Anyone Ever Adopt A Shelter Dog? Need Advice

[MN Cummins Lvr]

My wife and I recently adopted a purebred dachshund from a "rescue shelter" type place and we had to return him in less than 24 hours because he turned out to be very unpredictable and aggressive. This little guy was very nice but turned on my wife and bit her unexpectedly and basically pinned me in one spot later in the evening, growling and snarling until he calmed down.



We still want a smooth haired dachshund (5 yrs or younger) but don't want a puppy because of the house-training. Anyone have any ideas?



Thanks,

Paul

 

[merryman]

doxies

I believe it depends on a couple things.



1. Why/how did the dog come to be in the shelter? and

2. How long was it there?



Example; Some years ago my Dad picked up a 6 month old German Shepard at a shelter. Turned out it was a pure bread that had a funny "twitch" in a rear leg. The owner of the ***** had kept the dog for six months thinking the twitch would clear up but finally gave up and took it to the shelter as unsellable.

Within an additional six months the twitch was gone and she turned out to be a beautifull and delightfull dog.



On the otherhand, if the dog comes in because it is a behavior problem, then you may be looking at long term problems. With your "doxie" you may have simply given up too soon. Some, when in unfamiliar circumstances are fearfull and defensive which can come out as aggressiveness.

We have two minis and one is that way untill she really gets to know someone.

OPS

This was supposed to be a reply to the thread about adopting a shelter dog

My computer/typing skills came through again :>)

Sorry for any confusion

Vaughn

 

[johnrv4]

Check with some breeders.

I would possibly check with breeders that are at some local dog shows. Sometimes, they have dogs that aren't doing well in the show ring and they might be interested in selling them. When we were looking for a Doberman, we had several opportunities to buy young housebroken dogs that didn't do well in the show ring.

I've been on the receiving end of a dog that was advertised as being a good dog(poodle) for sale through a private party. After it bit the owner(my mother-in-law) and a couple of her sons, it also tried to attack me . That is one problem with getting an older dog. You never know how well it was socialized and/or abused.

I'm getting a good mental image of you Paul, being cornered by a Wiener dogOo. Oo.

 

[jmeehan]

We rescued our Gordon Setter from a breeder my wife found on the internet. It was just luck the breeder needed to place the dog in a home when my wife contacted her but if you contact enough breeders one will show up.

 

[illflem]

You can get some great dogs from the shelter but unfortunately many times the reason they are there is that the owners weren't ready for the responsibly of a dog, expected a certain behavior from them and when it didn't comply they beat them. Avoid a dog that cowers from people, they seldom outgrow it and can turn into a biter when they feel threatened by someone who really isn't a problem.

 

[TPCDrafting]

We've adopted two rotty's from a shelter. Both instances the dogs were skin and bone when we got them home. They feed enough for little muffin dogs in there but not enough for a rotten wieler. In both cases when we got them home and fed them they were scarfing it down from hunger. And in both cases they got growly and snappy when approached while eating. We got after both of them (not beating) immediatly by pushing their food away and setting dominance in the herd. Once that was set we don't have any problems. I think the above statements about finding the right dog for you and not one who cowers or one that you feel sorry for is the right game plan. Problem dogs will likely always be problem dogs, of course there are exeptions. The luck I've had I will likely never "buy" a dog. Good luck.

 

[tractorface]

Only rescue dogs for me

I have had great luck with both of my rescued dogs. Have a friend that rescued a really mean Rottie and is sticking with it but is kind of sorry. It was obvious he was going to be a problem.

My suggestion is to look around a little, you may be able to find a rescue place that gets there dogs from the local shelter or whereever. These people usually know the animal well enough to let you know exactly how the animal will behave before you take it home. I think these "placement" groups are a better way to go than just going up to the pound and picking a dog out, although I did this once and got a truley wonderful animal.



http://www.bestfriends.org/

Above is a link to the premier rescue facility in the nation. They may be able to help you locate someone in your area. I visted this place on vacation and was truly impressed.

