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Considering adopting a dog,need advice

Geekbabe

Moderator Emeritus<br>Elite Member

I've been dialoging with a woman who's going to need to rehome her dog, this is 2 yr old cockapoo, no health issues, housebroken, affectionate, very good with children.

What questions should I ask, what types of things should I be evaluating the dog for when we meet?



cockapoo
 
Make sure all shots and license (if your area does licenses) are up to date. Figure out what vet the dog has been to also. A good vet is a must, if you don't like them ask around and get a good one.
 
Originally posted by: Bignate603
Make sure all shots and license (if your area does licenses) are up to date. Figure out what vet the dog has been to also. A good vet is a must, if you don't like them ask around and get a good one.

We have an excellent vet, the woman is not asking for a rehoming fee, the dog will need to be spayed which we're negotiating around. I'd planned on having to take the dog to be vetted anyway. I would prefer that she be spayed prior to coming here even if I absorb/ spilt the cost just to make the transition easier on the dog.
 
Originally posted by: BoomerD
your biggest issues should be potential behavior problems.

With mixed breeds, you have the potential for the genetic health problems from both breeds:

http://www.cockapoos.com/

http://www.cockapoos.com/gener.../nacrgeneticissues.htm

http://www.dog-breed-facts.com/cockapoo.html

From the owner's description the dog is a total love.. the dog needs to be rehomed due to the owner's work situation which is going to require working very long hours. she's not comfortable keeping a dog that she's seldom home to care for. I get the sense that this is a very difficult choice for the owner, that she's attached to this dog.. and she responded to my ad looking for a dog... she hadn't posted the dog herself.
 
Get used to calling it a mutt like a normal person or having everone around you secretly thinking horrible things about you. A poodle mutt is not exceptional.

Otherwise ask about the dogs history.

Has it been around children? You say it is good with kids, but does she mean very young children , toddlers, 10 year olds or teenagers?


Other dogs? Smaller dogs/Larger dogs? Any housetraining issues?

Any medical issues? What food is the dog used to?
 
uh...I'd be VERY leery. If this was someone you knew well, that'd be one thing, but a stranger replying to YOUR ad looking for a dog? <eek>

I'm not saying this isn't everything she claims it is...just giving you warning. USUALLY, when people get rid of a dog at 2 years (or more) old, there's a behavior problem that they can't break. I realize with the current economy, things have changed somewhat, as people losing their homes are having to give up the family pets...

Just be V-E-R-Y careful that you don't get a shoe-chewer, corner pisser, or worse...

"rehomed?" that's a new term for me...and a "rehoming fee?" WTF? Is she the pound...or animal shelter?
 
Originally posted by: BoomerD
uh...I'd be VERY leery. If this was someone you knew well, that'd be one thing, but a stranger replying to YOUR ad looking for a dog? <eek>

I'm not saying this isn't everything she claims it is...just giving you warning. USUALLY, when people get rid of a dog at 2 years (or more) old, there's a behavior problem that they can't break. I realize with the current economy, things have changed somewhat, as people losing their homes are having to give up the family pets...

Just be V-E-R-Y careful that you don't get a shoe-chewer, corner pisser, or worse...

"rehomed?" that's a new term for me...and a "rehoming fee?" WTF? Is she the pound...or animal shelter?

The owner lost her job.. and to survive she's looking at basically having to take on 2 low paying jobs.

This doesn't seem like a choice this owner is keen on making and we're having a lot of dialogue. People charge rehoming/adoption fees to make sure their animals go to real homes and aren't being given to scammers who resell them to or worse sell them to research places.

When we meet I do intend to ask why a 2 yr old dog hasn't been fixed yet,I suspect money issues and don't want to offend but knowing if she's had a litter or two will be important health info.
 
Will she want the dog back? If she's really attached, you might find that down the road, she changes her mind.

My recommendation would be to spend a lot of time with the dog prior to deciding. Definitely take it to the vet for a check-up. If the current owner doesn't spay her, then wait a little while for the dog to get adjusted.
 
Jean, if you can, I would take the dog in on a trial basis, with the up-front agreement between you two that it is just a trial basis.

Your cat WILL NOT LIKE sharing it's home with a new animal, guaranteed.

You need to see first hand over the course of at the very least a week-end whether this will have any decent chance of working or whether it will be tears and raised fur and lamentations for all.
 
