|
|
|
Selecting
An Adult Dog
While Visiting The Shelter
|
|
Here are several
tests to perform while actually
at the shelter.
| 1) |
First,
simply walk down the entire
row of all available kennels.
Observe your first impression
to see if you have an immediate
"love at first sight"
experience. Based on this
first pass, determine which
dogs you wish to test. |
| 2) |
Stop
in front of a kennel or
run, and act as neutral
as possible. Stand relaxed
and shift weight to one
foot. Look in the direction
of the dog, but without
eye contact. Observe to
see if the dog barks, and
how long. Look at activity
level. Look for a moderate
amount of vocalization and
activity energy. Avoid the
extremes. |
| 3) |
Test
the dog's "reactivity."
While still outside the
kennel, suddenly act threatening
for 3 seconds to assess
the dog's response.
Growl, raise your hands
over your head and make
a threatening lunge at the
dog. If the dog responds
by acting aggressive back
at you, it is likely more
aggressive than you want.
If it moves away in fear,
immediately drop the act
and go to the next test. |
| 4) |
Now
act as friendly as possible
as if to say, "I was
just kidding, I would really
like to be friends."
Crouch down, talk in a happy
voice, slap your leg, and
encourage the dog to come
to you. If the dog will
not forgive the lunge test,
it is possibly too fearful
to make a good pet. If it
"forgives" you
and now will approach and
act friendly, this is a
candidate. |
| 5) |
Only take a dog out of the
run with the permission
of the staff, and only further
test those that passed the
previous tests. Now determine
if the dog is interested
in you or ignores you and
investigates the surrounding
area. |
| 6) |
Pet
the dog over the head and
down the back. Determine
if the dog likes this and
solicits more, of it the
dog ignores it, or even
tries to get away. If the
dog likes the petting, try
petting against the grain
to see if the dog becomes
upset, or accepts it with
good humor. |
| 7) |
Evaluate
the activity level out of
the kennel, compared to
activity while in the kennel.
If the dog is pulling on
the leash and jumping excitedly,
this may be a more active
dog than desired. In most
cases, look for a dog that
is calm most of the time,
but becomes excited when
appropriate. |
| 8) |
Try
to spend at least two minutes
with each candidate, to
get an idea of their true
personality as they calm
down. Look for an overall
friendly, people focused
personality and avoid dogs
that demonstrate either
a fearful or overly confident,
personality. |
| 9) |
Bring
a desirable toy or chewbone,
and some dog treats. Ask
the dog to SIT, and test
any other commands known.
Allow the dog to have the
toy, then ask for the SIT
again. Avoid a dog that
will not follow commands
if an object is present,
or one who will not accept
a treat in exchange for
a toy. Avoid a dog that
gets stiff or uptight in
this situation, since this
is the first step toward
being aggressive. |
| 10)
|
Take the candidate on a
leash, and walk them past
the kennels of other dogs.
Watch to see if the response
to other dogs is aggressive,
playful or indifferent.
In general, it is best to
choose a "dog friendly"
dog, since one of any dog's
greatest joys, is hanging
with and playing with other
dogs during their life with
you. |
|
|
|
|
