Comments on: How Not to Pick a Rescue Dog

By: Lizzie

Lizzie — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 08:23:22 +0000

I adopted a rescue dog about two months ago. He gets very scared when he sees certain types of people, dogs and loud noises will often frightened him. He is a Bull Arab x Bull terrier and was rescued by the refuge from the pound, we think he might have been treated cruelly. I would certainly agree that dogs need to be matched with their owners, me and my dog match perfectly even with his fears, because I am able to give him the time he needs. I am an experienced dog owner but this was the first rescue dog that I have adopted, and if I had a bit of trouble I can’t even imagine how hard it would be for a inexperienced dog owner to take care of a dog like mine.

This article is very true, but if you do know what to look out for with aggressive and fearful dogs I think that you should at least take a look at dogs like the ones described in the article, because they deserve a good home as well.

By: Leslie

Leslie — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:48:47 +0000

This article is the truth. I wish everyone who thinks of adopting would read this and really, really understand how important it is to do your homework. If you decide to get a car, you don’t just run on the lot and pick one. A lot of research is done to pick the best one for yourself. An animal is just as important to take those steps. More important if you ask me. I did recently adopt a senior Boxer who was abused and then spent time on the street. It took me 6 months to analyze breeds and what worked for our family on almost a daily basis. Six months! I was first going to get a Golden Retriever. But when we went to see a rescue, my daughter broke out in terrible hives. She never showed an allergic reaction before. We were all devastated at the thought of not having a dog. Turns out it was really the Golden’s dander and she could do fine with other dogs. Thank goodness I didn’t just pick up a Golden on my way home from work! So I found my Boxer on Petfinder and when I went to see her at the shelter, she had been moved and they didn’t know where she was. When they did find her the handler said he would bring the dog outside at the meet and greet area. I told him I wanted to go with him as I wanted to see her reaction from the absolute beginning. So many dogs stuffed into these cages. My ears could barely handle the sound from all that barking. As he went into the cage, all the dogs were jumping and barking. But there sat my girl, sitting straight in front of him, butt wagging, no barking, complete eye attention, and then she…….put her paw out. I was so glad to have seen that. She has turned out to be the most awesome animal I could have ever, ever have hoped for. She had fear aggression, growled at dark haired men, and would cower down for everything. I have spent every day since I got her (6 weeks now) training with positive reinforcement and what a difference. Now, she’s this happy, trusting, loyal, loving, playful goofy sweetheart that loves everyone and especially my young children. But I had spent so much time researching breeds and of course we did get very, very lucky with her. It’s just like this article says, everyone needs to be honest with themselves and what they can tolerate, can live with, what you can work with, how much time, patience, and also what characteristics you just can’t live with. I think having an animal trainer truly skilled at dog’s behavior is a great way to start. And they can be objective and mention issues that maybe you never thought of before. There are too many breeds and dogs to choose from. This article was NOT unkind. What’s unkind is when a person adopts and then leaves their dog tied up in the backyard and/or neglected because they didn’t really look at their options. It’s not just about the person’s feelings. It’s about the animal’s feelings too! They deserve the best just like you do. I am not talking about the above owners who had to give up their animals. I know that these things do happen. And I couldn’t have an animal either that went after kids. Yikes.

By: Anja

Anja — Sun, 23 Jan 2011 17:36:34 +0000

Hi, just loved reading your blog and the comments that followed. Looking forward reading more of your blogs:)

By: Weekly Woof from the Web | Pet Central's Pawsitive Dawgs Blog!

Weekly Woof from the Web | Pet Central's Pawsitive Dawgs Blog! — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 18:02:53 +0000

[...] just before we go, some great advice here in relation to making the decision to adopt a dog – the wrong way! Adopting a dog is an excellent idea but you must make sure to choose the right canine match for [...]

By: Grisha

Grisha — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:10:06 +0000

Thanks for the update, Beth!! I’m glad to hear that things are going well.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 01:46:38 +0000

Hi Grisha – Well, it’s one year later and thought I’d give you an update – I appreciated your advice last year and…I did decide to adopt again. This time I went with a rescue group & told them I was a new dog owner (they knew about Lucky) and what I was looking for & they picked out the right dog for me. “Roxy” has been with me for 5 weeks now and I already love her to pieces…I did a foster to adopt and officially “adopted” her this week. She is stubborn as all get out but cute as a button and the perfect match for me! She has shown no signs of separation anxiety or agression and altho we are both still adjusting we are doing just fine. PS Lucky is doing great on the farm so it all worked out in the end! Beth

