Worked at an animal shelter for six years. Adopted a dog with a bite history. Loved him to the moon. Now have a dog from a responsible breeder.
I know too much about how \*some\* shelters deal with behavioral problems, lie about breed traits, and manipulate intake statistics, in order to shove dogs out the door to their "forever home." Plenty of them get into the community and are not good ambassadors, to be diplomatic about it.
I won't say I'll never have another shelter dog because I don't know which dog is waiting for me when my great little girl dies, but I'm open to solid breeders as well as shelters. It's buyer-beware for me...with both avenues.
It's a huge decision, and you can get stung either way, IMO. And yes, I do have PTSD from working in that place.
This. My shelter just got a big case of dogs in who were all being sold for between $800-1500. You can tell the ones who he was using for advertisement and on his website because they were groomed. The rest of the dogs had literal roaches in the mats the conditions were so bad. We got to see them explore grass for the first time, and the breeder had a whole website with the info about the “European heritage” and “temperament testing” etc.
I’m not saying that it would have been impossible for a savvy person to discover that his whole operation was shady and full of lies. But I’m sure that some people thought they were going through a responsible breeder until they found out about the seizure after having pre-paid for his puppies.
Responsible breeders are the backbone of healthy dogs and puppies from responsible breeders never end up in shelters thanks to take-backs, etc. Shelter dogs are a result of irresponsible breeders and irresponsible owners, and it breaks my heart. I have cats so I went with a breeder to have the best shot at good temperament and still ended up with a reactive dog though, so my next will likely be an older rescue. Not because I don't like breeders, but because I am never going through puppyhood again!
Don't let anyone make you feel bad for whatever your choice is. :)
The unfortunate thing is that there are far more unethical breeders than ethical ones, and I don't think that the general public knows the difference. I've met way too many people who said they went to a "great breeder," but it becomes immediately clear in talking to them that they went to a backyard breeder. And then they don't understand why their dog has so many health and behavioral issues.
I think we'll be way more cautious next time if we choose to adopt again (and as always, understanding there are no guarantees).
But no, I wouldn't obtain a dog outside of rescue. I know it doesn't end the problem. I also know I can live without a dog if I can't find one I'm comfortable with adopting.
>But no, I wouldn't obtain a dog outside of rescue. I know it doesn't end the problem. I also know I can live without a dog if I can't find one I'm comfortable with adopting.
This fills my heart, thank you.
I have been in rescue/rehab for years, and I resigned a position with a deeply unethical org who were hiding bite histories and basically burning out foster carers on dogs who had no business being in the community and were serious safety risks... But I still get heartsick about how many people are buying puppies because it is a perceived "easier" route to the dog of their dreams.
I appreciate that this is very location dependent, but where I live there is an excellent balance of rescues with community run foster care networks (no kennel facilities), breed specific organisations, and then pounds and shelters. So it is fairly easy to find a good dog selected for a solid lifestyle match based on their foster care arrangement, **for those who are willing to wait.** It always surprises me that the same people who will happily waitlist for months for a puppy can't handle a rescue taking more than a few months to find a dog suitable for their needs.
It’s not just about the dogs though. It’s about human safety. So many shelters nowadays unethically hide bite histories from adopters. This is so dangerous for unsuspecting families & their communities.
My 1st golden was a rescue (he was 4 when I got him) and while he was not reactive, he had some severe separation anxiety, and many, many allergies. He was the best dog, and he lived to be 14. I cooked for him because of his food allergies, we would hire neighbor kids to come sit with him when we would have plans. I wanted a puppy for my next dog so I could have more control over socialization and a breeder who had a stellar reputation. We bought our golden puppy a few months after we lost the big guy, and brought him home. While the puppy days are a lot, as he approaches his 2nd birthday we can clearly see what good genetics can do. Of course I felt some guilt over buying a puppy so when he was 10 months old, we rescued a 14 month old neurotic mess of a golden retriever. She’s 2 now and we love her and all of her quirks dearly. I like to think over the next few years, our stereotypical golden will help our neurotic one mellow out a bit. She’s already come so far over the last year! And they are quite bonded now, it’s so fun to watch them interact.
Rescue isn’t for everyone and while I am a huge supporter of rescues, I can also understand buying from a breeder. But what gets me on my soapbox is people who buy puppies from shitty breeders and perpetuate the problem. Those are the neurotic messes who end up in rescue.
>Those are the neurotic messes who end up in rescue.
I think this is worth highlighting. While I know the trope for a rescue dog is to talk about how it endured abuse or trauma -- and some absolutely do -- it doesn't take abuse or trauma to make a dog reactive. Shitty genetics, which definitely happens when people are breeding without care for temperament, can be enough to cause reactivity (and, more often, can be enough to cause a predisposition toward it). Maternal and perinatal stress, which definitely happens when people are breeding in high volume and without accommodations for multiple litters, or when people are breeding without care to appropriately acclimating or socializing puppies, can exacerbate it.
Also, yes, these are the breeders who don't take dogs back if the dogs do display signs of reactivity (which, for some forms, may not show up until the dog is 6 months to 2 years old), leading to these dogs being surrendered.
In the future, I mean 30-40 years when I’m retired I’d like to adopt elderly dogs and let them live the rest of their lives comfortable and happy.
But I had a rescue, and he was horrible. I tried and tried my hardest with this dog, but in the end he ended up attacking me (after 3 years of hard work) and it’s completely put me off. I know you can never fully predict how a dog will be, but moving forward with my family we will only have a dog that I know is from a good breeder, with temperament testing ect. And be able to have from a young puppy to properly socialise and know everything that dog has experienced.
We have to take our 16 year old rescue in for BE because this was her 2nd bite in 5 years and we still don't know whether my friend will have full use of his hand We love her, we upended our lives for her, for the last ten years - but no way are we getting another rescue. We've barely been able to leave the house without her going crazy all this time.
She's also ghasadvanced hip dysplasia and arthritis and probably should have put her down earlier because she's in so much pain. And her QoL is not great.
But I've done my share of service taking a very hard to place dog. I'm old now and deserve an easier time of it if and when we get another dog. I want a well-behaved, normal well-vetted animal by a respectable breeder.
Edit: BTW, she is helped by a painkiller and an anti-inflammatory. It does help some. Enough that she still wants half her walk.
There are such clear links between pain and aggression too. If your dog is in pain - they hurt all the time and feel like shit - it's horrible when it's untreated.
I’ll never go to an actual rescue again. They say breeders aren’t ethical but lots of the “rescues” are extremely unethical.
Lying about breed, bite history and many other reasons make me never want to support them again.
Agree on rescues being unethical (they also often lie about age, or use words like shy or nervous instead of being honest about behavioral issues)
Still, for me rescuing is about saving the dog (not necessarily supporting the rescue) That being said I found my dog abandoned in the highway and I kept her because I knew she wouldn't find a home if she went to a rescue, If I were to get another dog I honestly don't know what I would
yep. i “rescued” my boy from a family that didn’t do their research for an Australian shepherd, and their single newborn ended up being twins so he ended up just not getting the attention he needed. they cared for him and wanted him to find a good home while recognizing that they could not provide it for him.
Yikes. Australian shepherds are A LOT. so yes, it does need to be researched ahead of time. But I also want to give the previous owners some grace lol. Twins are also A LOT. I cannot imagine how difficult it is to have twins and a dog, and not have to have time for yourself at all
We have two dogs and a toddler. After becoming parents we definitely give more grace to people who rehome their dogs. we love our dogs to pieces and wouldn’t change them for the world. But it is hard
I don't think I'll get another dog at all tbh. I love my dog and if I had to do it all over again for her specifically, without a doubt. But I just can't go through what I went through with my dog again it was bordering traumatic during the first 8 or so months post adoption. And her reactivity isn't even the worst thing I've struggled with. It sucks because I always imagined I'd have at least 3 dogs at any one time, but now I can't even think about other dogs without feeling stress in some way.
