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Choosing A Dog From A Rescue Home
You may consider adopting a dog from a rescue organisation. Dogs end up in such places for a variety of reasons. Their owners may no longer be able or willing to care for them, or they may be unable to cope with bad habits their dogs have developed. Other dogs may have been rescued from abusive and or neglectful owners, or simply taken off the streets as strays.
If he's a stray, they will not know the dogs full history - but they should be able to tell you what they know about him based on their observations of his conduct in the shelter. They don't give dogs with serious problems (aggression, being the worst example) for adoption. They neuter or spay, vaccinate, and make sure the dogs are relatively healthy, before re-homing them. They also have enough staff and volunteers to provide the dogs with exercise and fun.
Good rescue centres know their dogs intimately. They know if a certain dog likes children, can jump fences, whether it is likely to get along with other pets, is a rough player, or has any bad habits. They will tell you all they know about the rescue dog you're interested in. They will also ask questions to make sure you and the dog are a good match.
The better the match between you and the dog you want to adopt, the fewer problems you’re likely to have. However, there are important points to consider before adopting:
1. Don’t adopt a dog on impulse, out of pity. Be sure the rest of the family want him.
2. Find out as much as you can about him.
3. A shelter environment is stressful, so the dog may take a few weeks to settle in his new home. He may take a couple of months to reveal his real temperament.
4. Stray or abused dogs may have a difficult time adjusting to the new home because they have to learn to trust the owners. It’s common, initially, for them to show anxiety and attempt to run away.
5. Some abused dogs never overcome their traumas, and may have fear-related problems for the rest of their lives.
Many of the organisations will take the necessary steps to ensure the adoption is successful (careful screening of future owners, and matching the right dog with the right family). But some are overcrowded and can be tempted into giving dogs away to make room for others in need. See rescue dog problems for more information on issues related to rescuing a dog.
In line with good rescue centres are foster homes. This is where the rescue dogs are placed with temporary owners who care for them until they go to a permanent home. This is a more intimate relationship that allows the foster owner to really get to know the dog and his characteristics and to be better able to assess whether he is a good match with a potential new owner.
All rescue organisations have a common desire, to find homes for their dogs. This shouldn't cloud better judgement, but in many cases it does. Ultimately, the dog is the one that suffers - being returned to the shelter, or worse . . . abandoned.
If you live in an area where the rescue centre isn't all you would like it to be, don’t be discouraged from adopting a dog. But be cautious. Aggression is the number one problem that is masked, because it shows itself in many forms. It becomes your job to recognise a potentially aggressive dog. This is what to look out for:
1. The dog may bare his teeth; growl loudly; the hair stands; the ears strain forward; the tail is still and held high over the back. He may stand his ground, or lunge when you get close to the kennel. This dog is likely to become possessive of territory in a new home.
2. He may bare his teeth; growl softly; crouch; put his tail down between his back legs; back away into a corner as you approach. This is a dog that tends to bite out of fear.
3. There are a few dogs sharing a kennel; they all approach at the same time; one dog bites another. This is a sign the dog is likely to attack another pet while competing for access to something or someone.
4. The dog is eating. As you approach the kennel, he takes a swift look at you and starts eating faster. This is a potential food guarder – a dog that may bite if you approach or touch him while he’s eating.
5. Toss the dog a toy or bone through the kennel gate. If he takes it and moves as far away from you as possible, he’s a potential resource guarder – a dog that takes possession of something, and may bite if anyone tries to remove it.
A kennel environment is always stressful, to a degree. Dogs often display behaviour in them that they normally would not in a relaxed environment. The dog that acts aggressively, or shows signs of being potentially aggressive, may be laid back once settled in a permanent home. On the other hand, he may continue acting as he does in the kennel. This is a risk only you can decide is worth taking. Because living with an aggressive dog means keeping him under control for the rest of his life.
