Rescue Advise ** UPDATE**

[alimel]

We have come to the realization that Max is probably in Puerto Rico by now. While I have been away, my husband treated the Animal Control shelter for ticks and fleas and spotted two Rottweilers that are up for adoption. One is a male and one is a female. The female looks like a cross between Mel and Max - she is on page 3 http://www.broward.org/animal/dogsintake.htm
There is no photo for the male.

My question is what type of temperment testing is done on a dog that determines if they are adoptable? I just get a bit nervous when rescuing from a shelter as opposed to adopting from someone who has fostered a dog and has lived with them for a while. Of course Buddy was not an issue being a Beagle. Any advise?

The male has been there for a month, while the female has been there for 10 days. We are going down there Saturday to look at them and talk to the facility to find out more information on them.

[OnyxsMom]

I would take Buddy with you before you make your final decision. That way you can be sure everyone is on equal ground and friendly! I wouldnt be too leary on how long they have been there, they are both Rott's, and alot of people will not adopt them for many reasons. Their right home may just not have come into the shelter yet. As far as Shelter temperment testing, Im not to sure. If they are owner surrendered, it will give you a little more info on their backround, but make sure you ask all the important questions before you let your heart take over. Remember, Buddy's and you and your husbands happiness and well being come first!

Good luck! And keep us posted!!!!

[mommyof4]

A lot of times it just depends on the shelter. We have one in our area who doesn't seem to test a whole lot at all. I've known rescue people who took dogs and found them to be quite aggressive, either to people or dogs. Another has a trainer I know that goes in to test for food aggression, people aggression, dog aggression and other behavior problems. If the dog is found to have an issue she thinks is easily fixable, she works with it. Sorry. I know that's not very helpful. Maybe ask someone who has adopted from them before? Would you trust the shelter people enough to ask? Or maybe since your husband was around them he could ask since they might be more honest with him? Another option would be Rottie rescue where the dog has been in a foster home. Maybe you could make a deal that you'll take theirs if they spring the 2.

[rubyred]

She has a pretty face.

The rescue here does the same stuff you see on Animal Precint when they test for food aggression, people & child (using dolls) aggression, test for loud noises, etc. That is about it though.

[saluki-sue]

I wouldn't put to much stock in any testing at most shelters, most of the time the folks doing the testing don't know what thier looking for. But on the other hand the longer the dog is there the better the staff will know them and the more of the dogs true colors will be showing. On a good note some of the shelters in south FLA, have very good temp testing programs, I hope that's the case with your one.

Plan on spending a good few hours hanging out watching the dogs interact with the staff and then how they each interact with you and your DH. Do your own temperment test. Touch each dog all over their bodies, handle their mouths if you feel safe doing so, play with each of their feet one foot at a time, drop your keys on accident behind the dog, clap and make big happy noise. Bring a stuffed toy and a few treats give the dog the toy then try and take it away. The dog should be happy to give it up to you or my try to play a tiny bit of tug, but if the hair on the back of your neck stands up or you hear any grumbling or see teeth walk away. Drop the treats on the ground walk around the dogs while they are eating them off of the ground, see what type of reaction you get.

At the end of the day your gut will tell you both who is the best fit. Don't second guess yourselves. You both know what you can live with and you've lived with a few rotties already so you know what to expect.

Good luck, keep us posted

[alimel]

Originally Posted by saluki-sue

I wouldn't put to much stock in any testing at most shelters, most of the time the folks doing the testing don't know what thier looking for. But on the other hand the longer the dog is there the better the staff will know them and the more of the dogs true colors will be showing. On a good note some of the shelters in south FLA, have very good temp testing programs, I hope that's the case with your one.

Plan on spending a good few hours hanging out watching the dogs interact with the staff and then how they each interact with you and your DH. Do your own temperment test. Touch each dog all over their bodies, handle their mouths if you feel safe doing so, play with each of their feet one foot at a time, drop your keys on accident behind the dog, clap and make big happy noise. Bring a stuffed toy and a few treats give the dog the toy then try and take it away. The dog should be happy to give it up to you or my try to play a tiny bit of tug, but if the hair on the back of your neck stands up or you hear any grumbling or see teeth walk away. Drop the treats on the ground walk around the dogs while they are eating them off of the ground, see what type of reaction you get.

