Looking to Adopt a Dog

[bagofpucks]

I'll throw out a recommendation for the Cochrane Humane Society as that is where we got our dog. We were very impressed with how the CHS is run; they treat the dogs great while they are there and do a good job screening potential adopters.

[Old Yeller]

Originally Posted by Sliver

I have a progressive, enlightened view on dogs. Thankfully, my kids share this worldview. You should see their looks of disgust when dogs bark! It's so cute on little 4 and 6 year olds.

No, I think Regulator had it right.... definitely ignorant.

I'm sorry you've encountered poorly trained animals from bad owners, it's too bad you're painting with such a broad brush.

[OffsideSpecialist]

I must live in Bizarro World. I live in a neighbourhood full of dogs and almost never hear them barking.

[MrSector9]

i got my dog (purebred boston terrier) form the Lacombe No Kill Shelter. http://www.centralanimalservices.com/

I don't like how it was run (was hard to get updates, etc), but I liked the dog and they don't kill the dogs.

she was almost a goner, she had a parasite and giardia, all while being about 8 months old.

That being said she is a great little dog.

With the medical bills(fixed), adoption fee she was around $750, about the same as a breeder but my last dog was also a rescue so i knew i coudn't go wrong.

[Sr. Mints]

As someone who lives in a condo with two little dogs, I can't stress how much of a ####ing pain in the ass it is to take them out to go pee and poo on a leash every few hours. Just make certain you understand this.

One of my dogs is so pokey and has the pickiest requirements as to where is a good spot to go pee. I don't understand what she's thinking, and I don't think she even understands. It may sound cute, but the novelty of having to get my shoes and coat on, 'saddle up' the dogs, and walk around the block 4-5 times a day wears off fast. Having to do it at 6:15 a.m. sucks, having to do it on cold days sucks, and having to do it right before I go to bed sucks.

Sometimes the last thing I want to be doing is standing on a street corner at daybreak waiting for one of my dogs to do her thing. I get impatient, start swearing at her and generally get grumpy. But, y'know, it's the situation I'm in and I get over it as soon as she empties her bladder on that perfect patch of grass we spent my waking moments looking for.

Plus, every day I take them at least once to an off leash dog park in the NW (I live in the SW) for 45 minutes to an hour, and while fewer things bring me as much joy as playing with them at the park and watching them run and run and run, it is still a chore. I go to that park because I generally like the people and my dogs seem to have friends there--or dogs they'll play with for hours instead of smelling each others' butts and moving on to the next dog.

Even if it's pouring rain, they stare at me around walk time, so I drive to the park, they run for three minutes, and realize this sucks and want to go home. But if I don't do this, they'll go crazy in my unit thinking they're getting ripped off or something. Same thing if it's -30. Same thing is it grey and windy out or one of those 35 degree days where there's not a cloud in the sky and no wind. There are no 'ideal conditions' to them.

There are no days where I can take a day off, so to speak. And having no back yard to contain them for an afternoon compounds this feeling.

I have gotten to know most of the regulars at the particular park, some well enough that they have watched my dogs for a day here and there. I also have friends or family who can watch them in a pinch, but I don't think it's fair to dump my dogs on people, so anything more than a day or two and I have to send them to doggy day care or a kennel--and the costs of making use of those services adds up quickly. And as someone mentioned, some of those places are definitely sketchy.

Just make sure you understand what you're getting in to. I'm not sure I fully understood.

Finally, saying all that . . . my dogs are definitely my best friends, and they bring so much joy to my life. And everything I just wrote and bitched about is all worth it when I open my door when I get home, only to get bowled over and kissed to death by two dogs who simply can't contain their excitement that I have not forsaken them. Even if I was only gone for two minutes to get the mail.

[normtwofinger]

Originally Posted by Sliver

I have a progressive, enlightened view on dogs. Thankfully, my kids share this worldview. You should see their looks of disgust when dogs bark! It's so cute on little 4 and 6 year olds.

DESS is that you?

MattyC we rescued a german sheppard collie cross and never regretted it. I highly recommend puppy classes to get the initial training down. We lived in a condo and it was a pain, especially in winter, to be taking him out every hour before he was house broken. But if you are consistent, the dog should learn within weeks to ask out.

I also suggest crate training, it really helps the puppy learn to sleep at night. If you are getting a big breed, you can get a big crate that has a divider in it to make the space smaller. They won't go to the bathroom where the sleep, but if the space is big enough, they will make a bathroom area in the crate.

