Mauled !

[Smart Red]

Shelter dogs deserve their chance, too. I agree they charge dearly for the pets they re-home, but I suppose their expenses do need to be covered in some way and the charge does sort of assure the new family can afford the cost of the dog, if not that they can care for one.

It would seem to me that giving my family a dog would be to their benefit as well as to that of the dog, but it doesn't work that way. At least I had some assurance that the dog I brought home had the specified training and temperament observed during her 8 week stay with the shelter as a stray.

Perhaps there are fewer free-ranging dogs in this part of the country to be had. Also, it seems that every Tom, Dick, and Harry is trying to sell rather then give away the puppies they breed.

 

[thistlebloom]

You can get a shelter dog around here pretty cheaply. About $60ish and they are neutered, vaccinated and micro-chipped.

 

[so lucky]

Here, at the Humane Society, I think it is $100 for a dog. I didn't even ask how much when I was getting Penny; I knew approximately what it would be. But when it came time to pay, I was told only $35 ! I assumed it was because she was older.

 

[Smart Red]

Our shelter wants $150 for a dog. We got Cee Cee during a senior citizen special offer at half price. That means the dog belongs to DH even if she doesn't know it. All mine for all practical purposes.

 

[Smart Red]

Cee Cee also came with spay, vaccinations, and chip. The chip remains the property of the shelter. Anything happen to the dog and she's returned to the shelter before me. Not my idea, but that's the way they operate.

 

[bobm]

Here in the PNW , the " rescue " dogs come mostly from Mexico via. S. Cal "rescues" even though they deny it by 100 + per truck load about 8 times a year as evidensed by their telethons on local TV chanels. More recently they are imported rescued from S. Korea meat dog farms too. They claim that there is a severe shortage of adoptable dogs in the PNW as well as my former neighborhood in Central. Cal.. There are very precious few adds for dogs / cats for sale / free in the areas' papers, I haven't seen one of those adds in MANY blue moons ... just daily brainwashing adds for the shelters only. They charge $150 per dog then all of the add ons of feed, bowls, leaches, dog crates, dog houses, etc., etc. that really add up $$$. Most of these dogs have more issues than Carter has pills. So , my take of these " rescues" is a thumbs down.

 

[Smart Red]

I agree, bobm. I wouldn't waste my money on a dog like that. DD almost did once when she responded to a notice of 5 dogs for rescue. She was told the dog knew all sorts of things, leash trained, sit, stay, etc., but when she arrived the dogs she found didn't even know how to eat out of a bowl. In fact, the bowl frightened the dog and it wasn't until the bowl got tipped over that the dog ate.

No food or water for the dogs at the motel room in question either. When she asked about food, one of the men there tossed a chocolate candy bar toward the dog. Fortunately they passed. I'm sure it was a good thing that they did. Their 'baby' right now is a real sweetheart.

 

[catjac1975]

When I got my Dalmatian the breeder told me she would select the pup for what I wanted. I had rather dreamed of selecting from a box of jumping spotted things. She insisted she would know best. I told her I want a dog, little and sweet and that is exactly what I got. I had read that when a buyer selects in the way I described they end up with the alpha dog-the one that makes the most commotion. I do have a lovely girl. She did tell me later that mine was the first to figure out how to get loose and then taught the others how to do the same. Fogot to say little, sweet, and dumb.

 

[seedcorn]

Here n Midwest, shelters are a valuable asset as they take pets from people who wanted them as 6week old pups but hate them 3 weeks later when they finally figure out they don't come potty trained-real genius people.....

 

[Beekissed]

I agree with the way most people pick out pups from a litter...I've been guilty of that myself and lived to regret it...those dogs didn't last. One of these I still have and it has worked out just fine for nigh on 10 yrs now...he was one of those free to a good home pups from the local ads. He's a mite jittery but humble and smart as a tack, not the alpha but a great beta dog. Humble, loyal, brave and smart, he's been a great chicken dog for me and I have no complaints but his sibs were all pretty much nightmares due to owner's lack of training, so I'm thinking Jake fell into the right hands or he would be the same sort.

So, this last time I studied up on what to look for when choosing a pup from a litter~via Cesar Milan vid~and it worked out just like he said. I got a very calm, confident, intelligent pup that is turning out to be quite a gem for guarding my chickens and as a family dog. He has impressed all visitors since the day he arrived at 2 mo. old and he continues to impress me as well. Quick and eager to learn, humble and loyal, eager to please, and confident enough to get the job done. My beta dog is helping me train him and is willing to give him alpha position, which is exactly what I wanted. We'll see how it all turns out. So far he's been here 3 mo. has learned all basic commands, how to wait for his food until released by me, not to bother the chickens, how to behave around children and company, walks perfectly on a leash, learned his electric fence border, and many other things. And that was just with minimal time spent on his training, so I'm thinking this litter choice was a success.