We want to adopt a dog but buying seems to be so much easier…please help!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, our next dog will be a purchase. I would buy a puppy.

Our current dog is our 7th rescue dog. He's a disaster and we were lied to about him, but we didn't return him because we didn't want to add on to his issues. Also, we were in a position at the time to care for his special needs.

When we rescued him, we were told that he was surrendered by his owners and had been in a foster situation. Did great with kids and all other animals. No bite history (because we always ask about this). Yeah, they kept all of his "special needs" hidden and we had to get very forceful to get access to his file.

His file listed that after he was surrendered, he went to 3 foster families and was returned by 4 different adopters all within a 6 month span. It also listed his severe separation anxiety and destructive tendencies when left alone, both crated and uncrated. Umm, understatement of the year!

He can't be left alone at all ever. He destroyed his crate the first time he went in it and hurt himself. He destroyed hundreds of dollars of items in the house when he was left alone out of his crate (all of this was before we demanded to see his file). He can't even be left alone while we use the bathroom or he'll constantly paw at the door.

If we want to go out shopping or out to dinner as a family, we have to take him to doggy daycare. When we want to go out of town, we hire someone to stay in our house with. He can't get boarded because of his crate anxiety and issues with trying to escape to the point of hurting himself.

He's on medication for the anxiety but it just barely takes the edge off. He's tried them all and all had the same results. We've tried trainers and behaviorists and none could do anything with him.

And honestly, he doesn't even like us that much. He kind of just puts up with us and takes comfort in us always being there. His first owners must have driven a pickup truck because when he sees a pickup truck, he wants to go to it. He has to examine every pickup truck he sees. We have had him for 4 years and he's spent every moment outside of the house for the past 4 years looking for his original owners.

That’s very kind of you pp not to throw him out. It’s really sad how some people get dogs, don’t really care much for them and then just return them like an item. This dog’s issues may be inborn, but could also be reflection of the way he was treated.

[Anonymous]

OP, I have had better luck with breed-specific rescues, including during the pandemic. If you can narrow down a breed you're interested in, you could try that route. Advantages:

The rescues are smaller operations than the all-breed rescues, and thus often have fewer applicants and process a lower volume of dogs. That means fewer dogs available, but also typically far fewer applicants for volunteers to keep track of. And the chances of getting a dog fresh off of transport from rural shelters who has not been fully evaluated for temperament are far less.

Everyone involved in these rescues knows the specific health and temperament issues of the breed really well, so you are much more likely to have dogs evaluated by fosters who are very experienced with the breed. Most breed-specific rescues also have mixes of that breed, but the expertise is still relevant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We adopted through WTAR, and they have several puppies available now: https://www.wtarescue.com/adopt-a-dog

I think they get new ones almost every week.

Yep!
Get a puppy from Wolf Trap. You can even foster to adopt and get first dibs and have a trial period with the puppy.

Another vote for WTAR.
I will say that the breeds our dog was estimated to be could not have been further from what the dog dna test revealed. I think rescues guess to the best of their ability so I'm not upset about it though.

[Anonymous]

Plenty of puppies are adoptable from here:
https://www.savinggraceanimalrescuemd.com/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, our next dog will be a purchase. I would buy a puppy.

Our current dog is our 7th rescue dog. He's a disaster and we were lied to about him, but we didn't return him because we didn't want to add on to his issues. Also, we were in a position at the time to care for his special needs.

When we rescued him, we were told that he was surrendered by his owners and had been in a foster situation. Did great with kids and all other animals. No bite history (because we always ask about this). Yeah, they kept all of his "special needs" hidden and we had to get very forceful to get access to his file.

His file listed that after he was surrendered, he went to 3 foster families and was returned by 4 different adopters all within a 6 month span. It also listed his severe separation anxiety and destructive tendencies when left alone, both crated and uncrated. Umm, understatement of the year!

He can't be left alone at all ever. He destroyed his crate the first time he went in it and hurt himself. He destroyed hundreds of dollars of items in the house when he was left alone out of his crate (all of this was before we demanded to see his file). He can't even be left alone while we use the bathroom or he'll constantly paw at the door.

If we want to go out shopping or out to dinner as a family, we have to take him to doggy daycare. When we want to go out of town, we hire someone to stay in our house with. He can't get boarded because of his crate anxiety and issues with trying to escape to the point of hurting himself.

He's on medication for the anxiety but it just barely takes the edge off. He's tried them all and all had the same results. We've tried trainers and behaviorists and none could do anything with him.

