First time adopter needs advice...

[schizo]

I hope I'm posting this in the right place...this is for discussions about rescuing, not just to post rescue adds, correct? I hope so!

I have owned dogs before, but I have never gotten a dog from a rescue/shelter. I plan on getting another dog soon, because one of my roommates is moving and taking his dog, who is my dog's pal, and I'm sure she'll be lonely ((and even more energetic!)) without a canine friend. And I know for sure that I want to get this dog from a shelter. It breaks my heart to know that their are dogs without families to love them. I really just want to give a dog a second chance and a forever home.

So for awhile now I've been searching Petfinder and shelter websites from rescues in my area. And for some reason I am just so worried about picking the "right dog". I search, and get interested in some dogs, but I can't make a decision. This isn't something I want to rush in to!

I need some advice from people who have adopted dogs before. How do you know when you find "the one"? The rescues in my town are either meet the dogs by appointment, or the dogs are all in foster homes, so I was wondering if maybe it would be best for me to to travel a bit and go to a shelter and be able to look at all the dogs in person.

Also, what are some things I should know before doing this? What are good questions to ask the shelter and ways to prepare to bring home a shelter dog? I would just really appreciate any wisdom you have! :D

[KatzNK9]

Good luck on your search for the right dog. I would make sure the shelter is willing to allow you to introduce Ani to the new dog before making any decisions. I would ask them if you could take both dogs to a neutral location to get acquainted once you've found a dog you'd like to adopt.

I saw from your introduction post that Ani is only 7 months old. That should work to your advantage as most dogs are tolerant of puppies. I would look for a dog that has a similar energy level to your girl.

Have you considered contacting a Sibe breed rescue so you could have a "matched set" of Sibe beauties?

Siberian Husky Rescue Groups / Contacts and Available Dogs (http://www.siberianrescue.com/sibrescu.htm)

[skunkstripe]

Hi schizo and welcome to the forum.
Of course this section is for posting stories about dogs that have been rescued and not for ads. As a matter of fact, if you browse or search this section, you'll find plenty of experiences that members have ahd with their rescues. They usually have titles like "(name's) story".
Cassidy and Dusty's Story (http://www.dogforum.org/showthread.php?t=11969)
Sophia's Story (http://www.dogforum.org/showthread.php?t=4813)
Laika's Story (http://www.dogforum.org/showthread.php?t=8719)
Jenna's Story (http://www.dogforum.org/showthread.php?t=4619)

To find a dog that would fit in, think about your lifestyle and what kind of personality would fit in in general. Do you prefer a more boisterous dog, a more mellow dog? Look at the personality of your dog, is she more bold or shy? A shy dog for example is mroe likely to accept a bolder dog, while if your dog is bold or even dominant, you may want to try to get a more submissive dog.

Discuss this though with the shelter or rescue! The good ones will know how to assess temperament AND how to match personalities to place them into the homes they deserve. Getting an adult rescue can be like getting a "pig in a poke." Sometimes they come with emotional baggage from their history and since they can't talk to us and tell us, we have to guess what they have gone through.

Good luck with your search and I hope you get your second dog! :)

edited to add: Monkey wrote up something really good with advice on this topic. Take a look and see if it helps you! :)
Adopting a rescue dog (http://www.dogforum.org/showthread.php?t=12809)

[xcolbi]

I think you are making a great decision in choosing to adopt! :)

It wasn't that hard for me to choose; Colbi chose me. :) I fell in love with her at first sight. She was just too sweet, and still is!

Maybe if you take a walk in the shelter and interact with each of the dogs, you might find one that you just click with. ;)

Good luck in your search! I'm sure you'll find the perfect pal.

[vagreys]

PM'd the OP.