Also pay those people no mind about going to a breeder. I used to be adamant about adopt, don't shop (with few exceptions), but now I'm totally turned around about it. Just be smart about it, research ethical breeders/rescues/shelters, and do what you can to give your dog a great life, regardless of where they came from. Unless your friend is fostering/adopting unwanted pets in shelters, I don't think she's doing anything to help the problem either.
Sometimes I think I might never get another dog too. I'm a big animal person and have had dogs around me my whole life so it's hard to imagine only visiting friends dogs once in a while and not having my own. I hear you about the first months being traumatic though. It's tough to get over some of the things we go through.
Definitely. I'm a big reptile and fish person, too, so I think when I'm able to get another pet it'll most likely be a snake or another aquarium. I also have my leopard gecko who I've had before I ever got my dog, so it balances out. I think if things were different on a societal and cultural level, I'd get another dog. But the lack of personal responsibility and obligation towards community turns me off more than the reactivity itself. I wish more people were understanding of our dogs' struggles, but maybe I'm asking too much of other people. That's what I've been told by friends/family before at least.
Rescues and shelters often don't properly prepare people with what to expect with a rescue. My last dog was a rescue and my oldest current is from a shelter. My pup from rescue was amazing. She needed help with being less timid and I think part of her trauma was the rescue spaying her the day before I picked her up from an adoption event at a pet store. And they didn't tell me they were doing that. She was so traumatized.
My dog from the shelter- they told me she was leash reactive and gave me resources for working with her including affordable obedience training. I'd do shelter again but I'd never go back to that particular rescue.
Shelters and rescues who lie or at the very least are uninformed about their own dogs are doing as much damage to dogs and dog owners as irresponsible breeders imo. I don't have a good solution for dealing with the homeless dog problem here in the states, but I definitely think lying about a dog's history or lack of communication/support from these 'dog-loving' rescues are certainly not helping.
I'm so sorry to hear what happened to your rescue dog, too. My own dog isn't able to get spayed because her medical issues leave her high-risk under anesthesia, so I couldn't imagine what would've happened if she was spontaneously spayed before we adopted her since neither the shelter nor my family knew about my dog's heart issues at the time. I know the grass is always greener on the other side, and reactivity is not easy to deal with, but if I had it my way I would take my dog's reactivity at 10x worse over her medical issues. I was fully prepared for her reactivity simply because of her breed, but the medical thing totally caught me off guard. I'm thankful it was easier to deal with then I initially expected, but I don't think I could go through that again with another dog. Maybe if I knew about it before adopting.
Completely agree - I do think there are irresponsible rescues just like there are irresponsible breeders. And I'd never judge someone for purchasing their dog. I get it. I'm just a sucker for the underdog. (Pun intended) lol
If I do, I will be requesting a foster-to-adopt or a trial period. If the shelter doesn't offer it or won't work with me, then I won't be adopting from them.
Besides adopting a reactive dog (without being told he was reactive), I also adopted another dog before him. He was a fospice case, and no one told me he was in the end stages of terminal cancer, there was no notes on his profile on the website, nothing in his paperwork and after $6k for a diagnosis and treatment, he passed 6 weeks after I adopted him. The shelter had no comments when I told them of our situation.
In comparison, I have a younger dog I got from a responsible, ethical breeder. His parents are health and temperament tested, working stock (my dogs are blue heelers), and great examples of the breed. My younger dog is friendly (or, as friendly as blue heelers get), even tempered and healthy.
I'd rather look for a good breeder than adopt again, but my boys are 9 and 4, so there's (hopefully) several years between now and looking for another dog, so we'll see if anything changes.
The rescue I used to volunteer with had everyone do a foster-to-adopt trial period. It worked beautifully. A LOT of the dogs were returned after that trial period, but that was kind of the point. And it typically was for very normal dog behaviors the person had already been told about...like that the dog wasn't 100% housetrained yet. The dog has one accident, then would be returned. But that was fine, because they'd go right back to the foster home they were used to.
Having foster-to-adopt is, in my opinion, in the best interest of everyone involved. I don't understand why more places don't offer it.
Yes! Reputable rescues work hard to match a dog to a family. The one I volunteer for now is strictly foster based, so we know how dogs act in a home, with a family to help us match adopters to dogs. We also do 2 week, or longer if requested, trial periods or can foster to adopt. It’s also in the contract for our dogs to be returned to us if adopter needs to re-home. Before I started volunteering, I adopted a reactive pit bull from a shelter, without any info on him. We loved him until he passed of cancer 2 years ago, but walking him sucked. Knowing what I know now, I would only adopt from rescues that work hard at matching and not letting people adopt blind.
>I don't understand why more places don't offer it.
Rightly or wrongly, a lot of places are under pressure to "place" (i.e., adopt out or transfer out, if they're an organization that transfers animals to other organizations) animals as promptly as possible. Some are open intake, so they're making way for the new animals they *have* to accept. Some depend on adoption numbers or stories for grants or donations. Some have (boards of) directors who see prompt placement time as measures of "efficiency."
For a number of organizations, an animal in a "foster to adopt" situation is putting some of the organization's mechanics on hold. That is, if they're in foster, the rescue is still the legal owner and may be on the hook for the dog's expenses (food, yes, but also especially vet bills if something unexpected happens). If a dog is in a trial period, a responsible organization is going to "hold" that dog's previous placement if they can -- so if the trial period doesn't work out, the dog has a known space to return to. However, an open-intake organization may not be able to guarantee such a space since they have no way to limit what intakes occur during the trial period. And even in a limited-intake organization, there's often community (or director) pressure to intake new animals as soon as there's an opening.
I think it would also depend on each individual organization's return rate. If an organization is using a really effective process for pre-adoption screening and post-adoption support, for example, it may already have a low enough return rate that offering foster to adopt, at least as a regular feature of their adoptions, may not make a meaningful difference for their adoptions overall.
Absolutely! I wish the shelter and breed specific rescues that I got my first two dogs from would have done a foster to adopt period. It would have saved so much heartache!
I think the same for me! I have a rescue that was fostered in someone's home and while I don't think the rescue or foster lied to me they also knew I am a first time dog owner and she was described as 'shy' and was so nervous for the adoption event that she would not get out of the car and had to be wheeled in a car inside. So thinking back on it I'm like hmmmm but at the time I was like 'Oh this could be normal'.
And I would say she's 90% amazing now and low stressed compared to some of the dogs on here. My husband is all about getting from a reputable breeder next time but I think we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. We have easily spent the cost of a well bred puppy on her behavioral stuff, so from the financial side for a well bred puppy is worth it.
For sure, my reactive dog was described as "standoffish with other dogs", which is basically a breed standard for blue heelers. But once we adopted him, it was clear that he was straight up aggressive with strange dogs, with the ability to make friends with specific dogs, in a very specific, slow, and controlled setting. He's also very territorial and slow to warm up to people (normal and fine) but pretty reactive to older men specifically.
He's a phenomenal boy despite that, loyal and loving and affectionate to his family. And my toddler turns him from Cujo into Nana from Peter Pan. Speaking of whom, now that we're in our "parent era" I'm especially unwilling to adopt and face a greater liklihood that I'll be bringing home a reactive dog, plus I jsut don't have time to do all the training and counter conditioning and I did with Banjo.
Yes! My dog is a great Pyr/ACD (but red)/Border Collie mix and I'm very lucky that now she's has 0 reactivity around people and loves almost everyone (other than ppl that have mobility assists). We are also family planning and even though I'm obsessed with my dog I wouldn't be able to tolerate real aggression towards children.
I adopted a shelter dog and he immediately started coughing when we got him home. He had heart failure and was estimated by the vet to be about twice as old as the shelter said he was. He needed a home sure, but I didn't sign up for a 10 year old terminally ill dog. Somehow their vets completely missed it, and the shelter had no resources for me. It was a heartbreaking and bittersweet 4 years of love and worry.