And honestly, he doesn't even like us that much. He kind of just puts up with us and takes comfort in us always being there. His first owners must have driven a pickup truck because when he sees a pickup truck, he wants to go to it. He has to examine every pickup truck he sees. We have had him for 4 years and he's spent every moment outside of the house for the past 4 years looking for his original owners.

This is so unbelievably sad. You are a saint.

But this is also why I will never adopt at a shelter. When we started looking for a dog, it was breeders only.

np Hey, pp I have an anecdotical story I can share too! My SIL always buys her dogs from a breeder. Guess what? she just rehomed her dog because of all its problems. Meanwhile I adopted a sweet 2 year old mutt from Lucky dog and she is the best dog ever. Now over 13 and going strong. We adopted our second dog from k9lifesavers as an 8 week old and he is very smart and sweet. He is a lot of work but, not because he is a rescue but, because he is a puppy.

So, I won't ever buy a dog but, I am not here telling op what to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, our next dog will be a purchase. I would buy a puppy.

Our current dog is our 7th rescue dog. He's a disaster and we were lied to about him, but we didn't return him because we didn't want to add on to his issues. Also, we were in a position at the time to care for his special needs.

When we rescued him, we were told that he was surrendered by his owners and had been in a foster situation. Did great with kids and all other animals. No bite history (because we always ask about this). Yeah, they kept all of his "special needs" hidden and we had to get very forceful to get access to his file.

His file listed that after he was surrendered, he went to 3 foster families and was returned by 4 different adopters all within a 6 month span. It also listed his severe separation anxiety and destructive tendencies when left alone, both crated and uncrated. Umm, understatement of the year!

He can't be left alone at all ever. He destroyed his crate the first time he went in it and hurt himself. He destroyed hundreds of dollars of items in the house when he was left alone out of his crate (all of this was before we demanded to see his file). He can't even be left alone while we use the bathroom or he'll constantly paw at the door.

If we want to go out shopping or out to dinner as a family, we have to take him to doggy daycare. When we want to go out of town, we hire someone to stay in our house with. He can't get boarded because of his crate anxiety and issues with trying to escape to the point of hurting himself.

He's on medication for the anxiety but it just barely takes the edge off. He's tried them all and all had the same results. We've tried trainers and behaviorists and none could do anything with him.

And honestly, he doesn't even like us that much. He kind of just puts up with us and takes comfort in us always being there. His first owners must have driven a pickup truck because when he sees a pickup truck, he wants to go to it. He has to examine every pickup truck he sees. We have had him for 4 years and he's spent every moment outside of the house for the past 4 years looking for his original owners.

I would have returned this dog.

Unpopular opinion - not all dogs are adoptable. Rescues that continue to adopt out dogs that they KNOW have major issues are actively hurting the cause because it turns off potential adopters who hear stories like this one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Describe the dog you’re looking for.

OP here. We are looking for a dog on the smaller side. We’re not very picky in terms of breed but definitely prefer smaller breeds. We are even open to adopting an older dog.

Forget the rescues. There is a reason that small dogs, in particular, are needing new homes & still available. Decide what breed appeals to you & if you can reasonably provide what it needs. "Smaller breeds" are not at all the same. Then contact reputable breeders to discuss. If they approve you, then get on their waiting list for a puppy or for an older dog they may be interested in retiring. It will take longer but it reduces the risk consierably.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Describe the dog you’re looking for.

OP here. We are looking for a dog on the smaller side. We’re not very picky in terms of breed but definitely prefer smaller breeds. We are even open to adopting an older dog.

Forget the rescues. There is a reason that small dogs, in particular, are needing new homes & still available. Decide what breed appeals to you & if you can reasonably provide what it needs. "Smaller breeds" are not at all the same. Then contact reputable breeders to discuss. If they approve you, then get on their waiting list for a puppy or for an older dog they may be interested in retiring. It will take longer but it reduces the risk consierably.

There is some truth to this. Most of the adoptable small dogs I see come up are chihuahua mixes, elderly, or both.

[Anonymous]

Puppies are exhausting. EXHAUSTING. Give me a mature, potty trained, crate trained dog anytime.

If you foster to adopt you can try before you commit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Describe the dog you’re looking for.

OP here. We are looking for a dog on the smaller side. We’re not very picky in terms of breed but definitely prefer smaller breeds. We are even open to adopting an older dog.

Small is the only criterion? You don’t care about breed? I think you need to do some research. Different breeds have different characteristics. Some will fit your family and lifestyle better than others. Some will require very expensive regular grooming. Some will be a basket case if left alone. Some are more prone to cancer. Some will bark incessantly. Some are harder to house break. Some need more exercise than others. Some are highly reactive to other dogs. Some have a crazy high prey drive.

