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adopting a dog; help wanted
Topic Started: Oct 22 2012, 10:26 AM (1,313 Views)
leastrock
I Visited Candy Mountain and All I Got Was This Lousy Incision
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Hello. I am a longtime lurker and VERY infrequent poster. I am posting because I know there are many people on here with a wealth of dog experience. I have recently moved into a place where I am allowed to have a dog. I had a dog growing up and even took him to two levels of obedience classes but it was the family dog and not my sole responsibility. I helped with the housebreaking and crate training, but that was over 12 years ago. I actively rode and showed hunters at a high level as a teenager so I understand what it's like to devote my life to the care/wellbeing of animals. I have done extensive research on dog breeds and really solidified the traits I would like in a dog. I recently filled out an application to adopt a small Beagle/terrier (Jack Russell?) mix from the local animal control.

I am looking for any advice y'all can offer me on adopting a dog, especially the retraining that may be necessary (housebreaking, crate training, etc.). I read the thread about Portrait the GSD with great interest and saw the advice offered for a two-week complete shut down. What other things should I keep in mind or do? What types of chew toys (bones, hides..) are the best and most safe? Any and all advice would be appreciated. I feel prepared for this but also feel a bit nervous, recognizing the responsibility and commitment I'm taking on and making for another living being and want to be as ready as possible.

Thanks in advance.
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buryinghill2
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It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
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I don't know where you live, but I highly recommend www.danandronnysrescue.org Two weeks have gone by and Portrait, (now Idgie), has been making great strides. She is just now starting to settle in a feel comfortable with the routine. Choose your rescue carefully, they should be supportive and give you help with the transition period. Now that it's been two weeks, i realize that I made some big mistakes in the first few days. I do agree that closing your rescue dogs world down for a few weeks is a good idea. It's been working really well for me. Idgie has her first at home lesson with the trainer this coming Wednesday. I'm really looking forward to getting her input.
Good luck with your decision, and thanks for rescuing.
Keep us posted with what you decide!
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leastrock
I Visited Candy Mountain and All I Got Was This Lousy Incision
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Thanks for the response. I had considered Danny and Ron's Rescue but was a bit apprehensive since I am a bit far away (mid-Atlantic area) to meet the dog before receiving it. I have heard great things about their rescue and know them to be great guys as well. Are their adoption fees reasonable? I went to one animal shelter near my house and they were asking $650 for a pair of Beagle mixes. While I understand it costs a lot to run a rescue and care for the animals, I simply can't afford that (especially when combined with the pet deposit and initial expenses).

I should hear back from the county animal control shelter soon about the one I put in an application for. I'm also considering shooting Danny and Ron an email letting them know what I am looking for and see what they have to say. I need to remember that the application is non-binding and not a commitment.

Thanks again for the reply and best of luck with Idgie!
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Trialbyfire
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No experience, just wishing you good luck!! :woot: :luck: :cheer:

And welcome.....no more lurking! :innocent:
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Boston
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Congrats on your upcoming new doggie!! Very exciting. My advice is to find a great vet through friends/family referrals. Bring the dog to the vet for a full physical within a week of adoption (even if it just had one through the shelter). Get the name of a great trainer from your vet or friends/family and set up basic obedience training classes. Even if the dog is older and has obedience knowledge, classes like this are great for teaching you how to communicate with your dog and for you to get to know eachother. I agree about the 2 week adjustment period. Keep things calm in that first couple weeks, don't bring the dog to all kinds of new places yet (besides the vet) let him/her settle in. Try to get into a routine and stick to it. Walks are not only great for dogs mental and physical health but will help build your relationship with your dog.

Keep us posted!! Goodluck!
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FlashGordon
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Hello there leastrock!

We adopted a dog last year. I tried the local rescues but didn't have much luck. Finally one night I just put my daughter in the car and off we went to the local SPCA. We found a four month old hound mix (we suspect she is some sort of hound/terrier cross) and brought her home that night. She has been fabulous! She ADORES my kids. She is a great walking/running partner. Aside from a chewing phase (that most puppies go through!) she has really been zero trouble at all.

I know our SPCA offers basic obedience/training classes, so that might be something to consider. Ask around for a recommendation for a small animal vet, if you don't already have one. The vet will also be able to refer you to trainers or facilities that offer classes.

TOCer Witchy's mother runs a rescue called Friends of Pep. They have many cute dogs, in fact we were going to take a ride down and check a few out if nothing up here panned out.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-Pep-Border-Collie-Rescue/89293426178

Good luck and let us know when you find your new four legged friend!
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buryinghill2
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Dan and Ronny charge $145 for shipping.after that a donation of your choice, whenever you want all their dogs arrive micro chipped, freshly bathed and fully vaccinated and wormed. They place 65% of their dogs to people that have not met them first. Rarely does a dog get returned. I choice to support them for reasons that are too lengthy to get into here. Check out their website and thank you for adopting!
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goodhors
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My suggestion would be to really think how you plan to enjoy your dog, in picking breeds or mixes, before choosing one to adopt. There are "sterotypes" about every breed, because some features tend to be "bred in the bone" and are what makes the breed. You have to strongly consider this in choosing a dog who will be with you for years!

I am saying this because your choice of Jack Russell and Beagle breeds, which are both STRONG-WILLED dogs. The Beagle dogs have huge hunting instincts, follow their nose despite what you may want them to do otherwise! Any of the Terrier breeds are equally determined, when it comes to getting their own way, having the world revolve around them. As the dog trainer, you will have to be MORE determined to be the Pack Leader, enforce obedience, correct responses, in whatever training methods you choose to work with.

I have taught dog obience classes over the years, see what people struggle with in trying to get a dog to do as requested. It can be even harder with breeds that are DETERMINED to do as they please, the heck with owner!! They can wear out the owner, who then gets rid of the dog, or just lets dog do as it pleases, which leads to bad house manners, hard to live with dog.

So I always ask a prospective dog owner if they know the history of their favorite breeds? Why was this dog made? Beagles are hunting dogs, bred to be stubborn in finding the hunted prey, go thru any obstacles, harsh weather, keep going until recalled to the handler. Jack Russells are similar, bred varmint dogs for hunting again. Their job was to find and kill mice, rats, wildlife around the farm that might hurt the livestock birds and animals. You only bred the dogs AFTER they proved worthy, not being quitters when the fight got hard. So again, no quit to this breed when it goes after stuff. They are BUSY, because they had to keep moving to find and deter these varmints around a farm. You could look up the breeds, find more details of the reason to make the breed, how it was used.

You REALLY want to consider this before choosing any dog. Dogs bred to run and hunt, usually are not so happy laying around a lot to keep your feet warm. They want to walk or run in ALL weather, get some miles under their paws to get tired DAILY. The energy in them has to be used somehow. If you don't provide an outlet, they will MAKE UP games to blow off that energy. Could be pillow killing, gnawing furniture, or lots of other unpleasant things. Chaseing or killing declawed house cats is another game I have seen dogs engage in when bored, have that strong prey drive to hunt. That is ugly!! Everyone thinks the Youtube videos or America's Funniest are SO HUMOROUS when pets destroy things!! Living with it is a different story.

You may have a large yard, plenty of time or room to let the dog exercise itself, so those things help with any breed.

Sorry to be such a downer on your future dog ownership, but it seems that almost no one ever says a bad thing about ANY breed until AFTER YOU OWN ONE! Happened to us, and I THOUGHT I had done good research. Dog or puppy comes up with this odd behaviour, and you ask other breed owners. "SURE, they ALL do that, part of being xxx breed owners!" You are not going to always be able to train that out, if the entire breed does it! So go dog hunting with your eyes wide open to what each of the breeds or their mixes, could have in instincts, behaviour, NEEDS to keep them physically and mentally healthy.

Lots of folks know about the more common breeds, problems they can have, reasons not to choose that breed. Just know that ALL breeds have general issues to consider before choosing. Hunting gun dogs, Hound breeds, all need lots of room. Their noses or watching stuff around them, finds them game the way they were bred to find it. Working and Herding dogs like or NEED to have a job. They are smart, creative thinkers in their original jobs, adaptable to situations for making choices, so they need to be kept BUSY, or they invent BAD games to play. If you want restful dogs, often the Toy breeds are much more suitable than the other groups of dogs, yappy but good lapdogs.

We are also looking for a 2nd dog, have made a list of features, size, breed qualities, possible breeds, we think will work for our family. Each dog is an individual, so we are bound to find a surprise in the package, but overall the dog chosen will probably work well for us. I prefer breeds over mixes, just to be closer to my chosen dog goal. However I know MANY excellent mixed breed dogs who are lovely animals. They make their owners very happy, which is all you really want from a dog anyway. Dogs (and other pets) are about the only "love money can buy" to be found. Enjoy your new pet, they open up a whole new world for you.

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leastrock
I Visited Candy Mountain and All I Got Was This Lousy Incision
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Really great advice, y'all, and I agree with everything goodhors said. I know far too many people who have adopted or purchased a dog based on looks with no regard to the dog's original purpose/intent and how that coincides with their lifestyle. It is something I am really trying to avoid.

I decided to rescind my application at the shelter but believe it is for the best. I would rather give my specifications and traits I am seeking in a dog and be matched. At this point, going to a shelter and choosing isn't the best option for me. I have contacted a few rescues I was recommended (including Danny and Ron's) and I am just waiting to hear back.

Thanks again for the help.
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TatteredDaydreamer
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I adopted Emmett from Danny and Ron years ago and I have to say he's the best dog I've ever owned. I made the trek from PA to Keswick, VA where they happened to be one weekend and they brought him with them. The first thing he did when he came out of the stall was stand on his hind legs, wrapped his front legs around me and gave me a hug. It only took one minute of those kind, soulful brown eyes staring into mine and I was hooked. He's sweet, playful, smart as a whip and the best friend I could ever ask for. I would adopt from them in a second if I needed/wanted a second dog.
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Witchy
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Give my mom a call. Kate Scott 570-842-4768 Friends of Pep rescue. Tell her what you have in mind for the types of things you do, the lifestyle you live and what you actually expect from your dog. Be truthful and also realize that your expectations may not always be realistic. Tell her Laurie, her daughter, said to call. She will be glad to help you.

Her dogs are already spayed/neutered, have all shots and the adoption fee is $250.00 for an adult dog or $300.00 for a puppy unless she had to pay some crazy fees to rescue them. She had a bunch of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels that cost a lot of money for vet fees and transport out of Texas, so they cost a little more.

She lives with the dogs she adopts out, so she really gets to know them in a home setting. They aren't just kept in a kennel, and the grandkids are always around causing havoc, so she knows which ones are good with kids too.

She's in Gouldsboro, PA. It's in the Pocono Mountains, so a nice drive this time of year.

She will also take dogs back at any time if they arent working out. Heck, I even returned one to her. I had a terrier mix who just kept getting himself into trouble on my farm. I'm not a person who wants to keep my dog in a fence. I take them with me to the barn and am used to dogs who just stayed out of trouble. This dog, just kept finding ways to try to kill himself, so I brought him back and she found him a home where he's kept in a fenced yard and walked on a leash.

She gets tons of purebred dogs and lots of mixes of all sizes, so you can let her know what you have in mind. Most of her dogs aren't on the petfinder site. They come and go so quickly that they don't ever get on the site and she's always too busy to keep up with it. Plus she takes awful pictures. :teehee:

http://www.petfinder.com/pet-search?animal_type=Dog&pet_breed=&location=18424&startsearch=Search Here's a link to her petfinder page. It says Border Collie Rescue, but she has may types of dogs. She started with Border Collies and the shelters she deals with started to beg her to take really great dogs that were on the kill lists, so she expanded to any kind of dog.
Edited by Witchy, Oct 24 2012, 10:57 AM.
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leastrock
I Visited Candy Mountain and All I Got Was This Lousy Incision
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I have been in contact with a local rescue. I gave them the traits I wanted in a dog and told them all about my life. I'm still waiting to hear back on some possible matches but it looks like next weekend may be when I get the dog.

My biggest question now is...what do I feed it? I am on a somewhat limited budget but will not feed my dog a low-quality food (I'd go hungry myself, first). The options and choices are just a bit overwhelming. I know it depends on the dog's breed, age, and activity level but is there a brand (or brands) that are generally good that don't cost more than I spend on my groceries? :-)
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WhySoSerious
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I have fed my dogs a few different brands of food. I have fed them Wellness and Taste of the Wild on the higher end, which are both grain free. They much preffered TOTW over the Wellness (which also gave them horrible gas).

When we added a third dog, we kept them on the TOTW for quite a while, but it was just a little too expensive for us at the time, since we were having to buy food more often. I switched to Canidae for a while which they did well on and it was a little less expensive than TOTW and Wellness, but I still needed to trim down by budget a bit.

I switched them to Iams briefly, then to Science Diet when the store was out of Iams. I know there are a lot of people who are against foods like Iams and SD, but I would rather feed those than the alternatively cheap grocery store brands. Honestly my dogs have done well on all of the foods and they seem to be doing just as well on the Science Diet as they did on the Taste of The Wild.

I guess another thing to consider is the size of the kibble. I have 3 dogs, a Chihuahua, a Mini Schnauzer and a Llewellin Setter. So 3 different sizes of dogs. Some brands only have one kibble size, which are too big for my Chi. That was part of the issue with the Canidae. TOTW is pretty small kibble, Wellness has their toy breed food and Iams and Science Diet have small bites.
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Indy
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For the past two year we've been feeding Riley Merrick 5-Star dry food. He's an easy keeper and would eat shredded cardboard if presented with it, but he does very well on it. Shiny coat, good energy and weight level. He'll eat any of their flavor varieties but let me know his displeasure about the trout version (he ate it, but every meal for over a month he would look at his bowl, look at me, sigh loudly, and then eat). We mostly stick to the poultry versions now. They just reformulated everything and I think it's gotten a bit more expensive, but good deals can be had at online stores like Pet Food Direct. The kibble sizes are fairly small and I'm pretty sure they now have a small-dog variety.

Before Merrick he ate Innova, which he also did well on but that got hard for me to find for a while so we switched over. I think his coat looks better on the Merrick.
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onwego
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Mine has tried lots of different things and we have been on Wellness now for the longest with the best results. She's a lab so she's an easy keeper and lives on a diet, so luckily she doesn't eat a ton. As far as preference for one brand over another for her, again she's a lab and would happily eat sawdust if that is what ended up in her bowl. She does have food allergies and I'm guessing they are some sort of grain issue. With some foods she would get a rash across her belly and vomit. Allergy testing is expensive so I just played around with foods until I found one that worked. You can also go to your local pet store and ask them about food. Some stores do a "buy 10 bags, get the next one free" sort of deal with some brands. Or if you l buy the extra large bag, while it seems like a lot, ends up saving $$ because you get more for your money. Unfortunately it may be a bit of trial and error in the beginning to figure out what works. If you end up with a picky dog, some pet stores will have trial sized samples of different food so you figure out what your dog is willing to eat without having to buy a bag. I would also talk to your vet and ask them what dog food they recommend in your price range. Good luck!!


Edited by onwego, Nov 1 2012, 01:16 PM.
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