Questions about dog adoption

[Hoosiermomma]

I have been involved in animal rescue for close to 18 years both in a shelter environment as well as a small rescue that fostered all their 'furbabies'. I would suggest going the route of dealing with a rescue that fosters their animals for adoption. They do so so they can get one on one experience with the animal and if there are behavioral issues they work with them until they are resolved. We have had maybe 2-3 returns in the time that we've had our rescue group. Most of those who foster know the animals and are very adept at pairing the right animal with the right family. They can answer any question about that animal with the exception of a detailed past. Most times we don't have the animals history but can pretty well figure it out after a thorough and in depth medical exam/testing. Hope this helps some.

 

[Akane]

Dogs will adjust to their new home. Many are so happy to have a good home they will stick to you like velcro. Sometimes an adult rescue dog turns out to be an even better and more attached dog than if you'd started with a puppy. We just got the email on our next foster dog which is a 6-9year old shiba taken from a breeder with 10 other shibas. Nearly all the dogs the rescue takes in find happy homes and get along just as well in their families as if the family had gotten a puppy minus all those puppy training problems and teething stages.

If you are looking for something specific a breed rescue is a good idea. These places have purebred dogs sometimes with papers and most often in foster homes where you can see their true behavior.

 

[Kansaseq]

IMO, adult dogs are the way to go. I've never adopted from a shelter, as most of my dogs have come literally from off of the street, or through work. Adults are often already housebroken,past the chewing stage (but not always! Had a 3 yr Tervuren who would eat jeans, wallets, and just about anything lying around, but she grew up in a puppy mill, so had no 'house' training). I've had Tervuren, Pit Bulls, Labx, and Catahoula X's. All but my 9 yr old Terv were gotten as adults, and I am sold on them. With adult dogs, you know how big they are going to be, have an idea of what their temperment is like, and they truly are grateful. Plus, giving an adult a chance is just a nice thing to do. I'd encourage them to get a nice mixed breed. They can still pick out a size and shape that they like. I love my purebreds, but my mutt Emma is the best dog ever

Edited cause I can't seem to put a coherent sentence together at this hour!

 

[patandchickens]

Most people I've ever known with dogs, they were adopted from shelters and other sources. They had at least as good a track record of 'being good dogs' and adapting to their circumstances as the people I've known who bought puppies.

I think it depends very greatly on the person's dog training sense, somewhat on their willingness to pick an appropriate dog, and not frankly all that much on where the dog came from or at what age.

It seems to me (?) that small dogs at shelters are often there for reasons more like cats -- i.e. someone just couldn't keep them or got tired of having a dog -- as opposed to larger breeds, especially in city type areas, many of which are at shelters for, ah, a Reason. So for a smallish breed *especially* I would not hesitate to look at shelters.

GOod luck to your in-laws,

Pat

 

[Steve_of_sandspoultry]

All our 4 dogs are rescues. 3 we got as puppies the last one was a year + old and abused. Older dogs can take alot more work if they have more "issues". If you have the time and work with them you can make a big change and save a dogs life.

This is Lucky - named for obvious reasons she went from this

To this, a large bundle of love and teeth

Steve in NC

 

[ducks4you]

It sounds as if you are determined to get a dog from a shelter. Mostly, the best dogs go to new owners first thing on a Monday morning. (It's kindof like going to the store when they have a big sale.)
HOWEVER, **sigh**, if you won't look for a puppy locally or on the net--people sell mixed breeds, too, you know, like how I got my other dog--this is what to look for at a shelter--does the dog respond to you inside AND outside. If the dog is distracted, they will be REALLY hard to train.

I suggest looking at people who run specific breed rescues. They are dedicated to the breed, and can assess where the dog is at training-wise. Plus, they have the time to socialize the dogs.

I have had three rescue animals, all of which turned out to be great:
1) one Puppy, whose litter was left after the animal auction house, no takers (except for me), 8 weeks old
-She is now going on two years old. She is a velcro dog who listens very well, but is a little cautious of strangers, getting better since I call her to sit when she barks and retreats. (She sits on my foot and looks up at me, every time.)