Originally posted by: BoomerD
"rehomed?" that's a new term for me...and a "rehoming fee?" WTF? Is she the pound...or animal shelter?

Hip East Coast urbanizes will tend to talk like that, B-Man. 😉

 
Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Will she want the dog back? If she's really attached, you might find that down the road, she changes her mind.

My recommendation would be to spend a lot of time with the dog prior to deciding. Definitely take it to the vet for a check-up. If the current owner doesn't spay her, then wait a little while for the dog to get adjusted.

We've been in communication for over a week and I've done a lot of reading on pet rescue sites, I've assured her that I would sign a contract,that transfers ownership to me but that if it wasn't working out that she would be contacted first, I wouldn't just place the dog myself.

I'm considering this dog for a few reasons.

1. my 1st dog, I want to avoid dogs that are better suited to more experienced owners.. cockapoo is an affectionate,loving dog, low shed,low allergy, this dog looks fairly bright and has a kind face/eyes which is charactertistic of the breed.

2. her age-2 yrs is old enough to be over the worst of puppy behaviors but young enough to enjoy brisk walks and fun.

3. the owner seems very attached to this dog, she's talking about things like her taking the dog to be spayed and then using recovery time to get to know me.. she's not in a big hurry
and looking to drop her off ASAP. She's asking the right questions of me imho and giving detailed answers to my questions.
 
Originally posted by: Perknose
Jean, if you can, I would take the dog in on a trial basis, with the up-front agreement between you two that it is just a trial basis.

Your cat WILL NOT LIKE sharing it's home with a new animal, guaranteed.

You need to see first hand over the course of at the very least a week-end whether this will have any decent chance of working or whether it will be tears and raised fur and lamentations for all.

I've let the owner know that I intend to crate train.. not to overly confine the dog but rather as respite place, a cozy den.. a place to go when overwhelmed.. and during the short periods of time that we aren't home a place of safety.. if the dog is snug in her crate during those times it would be better for all initially.

This cat is so lonely she's reduced to attempting to play with us as if we were fellow cats. I'm thinking she might get on well with the right dog.
 
Originally posted by: MyThirdEye
1) go to pet store
2) find animal
3) purchase animal
4) success

Your post is SO full of abject ignorance and fail . . . and you don't even have the first clue that it is. 🙁
 
Originally posted by: Geekbabe
Originally posted by: Perknose
Jean, if you can, I would take the dog in on a trial basis, with the up-front agreement between you two that it is just a trial basis.

Your cat WILL NOT LIKE sharing it's home with a new animal, guaranteed.

You need to see first hand over the course of at the very least a week-end whether this will have any decent chance of working or whether it will be tears and raised fur and lamentations for all.

I've let the owner know that I intend to crate train.. not to overly confine the dog but rather as respite place, a cozy den.. a place to go when overwhelmed.. and during the short periods of time that we aren't home a place of safety.. if the dog is snug in her crate during those times it would be better for all initially.

This cat is so lonely she's reduced to attempting to play with us as if we were fellow cats. I'm thinking she might get on well with the right dog.

Yeah, Jean, but your not acknowledging or addressing the fact that your cat is going to be seriously pissed.
 
Originally posted by: MyThirdEye
1) go to pet store
2) find animal
3) purchase animal
4) success

Why would I support the criminal practices of puppy mill breeders ? plus, I want an adult dog
a dog who needs a good home🙂
 
Originally posted by: Perknose
Originally posted by: Geekbabe
Originally posted by: Perknose
Jean, if you can, I would take the dog in on a trial basis, with the up-front agreement between you two that it is just a trial basis.

Your cat WILL NOT LIKE sharing it's home with a new animal, guaranteed.

You need to see first hand over the course of at the very least a week-end whether this will have any decent chance of working or whether it will be tears and raised fur and lamentations for all.

I've let the owner know that I intend to crate train.. not to overly confine the dog but rather as respite place, a cozy den.. a place to go when overwhelmed.. and during the short periods of time that we aren't home a place of safety.. if the dog is snug in her crate during those times it would be better for all initially.

This cat is so lonely she's reduced to attempting to play with us as if we were fellow cats. I'm thinking she might get on well with the right dog.

Yeah, Jean, but your not acknowledging or addressing the fact that your cat is going to be seriously pissed.


Dave, I'm sure she will be.. I also think though, that if handled right, she'd come around and would enjoy having another furface to play with.
 