[sheplovr]

I know a litter somebody comes I say nothing they let the puppy come to them, that is usually the one they take. I have adopted from shelters puppies with no problem, but adults just strayed in and got along with dogs I had here and plenty of them. I never had time for dog fights with horses then. As said already make sure you talk good to the agency about the dog you have or could take in and see what it likes too. Make sure they have temperment tested if an adult your after. You do not want an agressive dog biting people. Since yours is so young if you want an older dog now it most likely should adapt to yours now. But, just be sure, look carefully, discuss, go back and go back. Just look and watch the tails wag, begging for homes, etc. The dog will choose you if you do not hurry.:D

[Sabledog]

I need some advice from people who have adopted dogs before. How do you know when you find "the one"? The rescues in my town are either meet the dogs by appointment, or the dogs are all in foster homes, so I was wondering if maybe it would be best for me to to travel a bit and go to a shelter and be able to look at all the dogs in person.

i personally find that the ones in foster homes are better to start with because they are living in a home environment, and not in a kennel, the foster parents are able to see how the dog behaves in a home and with normal social situations, it is more inconvienient to make appointments to see the dogs in foster care, but most foster parents are willing to see you right away, and they can tell you alot more about the dog they are fostering than shelter workers can tell you about a dog in a shelter. for example the dog in the shelter who acts calm, freindly and docile, may turn into a hyper, high stung, destructive dog in a home setting, because its a different environment and they feel more comfortable in a home than a shelter, oppposed to scared lonely and anxious in a kennel.

im not saying not to look at the dogs in the shelters, but dont pass up on the dogs in foster care either because you may find the one that right for you.

Of course i am a bit biased because im a doggie foster parent myself, and i have seen first hand how differently a dog reacts in a home vs. a kennel, but no matter where you get your next pup from, you will know when you have found the right one, they pick you.

[Kaos]

Yes, ditto what Sabledog said - you are more likely to get a far more accurate temperament assessment of a dog in a foster situation than in a kennels. Foster dogs are more likely to be housetrained or at least have that process started, and they are more likely to be living with other dogs already so the foster parent will be able to advise on dog friendliness or any issues to be aware of. I adopted my last dog from a shelter, and thankfully much of his assessment (which was not terribly favourable) proved to be completely wrong. Dogs in kennels are usually highly stressed and don't behave as they would in a home. Having said that my shelter dog is a superb dog, currently out competing at obedience and flygility, and an absolutely perfect pet. I did turn down possible dogs after seeing their reaction to my existing dog, so that was a large part of the decision for me.

[schizo]

PM'd the OP.

Hmmm....I didn't get a PM?

Thank you all for the advice! I've decided to send an e-mail to one of the rescues in my area where most of the dogs are or have been in foster homes, tell them what kind of dog I'm looking for, and see if they have any suggestions on the dog for me. :)

I'm still considering taking a look at a shelter....we'll see.

[skunkstripe]

Well please keep us updated, this can be very exciting and rewarding. :)

[MoJo]

We found Mocha at a shelter. She is amazing!

[schizo]

Just posting an update on my furry friend finding quest...;)

I will be scheduled to meet with a dog soon! Someone from the shelter is supposed to give me a call about it this weekend. :D He is a very handsome ACD/Border Collie mix. This is his Petfinder page if you're interested: http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=7826605

I've never had a herding dog before, so I've been doing some research and I plan on browsing the breed forum here. I've also never dealt with a deaf dog, so I'm trying to figure out how to train him. But I'll be posting more about that in a different thread...

Woo :)

[Gideon's_Girl]

okay, well first i would like to say good job!:D

questions:

1.How old
2.Do you like?
3.Energy level
4. What has happened to put it in the shelter
5.What breed!!

If you like a certian breed, research the breed! Like the dog you choose!!

oh and choose one of the age, and breed that fits your life style!!:D

[Kaos]

Oh he is cute (but then as the owner of an ACDxBCish mix I might be a bit biased!). Sounds like it would be ideal for him to go to a home with another existing dog as I would imagine recalls etc will be far easier to deal with if he bonds with another dog and just keeps an eye on the. Fingers crossed that the two dogs get along - let us know!

[schizo]

Well, we had a change of plans. I talked to the shelter director, and she thought I might be a good match with a different dog. So, tonight I met "Austin". http://search.petfinder.com/search/search.cgi?animal=Dog&breed=&age=&size=&sex=&location=84321&name=Austin

He was found as a stray and taken to the "pound", which is where dogs in this town to to wait for someone to claim them. He wasn't claimed, so the shelter took him in. To their best guess he is a ten month old Doberman/Shepherd cross. ((This really excited me because I've always wanted a Doberman:))) He's got some scars on his face, and is very very skinny, but seems to have a very good temperment, although his house manners need some work.

