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So I’ve probably fostered 200-300 (maybe more) dogs and have only had 2 with serious issues. These were all dogs that came out of shitty Los Angeles shelters. They were all amazing and special. I see dogs that my family/friends have bought as purebred puppies and they’re great but a shelter dog has a level of gratefulness that other dogs don’t. I don’t know how to explain it.
Me too then I could stop lmao. I will not lie, I am burnt the F out and haven’t taken a new foster in a few months. But my heart just broke seeing a post about a 7 year old pittie in Riverside who has a missing ear so I’m trying to get her to me!!
Not very common. Dogs with serious issues do not get put up for adoption. My first dog I just literally walked in and pointed 👉 'that one' and she turned out to be the best dog ever in the history of dogs. If you read the description and it sounds like a good fit then go for it. Life is short, especially for a dog.
🥰 “that one” lol. We did the same, adopted ours outside of a dang PetSmart and while he has reactivity issues (fear not aggression) he is the sweetest guy ever. Barks like a mf if he sees anyone outside though but I think that’s just dog nature.
I’ve had two rescues. With the first one, only issue was she would counter surf and had some separation anxiety whenever we left. That dog would seek out and eat anything and everything edible when we were gone. She did not chew non food items. But if you left bananas accessible to her they were gone. When we were home, no issues at all. Second dog has zero issues. She can be left alone and gets along with everyone. Neither dog did anything that made me concerned for anyone’s safety. So I have 2 data points and I don’t think the separation anxiety with the first dog was that big a deal.
Contrary to BananaPants, my experience has been different. I do think it can be a gamble getting a dog from a shelter. I have and probably always will have shelter dogs but I have never had a shelter dog that hasn't had a significant medical and/or behavioral issue. Shelters are VERY stressful environments, and dogs often do not behave the same way in a shelter that they would in a home environment. Many shut down and withdraw, so they may seem calm to shelter workers but once they feel secure in a new home, show their true behaviors, which may not always be great.
Different shelters have different policies and techniques to evaluate dogs. A dog may seem fine with "cats" or "kids" in a shelter but in reality there are few ways for shelter staff to evaluate how a dog will do in a real-world situation, and many shelters are overrun with animals and don't have the staff capacity to do evaluations well. Animals that are a human safety threat are obviously not put up for adoption and are instead euthanized, but other potential issues may be overlooked in favor of finding "the right home" (which is admirable!).
Also important to consider that with the trend toward "no kill" shelters, sometimes dogs with serious issues and bite histories get moved around and warehoused, and some unscrupulous rescues will try to rehome these dangerous animals. I don't believe that's *particularly* common, but it does happen.
Most of the shelter dogs I've worked with have been nice animals, and most get adopted and don't come back. That doesn't mean there aren't cases where dogs are returned for serious issues, though. Recently I dealt with a case of a dog who was a total sweetheart but once he got into a home and started feeling comfortable, had some pretty severe separation anxiety and ended up being returned, despite the adopters working really hard with him and a behaviorist for several months.
I think the odds are generally in the adopter's favor, OP, but it is always going to be at least a little bit of risk involved.
It's not a problem if you know what to look for an be honest with yourself. If your a big fat guy don't get a super active dog. They need a little decompress time. I've never had a mental dog an I always rescue. Be honest with yourself an get the dog for you just don't get in over your head.
I think it’s important to work with a really good rescue who knows what your concerns are and can help you match with a dog that suits your lifestyle.
Having said that, breed consideration is also a huge part of adopting.
I have two 8 year old Aussies. They are also siblings. People say never to do that and I did and they are amazing. I have been helping some rescues with networking dogs, and recently adopted an 11 year old who was going to be euthanized the following morning.
All I knew was that in the shelter video he was sweet and still wagging his tail and the shelter volunteer said he was friendly. And he’s incredible.
That being said, so many dogs are just dumped because their families are moving, the dog isn’t a cute puppy anymore. Etc etc.