Enjoy it! Puppies are tough work, but a lot of fun.

[Cowperson]

A list and links for Rescue services in Alberta. On-line "shopping" in most cases.

http://www.canadasguidetodogs.com/rescue/abrescue.htm

A dog is a lifestyle choice. Unlike cats, which sort of wander in and out of your life and can be fairly self-sufficient, a dog is underfoot throughout your day. They are social creatures and you are the centre of their universe. Long days alone isn't a good life for them.

They are permanent two year olds for about 10-14 years and then . . . . . always a difficult day in the future.

After we lost Abby & Keeper in 2010, we got Ruby via Kijiji and Pete through an owner surrender.

Kijiji can be controversial but its very difficult to find Golden Retriever's in shelters. Unfortunately, there's no end of them for sale. In the end though, Ruby was in fact a rescue . . . . . her hair was falling out from improper nutrition, she had an untreated ear infection, she had no muscle mass and no winter coat wth her belly hair worn off from spending most of her time in a crate in a garage. We were her third home in her first 1.5 years of life. We bought her for a few hundred bucks but definitely a life-saving rescue from the clueless dopes she was with.

Pete was an apartment dog in downtown Calgary, well cared for and well-loved by the young lass who was his owner. She was moving to Vancouver to pursue a new career and felt she couldn't look after him well enough. We heard about each other through our neighbour.

Keeper was a purebred Golden and also an owner surrender in her first year of life. We bought Abby as a purebred puppy, paying large dollars.

We also have four rescue cats, Daisy, Polly, Maude and Skyler.

Good luck with your dog!!

This picture of Pete & Ruby up in the Highwood Pass last October was just selected for "December" in the upcoming 2013 Golden Retriever Rescue Of The Rockies (GRRR) in Bolder, Colorado fundraising calendar.



Cowperson

[FLAMESRULE]

Originally Posted by Cowperson

Cowperson

Nothing beats seeing your dogs smile like that. Our Chocolate Lab Iggy does that and it melts any bad day / issue instantly. Like Cowperson said they are permanent two year olds, but they truly are best friends.

Be consistent, dont get frustrated, give them food / water / excercise / boundaries, and they will be a joy every day.

[ricoFlame]

Someone dumped a beauty dog on the outskirts of Airdrie last May...He made his way to our front door. I grabbed a leash, walked the neighbourhood with him for a few hours, no one had a clue whos pup he was. Anyways, I phoned the useless Airdrie Animal department and RCMP, and they were absolutely no help, so I took him to the North Calgary Vet Hospital for the night (we had a newborn at the time and a dog who was older and not the best at sharing his space, wasn't possible to house him or the night) so they could keep him for the SPCA.

I called the SPCA every day to see if his owners had come to get him, but nothing, and when the 7 day window passed, they let me know that he failed the behavioural test (he was high energy, but super friendly) and that they were going to put him down the next morning.

I couldn't live with the thought that I brought the guy to his death, so I went and bought his freedom, knowing full well that I couldn't keep him (irresponsible maybe, but I had to). So, I went and got him, took him home and started looking for places. A coworker mentioned that she volunteered for http://www.rockymountainanimalrescue.com/index.php, so that's where I took him.

They fell in love with him at the shelter, and had him adopted to a loving family down in Oregon within a couple weeks...his profile is on the website.

Anyways, i'd recommend them based solely on my only experience

http://www.rockymountainanimalrescue.com

[Coach]

Originally Posted by FLAMESRULE

Nothing beats seeing your dogs smile like that. Our Chocolate Lab Iggy does that and it melts any bad day / issue instantly. Like Cowperson said they are permanent two year olds, but they truly are best friends.

Be consistent, dont get frustrated, give them food / water / excercise / boundaries, and they will be a joy every day.

Awesome. Thank you very much for all your info guys. I'm in the preliminary stages right now and I'm looking forward to having a new friend!

[Kybosh]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Awesome. Thank you very much for all your info guys. I'm in the preliminary stages right now and I'm looking forward to having a new friend!

Good for you. I've been thinking about adopting another dog (raised my dog up from a pup), but the time isn't right.

I've got my house now, but I've also done the condo thing. I'll agree that it gets super old super fast taking them outside 10-20 times a day. Trust me, that will test your patience especially if you're sick or it's pouring rain or freezing cold.