After spending some time with Austin, his foster mom offered to let me take him home for a week for a "trial period". And...I accepted! We went to meet him before Ani's obediance class, so we took him along. He did really well even though he hadn't been to a class before! ((To our knowledge)) He learned to sit, is working on laying down, and he comes to me when called! :D He's such a smart boy...I think he has real obedience potential because he kept his eyes on me the whole time. Or maybe he's just REALLY wanted another treat. :rolleyes:

Now he's at my house, getting used to things. He did a sniff down of the whole house, wolfed down his dinner, played like CRAZY with Ani, and is now laying panting on my couch. He and Ani seem to be getting along really well, and he's totally ignored my cat so far. We haven't introduced him to the rest of my zoo yet...

He is sooo cute! The pics on Petfinder do not give him justice!!! But...my camera battery is dead. :doh: So once it's charged, I'll be sure to share some pictures!

Wish us luck with our trial week!!!

[Monkey]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh he's adorable!!!!!!!
I wouldnt be able to say no..

Good luck and I hope things work out great for you guys :)

[happysaz133]

Austin is gorgeous, very handsome! Hope everything works out and continues to go well.

[nicnox]

Hes absolutely beautiful, what a handsome fella! Its great that he was eating straight away, it shows hes comfortable and not too stressed to be in a new place. Its great what your doing, and I know a rescue dog is always that bit more grateful for the love and care you give them, good luck, although it seems you wont need it!

[Kaos]

What a babe. Hope you have as much fun with your rescue dog as I do with mine!

[MoJo]

Oh my! He is absolutly stunning!

[schizo]

Thanks for all the compliments and good wishes! :D I finally got some pics up. Here they are! http://www.dogforum.org/showthread.php?p=173900#post173900

[sheplovr]

I am soooo happy Austin is adjusting well. That is a wonderful sign that you have in fact gotten the right dog. He will gain weight, your other dog is gorgeous. I hope all things keep getting better n better for the dogs and you. :D

[schizo]

He seems to be very comfortable here. :) He's eating well, gets along with Ani fabulously, and follows me around the house. :D He even seems to be thinking that this is HIS house now...he likes to bark at people that come to the house, or pass by. We're working on teaching him to stop barking when we say so. They squirt bottle method seems to be working well. We also have to take the squirt bottle along on walks, because for some reason he hates people on motorcycles! :wtf:
We had our first kid confrontation today...which was kind of scary! My boyfriend and I took the dogs out for a walk, my BF had Ani, and I had Austin. These two little boys saw the dogs and came running up to them. I wasn't sure how he is around kids, or people running up to him, so I tried to tell the kid, "Hey, stop please!" While reeling Austin in. The kid made it to Austin, and he was a very good boy! Stood patiently and let the boy pet him. :) I gave him lots of treats and pets! It's a good thing too....People in this town are MONSTERS about dogs. We only have one park where dogs are allowed, and they aren't even allowed off leash there, because people are so paranoid. If Austin had snapped at the kid, he most likely would have been put down.
The only problem we're having is him getting along with some of my other pets...At first he ignored my rats, but then he got brave and started trying to snap at them thru the cage bars. I've started giving him a negative marker, giving him a reward if he stops, and taking him out of the room if he doesn't. He seems to be getting it...he'll just sit and stare at the rats now. Am I going about this correctly? He'll of course never ever be left alone with the rats, but I want him to understand that they are NOT for him to play with.
He is having issues with the cat too, which I posted about here: http://www.dogforum.org/showthread.php?t=14537 I can't tell if we're making progress or not, because the cat has pretty much just been staying away, and I haven't really wanted to try and do forced introductions. But there hasn't been any more big confrontations, so I guess that is good! ;)
I love this boy, I just have to decide if I'm going to make the commitment to teach him his manners around other pets.

[KatzNK9]

:D It is great news. You'll get there with the cat. Hang in there. It sounds like you've got a great dog.