Never rescused a dog before. Help please!

[Unshifted]

Hey guys,

I'm sorry if I've been posting too much (this is my third post in like, 4 days) I just need all the help I can get No one that I know has ever adopted a dog so I'm not sure who else to ask. I want to make sure it's a good fit between me and the dog, but I'm not exactly sure how.

I've mentioned before that I am meeting a dog I might adopt on Sunday. He is being brought to my house. I've been emailing back and forth with the dogs foster mother to make sure he's a good fit for my situation. I live in an apartment so he can't be too loud or energetic, and I need him to be good with kids and other dogs. I made those things clear to her and she said she thinks he will be fine.

The woman has been very nice and helpful and she said she thinks he would be good with children, that he's not a big barker and he's more laid back. Fine. That sounds perfect. Except that when I asked her how long she's had him, she said he's only been with her for 5 days. This made me nervous because I keep thinking, how much can she know about him in 5 days? I know that it takes time for dogs to settle into their environments and 5 days is not enough time.

I am not sure what to do. I already pretty much fell in love with this dog (I know, not good for making objective decisions, but what can you do) Since I live in an apartment, a dog with tons of energy who barks a ton just isn't a good match. And more importantly, I babysit for two children (ages 4 months and 2 years) and I KNOW how 2 year olds can be with animals. If this woman isn't positive he's good with kids, I don't want to risk someone getting hurt

I am at a loss. I am not sure what I can tell from an hour meeting with the dog, and since the woman has only had him for not even a week, I am not sure how well she knows him. I am also not sure how to broach the subject of "If in a few weeks this REALLY isn't working out, can I give him back to you?" I'm afraid it will make me look irresponsible.

Any advice? Do you think I should just go for it if the connection is right when I meet him? Or should I make the difficult decision to wait for a dog that I am POSITIVE is the right one for me?

I am so confused.

 

[Baxter'smybaby]

Is this an individual who does rescue/adoption--or is it an agency? Also, what is the dogs history (owner surrender, pull from a shelter, stray?)? How old is the dog?
so many factors to be considered--and only five days does not seem like she would know these things about the dog for sure. BUT, dogs are different in different environments...so it would be hard to say for sure anyway.
I would ask her what the procedure is--could you act as a "foster" for the dog as a trial prior to adoption?

 

[xpaeanx]

unless the dog was sickly or something when she took him in, you can get a feel for a dog in 5 days.

as for the kids, a child will have to be watched with ANY dog.

as for things not working out, I've never heard of any rescue not taking a dog back if it wasn't working out.

 

[Unshifted]

Ah I can't thank you guys enough. I feel very strongly about adopting dogs that need homes, but I am just so lost about the process.

Here is the link to the rescue. Maybe you can get a better feel for what it is through that.

http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/PA637.html

I asked about the dogs history and she said he was wandering around the streets in Kentucky. He was brought in to a very high kill shelter but the woman I am speaking with took him and his cell mate in to foster so they could find homes.

The dog is about 2 years old.

I think you are right, that children will have to be watched with any dog. That is a good point. I can imagine it gets tiring for a dog to have his tail pulled over and over

Should I ask about a trial period with the dog? How would I go about that without seeming like I'm not dedicated to dogs? I really am and I get attached very easily. I just don't want a very high energy dog to be miserable in an apartment without a yard. It wouldn't make for a very happy dog.


Edit: I will add that the woman fostering him said that he just started doing a happy dance when they get home from somewhere, so I figure that means he is just now getting comfortable with his surroundings.

 

[Zoom]

Hey guys,

I'm sorry if I've been posting too much (this is my third post in like, 4 days

:rofl1: You have far to go, young Grasshoppa... *points to own post count*

It sounds like you're going about this just fine and remember, if you don't "click" with the dog, there's no harm in turning him down. You can get a pretty good feel for a dog in 5 days, especially if the person has been doing this for awhile.

Good luck!

 

[smkie]

Just remember it takes awhile for the dog to open up too sometimes. Especially when they have been so let down.

