assessing a shelter dog to adopt

[Countrywood]

My wonderful dog Brownie was put to sleep last month…had it down at home, he made it to age 13. My other dog made it to age 15, she was PTS 2 years ago.

I will be looking to adopt a medium size dog, probably not a pit or pit mix due to difficulties with them with HOA insurance…mixed breeds are fine. age 1-5 years… The dog has to get along with cats ( I have a cat) and kids (little nephew comes to visit). And can’t be dog aggressive, Brownie was dog aggressive ( he was a rescue came with baggage) and though I was able to work with him a lot on it do not want to go through that again.

The shelter in our area , a no kill shelter does some basic testing for cat, kid and dog. How else do I know what the dog is like? I had my last two dogs for so long I have little idea now how to figure out the temperament as so many seem sweet and how can one tell when they are in a run. (they are in small runs like 5 feet wide with a dog bed in back and 20 feet long) We can take them for a walk or small play area, did not do it first visit as was not ready yet. Any tips appreciated!

[JBD]

Shelters are so stressful that I believe a dog who behaves well in that environment will probably be even better at home. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider a dog that seems shy as they often turn around really quickly. We foster dogs and have a lot of experience interacting with other fosters at adoption events. It’s pretty easy to see who is seriously dog aggressive versus those who get a little snippy when a strange dog interacts inappropriately. And people nippers can be rehabbed but I wouldn’t take one on. (Except for puppies. Seriously we had a puppy returned because of biting)

[Countrywood]

thanks, every bit of insight helps. I don’t want a super high energy dog, medium to calm so a bit shy is okay. This is a nice shelter as well funded but still it is what it is.

[pinkpony321]

JBD has some great advice.

[IdahoRider]

If at all possible, adopt a dog that has been in a foster home for at least three weeks. Assess future behavior based on how the dog is currently handling those aspects of life that are important to you (kid safe, dog-tolerant, etc.).

It can be very difficult to assess a dog’s real personality and behavior in a shelter environment. I have fostered a lot of dogs, many straight from the shelter I worked at. I had a front row seat to their shelter behavior and as one of the “temperament” testers, I had a good idea of how they presented in the shelter. Rarely did a dog maintain that same personality/temperament once in my home for a few weeks. Their energy level increased/decreased. They became more reactive to other animals.

A dog in a foster home for enough time to get through a potential honeymoon phase really is your best bet.
Sheilah

[vacation1]

Currently having new dog issues with a friend’s pet, so this is a sore spot. Things to consider:

One idea which may sound a little extreme, but I really wish a friend had done it - if you have know a legitimate dog trainer who also has people skills, see if you can work out a fee for coming with you to the shelter. Ideally, they could help steer you away from bad choices, like the quiet dog who’s very aloof and is very likely to not want a child to ever enter his personal space.

Sit down, make a written list of what you want, what you don’t want, and what you absolutely cannot handle. And make a plan for what happens if the dog blows through its honeymoon phase and suddenly starts showing behaviors from that last category.

Be honest with yourself. If you want a cute dog, or a scary-looking dog, a mutt or a purebred, know it. You don’t have to act on it, but be aware that your ‘shallow’ desires can influence your thinking.

If you want a lower-energy dog, think mature rather than shy.

In general, the best and easiest dogs want to be with you. They don’t just sniff your hand through the wire, they smush themselves sideways against the cagefront so you can touch them, and there’s no doubt about their affection - they have soft, gentle eyes and open, relaxed mouths and wagging tails. A no-kill shelter might very well have some ‘challenging’ dogs which are more aloof, or anxious, or are actively aggressive. I’ve owned and loved dogs which were aloof and anxious, but it is easier to handle the sweet ones.

[Countrywood]

I am probably too cheap to pay a trainer though it is a possibility. I can ask some of the volunteers at the shelter if any of the dogs had been fostered at home with them. I can also stop by a vet that I will use who works with animals that need homes as a source. My last two dogs I felt as if they chose me…this time I am going out to choose an animal , so it feels very different.

[WB_Mom]

So sorry about your wonderful Brownie! It’s always so hard to loose them. I lost mine last month as well. She was 13.
Last week I adoped another dog. It has been wonderful. Just wanted to put my 2 cents worth in that he is a bit older than I initially was looking for, but it has been so worth it! So laid back, takes everything in stride and super easy. Don’t overlook a dog that is a bit older than you think you want. They have so much to give, including their wisdom. I realized I was making the adoption totally about ME and everything I wanted. Sure, there are some things you gotta have, but I was able to make it more about the dog.

[Countrywood]

I don’t mind an older dog up to age 7…I am nearly that old in dog years lol.

What age is the dog you adopted? He sounds lovely and am sure he appreciates his wonderful new home.

[pinkpony321]

I will second those encouraging “mature” dogs. I have gotten three “seniors” so far from the shelter and they have all been so wonderful. They’ve been 7, 8, and 9 at the time of their adoptions…all very grateful and wonderful easy loving dogs. They’re the best!

[Countrywood]

I am around age 7 in dog years so will be an age appropriate match :lol:

[Reynard_Ridge]

Can you foster, with intent? It’s something our local shelter offered, and it was really a brilliant way to date before marriage (for want of a better analogy).

We just adopted our first dog from a shelter; we went in looking for a “cute foofy dog,” (I love that advice! Know what your shallow heart really wants!) but left with something decidedly different from my mental image. Because we don’t know much about dogs, I had pre-arranged with a local trainer for training sessions when we did chose a dog.

