tips on adopting a dog from the pound?

[holden j caufield]

Any general tips/ideas things to do and not etc?

 

[Mloot]

Stay away from any dogs that shy away from you or tuck their tail away when you call them, esp. if you have kids. Many times, this is a sign of past abuse and they can turn out to be fear biters. Now some people may tell you differenty, but I would also stay away from any pit bull or chow mixes. Most definitely, chow/german shepherd mixes. There are some wonderful dogs with these mixes, but there are also a seemingly disproportionate number of "squirrelly" ones. BTW, what size of dog are you looking for? What kind of lifestyle do you lead (i.e. are you active, or a homebody)? This can have a large effect on how your prospective dog will behave at home.

 

[Spoooon]

Don't adopt the most pathetic bundle of fur there just because you feel sorry for him/her. You need to leave your emotions at home and get a good, healthy dog. Like the above said, watch for signs of past abuse. But don't avoid those dogs necessarily. If you are willing to, it'd be great if you can rehab one and provide it a safe, loving environment. One of my dogs was abused. He's still pretty scared of strange men, but he's getting better. My other dog was just neglected. She's doing great now.

edit: I immediately contradict myself about the emotion thing. If you have the resources and time, there is no reason to not adopt any dog. You just need to think about all that stuff ahead of time.

 

[squirrelman]

My advice is definatly go for it, we got our dog from the humane society 12 years ago and he is a great dog. Its so much better to get a doggie or kittie that really needs you.

 

[holden j caufield]

yeah I'm looking for golden retriever, lab type dog. We're active and have a big yard and that's the type of dog I wanted since I twas a little a kid.

 

[datalink7]

Yes, watch for abuse, particularly in agressive type dogs. We got a 7 month old German Shepherd from an abusive situation (didn't know at first). It took us a LONG time to get him used to us, and now we are working on other people. He will growl and snap at a 4 year old kid. He is a great dog, and is great with the family, but not with other people because of his past. We are working on it but it is definently something to watch out for.

 

[datalink7]

Originally posted by: holden j caufield
yeah I'm looking for golden retriever, lab type dog. We're active and have a big yard and that's the type of dog I wanted since I twas a little a kid.

Golden Retrievers are easy dogs to have. Make sure to train it! Most people I know with a Golden don't train their dogs to do anything (even sit) because they are such easy dogs to have. Just love everone and are never a problem. So just remember to train it and stuff.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Try to see if they know anything about the medical history of the dog (pretty unlikely).

My little bro adopted a puppy and we had to put it down 2 weeks later after the vet diagnosed it with some liver or kidney disorder (can't remember which). Was really upsetting The pound folks didn't know, just one of those things

 

[Soulflare]

If I were to adopt, I'd look into adopting one of those seeing-eye puppies. You get a well-bred
golden or labrador retriever for a year or so, with all food and vet expenses paid for (depending
on the organization), and as long as you take good care of that puppy and give it the basic
training it requires, you can adopt another one as soon as your existing puppy is ready to be
trained to assist blind people.

Since retrievers are the cutest puppies ever, the ownership costs are low, and knowing that instead
of having the dog die on you someday, that it will go to help a disabled person live a fulfilling life -
sounds like a win, win, win win situation to me.

 

[Smaug]

Originally posted by: holden j caufield
Any general tips/ideas things to do and not etc?

Marinate for about a day, roll in spices, and I prefer medium rare when cooked.
:-D
Seriously... I can't help you, my parents paid 600$ for our dog from a breeder. It seems worth the money, as you do get that predictability, and an adorable dog.

 

[BlamoHammer]

Originally posted by: holden j caufield
Any general tips/ideas things to do and not etc?

Find the one that would like nothing better than to lick your face.

 

[holden j caufield]

sounds kind of bad but we're definitely looking for only a puppy but thanks for the advice on the past ownership. Who knows maybe if we find one that's not a puppy and real friendly we'll bring that one home.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Originally posted by: Smaug

Originally posted by: holden j caufield
Any general tips/ideas things to do and not etc?

Marinate for about a day, roll in spices, and I prefer medium rare when cooked.
:-D
Seriously... I can't help you, my parents paid 600$ for our dog from a breeder. It seems worth the money, as you do get that predictability, and an adorable dog.

Mutts in general are healthier than pure breeds.

 

[dfi]

One of my dogs is adopted. A real smart dog. She looks like a pure belgian malinois, but I'm not sure if she's mixed or not.

When we went to get her at the pound, she was tired and sickly looking. Got her home and she won't eat. Turns out she just had worms. Once we got her dewormed she was fine, and eternally grateful. I could tell she had been abused because she was really timid at first, but since she was only about 6 months old at the time, I don't think she was emotionally scarred too badly. She was a breeze to train, is always well behaved, and never causes any mischief. Worst thing she ever does is a delayed reaction to a command. A disapproving tone sets her straight right away.

Later on we got a rottweiler puppy from a breeder. Omfg, she was a training nightmare. Headstrong and completely disobediant. If I was trying to teach her to lie down, then she'll just stand and resist me pushing down on her. If I was trying to teach her to stand up, then she'll lie down and refuse to get up. Getting her to walk on a leash involved repeated training sessions of me literally pulling her across the backyard, with her pulling the other way the entire time. The little bastard growled at me the first day we got her, for trying to take her food. Well, the belgian melinois wouldn't have any of that; she pounced on the rottweiler, had the puppy by the neck, and wouldn't let go! Of course, the puppy was whining in pain, and my dad had to kick the belgian malinois several times until she finally got the wind knocked out of her and let go. The two dogs have gotten along fine ever since.

If I ever get another dog, I would want her at a very young age. I'm not sure if it's environment or the breed, but some dogs just seem to be much more stubborn than others. Make sure you get a well tempered breed.

dfi

 

[Mloot]

Oh, yeah, Rotties can be a pain in the a$$. My wife had a 2-yr old female when we got married (it was a package deal). Stubborn didn't begin to describe it. I swore that when we got another dog, I would be the one picking it out. So I got a Pyrenees, and she is the best dog I've ever had. Very low key around the house, is endlessly patient with the kids, and even gets along with my wife's rabbit. I've also wanted a Leonberger, ever since I came acrosss a few while stationed in Germany, but damn, if they aren't expensive. My first two cars together cost about the same as they were asking for one puppy

.

 

[holden j caufield]

does the pound usually have some puppies or are they mostly grown dogs?

 

[MomAndSkoorbaby]

I would get the most cuddliest one.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: MrsSkoorb
I would get the most cuddliest one.

Bingo. Find the most active, healthy-looking, attentive pup around. Make sure that it approaches you playfully instead of cowering in the corner. And just like MrsSkoorb said - get the cuddliest one, the one that doesn't hesitate to be pet, that licks your face, and quickly latches onto you as the new "parent".

This warm and fuzzy post brought to you by Merc's Sensitive Puppy-Loving Side.

- M4H