Good luck

 

[Rman]

some dogs are just plain messed up. the owners beat them, or just treated them poorly and they just will always have a problem. When a dog is in the first few weeks adjusting to a new place they may be defensive and act really different.



I think it takes a good firm but fair stance and showing them what is right and wrong from the start. I raise my voice but never strike the dog, that is counter productive, especially if they don't know what they did wrong.



The next dog you adopt, try giving it a couple weeks to adjust before jumping the gun and returning it. Dogs like routines, and when those routines are broken they act different. Not saying you made the wrong move, that dog may have very well been a bad one of the bunch.

 

[Hummin Cummins]

I have never and never will "pay" for a dog

There are too many good animals at the shelters that can be had. I have had several. Now granted they were all pups but one was a haggard ole german shepherd. He looked pitiful when I got him but was one of the best dogs I have ever had. My latest dalmation is also a pound puppy.

 

[Champane Flight]

Mutt

Don't be afraid of the Mutt, one of the best dogs out there. You don't have to have the problems many purebreds have, bad hips, eye infections, temperament problems, and inbreeding. If you are looking for a short haired dog look for a smaller short haired Mutt. As said above don't give up so easily, if you or I were locked up in a 5x8 pen for an indefinite period of time, it would take us awhile to adjust to.

 

[Rman]

Re: Mutt

Originally posted by Champane Flight

Don't be afraid of the Mutt, one of the best dogs out there. You don't have to have the problems many purebreds have, bad hips, eye infections, temperament problems, and inbreeding. If you are looking for a short haired dog look for a smaller short haired Mutt. As said above don't give up so easily, if you or I were locked up in a 5x8 pen for an indefinite period of time, it would take us awhile to adjust to.

yeah CF, ever seen Shawshank redemption? Some people don't take to well to cages for long periods... can't imagine a dog caring for it much either, if he had the choice at least.

 

[rob10858]

after being turned out and put in a shelter, dogs, and cats, have different ways of responding . since we dont have kids, and lots of land, we are among the favorite list of some of the folks of the shelters last call list before killing a beautiful animal. sometimes it works, sometimes not. an example, meanest was a cocker spaniel, house pet. best was a black chow attack dog that did'nt have a mean bone in his body. you never know.....

 

[Fireman Dave]

Re: Check with some breeders.

Originally posted by johnrv4

I'm getting a good mental image of you Paul, being cornered by a Wiener dogOo. Oo.

LMAO:-laf :-laf



Sorry, Paul. Good luck in finding something. Hey... how about just getting a Great Dane. Always a good conversation piece when it bounds out of the camper at the RV park.

 

[46mech]

Paul,



If you got the Dachshund from a "rescue group" and not the animal shelter, sounds like the problem is with the rescue group. They didn't keep the dog with a foster longer enough and test it under various conditions to make sure it was compatible with your type household. It may very well have been that dog needed to be put down..... sad as that may sound.

We've adopted two racing greyhounds from the National Greyhound Rescue. The husband & wife team that runs the local chapter is VERY thorough in their foster program and screening of the people who plan to adopt.



If you got it from the shelter..... well, most people that work these places mean well, but don't know dogs like they think they know dogs. We've also adopted mixed-breeds from the shelters and had very good experiences. But then my wife and I are familiar enough with most all breeds ( more so my wife) and we have a pretty good idea of what to expect from the breeds involved in our mutt of choice.

It's really a farce that mixed-breeds are healthier than purebreds. It just seems that way because most people aren't going to spend hundreds of dollars to care for a dog they paid $40, $50, or $60 for. You hear about the purebreds because breeders invest in their dogs..... which equates to more vet care in hopes of preventing or escalating further health problems. For example, it's a fact that all large breeds are susceptible to hip displaysia. Just because you mix a collie and a rottie doesn't mean you're not going to have to deal with hip displaysia at some time in that dog's life.