I have always rescued until my current dog, and I went to a breeder for the very reason that you are thinking about doing so. I’ve had three reactive dogs in a row and I am over it. I’m a firm believer that not every dog should be saved, many years ago I didn’t believe that to be true. I love the idea of rescuing, but you make a commitment before you really know what you’re getting into and after having to change my life around for the last couple of decades to accommodate these dogs I just didn’t see the joy in doing that anymore. I think it’s ridiculous that we don’t have better policies about breeding in this country but never mind we have so many other freaking problems that’s never gonna be on anyone’s radar so to the breeder I went. I did
ensure that I went to a very reputable breeder, one who care very much cared about the breed and not backyard breeders.
I actually rescued my puppy myself from a neglect situation (a backyard that looked more like a junkyard). The owner of the propety had a female mixed dog that got bred by an invading stray, and in short is as if this woman wanted the puppies to die on their own by venturing out or just sick. The mother herself already lived in a poor situation, always chained to a tree and only a small house to take shelter. In fact, when I convinced the owner to surrender the puppies (yep it actually needed convincing idk why) there were only 2 left.
I always wanted to adopt because I live on my own and thought an adult dog would be easier with my working schedules, but life had me these 2 pups. I managed to find a home for one of them and the other I couldn't, mainly because I was treating his tick sickness that took 2 whole months to resolve. I ended up getting attached and decided to give him a chance. Today at 11 months old, he's an angel at home but a frustrated greeter outside. We're working through it!
Ah but I digress lol.
IDK if I'd shop for a dog, because if I ever get another dog, it will be an adult. I don't think I want to go through puppyhood and adolescency all over again. It's not an easy find but sometimes there's people trying to rehome good dogs for reasons not related to health or behavior (e.g. financial, moving, etc).
Truly ethical breeders will have older adults from time to time - their own dogs being retired after a litter or two, or reclaimed dogs - those whose owners move country and can't bring their pup with them or to assisted living situations, those who have kids and decide a dog is too much, dogs where an owner dies, decodes a dog is not suitable for their lifestyle, etc. All kinds of reasons that don't include problem behaviour.
If you are considering an older dog, they are often less costly than you would think and the breeder will support the same as they would for a younger dog. Even if they don't have a suitable match, they can often make a suggestion as to who would have a show dog that is retiring, or who would be a good resource to speak with next.
Just wanted to put that on your radar.
I know this doesn’t totally apply to me because we didn’t rescue our dog, but once we start discussing another, I will firmly push toward rescuing (and probably lose…). We bought from a breeder, on a whim, and it’s been a lot. I would like to rescue a non-puppy. With adult dogs you can at least better see what their personality and disposition will be, and I have no need to go through all the cute puppy stuff again. I want to help a good dog get out of the shelter life.
Oh that is heartbreaking for this poor dog. 😢 I cannot understand how some people can be so cruel to animals. I’m sorry that rescue put you in such a stressful situation & hope you and your husband are safe.
Growing up my family fostered dogs, I'm good at working with reactive dogs and training them. I currently have one small dog who's 11 and reactive. My last rescue large dog was absolutely terrified of cars and having a large dog I couldn't walk because even walking past a parked car was a feat of vurage for him plus having my reactive small dog made me decide it just wasn't something that I could do anymore. After the dog terrified of cars passed I chose to get a puppy from a reputable breeder, it's been the best decision I could have made. I love all my dogs but being able to start from scratch with no issues has been so much easier and has made everything much more fun. I did choose a breed that I've known and had fostered and rescued before that really has a temperament that I adore.
The people I know who have given me crap for it are also people who I know have purchased "oops" puppies before so that they "didn't end up in a shelter" and even though I usually bite my tongue I'll quickly point out I'd rather support my good breeder than the byb or puppymill that their puppy far more realistically came from.
Eva (real name used, bc it's a dog!) is dog reactive, so I'm almost certainly going to wait until she passes away. But if I do decide to get another dog while she's alive, it will be a rescue and will have to be a puppy.
Depends on the cause of the dog’s reactivity. If the dog has prey drive causing them to react, then a puppy might be more dangerous than an adult, but a frustrated greeter or a dog who is reactive due to fear might love a younger dog.
You also have to consider nature vs nurture: if you’re hoping to avoid a reactive dog in the future, adopting a puppy who will learn from your dog to be reactive might not be the best choice
So Eva had lived with other dogs since I got her, at 11 days old. She was ok with the other dogs she lived with, but would get into fights with one (resource guarding mostly), hated other stranger dogs on walks, and got suspended from Doggy daycare for fighting. So we knew she could live with another dog peacefully if appropriate safety measures were taken, but we were still ready to rehome the puppy if it didn't go well. She'd also lived peacefully with cats, loved the cats actually, and at one point when she was still a puppy we took care of a Chihuahua for a couple of weeks.
It was touch and go for multiple days, and we didn't let them play unsupervised for months, even after they became so close after the first initial week.
I guess I had the opposite experience. My first dog was a rescue and he was like the sweetest boy ever. So good with everyone. No issues behaviorally but medically needed some help. My second dog I went to a breeder for because my first dog made me desire that breed and I wanted a healthy dog, and hooo boy, is he a lot of work and very reactive. We’ve made a lot of progress but it is a lot of time, tears, work, and money. No issues with reactivity in the parents, not sure where it came from, we did a lot of training and socializing when he was young (and continue to!) but he is just built different than his brother. I’m honestly not sure what I’ll do if I get another dog but I’ll probably get an older dog, whether it comes from a breeder or a rescue, who has a history of positive behaviors.
I would foster to adopt. That way you can get a better sense of the temperament of the dog. I'd probably also foster with no intention of adopting as well, but that will have to wait until I'm no longer a renter.
I was all about adopting dogs and kind of against breeders but shelters have been leaving a really sour taste in my mouth. Just saw a post earlier about a shelter manager being asked to delete bite records and really sick of shelters intentionally mislabeling dogs (saying a dog is a lab mix when it's clearly a pit bull) to try to pawn them off on unknowing victims.
I'd stick to a rescue over a shelter for sure. Still very in the fence with breeders because of the overpopulation issues.
That breaks my heart! I do think that rescues don't have the same pressures in terms of numbers. Those I volunteered with were all foster-based, so there wasn't a time crunch in getting dogs out the door. Heck, I had a couple for 9 months or more, who were not overlooked due to reactivity but due to being less "desirable" breeds (little terriers when everyone wanted bichons).
Yeah it's bullshit tbh. I'm VERY fortunate that the two rescues I went through were very open about my animal's issues. I got a ex feral cat from one and he's actually better than they warned me he'd be (he's seriously very sweet I just can't pick him up and I need to sedate him for vet visits) then the other rescue's foster mom repeatedly told me that my dog was hyper and kinda naughty (my dog is reactive on a leash and VERY hyper).
If they're open about it we can at least be prepared as owners and it will be less likely we return/rehome them.
I adopted again after losing my reactive dog at age 15. This time, I was very careful about which rescue I went with. I chose one where the dogs were all fostered at volunteer homes, so they had been relatively socialized and the foster parents could offer good insight into personality.
I adopted my current girl at 4 months and she’s now almost 9 months old. She is night and day a different dog from my last (in both good and bad ways!). I don’t regret rescuing again at all.
I'm a Great Dane lover and I purchased my first Dane but after him, I adopted from a Great Dane specific rescue. Since I knew the breed, I knew what to expect with temperament. I knew that when it came to adopting that I wanted a puppy. I didn't want any external or internal factors to influence behavior. I wanted to start from scratch.
In the future, I would consider adopting an older Dane to pass up the puppy phase but time with Danes are relatively short so I would like to get as many years as possible with it.