Originally posted by: Geekbabe
Originally posted by: Perknose
Originally posted by: Geekbabe
Originally posted by: Perknose
Jean, if you can, I would take the dog in on a trial basis, with the up-front agreement between you two that it is just a trial basis.

Your cat WILL NOT LIKE sharing it's home with a new animal, guaranteed.

You need to see first hand over the course of at the very least a week-end whether this will have any decent chance of working or whether it will be tears and raised fur and lamentations for all.

I've let the owner know that I intend to crate train.. not to overly confine the dog but rather as respite place, a cozy den.. a place to go when overwhelmed.. and during the short periods of time that we aren't home a place of safety.. if the dog is snug in her crate during those times it would be better for all initially.

This cat is so lonely she's reduced to attempting to play with us as if we were fellow cats. I'm thinking she might get on well with the right dog.

Yeah, Jean, but your not acknowledging or addressing the fact that your cat is going to be seriously pissed.


Dave, I'm sure she will be.. I also think though, that if handled right, she'd come around and would enjoy having another furface to play with.

Well, you would know your specific situation better than I, but please ask for a mutually agreed upon trial period so you can avoid the very worst, is all.

Animals DO NOT think and respond to the world like we do.

 
Originally posted by: Perknose
Originally posted by: Geekbabe
Originally posted by: Perknose
Originally posted by: Geekbabe
Originally posted by: Perknose
Jean, if you can, I would take the dog in on a trial basis, with the up-front agreement between you two that it is just a trial basis.

Your cat WILL NOT LIKE sharing it's home with a new animal, guaranteed.

You need to see first hand over the course of at the very least a week-end whether this will have any decent chance of working or whether it will be tears and raised fur and lamentations for all.

I've let the owner know that I intend to crate train.. not to overly confine the dog but rather as respite place, a cozy den.. a place to go when overwhelmed.. and during the short periods of time that we aren't home a place of safety.. if the dog is snug in her crate during those times it would be better for all initially.

This cat is so lonely she's reduced to attempting to play with us as if we were fellow cats. I'm thinking she might get on well with the right dog.

Yeah, Jean, but your not acknowledging or addressing the fact that your cat is going to be seriously pissed.


Dave, I'm sure she will be.. I also think though, that if handled right, she'd come around and would enjoy having another furface to play with.

Well, you would know your specific situation better than I, but please ask for a mutually agreed upon trial period so you can avoid the very worst, is all.

Animals DO NOT think and respond to the world like we do.

I will most assuredly ask for a trial period of at least 2 weeks, I won't take any dog without such an agreement.
 
Originally posted by: Perknose
Originally posted by: BoomerD
"rehomed?" that's a new term for me...and a "rehoming fee?" WTF? Is she the pound...or animal shelter?

Hip East Coast urbanizes will tend to talk like that, B-Man. 😉

Well hell...that 'splains it...

I aren't "hip" nor are I an east coaster...

I are an old fuddy-duddy LEFT coaster...😀
 
Originally posted by: Geekbabe
Originally posted by: Perknose
Originally posted by: Geekbabe
Originally posted by: Perknose
Originally posted by: Geekbabe
Originally posted by: Perknose
Jean, if you can, I would take the dog in on a trial basis, with the up-front agreement between you two that it is just a trial basis.

Your cat WILL NOT LIKE sharing it's home with a new animal, guaranteed.

You need to see first hand over the course of at the very least a week-end whether this will have any decent chance of working or whether it will be tears and raised fur and lamentations for all.

I've let the owner know that I intend to crate train.. not to overly confine the dog but rather as respite place, a cozy den.. a place to go when overwhelmed.. and during the short periods of time that we aren't home a place of safety.. if the dog is snug in her crate during those times it would be better for all initially.

This cat is so lonely she's reduced to attempting to play with us as if we were fellow cats. I'm thinking she might get on well with the right dog.

Yeah, Jean, but your not acknowledging or addressing the fact that your cat is going to be seriously pissed.


Dave, I'm sure she will be.. I also think though, that if handled right, she'd come around and would enjoy having another furface to play with.

Well, you would know your specific situation better than I, but please ask for a mutually agreed upon trial period so you can avoid the very worst, is all.

Animals DO NOT think and respond to the world like we do.

I will most assuredly ask for a trial period of at least 2 weeks, I won't take any dog without such an agreement.

:thumbsup:
 
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