Quote: ana kozlowsky

Do you ever notice how in a shelter most dogs are jumping onto the bars of their kennels, wanting to go with you.

At adoption fairs most dogs seem to be content sitting in their crates, not so eager to go out meet new people.

A lot of these fosters are very reluctant to take a walk with a potential adopter.

Why is that? Could it be beneficial to introduce fosters to carefully selected "strangers" at some point and get them used to be handled by different people?

For me, "at some point" is not in the first few days at my house. I didn't mean to say "never." I was probably completely unclear.

I don't have a timeline, but I do want the dog to trust me before I even think about adding folks from outside the house into the mix.

I suspect that any difference in POV here may be nothing more significant than timing.

I can't comment on shelters versus fairs. I foster for a rescue, and rehab for a shelter, but no fairs involved.

Good question; good point of discussion.

eta
Again, I really do suspect we all mean the same thing but have differences in dog ages as well as level of damage/fear as well as how long we each take to do what we do ..... but I am very interested in the whole fair-dog versus shelter-dog reaction topic if anyone wants to start a thread (thinking it might pull this one off the rails a little). Good point, good topic.

Edited by Connie Sutherland (04/22/2011 02:38 PM)
Edit reason: eta

 Quote: connie sutherland

 Quote: ana kozlowsky

Do you ever notice how in a shelter most dogs are jumping onto the bars of their kennels, wanting to go with you.

These may be dogs that have lived in homes, socialized early, and turned into a shelter only because they no longer fit into someones lifestyle or budget. Very unlike the adult puppy mill dog, or dog that has spent his life in a kennel with little to no human interaction or outside world.


At adoption fairs most dogs seem to be content sitting in their crates, not so eager to go out meet new people.

I am not that familiar with adoption fairs.

A lot of these fosters are very reluctant to take a walk with a potential adopter.

When I find the right home for adoption, I have the family make several visits to my home prior to them leaving with the dog.

Why is that? Could it be beneficial to introduce fosters to carefully selected "strangers" at some point and get them used to be handled by different people?

Yes, but each case is individual. In Janet's case, a fearful dog, raised in a kennel ,two brief adoptions that most likely were negative experiences, and two noted situations of “snapping” at humans. I would want to make sure I have the dog's trust before meeting new people,he's facing enough demons being in the house, stranger interaction for this dog would come later.

For me, "at some point" is not in the first few days at my house. I didn't mean to say "never." I was probably completely unclear.

I don't have a timeline, but I do want the dog to trust me before I even think about adding folks from outside the house into the mix.


I suspect that any difference in POV here may be nothing more significant than timing.I can't comment on shelters versus fairs. I foster for a rescue, and rehab for a shelter, but no fairs involved.

Good question; good point of discussion.

I guess I was trying to approach this question from a POV of a potential adopter and not a rescuer. I have a LOT of experience with the former and almost zero with the latter.

Not to jump the tracks with the not-quite-the-same-topic as the O.P., I started a new thread here:
http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=329086&page=0#Post329086

and to get back on the O.P. track (and no question that the sub-topic that has its own thread now is deeply entwined with this one!):

 Quote: Janet Dudley

Thanks so much.

I'll try this starting this evening. I'm off tomorrow, so I'm hoping for a dry, sunny day outside!

Have a great weekend, everybody.

I did not check this thread over the weekend. We had serious storms and trees down on our property...scared kids and dogs.

Meredith, you're right! He looks a great deal like the dog in the picture! I had thought husky because of his tail.

Because of the storms, we did not have quite the full house that I'd expected. WHen some family did come over, Dudley was quite content to stay in his room.

He is taking treats out of my hand now and he layed down in the living room and went to sleep with me and my older children watching TV. It may not sound like a big deal, but it's the first time he's relaxed with several people in a room. When I take him out on the property on a drag line, (just alone with me), his recall is amazing. I'm not trying to train it really, just call him back when he gets to the tree line. He almost seems to be learning where he can and can't go without me trying that hard.

I'll probably come off all gushy, but he has started to look at me all the time! He looks at me before he goes through a door or comes out of his crate. I just say, "go ahead", and he does! It's a really cool feeling to have him almost ask for permission to do anything. He has also taken to putting his front paws on me occasionally when I'm sitting. I'm not really sure how to respond to this, because I know affection should be given on my terms, but I love that he's approaching me this way. I've been gently saying off and making him get down and then petting him.

Thanks again for all the input, compliments and suggestions. My family is getting a little sick of me talking dogs all the time,so it's nice to talk to you guys.

Just an update on Dudley.

He's doing really well. I'm learning what scares him and avoiding those things. (My wind chimes are all put away.) The only strangers he's met is my neice who is dog sitting for me next weekend. She spent the whole day at my house...sitting and waiting for him to come to her...which he did. I think he does better with women.

I think he may be picking up on some of the commands I use with Ollie. He will sit and come when I call him. Last night, he caught a rabbit in the front of the house. It totally grossed me out but I was so impressed with how fast he can move! After he caught it, I called him to me. He came right away and dropped the bunny at my feet!!!! YUCK! He left it and followed me back in the house...prancing like he'd really done something amazing. I went back out and disposed of the rabbit.

So, I was really impressed that he stopped in mid attack/play and came to me with the rabbit! I would have expected him to ignore me or try to run with it. This is a good sign, right? (obedience/temperment wise)

Here's some pictures of Dudley from last night.

I get this look a lot!
http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy211/janetdunut/dudley3.jpg


http://i793.photobucket.com/albums/yy211/janetdunut/dudley4.jpg

Janet, I just now read through this entire thread and I have to say I am very impressed with what you have done for Dudley, he really sounds like he is doing great. He is adorable BTW. I love these new pictures of him.

I am like Cheri and it just warms my heart when good people get to foster and help dogs find new homes, what a special gift you are giving Dudley. But I imagine it is hard to let the special ones go.
I just wanted to pat you on the back and say what a great job you are doing.

THank you, Joyce! That is so nnice of you.

I'm finding out that it is hard to let them go because I start thinking, "this is such a great dog! Maybe..." But, I keep reminding myself that most dogs can be great dogs if given a chance.

He'll be posted on Petfinder today or tomorrow. This makes me nervous as I don't know if he's ready, but my contact info will be listed and they are going to let me interview any prospective adopters. I told them I was going to insist that whoever is interested in him visit my home several times and take it very slow before a decision is made. I really think that is the best way. It has to be someone who understands the amount of patience he will require. Even still, I think he'll be with me for a while longer.I understand the rescue's point of view, but I don't want to rush this one.