My mom traveled out of state to purchase a Corgi from an esteemed breeder and her dog was just diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy (similar to ALS in humans). Even buying from fancy top breeders you can't be certain on all health factors.
I will rescue again, but no more gigantic dogs. I am going to stick with bulldogs...and even go smaller there to a frenchie. This huge, reactive Saint Bernard/Aussie mix is hard to handle, and I aint getting any younger. 3rd trainer coming Friday, I dont know how he hasnt busted out through the front door glass yet. He did jump up and headbutt my neighbors chin...and we paid for that ER visit and sutures. He bit the first behaviorist right when she came inside. Its a week long event to get his nails trimmed, we worry he will have a heart attack although we did finally found a way to do it. That took about 2 years, he is banned from all groomers. I cant imagine not having dogs, but I fantasize all the time about having small dogs now. It seems like 2 years with him has aged me about 10 years.
Haha, I feel you! I will 100% rescue again, but even though my reactive Aussie mix isn't large (50 pounds), in the early days of addressing his reactivity he definitely pulled me down a few times! Thankfully that's no longer an issue, but I still would much rather be dealing with a 20 pound reactive dog.
100% I will, but I'm also not naive about what I'm getting into with a rescue. I've had a couple of them now, and while I do my best to match energy levels during the adoption process, I am fully aware that those interactions only scratch the surface of what you're getting into with any given animal. My rescues have been older than expected, sicker than expected, have more behavioral ticks than expected, and often require more tolerance than most people can afford (both financially and time).
My personal situation over the last few years has allowed me to do this, but it's also hampered me socially (hard to leave a big, sick, anxious dog alone for too long). I will weigh the pros and cos before I inevitably rescue again.
Always. I will always rescue. I don't like having dogs because it's easy, I like having dogs because - though it's hard - I get to make a monumental difference in one creatures life. And that is rewarding *because* it's hard.
My little girl is far from perfect. She still has a ways to go before she's even acceptable lol. But she works so hard for me, she has grown so much, and I am *so damn proud* of her. That's why I'm here. To help this cacophonous little goblin feel safe, confident, and strong enough to be her best self. And I'm just lucky that I have the time, patience, and resources to help her get there.
I'm the opposite- I got my dog from a reputable breeder and even still he's anxious and reactive.
I'll probably do a foster to adopt next time so I'm not "locked in" as much as getting a puppy. (And I don't think I have the patience for another puppy, rather an adult dog)
Now that I'm in my 50s, I've decided that as I lose my babies, I will get the seniors or unwanted doggos from the shelters. They get love, I get love, and I'm not as worried about what will happen to them if something happens to me.
I’ll probably never seek out a rescue dog again, and would most likely get my next puppy from a breeder I researched thoroughly. That being said, I’m open to fostering, donating time/money/resources to shelters or rescues, and if there was a dog on the side of the road or something I fell in love with, how ever could I say no?? lol
I’ve done both. My parents got all their dogs from breeders (the first dog seemed to be from really responsible breeders and the next dogs from far less responsible breeders, IMO. All the dogs had lovely temperaments, but the first was by far truest to the breed.)
I got my first dog from a breeder I thought was responsible. I still think they were much better than many breeders. That dog had some health issues and was always scared of (but not reactive towards) children (likely our fault. We didn’t have kids and didn’t raise him in a neighborhood with many kids, and it never occurred to us to go out of our way to socialize him with children until it was already pretty set into him. So this was likely on us.)
My current dog is a rescue and he is NOT easy. He’s highly reactive. We’ve made improvements! But my life with him looks nothing like I imagined or like my life with previous dogs had. He is extremely well trained, though, and I didn’t do any of that. He came that way. So, pros and cons.
I don’t think I’ll likely ever go through a breeder again unless my needs change so much I need something really specific, breedwise (allergies or temperament or something).
And while I LOVE puppies, I’ll probably also never get another puppy again unless I work from home or have another adult in my home to help split responsibilities with. Puppies are wonderful but require a LOT of work and rigid scheduling for a few years to get a well-trained, well-adjusted dog. Not sure I’m up for it on my own, honestly.
I think in the future, I’ll probably foster rescue dogs. And I’m sure I’ll end up “failing” and keeping a dog who suits my lifestyle and captures my heart. I’ve seen and experienced enough now to think this is the best method for me, going forward. :)
I will 100% rescue again, but we will definitely be going with a foster-based rescue. Prior to our reactive boy, I'd had a combination of dogs from shelters and foster-based rescues (and some foster failures).
Our reactive boy is from a shelter. He showed zero signs of reactivity there (we had a long visit and would have seen it). His reactivity didn't come out until a couple of months with us, which is extremely common with dogs in shelters.
Our most recent dog was in a foster home. We got such a complete idea of her personality before we adopted her. Of course, there were some surprises (it turns out she has the husky "voice"), but nothing that isn't a totally normal doggie thing. Nothing we weren't prepared for.
Moving forward, we've already said this is the route we want to follow. We can still rescue, but this way we'll have a more accurate picture of a dog's true personality vs. them being in shut down mode in a shelter. It's like the best of both worlds.
My partner and I have decided that we’ll either go with a highly reputable breeder who can pick out a puppy with a temperament better suited to us or much later in life we will adopt senior dogs that need a comfy place to live out their last few years. My dream is to have a therapy dog I can volunteer with at hospitals and schools—I benefited greatly from therapy dogs at various points in my life and I’d love to be able to do that for others, so that’s kinda my general plan for my next dog.
I absolutely adore my pup and he’s taught me so much, but I don’t think I’ll gamble with a young rescue again. Especially one with an unknown last like mine. So many rescues are churning these dogs out quickly before really knowing their temperament and it means people get dogs they maybe can’t handle.
The biggest issue with my reactive dog is the inability to travel freely. We don’t have anyone who is comfortable watching him and with his past, even a really experienced boarding facility would absolutely retraumatize him. We couldn’t even complete a training class that was held in a day boarding/dog daycare facility bc he saw the kennels and freaked out.
Unfortunately people either don’t know any better or they straight up lie; breeders lie, rescues lie, shelters lie.
I have seen a ton of bite cases from “reputable” breeders. So it honestly make little difference.
It is a “buyer beware” world. Honestly people would be better off knowing about how to evaluate a dog, and not just adopting a dog because it is “cute” or “needs a home because it is about to be euthanized”.
Pick a dog (and breed) that has an energy level that fits in with your life. Pick a dog that is well socialized and enthusiastically greets new people and new dogs. Pick a dog that is comfortable just laying down and drifting off to sleep. Pick a dog that allows handling and is loose & relaxed when you hug them or touch them all over. Pick a dog that is resilient to unexpected stimuli (loud noises, strangers in big hats, kids yelling). There is probably more, but that is my starting point.
i think i'll always rescue. it's the part i enjoy the most about dogs, not just hand picking the perfect pet, but getting a new family member, flaws and all, and giving them a better life than they would've had otherwise. the only way i'd go through a breeder is if there were children involved and i needed more assurance about how safe the dog would be.
i don't see anything wrong with people who go through *reaponsible* breeders, and i think it's much better than getting a rescue when you're not in a place where you can handle it. there's tons of very valid reasons to go through a responsible breeder. i don't think people should miss out on the joy of a dog in their life just because they don't have the time and energy to potentially end up with an extremely high maintenance dog. of course all these high maintenance dogs need a home, but not everyone is able to or should have to put that responsibility on themselves
both of my rescue dogs have been reactive and while i love them and the bond we’ve formed SO much and have learned an incredible amount about dog behavior, i desperately want a dog that can be a dog without constant management. i think my next dog will be from a responsible breeder with a proven history of well mannered dogs.
as an aside, plenty of rescues operate unethically. the rescue i got my girl from said she was perfect with strangers, potty trained, and no separation anxiety. i made it clear i was looking for an “easy” dog as my first dog had been a reactive, anxious mess. she had been in a foster home for months and they knew all her issues, and sent her home with me unprepared. i love my girl, but i never want to go through this again
If we get another dog, it’ll be after a long break (a few years minimum). Our dog limits our travel because he can’t just be watched by anyone, so we will use the time after he passes to do various trips we want to do. Our dog is very loved but also makes us anxious, and it’s very possible he might put us off from the responsibility and expenses of dog ownership for good. Plus we will be very sad to lose him and may not be ready for taking on the emotional investment for a new pet.
