gets bored it chews up your house, my worker gets bored she gathers up her toys and herds them round the kitchen.
 
Decca said:
I believe the youth of today would say "working dog high five" o/\o
I have a short haired working stock border collie and often get asked "what is she?" just because she's not as "pretty" as the fluffy ones. (We breed in the short hair because they don't get as covered in burs and sheep ****, also ticks are easier to find)

I've found that with the pedigree collies they have the manic insanity but no where near the same amount of brains which makes them far more difficult to control. A pedigree gets bored it chews up your house, my worker gets bored she gathers up her toys and herds them round the kitchen.
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:thumbs:
Yes, going well of topic now, but IMO the Kennel Club have caused immense, untold damage to dogs over the years, and the registered shows constantly promote dogs that aren't fit for purpose in either physical or temperament. By contrast, working sheepdogs bred to actually work, gundogs bred to work, GSD's bred for police etc work and foxhounds are pretty much all that's left that is fit for purpose - who would believe that poodles were orginally bred for retrieving in water?
 
Oh I've posted my Chinese crested powder puff on here, she is the same breed of dog as those strange naked dogs with the hair on the head and feet. Nakeds are the valuable ones but only the powderpuffs produced the nakeds. This has resulted in horrendous in-breeding, far worse than any other breed. She is nervous, hates the outdoors and bites anyone not in her human "pack". She once escaped and the dog warden said she was the only dog in years he had actually had to pole. It took 6 burly men to get her out of the pound pen and into the cat basket - she weighs less than a bag of sugar.

Staggeringly she is a well adjusted example of the breed, and her teeth are "just" buckled and nasty, the worst examples have double rows of teeth. But who cares about that, little Sally wants that cute bald dog they had in cats and dogs.
 
I think rescue centres are fantastic!! I got my dog at 8wks old from a rescue centre, did all what your supposed to, socialised, puppy classes etc but she still didnt get on with dogs & never will. She is brilliant with people but tends to be a bit agressive with dogs,shes a terrier, some she is fine with but Im always wary.

I must admit its sometimes a pain when out walking that i'm watching her all the time but thats how its got to be, she has issues & I know if I were to take her back to the rescue centre now she would spend the rest of her days there so I will never give up on her.
For all her foibles she is actually a really loving dog :)
 
Garry Edwards said:
:thumbs:
Yes, going well of topic now, but IMO the Kennel Club have caused immense, untold damage to dogs over the years, and the registered shows constantly promote dogs that aren't fit for purpose in either physical or temperament. By contrast, working sheepdogs bred to actually work, gundogs bred to work, GSD's bred for police etc work and foxhounds are pretty much all that's left that is fit for purpose - who would believe that poodles were orginally bred for retrieving in water?
Click to expand...

Garry I so agree with you on this, many breeds are truly unrecognisable now.
There is a pack of bloodhounds around that bear no resemblace to those being shown, far less wrinkles on the head.
But it's not only the kennel club, they just set the standards as given by breed clubs, you need to look at the breeders and how they interpret the standards, a dog with a particular look wins and they all try to imitate it.
When a breed is recognised by the KC you know it's just going to go downhill
 
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Garry Edwards said:
:thumbs:
Yes, going well of topic now, but IMO the Kennel Club have caused immense, untold damage to dogs over the years, and the registered shows constantly promote dogs that aren't fit for purpose in either physical or temperament. By contrast, working sheepdogs bred to actually work, gundogs bred to work, GSD's bred for police etc work and foxhounds are pretty much all that's left that is fit for purpose - who would believe that poodles were orginally bred for retrieving in water?
Click to expand...

I agree with you 100% on this :thumbs:
Its sad but Oh so true.

As an after thought, talking of "useful breeds"
as there are no more horse drawn carriages can we please get rid of the Dalmatians? :D
 
Cobra said:

As an after thought, talking of "useful breeds"
as there are no more horse drawn carriages can we please get rid of the Dalmatians? :D
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I can think of a few breeds far more useless then dalmatians :D
 
Gremlin said:
I can think of a few breeds far more useless then dalmatians :D
Click to expand...

Well Ok, agreed, but that was the first (ex) worker that sprang to mind :D
 
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