Dog Community

Roscoe might be getting a sister!!

Posted : 5/16/2006 1:00:46 PM

Long story, short... my husband has come around to my way of thinking that a second dog would be a good thing (all those articles/posts about multiple-dog households I read him finally paid off!!). So we're going tomorrow to check out this girl:

[linkhttp://tinyurl.com/knmk5]http://tinyurl.com/knmk5[/link]

She was an owner surrender from a guy who had TWELVE coonhounds.

I forgot to ask why she was surrendered.

She gets along with all the dogs they've had her with, is super-affectionate, mild-mannered, and sweet. Not tested with cats, though. So we're going to walk her by some cats when we get there.

Any tips for evaluating a shelter dog? I got a few from another board (testing noise reactivity, resource guarding, and accepting friendly strangers), but I wanted to get as many as possible. We really want to pick the right dog for our household, not just get the first one that seems cute and friendly, you know?

Thanks!!

RileysMommy

Posted : 5/16/2006 1:21:57 PM

I have no suggestions on what to look for but I'm awfully happy for you and Roscoe on the possibility of a new family member. Good luck with everything.

dackelfan

Posted : 5/16/2006 1:23:52 PM

She is cute. Hope everything works out for you.

rredbird

Posted : 5/16/2006 1:28:34 PM

Very sweet looking girl! If everythings looks good why not foster her until you can decide if she is the one you want or not? Helps the shelter and you!

Good luck!

Prince_Pride

Posted : 5/16/2006 1:47:45 PM

Oooooooh!! She sure is pretty! Good luck, I hope you get her!

Oh, BTW, how exactly did you convince DH?? I ALMOST have mine there but need some more ideas to get him on board with the whole "sister for Prince" bandwagon [

]

jensw

Posted : 5/16/2006 2:27:13 PM

Oh, BTW, how exactly did you convince DH?? I ALMOST have mine there but need some more ideas to get him on board with the whole "sister for Prince" bandwagon []

Honestly? Not really sure. [

] I just kept talking and talking and talking about how good it is to have two dogs, and what fun we could have, and all the pros of having two dogs. But then I also gave serious, out-loud, consideration to the cons of two dogs. So he knows I'm not just jumping into it for something cute and cuddly.

The things that seem to have won him over are - 1) people with kids have told us having two dogs makes having the baby so much easier. If you can't give as much attention to the dog one day, he isn't as distraught because he has a buddy to hang out with. And we're

lanning on kids soon. 2) we saw a treeing walker coonhound on craigslist - kind of a "free to good home" situation. It really upset him to think that someone unsuitable might be getting that dog and it might not have as good a life as Roscoe. We weren't able to get that boy, but it got him in the mood to rescue a dog.

rwbeagles

Posted : 5/16/2006 2:40:53 PM

Does Roscoe bay? if not, watch for that with this girl. Also the potty training might be an issue if she comes from a pack. Many times packs are kept tethered or chained and not exercised to save them up for running. Don't expect an iron clad recall ever as she's a hound and will follow her nose..she may view fencing as a challenge to be bested as well

Also activity...hounds of her type are bred to run for hours while they bay...so that could mean a lot of exercise is required...but they tend to be mellow on lead or in house if they're exercised enough

Good luck...she is a lovely lady...just research her breed and how they are kept...so you cna be aware of potential problems with health and behaviour that may arise.

ewin0210

Posted : 5/16/2006 2:48:03 PM

No words of advice. Just wanted you to know that I hope it works out and its the right girl for you!

jensw

Posted : 5/16/2006 3:35:57 PM

Thanks, everyone.

That's perfect, Gina! Exactly the sort of info I'm looking for! Thanks!

miranadobe

Posted : 5/16/2006 4:45:49 PM

From what I've read of your posts, you likely know all these things, so I'll say them for any folks reading this thread who think - "Hey, I could use that information...."

Cat tests are not always a science, especially with only one test. If you or the shelter staff are good at interpreting the reactions, you're a step ahead. Confidence around the cat without mouth contact or "threats" - barking, chasing, grabbing - are usually good. Fear could come out as something else later on, so be aware. Unlikely with a coonhound, though, right?

The dog in the shelter will not be the dog in your home - good or bad. But if you eliminate the total deal-breakers before you take her home, and are willing to commit to resolving whatever else might come up, you'll be good to go.

Speaking of commitment - fostering a dog to "try it out" might sound like a good idea, but can be like telling the dog a big fat lie. I love you, but I may not tomorrow. You can live here, but maybe not tomorrow. You're happy and safe today, but maybe not tomorrow. Did you "try out" your marriage? Nah! Trust yourself and your dog knowledge - don't feel rushed to make a decision. But once you do decide, commit to it.

Again, the regular idoggers like Roscoe's mom are well-versed in all this, but for new-to-rescue-dog-ownership folks:
Just remember slow introductions to her environment, her privileges, your expectations. All your friends and neighbors coming over the first week to meet the new dog (bringing their own dogs in tow), or giving her free reign of every room, piece of furniture, etc in your home is a bad idea. Give her smaller boundaries and let her adjust slowly. There were pressures in her previous life at the shelter, etc. Too many freedoms too quickly can amount to trouble. I like my trainer's analogy... it's like SCUBA divers who come up too quickly - she calls it the "Behavioral Bends"... Good image for me to keep in mind, so I find it useful to pass along.

Good luck!!!! And, Gracie is a good luck name, anyway!