Adopting From A Rescue Group
The hidden agendas to be aware of.
Well let me say a few things about the latest on rescue groups. Boy oh boy oh boy. They are getting MUCH worse. Watch out before you adopt from a rescue.
These are red flags before adopting from a rescue:
These are red flags before adopting from a rescue:
- Trial period (5, 10 days etc) (For their benefit, not yours)
- All your other dogs must be vaccinated and on heartworm prevention
- Foster makes decisions without consent of rescue
- Rescue denies adoption if you are using or prefer using natural products
- Rescue thinks Big Pharma is great and nothing else is acceptable
- Rescue denies adoption due to owning a truck and not a car
- Rescue does NOT take dogs in for yearly blood work and x-rays at a certain age or if needed. Only when something goes wrong
Trial periods are so they can come grab that dog for any reason at any time they want. No reasons needed!
It’s none of their business if your other dogs are vaccinated. Only Rabies is by law. The rest is not up to them.
Fosters sometimes make hasty unreasonable decisions and do not speak with owner, so make unwise decisions..like pulling the dog from your home for no reason.
If you are not a Pro-vax person, the rescue will deny you adoption because you don’t want your dogs vaccinated yearly or by any time frame. AGAIN, NOT THEIR BUSINESS!
Rescues are against natural treatments..and do not advocate for supplements.
Rescues that are huge vaccine pushers. Rabies every year for example.
Adopting a big dog..they go great in pickups. YET, rescue does not want you getting a dog so they have to get in and out of a truck. Prefer you to drive a mini cooper or alike.
Trial periods are so they can come grab that dog for any reason at any time they want. No reasons needed!
It’s none of their business if your other dogs are vaccinated. Only Rabies is by law. The rest is not up to them.
Fosters sometimes make hasty unreasonable decisions and do not speak with owner, so make unwise decisions..like pulling the dog from your home for no reason.
If you are not a Pro-vax person, the rescue will deny you adoption because you don’t want your dogs vaccinated yearly or by any time frame. AGAIN, NOT THEIR BUSINESS!
Rescues are against natural treatments..and do not advocate for supplements.
Rescues that are huge vaccine pushers. Rabies every year for example.
Adopting a big dog..they go great in pickups. YET, rescue does not want you getting a dog so they have to get in and out of a truck. Prefer you to drive a mini cooper or alike.
Rescues..and many...do not take care of their dogs. Don't allow them to use the excuse of them having a NON PROFIT status and having limited funds. If thats th case, they don't need to be in the business of rescue. They do just fine and then some. NEVER trust a rescue charging an outrageous adoption fee and especially not taking care of their pets. This is a big problem with rescues. BEWARE! They hide it well so watch closely.
You are better off getting a random dog with less BS such as from a good shelter or a person looking to rehome their dog...or one you find on the streets (strays) and you can’t find their owner. Yep you will need to get them some blood work, check for Heartworms by doing HW test and any other medical you think may be needed. X-rays are good for checking hips/back so you know where you stand. You may spend a little more on tests up front but you won’t have some rescue group trying to push you around and tell you what you can and can’t do or snatching the dog from you for no reason.
Rescues are not all created equal. Do some deep research before adopting from a rescue. MOST ALL are vaccine pushers just like vets. Use caution. I haven’t met one yet that is worthy.
Rescues are not all created equal. Do some deep research before adopting from a rescue. MOST ALL are vaccine pushers just like vets. Use caution. I haven’t met one yet that is worthy.
And with all of that said, once you bring a dog home from a shelter, a rescue, the streets, a stray etc...it doesnt matter. There is this rule going around that to give them. It's 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months. I 100% disagree. Of all the dogs I have ever adopted, found, aquired..not one has been ok after 3 days or even 3 weeks.
My opinion is:
There are no 'days' in my recommendations. Four weeks, four months and up to one year. I have seen all kinds and some just have a hard time adjusting. Any animals coming out of one home and into another..no matter how wonderul it may have been at their previous home, that dog will always need time to adjust. They have been ripped from the home they found comfortable and safe within. So no dog will be ok in the beginning. Some dogs that are balanced and have no fear issues, will adjust pretty quickly. MOST ALL will not. They will need time, love and patience. BIG emphasis on the patience. You will have a rough go at first as well.