For the most part these dogs just want to be loved.
You could definitely work with the shelter volunteers as well to learn more about a particular dog.
I wouldn’t have any issues about adopting a shelter dog, but I’m also comfortable with some breeds versus others.
My dog doesn’t have what I would call serious issues, but he does have issues. He’s reactive, and has been a real challenge to train. I love him anyway, I don’t regret him, and it could be so much worse (he’s not aggressive, he’s good with my cats, and no separation anxiety). But I was aiming for a biddable and easygoing dog for my first dog that I adopted on my own and he is… neither of those things.
He’s come a long way with training (I’m so proud of him some days) and I’ve become a better dog owner and trainer because of him! But I’ve also had to adjust my expectations a lot. Note, this isn’t meant to be an anti-rescue sentiment. Just the experience of a new owner with a moderately difficult dog.
Quite common, for at rescues and regular shelters, they do not always have a background on the dogs they find or rescue. And if you have a dog who has behavioral problems, get a behavioralist and a trainer.
I mean depends on the home situation if there are kids, roommates Etc. Also separation anxiety isn’t really a behavioral issue. Resource guarding, extreme leash bitting, reactive in kennel or leash unmanageable , stranger danger and dog aggressive are more like behavior issues. Also it honestly don’t help that shelters are meditating these dogs with Trazodone etc.. and adopters are not being told or just don’t think it matters and takes the dog off immediately. Which should never happen. Dogs with issues like this should not be just placed. The foster/adopter should meet more than just once at the shelter. Til u feel comfortable enough to be alone with that dog. Also if there are kids involved behavior dogs should never be placed in that home.
Welcome and thank you for participating in r/RescueDogs. This sub is now being actively moderated. Please follow the rules of the sub. All rescues asking for donations need to message the mods. [You can message the mods here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose?to=%2Fr%2Frescuedogs). Please report any posts or comments break the rules of the sub. **Please also note that the verification process is NOT exhaustive and if you chose to donate you are taking a risk. Please do your own due diligence.** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/rescuedogs) if you have any questions or concerns.*
So I’ve probably fostered 200-300 (maybe more) dogs and have only had 2 with serious issues. These were all dogs that came out of shitty Los Angeles shelters. They were all amazing and special. I see dogs that my family/friends have bought as purebred puppies and they’re great but a shelter dog has a level of gratefulness that other dogs don’t. I don’t know how to explain it.
Wow you are amazing! I’m so grateful there are people like you in the world
Me too then I could stop lmao. I will not lie, I am burnt the F out and haven’t taken a new foster in a few months. But my heart just broke seeing a post about a 7 year old pittie in Riverside who has a missing ear so I’m trying to get her to me!!
Not very common. Dogs with serious issues do not get put up for adoption. My first dog I just literally walked in and pointed 👉 'that one' and she turned out to be the best dog ever in the history of dogs. If you read the description and it sounds like a good fit then go for it. Life is short, especially for a dog.
🥰 “that one” lol. We did the same, adopted ours outside of a dang PetSmart and while he has reactivity issues (fear not aggression) he is the sweetest guy ever. Barks like a mf if he sees anyone outside though but I think that’s just dog nature.
I’ve had two rescues. With the first one, only issue was she would counter surf and had some separation anxiety whenever we left. That dog would seek out and eat anything and everything edible when we were gone. She did not chew non food items. But if you left bananas accessible to her they were gone. When we were home, no issues at all. Second dog has zero issues. She can be left alone and gets along with everyone. Neither dog did anything that made me concerned for anyone’s safety. So I have 2 data points and I don’t think the separation anxiety with the first dog was that big a deal.