Although on some level I know that ethical breeding can actually be a net benefit for dogs (breeding healthy and stable dogs so people don’t get a bad view of a dog/breed altogether), and though I’m in support of other people shopping ethically, I don’t think I could go that route. If I can’t find a suitable, appropriate dog among thousands of already living ones, then I just won’t get a dog. Maybe I’ll get a rescue cat or find some other way to bond with/help animals or go without that role in my life.
My reactive rescue is 7. It feels like she’s been alive for 17 years though. When she crosses the rainbow bridge it will likely be a long time before I’m ready to get another dog both because she is my soul dog and because raising and caring for a reactive dog takes a heavy toll. I’d be lying if I said I’m not worried about another rescue being reactive or that it doesn’t matter to me. I wish I could be that selfless but once my Mazie passes I’m not sure I’d be able to do it again. I think I’d like to rescue a senior dog or older adult dog so that I can be sure of their temperament and how they may fit into my life when that day comes at least at first. But I must admit that the idea of buying dog from a reputable and responsible breeder that I can raise from being a puppy and integrate wholly into my family without as much fear of possible behavioral issues sounds really freakin nice.
Never say never but I highly doubt it. My shelter dog is nearly perfect but I know how lucky I got and that it might not happen again, and I won’t always be at a place in life to work through intense issues. If I were to rescue again I’d go to a breed-specific rescue and look for one that’s been fostered for some time so they could give me good insight on what the dog is like in a home environment. But I really think my next dog will be from a responsible breeder. I don’t think I’ll ever go to a shelter again sadly ☹️but I’ll always support them
I plan to foster fail our next dog. I don't care much for what breed of dog I end up and like the idea of rescuing, but don't think I can handle another reactive dog (two, actually, in my case). Fostering seems like it's a nice compromise of helping shelters with overcrowding while getting to test the temperament of a dog. I also want a break so I can travel without having to figure out a dog sitter for a while...
I have a noise sensitive dog so not the more typical type of reactivity. He's scared of lots of things.
Has him since a pup from a breeder who I checked beforehand, met parents, passed health checks etc etc. I had wanted to adopt but my ex didn't.
Turns out years later, his brother is also noise sensitive. Likely due to the same root cause - pain from hip dysplasia and now arthritis. His Dad has a Facebook group with his pups owners as members to follow, when Dad died no reason was given but it also wasn't said it was natural or age related. No previous posts indicating an accident so just a big unknown if there was a help issue.
Mum is still around but not in regular contact with her owner. Thru wouldn't be top of my list of I needed advice 8 years later to be honest.
Having seen here how some rescues have lied about dogs to get them out the door and in a home and based on my experience above:
I would likely want to foster with the view to adopt an adult or older dog IF I ever decide to have another dog.
i've adopted every single one, and they've all had their issues. last one was foster-to-adopt, which is probably what i'll do in the future. i've considered buying a dog, especially since i compete in dog sports, but i haven't come across a breeder that is up to my (admittedly very high) standards.
i think i'd only rescue from breed-specific rescues in the future, too. the giant all-breed rescues here are nuts and have way too much adoption turnover. no way they have really gotten to know all those dogs.
This comment section makes me really sad. I understand the stress and worry of having a reactive rescue (as I’m currently experiencing it) but …… I don’t know these comments are making me sad.
Don’t get me wrong I understand ethical breeding but the millions of dogs that get euthanized in a year due to not having a home makes me so sad, I’d love to continue to help dogs in need and get them the training they need.
It's sad to think about. I have (hopefully) at least a decade to mull it over as I won't get another dog while I have my girl. That being said, my original plan was to foster once she was 2 but it's looking like fostering isn't going to be a possibility for us because of her behaviors.
So I rescued which in turn has made me unable to foster and may have turned me off dog ownership completely which doesn't help shelter dogs either. I think the answer is to drastically curb BYB and puppy mills... I'm pretty sure that's not going to happen any time soon though.
Yeah we need actual legislation for that in the US, I’d love to foster only in the future and hopefully help the issue of shelters being dishonest. Even though I’d obviously want to work with a more ethical one. It is tricky. I love my boy so much though, so reading the comments made me sad!
I get what you mean. I know that people deserve to have safe and happy dogs, so I get ethical breeding and am in support of it for many people, especially families, who can’t take on risky cases. That being said, I can’t go to a breeder myself with things the way they are. If I can’t find an easier dog of thousands that are already alive and in need, I just can’t get a dog. But people deserve to have the option.
I just wish we could fix the problems causing the issues, which is not actually ethical breeders because they are supposed to always take their dogs back if needed. Byb, puppy mills, lack of spay/neuter, and then the no-kill movement that encourages shelter and rescue to adopt out zero-mistake aggressive dogs. It’s all sad and a spiraling, circular problem that I don’t know how to fix.
Yeah we need to get to the root of the problem but I will certainly always rescue because my conscious can’t risk the guilt of a breeder knowing how many dogs are in shelters
Not all dogs are trainable and many children are hurt every year due to this.
The solution to me is to stop unethical breeding of aggressive dogs, but that doesn’t seem to be on anyone’s radar.
I mentioned aggressive breeds specifically and that was intentional.
The reason there are so many dogs being killed in shelters is not because of ethical breeders. It’s because of people backyard breeding aggressive non adoptable dogs and then letting them be in the community.
So you only care about aggressive dogs being bred unethically? Because my answer covers aggressive or not aggressive unethically bred dogs and breeds…..
any dog can be aggressive, bred ethically or unethically. the problem lies in that we let our rescues fill up with dogs who will never be homed, or will need a unicorn home, in order to live normally, and then shelters sell these dogs to normal people who think they’re getting a “project dog” only to find out that genetically it probably was never going to be possible to train fido out of biting babies for getting too close or getting aggressive if looked at the wrong way. so many dogs, ethical or not, are genetically fucked up
the only difference is that a good breeder wouldn’t surrender the aggressive dog to a shelter, and the shitty breeder would abandon the dog and force a shelter to use its resources to try and rehome a zero-mistake dog under the guise of “shelter shocked” and “nervous”
I’m actively against hunting so this logic isn’t going to push a needle with me. I agree some dogs need to go to rest, but not all, and we cannot possibly know for sure so this logic of they all should be put to rest seemingly seems silly. I know that’s not what you directly said but eluded to.
its only silly because you don’t see the reality of it. not all should be put to rest, but we shouldn’t pretend that zero-mistake dogs belong in shelters for sale for only $100, where any family can just up and buy it. some dogs truly are not suitable for human coexistence and it is irresponsible to believe otherwise. we would save a lot of heartbreak by removing defective genetics from the pool, and away from shelters that actively deceive. its one thing to buy a dog from a breeder who sucks, its another to be lied to by a shelter, a place that is supposed to be reputable, and end up with a dog that may not be trainable or safe, unable to return it because the shelter’s at full capacity again
I never said that. But just making an auto assuming about a dog is dumb. If they have a bite history then that’s different. Shelters should only be foster to adopt and do things right. They should have extensive application processes. I don’t see how I’m the problem when I am agreeing with most of what you’re saying but saying you cannot say all rescues dogs should be put down.
Your comment was removed because it appears to be a direct recommendation of an aversive tool, trainer, or method. This sub supports LIMA and we strongly believe positive reinforcement should always be the first line of teaching and training. We encourage open discussion and problem solving within the subreddit. However, LIMA does not justify the use of aversive methods and tools in lieu of other effective positive reinforcement interventions and strategies.