At the end of the day your gut will tell you both who is the best fit. Don't second guess yourselves. You both know what you can live with and you've lived with a few rotties already so you know what to expect.

Good luck, keep us posted

EXCELLENT ADVISE as usual! Thank you.

[Cearbhaill]

If I were you I would definitely think about going to the Humane Society on Griffin Rd. rather than Broward Animal Control. That AC facility is one of the worst imaginable, and disease and mishandling are rampant. It is a nasty, nasty place.

The Humane Society, on the other hand, is one of the best run and funded in the country. They are the ones who covered $3k in vet bills when one of my kitties came up ill. Marty Huizenga rocks!

I know the dogs at AC deserve homes. But I would not trust those people there to do any sort of screening while the Humane Society does an excellent job and cares enough to really see to their animals.

Tough call. Get one out of a bad environment or go with the more reputable place.
Visit both and see.

[alimel]

Originally Posted by Cearbhaill

If I were you I would definitely think about going to the Humane Society on Griffin Rd. rather than Broward Animal Control. That AC facility is one of the worst imaginable, and disease and mishandling are rampant. It is a nasty, nasty place.

The Humane Society, on the other hand, is one of the best run and funded in the country. They are the ones who covered $3k in vet bills when one of my kitties came up ill. Marty Huizenga rocks!

I know the dogs at AC deserve homes. But I would not trust those people there to do any sort of screening while the Humane Society does an excellent job and cares enough to really see to their animals.

Tough call. Get one out of a bad environment or go with the more reputable place.
Visit both and see.

I agree. Mel was from the Humane Society on Griffin Road. I love them and they have a great adoption program.

My husband has the pest control account for the shelter, he sees some pretty bad things and he feels sorry for the poor dogs that end up there as they will not get the same treatment as the Humane Society. He wants to save a dog from there so bad.

[dobermom]

My personal thoughts are, save the dog from the bad situation. Sounds like your AC is like ours BAD! Its not the fault of the dogs they are there, its the stupid humans.

But dont forget, I still have a Jasper!

[pupsnpigs]

I'd personally make sure you get to know the dog and have Buddy meet him.

Here is two stories from my personal experience:
We got Halo when she was 6 weeks old from AC. She was kept in a kennel the same size as they keep the small breed puppies in in most pet stores. She was probably the size of an adult pom at the time. We were unable to touch her or take her out. We ended up getting her (obviously) but that was completely different than getting an adult dog. Most times AC does not know which dog you are talking about when you call, even with a clear description. They also are very funny about letting you visit with the dog. They only have a small yard where you can go out with the dog and you can't let your other dog meet the dog before adopting.

Now another about our local SPCA:
Last year in August a few weeks after Roxy was pts, we saw our shelter manager on the news with a few maltese. When we got to the shelter they only had one left and he was the youngest at 2 yrs old. He was an owner surrender from a byb. We took him out and he met Martin. They got along just fine. We talked to them a bit about what they knew about the dog, Boo. Well they didn't know much. Finally I asked the 'right' question. I asked if they knew how he was about his food. They then finally told me he was extremely possessive. To think we might have walked out of that door and been surprised when they already knew that!

I volunteer at this shelter and am completely honest with people when they come in and ask about a dog. I don't want them to get home and find out that we actually did know that that dog was possessive of toys/food/treats. I want that dog to go to a home where they know how to fix the problem and have the tools to do it. I hate to see animals returned to the shelter for behavior problems that we knew about but no one told them.

I personally like rescues that foster the best. Typically they can tell you a lot about the dog you are looking at.

If you do go through AC make sure you spend time with the dog and run some tests like Saluki suggested. Do they have a fenced in yard or will you be walking her on a leash? I personally like to walk them around on a leash first just to see what they know for manners and what's in store for me.