I knew I was looking for a mature dog, something that would not be easily adopted, but I needed something that was going to be good with livestock (recognizing that training plays a big role in that, of course).

We walked into a room full of dogs in cages; a dozen dogs were dancing, barking and generally leaping around looking for attention. The dog that drew me to him was sitting quietly, head cocked, looking at us. He was 5, neutered, and apparently an Australian Cattle Dog mix.

We took him home for two weeks, Foster with Intent: we discovered he was housebroken, doesn’t bark, crate trained, had no leash manners, but with our first training session was already figuring it out. Smart as a whip! Lovely personality, very easy going, laid back (so definitely a mix!). The shelter thinks he has some food aggression, but we haven’t seen it with humans, and we have no other dogs. He does have minor guarding issues with toys, but only with some, and again, trainer is there to help us out.

Perfect dog for us, really, although completely different from the fluffy couch potato I was imagining :lol:. I credit some good luck, good observation skills on our part to notice him, the quiet one, and our being willing to acknowledge what we don’t know and enlisting a professional as part of the initial process (the OP of course has dog experience, so one imagines that is less important).

[2tempe]

At the shelter spend some time with the dog; either walking, playing in fenced area or hanging out in a “meet and greet” room. Ask for a demonstration of cat reaction. Ask to walk it with another dog. Don’t be afraid to go back a second day.

13 years ago I adopted a chow/shep mix who was cat-tested as follows; Shelter staff came to her run with cat in hand. She took one look at the cat and went from front to back of her run. She’s still going strong and has never looked at the cats! Did I mention that I don’t like chows, and didn’t want a furry dog? She picked me- well actually she fell IN LOVE with my other dog when they were introduced at the shelter. I had no choice, lol.

I believe the no kill shelters try pretty hard to assess the dogs; it is in their interest to do so. That’s not to say that all are perfect. Foster home experience is probably the best situation from which to get one, but there aren’t always a lot around.
Petfinder.com is your friend; put in your zip code and who knows what you will find?

[Countrywood]

Thanks for more tips and sharing stories! PetFinder is making me a bit crazy, so many dogs and so many needing homes…but soon enough I know it will happen, my house is a mess in middle of a renovation not sure if I should wait till it is finished or not…but I keep looking so probably won’t wait.

[threedogpack]

other things to consider.

how much training are you up for? There are probably a lot of nice, but under exercised and eager dogs who at first walk through will leap and bark and desperately try to get to you. If any of those appeal to you, try to get into a room and do a tiny bit of training. Sometimes once out of the kennel, they don’t want anything to do with you. Or they might bring a toy to you and try to engage you.

If you are visiting more than one shelter, see if you can watch a behavior assessment. Do they test food aggression by using an assess a hand? Do they try to provoke the dog or are they just attempting to move the dish once?

it is appropriately used here and shows a nice dog

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vham9opo3I

here is a good (short) vid on assessing shelter dogs by Sue Sternberg. If you don’t know who she is, google her, I admire her very much & she has tremendous experience. Tawzer Dog vids utilize many really good trainers so anything by them that you find would be good to watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS5Y1zcBaXY

[Countrywood]

thanks for the links will watch later!

[LadyBug]

The advice you’ve gotten about fostering first is great, if you can manage to do that. I have fostered quite a few dogs for a local rescue that pulls from high kill shelters. Most of the dogs we have had are less than a year old (because it’s just easier with my 2 dogs), and they really can change a lot in a few weeks. Some calm down and get more relaxed while some get more comfortable and then truly show how much energy they have! Fostering is a great way to get to know the dog and whether it fits into your household. I have loved all of the fosters we have had - some I would have loved to keep, and some I was glad to see go to appropriate homes!

Also, definitely consider a mature dog if you have no other dogs and are looking for something more laid back. It is amazing how much they really seem to appreciate you after having who-knows-what as a background! I swear my dog who came from an awful situation loves me more than the rescue we got as a 4 month old puppy

[WB_Mom]

Right on Coley!
My boy is 10ish. I know, it is older, but he is SO GLAD TO BE HERE, it is painfully obvious. I think he feels like he is in heaven!
He is generally in good health except for being overweight and having an ear infection. In fact, he may become the subject of an animal cruelty lawsuit over the infection. We will see.
This dog has really been perfect. I know we don’t have as much time as I would have liked, but knowing this makes me appreciate every day with him even more!!

[Perfect10]

Talk to the shelter about what you want . Be specific. The kennel workers know the dogs and can help you find one that fits your criteria. When you meet a dog, spend plenty of time with them. Take it on a walk if you can. If it isn’t the right fit, explain why to the person helping you . They are your biggest asset at the shelter and will help you find what you want.

[khall]

Shelter dogs can change so much when they go into a home or foster care. Case in point is snoring behind me right now. Foster dog who was labeled as people aggressive but it was because she had puppies in the shelter (2 less than a week old puppies), when she first came to my farm she was so reactive to anything and anyone, sounded ferocious. I just made sure she was cared for and understood she was safe here with her pups and she turned around fast. Helped she loves her groceries! Shelter dogs just take time, patience and training to become wonderful family members. Even those with issues can change.

Finding one in foster care is great, but not all rescues are up front with potential issues that each dog may have. Younger ones are usually easier to bring around, but one of my biggest loves that took a piece of my heart when she found her family was a former bait dog pit bull, 2-3 yrs old when pulled from the shelter. She was the best dog and so steady and balanced with just a little bit of training.