There are some large breed dogs that are very chill, easy for first time dog owners (I don’t know if you are one, but you sound like one), and don’t require a yard or large house. Figure out which characteristics are important to you and then research breeds to see which ones would be a good fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Describe the dog you’re looking for.

OP here. We are looking for a dog on the smaller side. We’re not very picky in terms of breed but definitely prefer smaller breeds. We are even open to adopting an older dog.

Forget the rescues. There is a reason that small dogs, in particular, are needing new homes & still available. Decide what breed appeals to you & if you can reasonably provide what it needs. "Smaller breeds" are not at all the same. Then contact reputable breeders to discuss. If they approve you, then get on their waiting list for a puppy or for an older dog they may be interested in retiring. It will take longer but it reduces the risk consierably.

There is some truth to this. Most of the adoptable small dogs I see come up are chihuahua mixes, elderly, or both.

OP here. Funny you should mention this PP. Our last dog was a rescue and also a chihuahua mix. He was the love of our lives. We absolutely adored that dog (despite his behavioral issues) and he sadly passed away recently (he was old). I am willing to deal with some behavioral issues but I can't have a dog with a bite history.

Also, thanks to all the PPs with really great suggestions. I will look into local rescue groups, fill out their adoption applications and get on their lists.

[Anonymous]

We got a rescue dog that we had to rehome because of aggression issues. We have since bought a puppy from a reputable breeder. If you have young children, I would 100% go with breeder. We learned the hard way.

[Anonymous]

I really like this rescue group. It may take a while but they’re really good about matching you with the right dog. You can also foster to adopt through them if you’re interested.

https://caninehumane.org/

[Anonymous]

Don't forget about the local shelters -- they have smaller dogs too, and are generally easier to deal with. I'm a big-dog person myself, but of the smaller dogs I've met in rescue I'm partial to the Bichons and Pug mixes.

https://www.petango.com/Adopt/Dog-Bichon-Frise-49381557

https://adopt.adopets.com/pet/7285af46-66be-44d7-b60b-3c70a0bc3eb3

https://petharbor.com/pet.asp?uaid=MONT.A485677

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, our next dog will be a purchase. I would buy a puppy.

Our current dog is our 7th rescue dog. He's a disaster and we were lied to about him, but we didn't return him because we didn't want to add on to his issues. Also, we were in a position at the time to care for his special needs.

When we rescued him, we were told that he was surrendered by his owners and had been in a foster situation. Did great with kids and all other animals. No bite history (because we always ask about this). Yeah, they kept all of his "special needs" hidden and we had to get very forceful to get access to his file.

His file listed that after he was surrendered, he went to 3 foster families and was returned by 4 different adopters all within a 6 month span. It also listed his severe separation anxiety and destructive tendencies when left alone, both crated and uncrated. Umm, understatement of the year!

He can't be left alone at all ever. He destroyed his crate the first time he went in it and hurt himself. He destroyed hundreds of dollars of items in the house when he was left alone out of his crate (all of this was before we demanded to see his file). He can't even be left alone while we use the bathroom or he'll constantly paw at the door.

If we want to go out shopping or out to dinner as a family, we have to take him to doggy daycare. When we want to go out of town, we hire someone to stay in our house with. He can't get boarded because of his crate anxiety and issues with trying to escape to the point of hurting himself.

He's on medication for the anxiety but it just barely takes the edge off. He's tried them all and all had the same results. We've tried trainers and behaviorists and none could do anything with him.

And honestly, he doesn't even like us that much. He kind of just puts up with us and takes comfort in us always being there. His first owners must have driven a pickup truck because when he sees a pickup truck, he wants to go to it. He has to examine every pickup truck he sees. We have had him for 4 years and he's spent every moment outside of the house for the past 4 years looking for his original owners.

This is so unbelievably sad. You are a saint.

But this is also why I will never adopt at a shelter. When we started looking for a dog, it was breeders only.

Yes, this PP really is a saint. FWIW, we adopted a dog nearly 20 years ago from a pound before the online rescue community was really a thing. Saw the dog on a Saturday, the day it was surrendered. Told them on the spot that we wanted to match. Had a home visit mid-week, then picked up the dog that Saturday. Was 1 1/2 years old, fully housebroken, and a total gem. Spoiled me that it took forever to get another dog after she passed. We now have another rescue. Nowhere near as easy as the first one: basically took two years to bond and we dropped a big sum in boarding/training in the early months. But now can't imagine our life without him.