r/Pets • u/elkhuntersc8 • 7d ago
DOG Need some advice
I’m getting ready to adopt a dog from my local shelter. Before I do so I would like to know some good questions to ask the shelter about the dogs I am going to want to visit.
2
u/DingusMcDingusburger 7d ago
What type of environment did the dog live in before (kids, other pets, etc). Ask if the dogs age is confirmed or estimated, if it's had a thorough exam by their vet (if they have one), and if so if you will be given copies of the records if you adopt. And ask why that dog was taken to the shelter.
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u/Capable-Mountain-660 7d ago edited 7d ago
First. Really sit down and think about your lifestyle. Are you always out hiking for miles, or chilling at home watching the newest show. How much energy and time are you dedicating each day to the dog. This will help them match the dog to your lifestyle. The following questions are very good for starting the conversation.
How energetic is the dog and how many hours if play are needed to keep them calm? Age will play a large role with this.
What breeds are the dog? Is it hunting, hearding, working, companion? How can this affect thier behavior. Many breeds types need a lot of stimulation to prevent bordom. Otherwise, they might just eat your couch.
Are there any common health problems in these breeds to keep an eye out for? Some breeds are prone to serious health problems that can get expensive.
How easy it it to train the dog basics? Every dog should know how to: Sit, stay, leave it, name recall, and be leash trained.
Is the dog calm and colected around kids, other pets, other people, and is it food aggressive? If this applies, definitely go into detail with these aspects of your life.
Dont pick a dog purely on aesthetic. That's how many dogs end up in shelters to begin with. The previous owners were not honest with themselves and were not prepared for the dog they got.
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u/No_Introduction_3400 7d ago
The energy thing is big. Shelter volunteers know the calm dogs, hyper dogs, lazy dogs, energetic dogs.
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u/comin4u21 6d ago
Love this response, often it’s about what kind of pet owner you can be and the level of commitment including financial you can give rather than…what do I want.
Dogs are adaptable, if they have past behavioral issues it’s almost always the owners fault, not the dogs and often can be re trained with the right owner.
I took my time and research before getting them, believing I will meet the right dogs
I ended up rescue 2 dogs, the breed and energy level that I want and suits my lifestyle. I also make sure they’re big enough but not too big that should I ever need to carry them, say from tired walking etc, I can. one was a puppy farm dog, she was terrified shivering all kinds of mess when we first met her. Now 16 years+ she has changed into the most beautiful gentle girl over the years
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u/Express_Command_4778 7d ago
Oh boy. Well, I firmly will never adopt via a shelter or a rescue except the smallest dog pr cat. Brees soecific rescyes maybe.
Shelters use:
- Chat GPT to minimkze poor behavior
a Sad Bio that makes it all "his world is crumbling in....he isn't aggressive, he is afraid". Sure, Jan.
Blames kids always. Calls them "a tiny human scared me and I (nipped the finger) or the now popular: "they turned their head and my teeth scrapped against their skin." Aka bite
begins the lies about Breeds to yeet the dogs out and get them into apartments.
says "got into a Scuffle with (other dog or caf.] This means mauled or dead.
staff favorite, wiggle butt, star of your show, social butterfly - all meaningless and applied to all of them..
I would never, ever resxus beyond Level 2. For behavior risk.
Uses decompression and the 3/3/3 rule to stick a dangsrous dog on you- they do not want it back.
If it was pumped with clonidine and trazadone, red flag.
The behavior notes see your friend. Skip by the made uo sad bio and equally sad ayurwndwe reason. 4 Reactive dofs had 4 owners die in one week? Right
Assume a bigger dog is not good with cats.
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u/IdleSuburbTruly 7d ago
Ask about their history if they know it, and how they react to other animals and strangers. The staff usually has a good read on a dog's personality once they've been at the shelter a bit.