[Suzles]

I can also recommend Heaven Can Wait. Kim, the owner, is very much no nonsense. She will go above and beyond to match a dog to you. She also does something called 'Foster to Adopt' where you take the dog for up to two weeks to see if the life will suit (for both you and the dog). If the dog is returned then there has not been enough time for any damage done or bond formed. Kim also gives lifetime support and is always at the end of the phone. My husband and I volunteer there. She has some great dogs

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by Sliver

I have a progressive, enlightened view on dogs. Thankfully, my kids share this worldview. You should see their looks of disgust when dogs bark! It's so cute on little 4 and 6 year olds.

I bet your kids have annoyed more people than a dog ever could.

Back on topic...Getting a dog is awesome but a ton of work so be prepared to not have much extra time going forward. I got my German Shepherd about a year and a half ago and wouldn't have it any other way. There were some cold and damp days I could have done without having to be in the rain for an hour but once you are out there you realize how much your friend enjoys it and needs it.

Spend the time needed to train him/her properly and if you have the time and money take a class with your dog. It was the best thing I could have done as a first time dog owner. I got some great tips and it was only a couple hundred bucks for 8 classes. Also gives me a chance to play with other dogs.

Good luck with the search!

[Coach]

Hey everyone. I have an update.

I have chosen my new buddy! I went through Pawsativematch.com and they were great! Really simple and easy process. I went and saw a litter of 9 puppys (husky/collie x they think) and this little guy came up to me right away and didn't leave except for when his mom came in. He's really playful and fun and I'm really looking forward to spending time with him. His name is Boris for now. I was planning on calling him Goon, but Boris is a pretty awesome name too. I can't take him until next week because he's only 7 weeks old. This is the picture from the adoption site.



Thanks to everyone for all your help! Now, what's everyones opinions on types of food, vets, kennels, etc..
What about toys and treats? Should I take him with me to the store and kind of let him choose?

[FLAMESRULE]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Thanks to everyone for all your help! Now, what's everyones opinions on types of food, vets, kennels, etc..
What about toys and treats? Should I take him with me to the store and kind of let him choose?

Congrats!! We use Acana food for Iggy, was recommended by the breeder. Its made locally, no grains, and she LOVES it. Its about $60/month for her food. Biggest thing is take the new pup to puppy class. We took her to Sit Happens. She loved it, learned how to be a puppy, but also proper dog manners around other dogs.

Boris is gonna be a high energy challenge, so once he has all his shots, I'd get him out to the park ASAP. A tired dog is a well behaved dog. Dont worry about toys, they dont care. Iggy loves her stuff sqeaukers which naturally drive me bonkers. We got all her gear (toys, leashes, kennel, etc.) from Fairplay in Kensington. Great local store + you can bring the pets inside.

Our vet is really good as well...its the Westmount Vet on 14th St + Kensington Road NW, Dr. Goldbeck. We've been there a little too often with our "terrorist"...

[Josh]

Sam and Daisy both thank you for adopting a dog.



Sam was scheduled to be put down and a rescue organization came in and fostered him until we adopted him. Daisy was adopted when we went to petsmart to get Sam some dog food and my wife fell in love with her (it was an adoption day).

Needless to say, our lives are better off for having these two. Best of luck with your new furry friend!

[REDVAN]

I have always fed my dog the top of the line food- grain free, of course.

That said, to each their own. When your dog eats as little as mine, it's easy to spend 40 bucks on a small bag.

I also took my dog to Sit Happens for puppy playtime and intro puppy obedience. I can't stress this enough: DO THIS NO MATTER WHAT. Every single one of my friends who has issues with their dogs, did not do the proper playtime and training with their dogs.

One of the best things you can do is spend as much time as possible with it while it is growing (so at least a year). This means that when you aren't at work, you are with the dog. Bring it everywhere you can. Teach it, train it, spend time with it. You want a well-adjusted dog, you need to spend time with it. AND you want to develop a bond, so play with it. But remember, you are always the master of the dog. Make sure that once you have a very strong bond, your dog listens to you and respects you (drops toys and food on your command).

Anyway, congrats on getting your new best friend!

[Coach]

BUMP

Hey everyone, just wanted to give an update for those who care. I've had Boris for Almost 2 months now and I am happy to say he is happy, healthy, and overall a very well behaved pup! He's pushing 4 months and has already grown by AT LEAST twice the size. Still not really sure what his breed is, but we've decided that there has to be some Shepard in him somewhere. Here are some pics!

Spoiler!

[Regulator75]

Very cute!

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Still not really sure what his breed is, but we've decided that there has to be some Shepard in him somewhere.

Kinda reminds me of a Chinook.