The first week is the worst. Keep to a routine. After that, they will start learning a little bit of the routine. You will start to learn about the dog and how they act. They also may growl, fight, bite, or hide at first. Be patient. The first day keep them on a leash and attached to you at all times if other pets or children are around. Repeat each day if the dog seems growly or snarly. Give them plenty of space, plenty of places they can hide away from other pets and kids to decompress. Don't force them to do anything. Do not take them out in public around a bunch of other people on some big adventure when they are already confused and dont feel safe. Dont bring in your home a bunch of people at first. Allow them to get to know you and start to feel safe and trust you. It doesn't happen overnight. They need to be in the new home and adjusting to their new life. Four weeks is a minimum. That's the most crucial time. Help them to feel safe. Dogs that sometimes have issues with food, come that way because they havent had much food and have had to fight for it. When they realize there is plenty of food and everyone will have full tummies daily, they will start to learn that its not worth the fight. Always feed the new dog away from the others or in a locked crate until all food bowls have been picked up. DO NOT leave food down all day long.
Dogs that have really bad fear issues, it may take from 6 months to a year to really feel completely safe and comfortable and alot of times they will only feel safe in their own surroundings. Venturing out into unknown territory may make them very fearful again. Learn your new dog, pay close attention to how they act with certain noises, people etc.
Overall, it takes awhile to adjust and you must help them any way possible. if they have fear issues, it may be difficult for them to ever feel completely safe. Sometimes a fearful dog will pick one person to trust and that is it. dont expect more but you can always hope in time, that will change. Dont count on it, just hope for it.
My opinion is:
There are no 'days' in my recommendations. Four weeks, four months and up to one year. I have seen all kinds and some just have a hard time adjusting. Any animals coming out of one home and into another..no matter how wonderul it may have been at their previous home, that dog will always need time to adjust. They have been ripped from the home they found comfortable and safe within. So no dog will be ok in the beginning. Some dogs that are balanced and have no fear issues, will adjust pretty quickly. MOST ALL will not. They will need time, love and patience. BIG emphasis on the patience. You will have a rough go at first as well.
The first week is the worst. Keep to a routine. After that, they will start learning a little bit of the routine. You will start to learn about the dog and how they act. They also may growl, fight, bite, or hide at first. Be patient. The first day keep them on a leash and attached to you at all times if other pets or children are around. Repeat each day if the dog seems growly or snarly. Give them plenty of space, plenty of places they can hide away from other pets and kids to decompress. Don't force them to do anything. Do not take them out in public around a bunch of other people on some big adventure when they are already confused and dont feel safe. Dont bring in your home a bunch of people at first. Allow them to get to know you and start to feel safe and trust you. It doesn't happen overnight. They need to be in the new home and adjusting to their new life. Four weeks is a minimum. That's the most crucial time. Help them to feel safe. Dogs that sometimes have issues with food, come that way because they havent had much food and have had to fight for it. When they realize there is plenty of food and everyone will have full tummies daily, they will start to learn that its not worth the fight. Always feed the new dog away from the others or in a locked crate until all food bowls have been picked up. DO NOT leave food down all day long.
Dogs that have really bad fear issues, it may take from 6 months to a year to really feel completely safe and comfortable and alot of times they will only feel safe in their own surroundings. Venturing out into unknown territory may make them very fearful again. Learn your new dog, pay close attention to how they act with certain noises, people etc.
Overall, it takes awhile to adjust and you must help them any way possible. if they have fear issues, it may be difficult for them to ever feel completely safe. Sometimes a fearful dog will pick one person to trust and that is it. dont expect more but you can always hope in time, that will change. Dont count on it, just hope for it.
shelter pic
I pulled a dog from a shelter. She looked broken. Had given up hope. She was labeled as anti-social and was an owner surrender. Hours before being euthanized, I got her. This dog was so broken..she never fully ever recovered from her fears. She was with me for 9 years until the day or her passing. I tried everything to help her. Went to Petsmart every week to walk around getting use to people. Took her for walks and rides. When visitors came, she would be afraid and keep her distance.