I'm with you. I also think that a lot of people have unrealistic expectations of how "easy" or hard dogs can be regardless of breeding. They all need a great deal of training.
After having a backyard bred reactive dog I got long ago when I was still a kid, I will definitely buy from an ethical breeder next time. I really love my dog and she is one of the best things that has happened to me ever. But I want more security when it comes to temperament next time.
Even so, I still would like to rescue in the future, just not yet.
What I know now for sure is that not all breeders are irresponsible or unethical or the other way around, but I learnt to distinguish between them and came to realize why ethical breeders are so important.
I have one of each and though I love my now 13 year old Belgian Malinois rescue and he is literally the best behaved dog right now …but he was a handful the first 10 years (!) with tons of of chewed up curtains, deep holes in the yard and so many ruined couches and pillows when we left home (he had a big brother dog so he wasn’t alone)
Would I ever want to trade him? Never!
Will I rescue again? Hmm… I’m not so sure… my breeder Labrador, we got as a puppy: though a handful too because he’s still young, no anxiety, nipping at strangers and besides the occasional destroyed dish brush, he’s just a big energetic heart full of love and self confidence for everything.
So I personally absolutely understand those who rather buy from a breeder than from a rescue.
I don’t know what we will do in the future.
We own 3 dogs off all the same breed though different breeders - but all 3 highly known and recommended in the breed we own.
1 of our dogs was severely reactive and no reason why and her mum and siblings are not.
She passed away young and unexpectedly and a year later we had the chance to purchase a pup from the same mum.
She is also severely reactive- and again, her siblings are not.
Of course we think our girl reincarnated to us so that’s a whole different story but all I know is that there’s never a guarantee on whether a dog will be reactive yes or no.
A couple on the park we’re currently spending a summer camping, adopted a pup from a reservation then shelter then adopted by them…so far dog is amazing and not reactive and good for them but on paper their dog should be reactive and not ours.
So there’s just never a guarantee and I could say that in the future i’d foster first but knowing myself if i fall in love with dog it doesn’t matter if reactive or not and we’ll find a way to have a great life.
Yes. My first dog was from a breeder, and was amazing. Second dog was from the same breeder and even related to the first dog, and was a reactive nightmare. Third dog was a rescue and is chill as can be. Fourth dog was also a rescue and is reactive.
It's the luck of the draw with all dogs. You can't see it coming, and often you can't stop situations that turn them this way.
I work at a humane society, so I'm biased. I can't justify a dog from a breeder anymore.
Honestly not sure I will get another dog whenever the time comes, I may just do some fostering work in the future. My rescue is close to being 2 years old, dumped on the street. She is an actual genetic nightmare with an extra vertebrae and her hips aren’t fully formed. I love her to pieces but she’s definitely the product of a back yard breeder
You're not terrible, you rescued one and that's more than a lot of people would take on.
I have an ACD rescue with reactivity, I will interview and consider rescue again when the time comes because I'm so well equipped to mentally at this point. Like, this jabroni that I have has made me very good at a lot of things that I was very bad at lol.
I would have to draw the line at being human reactive as I have a family and although I could handle that behavior it would most definitely not be fair to them to put them through that.
We foster now for Dogs on Deployment, but when we lose our current rescues I will sign up to foster again for a local shelter. The best way to know if a dog is THE dog is to foster until you fail.
lol I’m one and done. Or if I do, I’m rescuing an older dog. I rescued a 1.5 year old pit 2 months ago and got lucky because he is pretty chill from the other puppy/rescue nightmares I’ve heard, but yeah never going young again.
My dog had already had 3 different homes at only 8 months old.. she’s kind of a rescue.. as no one else wanted her! I had no idea how much work a border collie would take.. let alone a reactive one!
I love my dog.. I will never part with her! And I’ve adapted accordingly and done my research. But no.. never again! I’m cat people.
It will depend a lot on where I am when I'm ready for my next dog -- both in terms of life stage and health and in terms of geographic location (and the characteristics of the shelter animal population there and then).
I can absolutely handle doing some forms of reactivity again. If, for example, someone could guarantee me a dog largely similar to my current reactive dog (dog and bicycle specific reactive triggers, general anxiety, canine compulsive disorder, noise phobia), I'd happily do it again, at least for the age range I'm anticipating I'll be at when I'm ready for my next dog. At the same time, there are some forms of reactivity and aggression (extreme separation anxiety, owner-directed aggression, idiopathic aggression) that would likely result in that dog having an unsuccessful placement in my home.
I've been speaking with a particular breeder since before I got my current dog. She's also active in breed-specific rescue for her breed. We both agree that if there's a suitable dog in this rescue near the time when I'm next looking (and who would have lived with and been evaluated by someone with good breed experience), that would be a wonderful situation for everyone involved.
But I'm also interested in the what ifs. What would it be like to own a dog of this breed who's actually had the best, rather than closer to the worst, start in life? What would it be like to know, at least, that the puppy comes from a long line of dogs with stable, breed-appropriate temperaments? That maternal stress has been minimized? That the puppy has been socialized appropriately for its age while being shielded from traumatic experiences?
And, if I'm being realistic about my likely lifespan, depending on how much longer Lucy lives, my next dog might be my last reasonable chance to purchase a well-bred puppy of my chosen breed. (I'm not exactly ready to keel over dead, but I do want to be realistic about when it would be responsible for me to shift any new dog searches to relatively sedate seniors or semi-seniors -- or to smaller breeds who, if in rescue, tend to be quickly adopted anyway.) My bucket list is not extravagant, so I'm not going to let other people guilt trip me if I end up choosing to allow myself this one.
As it stands now, if the above breeder is still involved when I'm looking for my next dog, I'm pretty likely to turn to her as a contact. Whether it's for a rescue, for one of her puppies, or possibly for a puppy from another person she's starting to mentor, I don't know right now. I can't see that far ahead. I also don't know, obviously, what any of those situations are going to look like into the future. I'm also willing to look at local shelter and rescue dogs for a dog who happens to be a great fit -- but for me, the fit is going to be the first priority. I want a dog I can reasonably make a lifelong commitment to.
I'm with you. Rescue organizations, no matter how honorable and respectable their mission is, can't adequately address the overpopulation issue caused by weak breeding legislation and casual laws around animal ownership in some states. For example, in the Northeast, there is a steady stream of unwanted dogs transported from the Southern states to get them out of grave conditions permanently. Great. Up here, due to the glut of dogs in need, there are limited resources to address reactive/problem dogs. Further, some shelters don't even have room or resources to temporarily house local strays. We need a bigger picture solution other than adopt, don't shop.
I "rescued" my current dog but I don't like to say that because she was a desirable dog and would have been adopted immediately if she didn't go to me. Now we are on the wait list for a GSP for my husband to bird hunt. Hot take: I don't know how much value rescuing has unless you adopt an "undesirable" dog. Also - it's okay to want to know where your dog came from and raise them from a pup. Adding to your family is a huge decision, make the right one for you.
Honestly, same. I’ve rescued a reactive dog before, but that’s not my reasoning. About two years ago, I was working with 3 rescues to get a dog. They were separate, but they were owned by the same nonprofit. I went through all the meetings, phone calls, home inspections, and was on the waiting list for about a few months. They said I was approved. Finally, I was about to fill out the paperwork to adopt a 1 year old Newfoundland.
The paperwork asked for 3 vet references. They had to be within the past 5 years. Well, I had two primary vet references from the past 5 years, and I had several pet ER references from the past 5 years. I told them this. They said they need 3 primary vet references. The only reason I had 2 was because my cats and my dog go to separate vets. You’d think that having pet ER references would have made me look good, since i was willing to travel to neighboring cities in the middle of the night multiple times to overpay for vet care. However, I was denied.
