Wanted - tips, warnings and advice on "free to good home" dogs ...

reveirter

Last year I turned down a chance to get a "free to good home" dog. I was very tempted, but not quite ready. I had a gateless yard with an inadequate fence and a new and non dog proof vegie patch, and little time to decide. I'm now preparing - doing my research for a start. The yard is now fenced properly.

Any pitfalls to avoid?

Any tips on how to avoid them. I'd like to try and avoid adopting a problem dog, but at the same time realise many are forced to give up their much loved dog as they simply can't give it what it needs.

Criosphynx

I'd honestly go through a humane society, or a dog rescue if you want to "know what your getting"

Honest truth is its going to be next to impossible to tell if they are giving away the dog for a good reason or not. "I can't give her what she needs" and "I don't have time for her" all are red flags to me. I have a full time job and I can give my dogs what they need.

That said, I have 5 dog that are owner discards. If you are willing to put in the time and patience you can fix most if not all "problems" but its tremendous work. Probably better to go with a dog with a know history thats over a year old.

pawzaddict

agreed. you never know why someone really wants/needs to get rid of a pet. if you dont have time and/or patience (which it can take a lot) to deal with a possible problem pet I would as well go rescue from a shelter or local rescue group. GL

Sheltiemama

I would go with a local rescue group. I have 2 dogs.

1 from a rescue group where I was told lots of information about him prior to getting him because he had lived with a foster family. They were able to determine all kinds of things about his personality too so nothing was a big surprise.

The 2nd from a Humane Society. They knew nothing whatsoever about him and even told me he had to be neutered as soon as I got him home.........when he had already been neutered. We got lucky. He is a real treasure and he was found running the streets as a stray!

Both my boys are such love bugs. Dog #2 comes to me when I'm on the computer and pats my arm with his paw. He wants me to go get in my chair so he can get in my lap. So we do most times. I always want him to know how much he's loved.

reveirter

Awwww, this all makes me wanna doggie even more! lol

I had a look online at some dogs from shelters locally. Most of the dogs look "take it or leave it" to me, but all the dogs that pull the heart strings are labs/retrievers.

close2prfct

There are always people out there trying to pawn off a "problem dog" shelters typically screen the dogs, work hard with them on their problems to ensure they are ready to place in new homes prior to adoption.
Right now I am trying to find a home for a wonderful dog, he's a mixed breed looks like maybe lab/chow or something similar, neutered, great with kids, loves attention but the shelters around here are full and the sad reality is placing a black dog is harder than any other color. I worked for a shelter for some time and the basic black dogs were always the last to get adopted.
I wouldn't part with bear but due to a rash of really bad circumstances( grandmother died, my mom lost her job..then find out she has cancer) all in a months time.. I really need to do what is best for him and try to find him a good home where he will have plenty of attention that I cannot give him. It's heartbreaking because he was 5-6wks old when I found him abandon in the middle of an ice storm a year ago but I've given him the best of everything & now I'm stretched beyond belief it's not fair to him to be neglected.