The first 3 days in my home, she stayed hidden. I would only get her to come out when I felt she needed to go potty. Otherwise I let her come out on her own. She was terrified of outdoors, birds chirping, cars driving by. Eventually, she learned to be ok with cars going by and all the other normal noises you hear outdoors. The other dogs helped her as she wanted to follow along. Eventually her favorite place was out in the front yard..just watching everything at night. She knew it was home and she was ok with it. Routine is great to help fearful dogs. This was part of our nightly routine.
She didn't trust anyone except me. She tried very hard to like other people and she struggled with men the most. She ducked her head every time I went to feed her, as if someone beat her when they fed her. She struggled when I handed her a piece of food. She was hesitant to take the food from my hand. She had alot of babies in her past life also. She was terrified of all noises. Scared of the ice maker, the freezer door opening, potato peeler, gunfire on TV or any loud noises from TV, Fireworks, and Storms. As time went on, I knew she would be afraid of the potato peeler. I would tell her to go. She would go into the bedroom and get on her bed and wait. When I was done, I called her back and she came right back and laid down in the kitchen while I cooked. This is what we did for all the years I had her. She completely trusted me and I knew how to help her. She couldn't get past her fears so we worked at making her more at ease by letting her know ahead of time. She knew EXACTLY what I was telling her. She loved going for rides but did not like getting out anywhere. She was a sweet dog and I spent her entire life with me trying to make her feel at ease and to live her life without worry. She was a great dog.
So take your time, go slow, help your dog adjust, watch for signs of being afraid and being relaxed. Never leave your new dog alone with children or other pets until you 100% feel it is safe to do so. A fearful dog will bite. Not out of aggression but out of fear. Remember..Fight or Flight. If they can't run, they will fight. Dont corner them, dont push it. Let them come to you.
And to say, most all dogs will come with some sort of baggage...just like people. Just allow them feel safe and your dog will become a better dog. Some flourish and some never completely come out of it. So when you adopt, be ready for whatever that dog comes with and learn how to help them. Their lives are short, they need us their entire lives to make them feel comfortable. Some are easier than others.
The first 3 days in my home, she stayed hidden. I would only get her to come out when I felt she needed to go potty. Otherwise I let her come out on her own. She was terrified of outdoors, birds chirping, cars driving by. Eventually, she learned to be ok with cars going by and all the other normal noises you hear outdoors. The other dogs helped her as she wanted to follow along. Eventually her favorite place was out in the front yard..just watching everything at night. She knew it was home and she was ok with it. Routine is great to help fearful dogs. This was part of our nightly routine.
She didn't trust anyone except me. She tried very hard to like other people and she struggled with men the most. She ducked her head every time I went to feed her, as if someone beat her when they fed her. She struggled when I handed her a piece of food. She was hesitant to take the food from my hand. She had alot of babies in her past life also. She was terrified of all noises. Scared of the ice maker, the freezer door opening, potato peeler, gunfire on TV or any loud noises from TV, Fireworks, and Storms. As time went on, I knew she would be afraid of the potato peeler. I would tell her to go. She would go into the bedroom and get on her bed and wait. When I was done, I called her back and she came right back and laid down in the kitchen while I cooked. This is what we did for all the years I had her. She completely trusted me and I knew how to help her. She couldn't get past her fears so we worked at making her more at ease by letting her know ahead of time. She knew EXACTLY what I was telling her. She loved going for rides but did not like getting out anywhere. She was a sweet dog and I spent her entire life with me trying to make her feel at ease and to live her life without worry. She was a great dog.
So take your time, go slow, help your dog adjust, watch for signs of being afraid and being relaxed. Never leave your new dog alone with children or other pets until you 100% feel it is safe to do so. A fearful dog will bite. Not out of aggression but out of fear. Remember..Fight or Flight. If they can't run, they will fight. Dont corner them, dont push it. Let them come to you.
And to say, most all dogs will come with some sort of baggage...just like people. Just allow them feel safe and your dog will become a better dog. Some flourish and some never completely come out of it. So when you adopt, be ready for whatever that dog comes with and learn how to help them. Their lives are short, they need us their entire lives to make them feel comfortable. Some are easier than others.
