Not long ago I was contacted by a woman about a female one-and-a-half-year-old Labrador she had recently adopted. The woman had foolishly allowed her new dog off its leash and the dog took off to have herself a lovely day at the beach! When she was found she further endeared herself by relieving herself on the antique rug in the living room. The caller wanted to know how long it would take before she could simply open her back door , let the dog out into her (unfenced) yard and come right back in just like her old dog did. She told me that she was committed and “would do whatever it took”, but in the next breath wanted to know how many days, weeks, hours, lessons or classes, it would take until this dog could be just like her old dog.

In rescue we see a lot of ‘Buyer’s Remorse’ from people who’ve gotten a new dog soon after loosing an old friend. They get home and say to themselves, “Oh my, what I have done?” and predictably begin feeling overwhelmed during the adjustment period. My advice to them is to sit down, think hard, and make a list of the bad things their previous dog did in his younger days. Enlist the recollections of friends and family and I guarantee it will be an enlightening trip down Memory Lane! Most of their early puppy training nightmares and “bad dog mistakes” have been replaced by pleasanter images. This is especially true if they’ve have had the good fortune to see their friend well into old age. Being involved in rescue and training for as long as I have, I was confident this particular dog was wonderful but maybe not the best fit for her home and lifestyle. I contacted the shelter to discuss it further and let them know what was going on. Their response said it all! “Oh yes, the Instant Gratification dog - we get a lot of calls for those, but they’re on backorder.”

I had to laugh at just how true that statement was! We need to remember that dogs are in rescue for a reason. Some may have been a beloved pet given up due to circumstances beyond the families’ control, but most rescue dogs have received little in the way of proper obedience training. On average, most rescue dogs are given up during adolescence, somewhere between 8-18 months. Think puppy, but in a big dog suit...

When bringing home a new dog, or puppy, a major amount of adjustment in the family’s behavior may be required. If the dog’s needs are not being met, they will return the favor by developing creative ways to entertain themselves, usually doing things that we don’t consider appropriate/desireable, like barking, digging, or chewing. If you’re considering acquiring a new dog, research different dog breeds, keeping in mind your lifestyle, space available, housing and any other pets already living with you. Thinking about a Hound? Know that you may not have a dog with a reliable recall if the wind is just right, as scenting is a way of life for these breeds! Love the Herders? Ask yourself if you can truly fulfill this dog’s demanding needs for a job and exercise. Want the Terrier you see at the park? Speak to his owner and many other owners of terriers and read-read-read about the breed first to see if your personalities will mesh. Rescue and shelter people are quite knowledgeable and most do a great job of evaluating dogs for temperament before matching dogs to an appropriate home. Let them help you!

So what happened in “The Case of the Hotfooted Labrador” mentioned earlier? She was returned to the shelter and ultimately placed in a home with a very active young couple. Luckily for the dog, the woman who called me realized right away that she was not up to meeting the mental and physical needs of this particular young dog. Don’t get me wrong, I do not believe that animals are disposable, but matching mistakes are made. This woman had overstated her time and energy commitment, and had forgotten what it was like to have a young dog in her home again. If you are thinking of adding a new dog to your household, please do lots of research and don’t overestimate the time and energy you will have to commit to its training. Be honest with yourself and the people who are trying assist you. If is very stressful for dogs to be bounced around unnecessarily. Avoid having to experiment by recognizing you and your family’s needs before committing to a dog who won’t fit with those needs. In this case the adoptee made the right choice and opted instead for an older, quieter dog with a substantially lower energy level.

For a list of available dogs in your area check www.Petfinder.com