By: Krista

Krista — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 19:40:10 +0000

I just wanted to say I wish I had read this article a week ago! My boyfriend and I adopted a dog I was unsure about (he was sure) and the dog turned out to be fear aggressive towards strangers badly. Living in an apartment, in a city, next to a playground (I decided to take the dog back, sadly, after he lunged after a little 3 year old girl) I knew he wasn’t going to work. The shelter didn’t seem happy because they couldn’t believe his behavior (they said he was really good with kids), but I think it all depends on the situation the dog is in. In a rural setting (where the shelter was, the town has about 400 people) the dog may do great. But in a city setting with people walking dogs constantly, out for jogs, and kids playing and wanting to come see the cute dog, he just wasn’t working.

Your article made me feel a little better about my decision to return the dog and give him a better chance at finding a quieter home. He was most definitely fear-aggressive and was not suited for my lifestyle.

Thanks for a very informed, honest, and well-written article.

By: Weekly Woof from the Web « pawsitive dogs

Weekly Woof from the Web « pawsitive dogs — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 19:55:22 +0000

By: Trainer

Trainer — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 10:59:08 +0000

Great post, thanks. I’d just like to add beware of getting an older dog from a breeder as well. I knew I didn’t have time for a puppy so adopted a 7 month old dog. I asked lots of questions and I was assured that he was well-socialised but nothing could’ve been further from the truth! I hadn’t met him before buying him, he was flown to me, but trusted the breeder. He was frightened of other dogs and people, I couldn’t walk him with my other two dogs as he needed one-on-one work. I did my best, and thankfully I’m a positive dog trainer so knew what I was doing, but I reached breaking point when I couldn’t stop him marking in the house because I was at work all day (possibly because he’d only been desexed shortly before I got him), which meant my other dog started marking too and clearing up pee every time I came home was just too much. Since I was working full-time I really didn’t have the time to improve his behaviour; if I’d have thought I had time to housetrain and socialise I’d have got a pup!

Giving him up was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make, but a friend who has the same breed took him for me and now he’s got a great life. I hope people can learn from my mistake, as I have. Always meet the dog you’re going to adopt, even if you think they’re coming from someone you can trust.

By: Kyra Collins

Kyra Collins — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:56:59 +0000

I have been fostering & placing Jack Russell terriers in the PNW region since 2006. We try very hard to match each rescue Jack with adopters & a home situation which will work best for both parties. I read this blog with appreciation & pleasure. From a rescue point of view, one of my biggest peeves is adopters who insist on selecting a lifetime companion on physical appearance instead of observed behaviour & temperament. Many adopters not only want to somehow duplicate a previous deceased pet in looks but ALSO think that some magic “adoption wand” will eliminate the behaviour issues which we candidly discuss with them prior to placement. If I tell someone a dog has separation anxiety and needs to be crated during prolonged absences, it does not do the dog any kindness to leave him loose for 9 hours in a three story home and then go ballistic when the house has been trashed by a terrified lonely dog (one notable case).
As a rescue we pride ourselves on finding matches which will work for the lifetime of the dog, BUT adopters who don’t really listen (“NO cats!” really does mean NO CATS) or who think their love is going to effect an instant miracle which months of patient experienced fostering has not achieved are really one of our biggest pains in the butt. I will NOT place a potential cat killer in a home with cats however much someone begs & pleads & thinks they know better. Actually, whenever someone tells me they “know all about” Jacks (this based on having ONE dog before who either just happened to be a super easy terrier or who wasn’t but they have glossed all the difficulties over in their minds because for the last few years the dog was geriatric & not much trouble!), I immediately assume the worst. No one knows “all about” dogs – that is one thing I have learned from years of working with them. You learn something new every day. Adoption requires keeping that open mind which is willing to learn new things plus an enormous level of commitment. A good adoption is a joy for everyone concerned – the dog first ! and the adopter of course – and the rescue.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Sat, 30 May 2009 15:50:58 +0000

Nice points here. I had forgotten about this blog and happened upon and everyone’s talking! I know my male dog would not be considered adoptable by most shelters so I know he’s mine forever and like Cathy just now said, he fits OK into my life. I love dogs so much that I’m willing to change to keep them–in his case, take him on shorter walks because of his disability, and be his advocate about people rushing to pet him. He’s not dangerous, but he certainly knows how to, er, take care of things himself if need be (like if somebody tried to give him a hug).