But to get back to the root of your question..... If you get your dog from the shelter (pound), ask to take the dog off to an area away from other dogs, cats, and distractions. Spend some time with it to see how it reacts to you; if it's not interested in you or stand-offish, it's probably not the dog for you. And if you have kids, take them with you, but be cautious. A dog may be fine with adults, but hate kids. You'd want to find out if "poopsie" would rather eat your children than play with them, in a controlled environment before you find out at home.

If you're going to get it from a "rescue group"... ... do the same, but ask about whether it has been tested for whatever scenarios that are particular to your home. Not every scenario is going to be tested for, but at least you'll have a better idea of the dog's background. For us, cat testing was a must; we sure didn't want a greyhound that would rather hunt down our cats than live with them.



Just food for thought.

 

[wcjp]

We found our lab as a pup. Our Beagle was 1. 5yrs old. She was there because of high medical costs. I thought she was too nervous. Turns out she was freaked out by the echo's of constant barking dogs. The high medical costs turned out to be allergic to dustmites. She's nearly off the chart. Wasn't a problem in the old house with wood floors. The new house is fully carpeted. An electronic air cleaner cured that. She's a great friend and playmate for the lab.



While she was immediately playful and I'd guess gratious for her adoption. She still took a good six months before she was fully comfortable with her status in the pack.



I once heard that Doberman's and Doxon are the only two breeds that have no respect for the pack heirachy.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I have better luck taking in dogs word of mouth but have gotten some from the shelters. Sometimes it takes some obedience training, sometimes you need to let the dog know who is boss not beating but flipping butt over tincups. Rough but better to give the dog a chance before it is put down. I have taken a dog back and advised the shelter to put it down by the way. Sometimes, that is best for all.



I had a similar experience with a wiener dog. Large one at about 36 pounds and you need to be careful for their back. Anyway, he did bite my ex-wife (she deserved it anyway) and tried to bite me. I shook him by the scruff of his neck then held him down until he settled down. After that he respected me.



Like others said, it can take some time to settle in so don't be too hasty to give up or give in. Don't take in a dog if you don't have time to spend the first few weeks. Use a crate, lots of love and patience.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I need to share this.

Three weeks ago, my wife got a four year old Belgium Malinois via a foster home/rescue situation.



The story was this dog was imported and trained to sniff drugs. His owner/handler was left go, he gave the dog away, whoever took the dog neglected/abused him, whatever.



We found out there was a man living close by that trains dogs. He does obedience, search & rescue and has done police work and more.



So we take the dog for evaluation. This dog at about 66 lbs is a real loverboy. Well, this guy starts putting him through the paces. He had the dog working and paying attention like he had knew him all along. The handler demonstrated that the dog could not only sniff but has other police related training as well. He also figured out that the dog understood Dutch language commands. With so much going on, I did not think to ask why Dutch?



At four and somewhat out of shape from inactivety, the dog may be too old to put through search and rescue training. We are working to get him in shape and I have to set up some ramps and tunnels and stuff to start utility work. If nothing else, the stimulation will do him good. Neat dog!

 

[jmeehan]

Time to learn Dutch? If nothing else you can use the dog for protection.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Originally posted by 85CJ

Time to learn Dutch? If nothing else you can use the dog for protection.

It was really neat to see this dog react to this man when he got out this round padded cylinder thingy he uses for "bite training". With three dogs now, I figure we have the home pretty well covered. Wonder how my insurance man will react when he comes by tomorrow to go over some changes.

 

[MN Cummins Lvr]

Thanks for the replies and advice. I put an ad on Petfinder.com and we found a 9 month old mini-doxie that we adopted. She's a real sweetie and is a whopping 7#:-laf She is very fast and always on the prowl for badgers She just has to learn that a rottweiler is about 10 times her size and could swallow her in one bite if she thinks she can attack them.