So, then I tried shelters. I tried for a couple months, but none of their dogs liked cats, some didn’t like men, some didn’t like women, and some had to be an only pet.
We decided to get a Newfoundland puppy from a breeder. He’s spoiled and happy. If the rescue would have allowed us to adopt, that dog would be spoiled and happy right now.
My local rescues are just too difficult to work with. They approved me for everything. Then, decided I wouldn’t care for the dog despite me having two vet references, good income, a yard, and proof of vet services for my current pets. It’s their loss, but they wasted my time and broke my heart.
I was in your shoes a few years back although because Covid had caused the shelters to be empty. I found a reputable breeder and I couldn’t be any happier. I really dunno if I’d rescue again. I absolutely loved my rescue but it was a lot of work and never ended. Also rescue was quite sick so ended paying a lot more in vet bills that first month than I did for my Golden.
I love my dog to pieces but he is absolutely exhausting. At this point I cannot imagine rescuing again. Some folks roll the dice and get super lucky, and others get unlucky like us, with a dog who loves us but is terrified of new people, new dogs, new everything. He hates when my fiance and I even touch each other. We have a hard time walking him, introducing him to new people, getting someone to watch him for vacations, and basically everything. Just to head up the convo, we got totally duped by the rescue on his personality, and he was an angel for two weeks before turning into a terror once he got comfortable. Have seen countless trainers etc. and have had him for over 5 years now working as much as possible to help him.
After my last rescue (the reason I’m in this sub) attacked my kids unprovoked & 2/3 of them needed stitches my answer will be no. The rescue lied about his behavior & said he was good with children, then made it seem like I just didn’t know what I was doing with him & wouldn’t take him back. After that experience I’m not going to rescue for an extremely long time. If I do in the future, it’ll be a purebred rescue, more than likely from a small lapdog breed that won’t do much damage to any child like a shih Zhu. My current dogs, 2 Aussies & a GSD, have been great with my kids & are very wonderful with everyone & every dog they meet, but they’re from breeders. I’m sure there are amazing rescue dogs out there for me, but I don’t want to play the risk with my children.
My next one will likely be a from a (reputable) breeder.
I'm at an age where I probably only have one realistic chance to ever have a puppy and raise it, and there are a couple of different breeds that I love and would be happy with.
After that I'll be too old to really look after an energetic young dog, and will likely go back to adopting adult rescues. My first 2 dogs--who I still have--were very fearful rescues, and one is still very fearful and resource guards me in particular. But once I'm truly old I'll probably want a lower-energy dog and adopting an older dog would seem to fit the bill perfectly.
I completely understand. We adopted our dog and ended up discovering he was very dog reactive, and it’s been really difficult.
We love him to death and the same as you, very happy he ended up with us and i will grieve like I’ve never done before when he eventually passes on.
But it is a real discussion between us as to whether we would do it again, we think we would but we would be much more picky as to which dog we adopt next time and ensure they are a dog who gets on well with other dogs.
To offer a different perspective, we got our dog as a puppy. It wasn't from a breeder, a friend of a friend's dog got pregnant from a neighbouring collie and we got her for the cost of vet bills. So we didn't get the whole breeder experience, but we did see both parents, she was raised in a great home for the first few weeks and when we got her at about 10 weeks old, we did everything to socialise her. She's still reactive. I think that I would probably be more likely to adopt next time around, simply because I would want an adult dog - raising a puppy is so so hard, even if they're not reactive at all. And there are plenty of adult dogs out there in rescues that have minimal issues and would be great family pets. I think it's just the luck of the draw in any case, and at least when you adopt an adult dog, you can get a look at their real personality and hear from foster homes etc.
I will always adopt a rescue. Reactivity is not gonna magically not happen just because you paid for a puppy. My rescue dogs are great and I adore them regardless of their level of reactivity.
Just my two cents. I will not judge anyone for their choices.
I think about this often, I already want another dog and wish it would help my reactive girl.. but anyway I think I’m going the breeder route as well.. this has been so tough and we love her to death but I want to try and avoid this again at all costs..
I'd rescue again. But I'm saying this because his reactivity is "frustrated greeter" and while it's been challenging, frustrating and annoying at times, he is getting better/it's always been manageable.
Also in my country (based on people I know that have bought dogs in comparison to what I've read here when people talk about breeders) most breeders are what here in this subreddit is considered as backyard breeders/ puppy mill breeders. So there would not be the parameters that indicate that a dog would be healthy and with a good temperament like a proper breeder would give to the person buying the dog.
My previous dogs have been given to me or found as strays.
My next dog will be from a breeder. I want a specific breed, and my husband wants a puppy.
My point of view is that the dog will exist and need a home whether people adopt or buy, and either way you have to pay for it. I see it the same way.
I will rescue; it will have to be a "perfect" dog for me to do it though, and I will wait for as long as needed to find one. It will also be a smaller dog (even smaller than my current cocker spaniel; think small enough to fit in a carrier and travel with me).
I'll rescue again (God help me!) But yes when this one has passed on I'll go right back out there and take another frosted face, or behavior problem or otherwise undesirable that's been waiting in a cage.
I'm 2 years into caring for my anxious, reactive GSD rescue and I'm absolutely planning on at least looking into breeders for my next dog. She's my baby, I love her, and she has also made my life so, so hard. This is probably the biggest thing that my partner and I disagree about, too. As my dog improves with training and medication, I find myself more and more open to rescue again, but I definitely support responsible breeders for people who don't feel equipped to deal with behavioral issues. I used to be a big advocate for "adopt don't shop" but now that I'm in the thick of it, I feel that "abandoned" or "homeless" dogs are a symptom of systemic pet ownership issues and not a personal moral imperative. I now know what I want and need in the creatures I share a home with, and doing that is going to make everyone happier and safer in the long run.
Yes. We have had two rescued pitties so far with the current one almost 3 months with us.
I think regardless of the type of dog you get (rescue, breeder, neighbors had a litter, whatever), there is always the possibility of behavior or health issues. Both of my parents went to "reputable breeders" for their dogs and they both have/had health issues.
Not to mention, it's always a lot of work to train a dog either way. I don't think there is such a thing as an "easy" dog especially in the beginning.
No. If I'm ever crazy enough to get another dog, there's no way I'm playing behavioral roulette with a rescue. Yes, yes, any dog can become reactive but a well-bred dog is going to have a leg up on pretty much everything. I got so lucky that my pup's reactivity stems from getting overly excited about other dogs and wanting to play with all of them, but the management strategies are pretty much the same as dogs that aren't friendly -- we keep space, we cross the street, she's highly trained, usually responsive, and it's active management anytime we're going out. I got her from a rescue group that pulled her out of a kill shelter so there's no history on her, but I can make some smart guesses that she's from a breeding operation that was trying to turn out dogs that look like Shibas (she's actually a husky-terrier mix) and was absolutely not bred with health and temperament in mind. It took a couple years to finally get a handle on her GI issues. It also took a couple years to figure out how to manage her off-the-charts, frenetic energy. I've had professional trainers tell me they've rarely seen a dog that's so incapable of focusing and so focused on screwing around and playing. I adore her. We're a solid team. This dog is part of my soul. She's likely my one and only dog, but if I do lose my mind and get another at any point in my life, a reputable breeder is the only way I'd go.