2) one kitten, showed up at dusk one evening in October STARVING
--When took him in--he ate three meals worth in one evening!--then slept it off and has never left us. He is now 2 1/2 years old, and the ONLY one of my 4 cats that is fat in the summer!

3) one horse (Arab gelding)
--I bid against the meat market for him, when he was 4 years old.
He was less-than-green-broke, but he trained in as one of, if not THE best horse I've even had. Lost him in June at 27 years old.

(Never will get over it.)
(When was the last time you bought a good horse for $145.00 ?
Guess he was my best buy, too.)

P.S. Had a friend how brought home a collie from the pound, came home from work the next day and found that the dog had destroyed her brand new couch. Probably should have crated the dog, BUT, if I leave my two dogs out, only one will do any damage--she will chew up any paper that she can find. People often RUIN dogs, then "throw them away" at their local shelter. Just food for thought, that's why I included my three examples, above.

BTW, Steve_of_sandspoultry, said rescue puppy ("Pygma") has 1/4 pittbull in her--your dog's smile reminds me of hers. (I'll try to post some pics soon.)

 

[Cara]

Quote:
All the pounds i've encountered release the dogs for adoption 7 days after they have been found and not claimed.

 

[ducks4you]

Please forgive me--I didn't man to be the most knowledgable about pound dogs---just giving MY experiences. I didn't include the one about the < 1 yr old GS I brought home and returned. He tried to kill 2 of my cats, one of which was rubbing up against him--THIS cat used to sleep with my late GS/Collie. He attacked my horse, while in his stall.
He was very friendly and acted like he wanted a good home.

OR...the "we need to find him a good home in the country" boxer mix, 1 1/2 yrs old. He liked me, but growled at my daughters.
Couldn't housetrain him
Couldn't keep him in a crate.
Couldn't keep him in 10 x 10 dog enclosure. He'd dig under and escape. (We do you'all think I got that for my chickens?)
Couldn't keep him in a dog igloo. (Ibid)
Couldn't keep him on a chain--EVEN to my old oak tree, which he almost killed.
Wouldn't stay in ANY of my fenced in areas---this was when I still had the old cattle fencing.
HE ended up at the local shelter, because after one year of grief I GAVE UP!!

MOST people won't give animals like us as much of a chance as me. Either I am a chump, or an idiot--YOU decide which. Sorry for the rant--I am more concerned about spaying and neutering than adopting from a shelter/pound.

BTW, the ONLY animals not "fixed" on my property are:
--one mare
--11 chickens
ALL two dogs and ALL four cats were fixed by 6 months of age.

 

[luvarabhorses]

I've always gotten shelter dogs until recently. I took in a Westie where the woman had paid $1,000 for him as a puppy and when she gave him to me she said her worst fear was that I would give him back. He is a fantastic dog but easily distracted and therefore has to stay on a leash. Very very amusing. He is also a digger and a barker, your typical earth dog.
Duffy

Always got rescue Dobermans. I've had 9 so far. I know this is a bigger dog than you want but if you want to get a dobie mix you will get the president, vice president and ceo of your own personal fan club. Dobermans really really aren't mean dogs. I've always gotten girls and they are beautiful, loyal and follow rules. I can send mine out to check the chicken pen and around the house and if there is anything out there it will be eliminated. Then she is back in, back to being president of the fan club.
Tasha

The last time I went to the SPCA I asked for the dog least likely to be adopted. She, of course, turned out to be a fabulous dog- Lexi. She looked like a wire haired griffon, but she was probably ten different things. Don't rule out a dog because it has a mustache, it won't necessarily be an "earth dog" which terriers are. Lexi was easily house broken, easy in every sense. Good People make Good Dogs

I also agree that puppies are a LOT of work. I'll take an older dog any day of the week.

My grandfather always had Chesapeake bays. They sound a lot like the boxers others describe. They are bred to dive in icey water and retrieve ducks. They are loyal, stick with you but HARD HEADED. Pop Pops dogs always had what he called Puppy blood, even when they were 10 years old or so : ) .

 

[Kansaseq]

Steve-- Thank you for saving the beautiful pitty-- they are so misunderstood and she's beautiful!