What I like about having a dog with behaviorial and physical disabilities is how much I’ve grown by having him. I am the first one to speak up–whether it’s to kids who want to hug or pet him, or to vets who want to go to town examining him (he has a lot of physical issues).

I’ve gone from the old-fashioned punishment training, which I always figured worked well enough, over to clicker training, which has opened my eyes to a whole new world (I’ll never go back). I’ve met so many great people, and a couple of great behaviorists and vets, because of this dog.

As difficult as he can be at times (trust me, I had company last weekend and kept him on a leash, and that’s not the easiest thing to do for a whole weekend but it worked out fine), I’m learning to expand and train where I can, and accept and adjust accordingly.

Still–like I said earlier, next time I’ll take my list! This morning my dogs and I watched a man throw a ball to his hairy dog, who could have been their cousin they look so alike, and that dog came back every time and paid no attention to anyone else.

Ah the dream . . .

By: Grisha

Grisha — Wed, 27 May 2009 23:28:28 +0000

Thanks, Cathy. I appreciate your thoughtful answer and I found myself nodding at several places along the way! I agree 100%

You gave an excellent example of how the perfect dog for you is not the perfect dog for somebody else. And possibly not even the perfect dog for you decades from now, when a smaller dog or a big dog that needs less exercise would be more suitable.

By: Cathy Wright

Cathy Wright — Wed, 27 May 2009 23:22:51 +0000

Thanks for this very helpful post. I have tremendous admiration for those of you who have been willing to take on dogs with behavior problems, and my heart goes out to those who have made the difficult decision to return dogs that were not a good match for your family. My husband and I had very good experiences adopting both our dogs from a shelter, largely because someone advised us rookie dog owners to make a list of traits we wanted in a dog before we went to the shelter. Since our list was pretty extensive we were surprised that we were able to find our ideal dogs very quickly.

One very important thing we’ve realized is that although these dogs are perfect for us and our lifestyle, they would not be right for everyone. Both of them are large, powerful dogs (the small one weighs about 80 lbs). They require several walks a day and a certain amount of training and control simply due to their size and energy. This is perfect for us and our lifestyle, but it could have been disastrous if they had been adopted by a family that wasn’t prepared to handle them and adopted them out of pity. One of our dogs had in fact been adopted and returned to the shelter once.

I strongly disagree with the idea that first time dog owners should always start with a puppy. Puppies are wonderful, but I don’t think a puppy would have fit as well into our lifestyle as our adult dogs. For those of you who have had difficult experiences with rescue/shelter dogs, please don’t give up on the idea of adopting from a shelter or rescue! There are many wonderful dogs available.

By: Beth

Beth — Sun, 24 May 2009 16:08:11 +0000

Grisha,

Thank you. I know in my heart that “Lucky” is better off in his new home where he isn’t left alone all day. I pray everyday that he is happy and settling in…he deserves a good life. And I am grateful that I got to play a small part in his life and getting him to his new home. It still hurts…but I’ve also learned that loving a dog sometimes means letting go. It really helps to picture him out running around on the farm with his new brothers/sisters (from what I heard they get along great) vs. baby gated in my kitchen, scared and alone.

I will not give up on dogs, or shelter dogs, but will choose more wisely next time. Since the shelter didn’t know about the S.A. I wouldn’t have known that but could have paid more attn. to the red flags. I like the idea of having a trainer help. Thanks – I know the right dog is in my future…!

Beth

By: Grisha

Grisha — Sun, 24 May 2009 14:04:27 +0000

Nancy, you nailed it. Keep the ones we have, give them what they need, and choose better next time! I am continually impressed by the progress Peanut makes, even now, at 6 1/2 years old. That joy is definitely an amazing thing to have in my life. That said, being able to take him anywhere without concern for whether he’ll freak out would be pretty joyful, too, but more of an everyday sort.

By: Grisha

Grisha — Sun, 24 May 2009 14:02:17 +0000

Karen & Beth, it sounds like you both took a lot of time to think through the decision to return the dog, and for both dogs, I think it was the right thing to do. The very fact that you continue to beat yourself up over it means you are both thoughtful people that have the whole picture – the dog’s interest and your own. Rehabilitation takes time, energy, and, usually, money, and in the case of Karen’s dog, I think that even then may not have been safe. Beth, it seems like the ideal situation for the dog, and if you hadn’t adopted and returned him, he might not have been available for that perfect family out on a farm! Separation Anxiety *is* best dealt with with both meds and training, but even then, you need to have time home to do it, like a week or two of not having to be anywhere else as you get the dog used to your absence.