 

[GoingNowhere]

Whenever a dog enters a new place, there is usually a "honeymoon" period where the dog will begin to show it's personality. Five days is certainly not enough time for a dog to completely adjust; however usually all a foster needs to get a general idea of the dog's personality is a few days.
I've fostered several dogs in the past - the longest one I had was for 2 or 3 weeks. Each had a very distinct personality that came through in just those few days. For example, in just a few days, the foster should be able to tell you if the dog is crate trained, housetrained (though a foster will probably tell you that there may be accidents), good with dogs/people, whether the dog knows any commands and its general energy level.

The few aspects I've personally found a little harder to judge in several days are barking, level of protectiveness, and whether the dog is okay with cats. I say cats, just because some dogs are very interested the first couple of times they see a cat, but can learn to coexist. Barking is because often, a dog will bark more as it feels more comfortable. And the protectiveness is just because the dog hasn't really bonded yet. A foster should be able to get a decent idea, though. For example, a dog that hasn't made a peep in the first 5 days is most likely not a huge barker... though you may find that they do have a voice once they're comfortable. I've felt confident writing up bios for my foster dogs after 2 or 3 days - at that point, I felt that I had a general idea of just how tolerant and energetic that dog was.

As far as deciding whether to take the dog, many people say "you'll know." I disagree. We were SOOOOO hesitant before taking Boo. She was allegedly a chow mix and she didn't really connect with any of us on the first meeting. We went back to see her 3 times before taking her home, and she was the BEST decision. I'd say that it's never an easy, black and white decision, but for us the deciding factor was what we saw in front of us, rather than what breeds the dog was supposed to be.

And about the trial thing. Don't hesitate to ask, but I wouldn't make it the first thing out of your mouth. Act educated, but ask questions. Then you could ask if the rescue would be willing to do a "foster to adopt" scenario. If not, don't argue the point, but don't just jump to a decision.

Overall, I don't think that the dog will just cry "I'm the one!" but that doesn't mean that he isn't. Boo is perfect for us, and if we hadn't taken the gamble, we might still be searching for the "perfect dog at first sight".

 

[Erica1989]

Are you getting a Beagle? That's the link I clicked on..

beagles are barkers, I've never met one that didn't bark. and they need tons of exercise, they are active dogs. I would never send a beagle home to an apartment - you have to think about your neighbors too. Beagles are GREAT with kids - they make fabulous family dogs.

I've had my current foster for 2 weeks now. It took over a week for his seperation anxiety to show - and omg, is it one of the worst cases I've seen. It takes dogs a LONG time to feel comfortable in a new environment. Many dogs shut down for the first few days they come in - esp. if they've been bounced around from home to home, or shelter to shelter. I would not know a dogs personality after 5 days - I really feel that's too soon to really get to know an animal. You can get a general idea - but sometimes it takes months for certain qualities to show.

 

[PoodleMommy]

:rofl1: You have far to go, young Grasshoppa...

haha I was thinking the same thing...

You CANT post too much on Chaz... there is no such thing.

Ask any and all questions you have.

 

[Unshifted]

beagles are barkers, I've never met one that didn't bark. and they need tons of exercise, they are active dogs. I would never send a beagle home to an apartment - you have to think about your neighbors too. Beagles are GREAT with kids - they make fabulous family dogs.

They think he's a beagle/feist mix. I've also heard that about beagles but that's why I'm asking lots of questions about his temperament and how vocal he is. I AM nervous about it because of the fact that he is (or might be?) part beagle. But I've also heard that it depends on the dog, and all dogs are different. The fact that he is part beagle does make me a bit more hesitant though. But I don't want to totally rule out a dog based on his breed/what he's mixed with. I would rather see how the dog goes. I'm not sure if that's being dumb on my part though

You've all given me great advice though! I appreciate it a lot. I'm going to have a lot of thinking to do, but you've made it a lot easier so thank you

I'll let you know how it all goes!

 

[jess2416]

Good luck, everyone has given you some great ideas



Off Topic:

I'm sorry if I've been posting too much (this is my third post in like, 4 days)

Pffft we have SOME members here that make that many posts in 4 minutes...

:rofl1: