(Continued from last week)
When you are adopting a dog, especially one from the GSPCA Shelter, there are certain considerations that have to be factored into the exercise. Below are listed some of those undertakings:
- Walk through the entire kennel area at least once to identify initially some dogs who appeal to you. Stand a few feet away from the ones you like and watch how they react to other people. Then spend a few minutes greeting the dogs you’ve chosen through their kennel doors.
- Look for signs of friendliness, like pawing, wagging, exhibiting an eager approach and pressing against the front of the kennel.
- If you have a family with young children or an active lifestyle, you may want to steer clear of dogs who hang back in their kennels, too afraid to greet you or others. Some fearful dogs take a lot of work, may not adapt well to your home and may snap or bite if they feel threatened.
- If you don’t have children, don’t rule out a dog you’re interested in just because he’s shy. Keep in mind that you’re seeing him in a very stressful environment and that most dogs behave better in a home than they do in a shelter. Perhaps the shy dog just arrived at the shelter and is upset by all the commotion. Ask to visit with him outside of the kennel area so you can get a better idea of who he really is.
- Like dogs who retreat to the back of their kennel, a dog who’s jumping, barking or spinning like a maniac in his kennel may just be reacting to the stress of shelter life. It’s a good idea to visit with such a dog in a calmer area. While you’re interacting with him, note whether the dog seems calmer and friendlier once out of the kennel area.
- If a dog freezes, stares at you stiffly, growls or raises his hackles, move on. These are all signs of an unfriendly and possibly aggressive dog.
- Talk to the staff in our Shelter. Staff members usually become familiar with the personality of each resident dog through daily interactions. Ask all of the questions you brought with you, and ask for our staff’s personal impressions of the dogs you’re considering.
- Spend quality time with your top choices. Our Shelter once it is convenient, would let you walk the dogs around the yard space in front of the entrance to the Clinic; you might wish to see the dog closer up on the table in the visiting room or in the waiting room. Getting closer to the dog on the table would allow you to more easily see if there are obvious problems, eg a hernia, deformities in the extremities (leg especially), physical defects, ailments of the eyes or ears, etc.
- Take advantage of all opportunities to interact with the dogs you’re considering. As you visit with each dog, think about your list of expectations and needs. A very social dog who persistently seeks out your affection, enjoys lots of attention and seems to adore petting might be a good choice for a family with children. This kind of dog would also be great for someone who wants to spend quality time with elderly family friends. An older dog who’s a little more independent might be a better choice for someone who needs to be away from home for long hours. An energetic dog would be wonderful for someone who does a lot of jogging, or biking.
- Start with quiet time.
For the first few minutes with a potential adoptee, just sit quietly with him. Don’t touch or talk to him, and see what he chooses to do. The GSPCA Shelter can be noisy and distracting. See if he eventually approaches you and works to get your attention? Or does he focus on other things instead? After sitting quietly for a few minutes, pet and talk to the dog if he’s friendly. Does he seem to like being stroked and touched? If you stop petting him, does he walk away or ask for more? If you’re looking for an independent companion, a dog who doesn’t seem especially eager to get your attention might suit you well. However, if you’re looking for a very social, interactive dog, one who can’t get enough of you might be best fit.
- Take the dog for a walk.
If our Clinic’s Administratix allows you to take one of the possible adoption choices out for a walk, even in the bustling Bourda Market area, don’t worry too much about him jumping up and pulling on the leash. Most dogs will do these things if they haven’t been trained to behave differently, especially if they’ve been cooped up in a kennel for days, weeks or months. Just be sure you’re able to hang on and gently control the dog. As you walk, take note of his demeanour. Is he eager to greet people you encounter? Does he seem to take outdoor sights and sounds in stride? If he barks, lunges, growls, cowers, freezes in terror or trembles uncontrollably when he sees people, other dogs or cars that pass, he may not have been thoroughly socialized as a puppy. Be warned: It will take considerable time and effort to retain and socialize this king of dogs – and there’s no guarantee that his behaviour will improve.
- Play with the dog.
Try to engage the dog in a game of tug-of-war, chase or fetch. Play for several minutes, letting the dog get excited and energized. Then abruptly stop playing and put the toy away. Observe how long it takes the dog to calm back down and resume socializing with you. Ideally, the dog will calm down within a couple of minutes. If he takes much than that, you may have a sports champion on your hands, but perhaps not the most easygoing house pet.
- Make sure the dog adores your children.
If you have children, it’s important to take some extra precautions when choosing a new dog. You want him to adore your children as much as you do. If possible, choose a dog who has lived with kids before and enjoy lots of pleasant experiences with them. Bring your children with you to our Shelter, and look for a dog who seems to like them at least as much as he likes adults. In fact, it’s best to adopt a dog who prefers children. If a dog moves away from your children, avoids or ignores them, flinches at their touch or seems anxious or upset by their voices or movements, he’s not the dog for your family. Your children must come first, so you need to find a dog who doesn’t just tolerate them well – he should love it when they play with him and touch him all over. When meeting a dog you’re considering, do some things that your kids might do when interacting with him. Try hugging him around the neck. Gently poke, prod and push him. Touch his ears, tail and paws. In response, the dog should just wag happily and seek more attention. If he gets stiff, tucks his tail, growls, shows his teeth, quickly retreats or whips his head around toward you hand when you touch him, he’s not the right choice for you. Another important thing to watch out for is possessiveness. Ask the Shelter staff to show you how the dog reacts when they take away his food, toys, and chew bones. A dog who becomes aggressive when eating or playing with toys is not a safe choice for a family with children.
Next week we will look at some other elements to be considered when adopting a dog.
Please implement disease preventative measures (vaccinations, routine dewormings, monthly anti-heartworm medication, etc) and adopt-a-pet from the GSPCA’s Animal Clinic and Shelter at Robb Street and Orange Walk, if you have the wherewithal to care well for the animals. Do not stray your unwanted pets, take them to the GSPCA’s Clinic and Shelter instead. If you do not wish your pet to have puppies or kittens, you may exploit the GSPCA’s free spay and neutering programme. If you see anyone being cruel to an animal, or if you need any technical information, please get in touch with the Clinic and Shelter by calling 226-4237.
