Dog Adoption Without Info About Dog

[Anonymous]

Would you adopt a dog you've never met before and know very little information about? We are looking to adopt and are working with a couple of organizations. Lucky Dog has the option to adopt a dog that is arriving to DC from another area without the dog going into foster first. The upside is, this makes for a fast adoption, but the downside is that they haven't really gotten to know the dog and have very little information to provide about the dog's demeanor, temperament, etc. We would just be going on a photo alone and taking a chance. We found a dog we like through them, but he is available for this type of adoption and we just don't much more about the dog than that he likes going on walks and supposedly is good with kids, so we're sort of torn on what to do. They do allow you to return the dog after two weeks, but that just seems cruel to everyone involved. Have you taken this risk before--has it worked out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would you adopt a dog you've never met before and know very little information about? We are looking to adopt and are working with a couple of organizations. Lucky Dog has the option to adopt a dog that is arriving to DC from another area without the dog going into foster first. The upside is, this makes for a fast adoption, but the downside is that they haven't really gotten to know the dog and have very little information to provide about the dog's demeanor, temperament, etc. We would just be going on a photo alone and taking a chance. We found a dog we like through them, but he is available for this type of adoption and we just don't much more about the dog than that he likes going on walks and supposedly is good with kids, so we're sort of torn on what to do. They do allow you to return the dog after two weeks, but that just seems cruel to everyone involved. Have you taken this risk before--has it worked out?

How old is the dog? If its still young, 12mo or under, it will still need a lot of training so you have to expect that but it also lets you train it how you want it ot be. If its older, it may have habits and traits you don't like that will be harder to train away.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Would you adopt a dog you've never met before and know very little information about? We are looking to adopt and are working with a couple of organizations. Lucky Dog has the option to adopt a dog that is arriving to DC from another area without the dog going into foster first. The upside is, this makes for a fast adoption, but the downside is that they haven't really gotten to know the dog and have very little information to provide about the dog's demeanor, temperament, etc. We would just be going on a photo alone and taking a chance. We found a dog we like through them, but he is available for this type of adoption and we just don't much more about the dog than that he likes going on walks and supposedly is good with kids, so we're sort of torn on what to do. They do allow you to return the dog after two weeks, but that just seems cruel to everyone involved. Have you taken this risk before--has it worked out?

How old is the dog? If its still young, 12mo or under, it will still need a lot of training so you have to expect that but it also lets you train it how you want it ot be. If its older, it may have habits and traits you don't like that will be harder to train away.

Same responder here - i have adopted 3 dogs in my life, we knew nothing about any of them but they were all under 6 months old. Worked out great.

[Anonymous]

If it is a puppy, then it should be ok. Adult dogs would be harder to train if there are any issues. Can you do foster to adopt? That way you can foster the dog with intent to adopt and if you see his temperament or energy level is not a good match you don't have to go through the adoption.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all--he's 2 years old. He's at a shelter in TX and is making his way up to DC this weekend. My only hesitation is that we have kids and Lucky Dog hasn't been able to provide much more info about how he's been around kids other than that he's approved to go to homes with kids. He does look very sweet based on his photo. But that's really all we've got. He's a tri-color shepherd type (one blue/one brown eye)

[Anonymous]

I would. Dogs in shelters get adopted without being in foster care first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would. Dogs in shelters get adopted without being in foster care first.

+1. We didn’t know anything about our beagle besides what the shelter told us and that she was a stray from West Virginia. It worked out wonderfully, but I know others aren’t so lucky.

It sounds like they do know some about him which is great!

[Anonymous]

Also could you just be his foster for now and then adopt if it works out?? It seems like that would be best for all involved.

[Anonymous]

I personally wouldn’t, and would need to meet the dog first or at a minimum, have an idea of his personality. I think with kids temperament is very important, and you can’t tell that from a photo. Lucky dog should understand that and give you first dibs to meet him when he arrives

[Anonymous]

I think I see the dog you’re considering and he looks SO sweet & like he could be a big love bug! Good luck with whatever you wind up doing - I hope it works out!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I personally wouldn’t, and would need to meet the dog first or at a minimum, have an idea of his personality. I think with kids temperament is very important, and you can’t tell that from a photo. Lucky dog should understand that and give you first dibs to meet him when he arrives

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think I see the dog you’re considering and he looks SO sweet & like he could be a big love bug! Good luck with whatever you wind up doing - I hope it works out!!

Yes, it's Tommy. lol. He just looks so sweet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think I see the dog you’re considering and he looks SO sweet & like he could be a big love bug! Good luck with whatever you wind up doing - I hope it works out!!

Yes, it's Tommy. lol. He just looks so sweet.

He really does! Crossing my fingers that he is the perfect dog for your family. I’m sure LD will work with you. They’re supposed to be a great organization.

[Anonymous]

Here's our example of getting lucky with getting a rescue without meeting him first: We visited many shelters in the area, and rejected many dogs (to hyper, to much pitbull, no personality, etc.), and ended up going to PA to rescue our guy. We knew nothing about him other than he was a rescue, mixed breed, and was looking for a home. They told us he was 2, our vet said more likely 1, and we've had him 8 years now - he's the best dog ever! A happy-go-lucky dog was great with our kids when they were young (and others who poked and petted heavy-handed when we all walked to ES), and is still a happy dog, who my teens now say, "is chill."

[Anonymous]

We adopted a 5 month old dog from Lucky Dog last year. While we "met" her at the adoption event, she was literally passed out asleep on the floor. So even though we met her before adopting, we really knew nothing about her temperament.

She has turned out to be a wonderful dog btw and we feel lucky she's ours!