Interview with dog. What to look for?

[Unshifted]

Hey again, everyone!

You were so helpful with my last question, so I figured I'd try again

The dog I was telling you guys about is coming to meet my boyfriend and I on Sunday. While I've had a dog before, my mother picked him put when I was about 7 so I've never picked out my own dog.

I have absolutely no idea what an interview is like and I want to make sure I get the right dog! We live in an apartment so I was very clear to the woman I am speaking with that a more laid back, quieter dog was important to us. I said that since the dog is young, I realize he will have a certain amount of energy and I realize that all dogs bark, but that we want a less vocal, more laid back dog.

She told me that he was more laid back and good with children and other dogs (two other important qualities to us) but how do you make sure of that in one visit? I don't live with children, so I can't really test it there. I don't have any other dogs, so I'm not sure about that either. She is bringing him to our home, so I guess that's good. But how can we test the dog out, so to speak? We don't have any friends in the area with dogs so that's not even an option.

I know a lot of people on here have adopted before and I just want to know what you did to ensure the dog was a good match for you. What was the interview process like? I definitely am not going to give the dog back because for one, I think that's really sad for the dog. And two, I know I get very attached. But that's why it's really important to me that we make the right choice and don't just take the first dog we see, if it's not a good match. I just don't know how to tell if we're a good match

Any help would be wonderful. Thanks again!

 

[Criosphynx]

The dog is always different after you've had it a while. So your going to have to trust the adoption people to a certain degree.

Since you seem to be describing what i look for, i'll tell you how i pick.

Dog that wags it tail when approached but not *excited*. Dog that is friendly, but neutral, and not shutdown. If the dog goes freaking balistic friendly upon seeing a stranger, imagine what you'll come home to when you've had it a while!

They are going to ask you about training, plans on having kids, your landlord, food (maybe), other pets, how often your going to walk, etc etc... not really any questions you should be concerned about. I answer honestly, but shortly.
I take it your getting a dog from a rescue and not a shelter since its coming to your house. Rescues can be (not always) extremely picky depending on who you get.. So don't feel bad if you don't get the dog.

Good luck.

 

[smkie]

All i know is if i had gone by first impressions niether VIctor or Pepper would be with me. I think it so hard to judge from the first time you meet a dog. THe training afterwards has a whole lot to do with what kind of sucess you will have. I went with the fact that my heart thumped hard when i saw VIctor's photo on petfinder. IF i had seen him first i probably would have walked away. I think you just KNOW if the dog is the right one for you and if your not sure, it isn't. No way i would ever have gone out and picked out Pepper but now you couldn't prise her out of my arms. IF the dog is a rescue and has had some bad luck, you can't expect it to act like a dog that hasn't. Pepper took almost 6 months before she started acting like a happy mentally well balanced little dog. SHe wouldn't look at anyone after the initial jump in your face. I guess to make it short, trust your instincts.

 

[Unshifted]

Thank you both for responding! Your advice is greatly appreciated.

Criosphynx, I will definitely keep those things in mind when meeting with the dog.

smkie, that is very good advice. I'll try not to overthink it and trust my gut.