Questions about dog adoption

[fowltemptress]

My SO received this excerpt in an email from his folks. I used to work for a shelter but didn't deal with the adoption process, and the only things we've adopted have been reptiles, so he didn't really know how to answer the questions. All I remember is the poor dogs that people brought back to the shelter after adoption, claiming they were destructive and whatnot . . . not sure how a puppy isn't destructive, but I guess it's harder for people to return puppies. I'm sure there are plenty of wonderful people on here who are in the know about adopting dogs who could help provide the answers. His parents recently had their dog of 16 years die, and his dad is the type of person who really needs a dog to be happy, but his mother is very wary of the whole puppy stage ordeal, and would like to skip it. I'm just happy they're at the point of considering a new dog . . . the previous dog's death coincided with my SO's grandparent's deaths, one of which was quite jarring, so they've been through an extremely rough time and deserve some happiness in their life. Thanks!

Mom and I are thinking about getting a new dog, probably a small dog like a Scottish terrier. We have not decided on a puppy or maybe a young adult from a rescue league. I want to finish rebuilding the backyard fence first so that the dog will not try to get out. What do you know about adopting a young adult dog? Will there be problems with the dog accepting us as his new companions? What have you heard about dog adoptions?

 

[jerseygirl1]

I can tell you that terriers as a rule, are difficult to housebreak and usually have a hyper streak in them. I have had a few terriers in my life, currently a beagle/jack russell mix who fits that bill. He was a shelter adoption, 7 years old and is as active as a puppy. For people with a laid back lifestyle, I would not choose a terrier. Maybe something less active. Definitely an adult, though. Puppies are like having babies, they need lots of attention and lots of training. Good for them for getting one from a shelter

Check out www.petfinder.com, lots of dogs for adoption by location and breed. There are so many, many dogs in our shelters righ t now, and most are just very good dogs, a technicality of the really bad economy. All of mine came from the shelter, and I find that the bigger they are, the less-hyper and easier to train they were.

 

[Carole AM]

I agree! We do small dog rescues, and I would say adopt from a rescue or shelter. Just be careful--make sure they have had shots, altered, and on HW preventative.
An older dog is more settled in. Shih tzus are great, but so are alot of the mixed breeds.

Good luck!

 

[MomtoSyd&Emma]

Tell them its great to adopt an adult dog, puppies always seem to find homes, older dogs get passed over more often (BUT not by our family) I think puppies are great as long as someone else has them lol Our family in the last few years have adopted a 7 yr old Boxer, a 3 yr old Boxer, a 5 yr old Chihuahua, a 8 yr old toy poodle, a 10 yr old Silkie terrier, and of course there are always puppies in the mix here as I am a foster home for the SPCA BUT for me and mine I prefer adult dogs. They bond better than puppies in my opinion because they seem to "know" that they were rescued. My Chihuahua Sullivan is a prime example, he was abandoned in a foreclosed home, the shelter got him and we fostered him and ended up adopting him, he will NOT leave my side, he is house trained, crate trained, gets along well with the other dogs and cats, and pretty much ignores the chickens!

 

[Katy]

My dad is also one who needs a dog around....even tho he claims it's my mom who has to have one. After they had to put down their rat terrier because of health issues, my sis found them an adult rat terrier at our local humane society. At first they were hesitant because they had always gotten pups. This dog had been adopted out at least twice before and brought back because of house training issues and she had skin allergies that needed meds. They went to meet her and it was love at first sight between them. They took her home and she never had an accident in the house. That has been at least 6 years ago.

 

[thechickenchick]

Bless them for thinking about adoption! Any time we want to add to our family we go to a shelter. All of the dogs we have adopted have been older ( between 1 and 8) with the exception of a stray a friend of ours rescued and eventually gave to us, she was not quite a year.

We have had amazing luck with our dogs. The ones we choose just seem to fit right in. We had some unfortunate luck with a dog we had only had 3 months. He was hit and killed. It was unbelievable how much of a part of our family he had already became.

I have a hard time going to the shelter because I want to take them all home. Our shelter has a play yard. I suggest taking any dog you are considering out to the play yard and spend some time with them. It gets them out of that noisy chaotic environment and gives you a chance to get to know their personality a little.

I hope they find a great dog to fill the void. Tell them I sorry to hear of their loss, it is always so hard on me. They take a piece of your heart with them.

 

[Smartie_Pants]

I've only adopted from a shelter twice, but both times I ended up with an amazing dog. In fact, the two dogs that came from the shelter were the two best dogs I've ever had! The first was a cocker spaniel and the one I adopted in July is a beagle.

Besides them, I have had another beagle, a collie, two rat terrier mixes, and a daschund. The two from the shelter, Lucky and Sophie, are the most loyal, well behaved, friendliest, appreciative dogs out of all of them.

Next time I want to get a dog, I'm going to a shelter. I would also say to stay away from the terrier breeds. The two rat terrier mixes I have should be called Rat Terrors! They try to kill small animals any chance they get, they can climb a 6 foot fence, they can tunnel under a pen, and once you let them out there is no controlling them or getting them back until they are good and ready. But adopting is not hard at all.

All you do is go in and look at the dogs. When you find one you like, you fill out an application. It just asks you basic questions like:

Will the dog be inside or outside?
How many hours a day will the dog be left alone?
How many other animals do you have and what are they?
What vet do you use?

Etc. Then, if you are approved you pay any fees there are and get the pet liscense. They have you sign a paper promising to give the dog adequate room, that you won't use it for animal testing, that you will keep it on heartworm medication, etc.

Its really simple and you feel so good adopting from a shelter. Its not hard at all, and the last dog I adopted was only 60 dollars. They said all I had to pay for was the cost of her spay.

 

[Cara]

I've adopted several adult dogs and one puppy. They've all been equally as loyal. The puppy was impeccably behaved from day one, but I think she was a rarity! She's 4 now and a wonderful dog.

Adopting from the pound and the shelter are often two quite different things. Shelters will typically have done more evaluation and will fix a dog and give it shots before it leaves, and therefore adoption is more expensive. Pound dogs usually come as is, with an agreement to have them fixed within 30 days if they are unneutered, and a nominal fee. I prefer to adopt from the pound, as the dogs there are usually more at risk than those in a no kill shelter, but it can be more of a gamble.

I think the biggest thing to bear in mind is that how the dog acts in the shelter isn't necessarily how it will act in a home environment. They are often frightened or frustrated, and it makes me sad that a good run around could often change their behaviour immediately. Some will bark excessively, cower, bounce off walls etc. making them appear 'unadoptable'.

 

[jerseygirl1]

I agree!!! Wow, so nice that someone else thinks like me - as they say, great minds think alike.......

When we got Ozzie, the shelter told me he was brought back for bite issues. I figured, let me give him a few months, then see. THey don't really show their true selves in that type of environment, it is way to stressful. He has been a total joy, and yes, they do realize where they've come from and truly love you more.
my signature line tells it all

 

[Cara]

I know a few of our dogs would not find a home if they spent long in a kennel environment, both those we adopted and those we bought from breeders. They don't have behavioural problems now, but that atmosphere does nothing for a dog's temperament. I do feel guilty because I turned down several 'hyper' adult dogs before picking out the puppy at the shelter. I know that she would now act the same way as those dogs if put in a small kennel for weeks.

Often they will act disinterested when taken out of the kennel to meet people. They're just so excited to be out of the kennel that all they want to do is run and sniff, not stand around and be petted. In a home environment they are completely different.