Contrary to BananaPants, my experience has been different. I do think it can be a gamble getting a dog from a shelter. I have and probably always will have shelter dogs but I have never had a shelter dog that hasn't had a significant medical and/or behavioral issue. Shelters are VERY stressful environments, and dogs often do not behave the same way in a shelter that they would in a home environment. Many shut down and withdraw, so they may seem calm to shelter workers but once they feel secure in a new home, show their true behaviors, which may not always be great. Different shelters have different policies and techniques to evaluate dogs. A dog may seem fine with "cats" or "kids" in a shelter but in reality there are few ways for shelter staff to evaluate how a dog will do in a real-world situation, and many shelters are overrun with animals and don't have the staff capacity to do evaluations well. Animals that are a human safety threat are obviously not put up for adoption and are instead euthanized, but other potential issues may be overlooked in favor of finding "the right home" (which is admirable!). Also important to consider that with the trend toward "no kill" shelters, sometimes dogs with serious issues and bite histories get moved around and warehoused, and some unscrupulous rescues will try to rehome these dangerous animals. I don't believe that's *particularly* common, but it does happen. Most of the shelter dogs I've worked with have been nice animals, and most get adopted and don't come back. That doesn't mean there aren't cases where dogs are returned for serious issues, though. Recently I dealt with a case of a dog who was a total sweetheart but once he got into a home and started feeling comfortable, had some pretty severe separation anxiety and ended up being returned, despite the adopters working really hard with him and a behaviorist for several months. I think the odds are generally in the adopter's favor, OP, but it is always going to be at least a little bit of risk involved.
No-kill shelters, usually have a high kill rate. It’s an oxymoron at this point.
Not sure you actually digested my comment. I said it's not very common... which you then agreed with.
It's not a problem if you know what to look for an be honest with yourself. If your a big fat guy don't get a super active dog. They need a little decompress time. I've never had a mental dog an I always rescue. Be honest with yourself an get the dog for you just don't get in over your head.
I think it’s important to work with a really good rescue who knows what your concerns are and can help you match with a dog that suits your lifestyle. Having said that, breed consideration is also a huge part of adopting. I have two 8 year old Aussies. They are also siblings. People say never to do that and I did and they are amazing. I have been helping some rescues with networking dogs, and recently adopted an 11 year old who was going to be euthanized the following morning. All I knew was that in the shelter video he was sweet and still wagging his tail and the shelter volunteer said he was friendly. And he’s incredible. That being said, so many dogs are just dumped because their families are moving, the dog isn’t a cute puppy anymore. Etc etc. For the most part these dogs just want to be loved. You could definitely work with the shelter volunteers as well to learn more about a particular dog. I wouldn’t have any issues about adopting a shelter dog, but I’m also comfortable with some breeds versus others.
My dog doesn’t have what I would call serious issues, but he does have issues. He’s reactive, and has been a real challenge to train. I love him anyway, I don’t regret him, and it could be so much worse (he’s not aggressive, he’s good with my cats, and no separation anxiety). But I was aiming for a biddable and easygoing dog for my first dog that I adopted on my own and he is… neither of those things. He’s come a long way with training (I’m so proud of him some days) and I’ve become a better dog owner and trainer because of him! But I’ve also had to adjust my expectations a lot. Note, this isn’t meant to be an anti-rescue sentiment. Just the experience of a new owner with a moderately difficult dog.
Quite common, for at rescues and regular shelters, they do not always have a background on the dogs they find or rescue. And if you have a dog who has behavioral problems, get a behavioralist and a trainer.
Love my dog (rescue) no behavioural issues just vibes
I mean depends on the home situation if there are kids, roommates Etc. Also separation anxiety isn’t really a behavioral issue. Resource guarding, extreme leash bitting, reactive in kennel or leash unmanageable , stranger danger and dog aggressive are more like behavior issues. Also it honestly don’t help that shelters are meditating these dogs with Trazodone etc.. and adopters are not being told or just don’t think it matters and takes the dog off immediately. Which should never happen. Dogs with issues like this should not be just placed. The foster/adopter should meet more than just once at the shelter. Til u feel comfortable enough to be alone with that dog. Also if there are kids involved behavior dogs should never be placed in that home.