Yes, shelter dogs often have some sort of baggage, but at least we know what it is, either right away, or within a month or two. Sometimes it’s more like carry-on than true baggage! My easiest dog ever, Spoon, came from a shelter at 7 months old. A puppy takes a long time to show the big issues, which come with maturity, between 1-3 years of age. Dogs are always a risk, but it’s so worth it to give our hearts to them. Someone had recommended getting a dog from a rescue place that would carefully screen. I think that would be great for you, Beth, as it would be another person, with experience, that could help you decide. I also think bringing a trainer with you would be helpful, someone who would interview you in advance about your lifestyle and then go help you pick a dog.

Best of luck to both of you!

By: Beth

Beth — Sun, 24 May 2009 05:46:05 +0000

Oh how I wish I had read your article before I adopted my dog. I recently adopted a dog that was 4 1/2 y. o. from a shelter. He’d been re-homed twice before for “marking & barking” and the family “just didn’t have time for him”. I was a first time dog owner, and follwed my heart not my head. I returned him after 2 weeks, and it was a gut wrenching decision as I had bonded with him and fell in love with him.

He was a great dog, but he had horrible separation anxiety which I knew nothing about (he didn’t mark/bark at all when I was home – it was really just a symptom of the underlying problem which was an inability to be left alone). I am single, and work full time. Even with a dog walker I felt like he needed someone who would be home more – altho since I was a first time owner it was hard to tell – would more time help? If so, how much and if I let it go on too long could I ever bring him back? I saw a private trainer and a vet who suggested puppy prozac. Instead, he is now in a new (and hopefully forever) home on a farm, with 3 other dogs, and a family, who will take him to work (own their own business) so he will never be alone again. I, however, and heartbroken, feel terribly guilty, and am fearful of adopting a dog from a shelter again. And I miss him so much.

Great article and great advice. I learned this very heartbreaking lesson the hard way!

By: Nancy

Nancy — Sun, 17 May 2009 18:11:00 +0000

What a great blog post. I have adopted 3 dogs in my adult life (we had BYB dogs growing up) and the first one was perfect. Oh, she was energetic but confident (not pushy) and fun to be around. I was young, just out of college, and she really shaped me. I learned to be WAY more responsible because of her.

I adopted two littermates (2 years apart) and they’ve been more of a challenge. But because I make the commitment for life, I’m doing the best I can. They are shy, have physical challenges (all kinds of genetic disorders, including personality), and once again my life is being shaped by them. I can only cross my fingers that this young couple shapes their lives around their dog. It can happen–I’ve adapted and adapted and things are OK–not as good as I would have hoped back when I adopted my female, and then 2 years later when I adopted my male (who still hadn’t found a home after 2 years). I’ve had to make adjustments due to their physical and social challenges, but still, we’re OK and it can be done, providing the owner is willing to do that kind of work.

Still, I agree with Grisha and her beloved Peanut. As much as I love my two dogs, I will choose way more carefully next time.

By: Karen T.

Karen T. — Thu, 14 May 2009 01:13:27 +0000

My husband and I, while not being “seasoned” dog owners, have had dogs in our lives. When our beloved Rottie died, we decided to go teh rescue route. We found a 7 month old pup at a shelter and took him home after he met our other dog and they seemed to get along well. We knew he had kennel cough when we brought him home. He growled and mildly threatened me when I foolishly tried to grab his dog dish to put in his meds. That sent us to a behaviorist and a $200.00 (I think) bill. Kennel cough quickly progressed to pneumonia and a $2000.00 bill. We were as ok as you can be with that because we thought we had found our forever dog. Unfortunately, that dog , once he was well, showed his true colors. Basically, he was 80 pounds of pure muscle and issues. He bit me two more times, the last time drawing blood. The more I walked and exercised him, the worse he got. He bullied our dog until he was scared to come near him and I was scared he was going to injure him seriously. We made the agonizing decision to return him because we knew he was a time bomb waiting to go off and we did not have 24 hours in a day to rehabilitate him. We took him back to be euthanized and are haunted by that decision to this day. We know we did the right thing. It still tears us up.

Bringing a dog into your home is serious business. Listen to Grisha.

By: Grisha

Grisha — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 18:09:22 +0000

They said that they returned the dog. However the rescue reported soon after on Petfinder that she’d been adopted, and that’s still the official status. So she’s either with them or (hopefully) in a more appropriate home.