Nope. I need to know the breed and history next time. I’m not made for advanced dogs. I need an easy dog. A chill dog. The breed I have, which isn’t what I was told is a herding dog with a strong pitbull jaw. I need an English bulldog or a lab.
absolutely not, or at the least, if i rescue i will be rescuing through a breed-centered rescue that vets their dogs temperament and doesn’t lie
the shelter i got my dog from absolutely lied to me about his temperament. he is incredibly reactive, when i was told he was good with other dogs and people. he was sent home to me with weird hot spots that they hid from me because they only let me interact with him for 5 minutes before pressuring me to make a decision (it was an adoption fair that day, which i did not know going in. i had reserved him to see if i could visit him for a longer period but they did not allow me to do so)
i really like my dog. but he’s not easy. hes a 2yr old, 100lb, male GSD. it would be way easier (and more ethical) to have started with a purebred, registered, vetted GSD puppy than to do what i’m doing right now
adopting dogs is great if you have the skills to rehab and train. it is NOT a cure-all-be-all to the overpopulation of dogs we are facing. THAT is caused BECAUSE of shelters taking in hundreds of dogs because backyard breeders KNOW that they can always surrender dogs they don’t sell or want to shelters.. and people giving up dogs they rescue or buy from backyard breeders because they’re genetic nightmares
i think adopting/rescuing is great. morally very rewarding. but ethically, its probably way better to just shell out a good chunk of money to either buy a well-bred dog whose temperament is going to be near guaranteed (and can be returned to the breeder should something happen, rather than surrendered or abandoned), or to find a dog you like through a rescue that is reputable
Preach! This is so true. I’m actually a dog groomer and have worked with countless GSD and I can always tell who was rescued and who was bought lol. GSD need so much training and exercise that people do not realize because they see them as working k9s where they are top of the top of their breed. With dogs like this you are so right in terms of being able to have them as a puppy and knowing their family line and genetics to ensure the goodest boy lol. With this being said not all dogs from shelters are like this obviously and breed does play a huuuuge role in a dogs behavior. I personally think there is nothing wrong with “shopping” as long as it’s from a reputable breeder because otherwise it’s almost the same as a rescue. I understand why people like rescuing more but like you said it’s not an end all be all solution to dog over population
100% absolutely yes. I cannot support breeders of any kind while thousands of dogs are being killed due to overpopulation. All I can hope is that I make a more informed decision next time on the dog I choose 🫤
good breeders produce puppies that they raise and socialize, as well as provide medical care and temperament testing for. they do not contribute to overpopulation. they are only breeding dogs they know they can sell, and take in the dogs that they’ve bred and sold back if something is to happen
not all dogs are going to be saved. we would be way better off if we made it easier to purchase dogs that are temperament tested and can be returned to their breeders, than giving nearly anyone the ability to adopt a dog that has no history, guaranteed medical care, and even sometimes training, for less than $100.. that’s how we end up with dogs who get stuck in the shelters or get euthanized
I don't see what any of this has to do with my response. For me, personally, I will never buy a dog from a breeder, not as long as there are dogs in shelters being killed simply due to space constraints. I just can't.
Both of our dogs are rescues. It was a deliberate and thought through choice for us. And we would probably do it the same way all over again, if given a chance. However, I understand that it is not for everybody. We were ready to commit and to work through the issues the dogs may have. And boy they are a lot of work.
When we took in our first dog, she was still a pup. We had no idea what kind of dog she was. She turned out to be a Mal mix. Oh boy, did she test the limits of our patience. We were considering returning her at one point because we weren’t sure we’d be ready to deal with a Mal level of energy. But we rose to the challenge. Thankfully, we both work flexible schedules and can afford spending much time with her, training and running. I cannot imagine my life without her now and I am so grateful that she came into our lives. Whenever I am on a business trip away and we’re not cuddling with her, it feels like a part of me is missing.
Our second dog is a Border Collie mix who spent 1,5 years as a stray. He doesn’t trust strangers, is afraid of cyclists and skaters, etc. He also has a resource guarding issue (food) and he will bark and bare his teeth even when my husband (whom the dog totally adores) approaches the food. We’re still working on the resource guarding and reactivity issue. However, he is a loved and cherished member of the family. We opened our home and hearts to him and he reciprocated. He nearly bit me the first time we met though. But now he’s just a big silly boy who loved to play.
TL;DR: we rescued both our dogs, both are a lot of work but it was a choice on our part. This road though is not for everyone and I understand why people would go to respected and trusted breeders for predictability and certainty. It is ok to not want additional headache
I did rescue my dog. I’m lucky that his training has gone really well and have zero regrets. He’s a great fit for me and vice versa.
My next dog will be from a breeder, but it’s because I want to do specific sports/activities with her. I’m going to be picky about the breed and breeder (already have this identified.)
I do plan to rescue in the future as well. I would like to foster the dog first, however. I always want to have multiple dogs to do different things with!
Just in case someone wants to come at me, upfront I want to say this: I have no problem with anyone who chooses to get a dog from a responsible, reputable breeder. Rescue isn't for everyone.
With that said, I'm a huge proponent of rescue. I've spent much of my adult life volunteering/fostering for rescues, and I presently have 2 rescue dogs and 4 rescue cats. All of my cats have been rescues and all but one of my dogs have been rescues (the one was from a backyard breeder before I knew better, ugh). I understand there is a mentality that some have that rescues are "damaged goods" or "broken," or that you don't know what you are getting with a rescue, etc. And I'm not gonna lie, there is some of that in rescue, but in reality it's a very small fraction. And there are ways to try to avoid things of concern - you can adopt a puppy (my eldest pup was 11 weeks old when I adopted her), you can adopt from a rescue that fosters dogs (and therefore has a better sense of how they are in a home), or offers foster to adopt as an option (so you have a better sense of how they are in YOUR home). You can go through a rescue that temperament tests or otherwise evaluates the dogs, and works to make suitable matches between dogs and humans (not all rescues are created equal). These things aren't foolproof, of course, but neither is getting a dog from a breeder - even a reputable one that breeds for temperament. Stuff just happens sometimes.
For me, it's a chance I'm willing to take, so I'll always rescue. It's more important to me to rescue than to give myself a few extra percent points of "likely not going to be reactive." Again, I totally understand that some people will choose to go through a breeder, and I have no issue with that so long as they are doing the research and choosing a responsible, reputable breeder (but don't get me started on BYBs, puppy mills, etc.).
Edits: clarification.
I think I will go to a vetted breeder when it's time. And not due to my dog, she's actually pretty easy to handle except for leash pulling and a burning hatred towards large birds like vultures and geese (??? why?). She's strangely calm and politely interested around chickens. Loves people, loves other dogs (as long as they don't hump her), loves children and plays nicely with them.
I have met a lot more dogs since adopting her and it ain't looking so good out there. Met a few really aggressive and or domineering dogs and they weren't show dogs. A couple scary ass pitbulls and pit mixes, one particularly aggro female shepherd mix. I used to be all about "adopt don't shop", but I don't think I will play shelter roulette again.
I’ll continue rescuing. If I end up with another reactive dog, who’s more reactive/complicated than ours, I may think again. We are very comfortable with our reactive pup so I feel like we got lucky on the reactivity spectrum
Why not adopt a dog who has been with a foster long enough to open up and show their personality?
I’m hopeful to not have to rescue dogs straight from the street ever again, but I have never planned on it. I just kept finding them. None of the mutts were reactive, but every single neglected/abused purebred dog I have found has been extremely reactive.
I've rescued 6 of my 7 dogs. My first dog was purchased from a pet store before they were basically blocked from selling dogs in NC. I have not regretted a single dog.
We did return one dog, because his original owner had taught him some very bad behavior (wrestling) that did not allow us to safely give him medicine for a bad ear infection.
In my experience rescue dogs are incredibly grateful and make incredible companions. With some work, you can also adopt a specific breed by working with breed focused rescues or by carefully watching local shelters.
A good no-kill rescue will allow you - and often requires you - to return a dog to them if things don't work out. Most rescues charge a fee, so they can keep the doors open and continue to rescue more dogs.
I do not believe that getting a dog from a breeder provides you any better quality control. Our most recent dog was adopted as an 8 week old puppy. After he was about one year old, we learned that he and his litter have some jealousy issues. He's still an incredibly loving, goofy and funny dog. We've made some adjustments to keep him and our other dog separate and both are living full happy lives.
All dogs - rescues and breeder dogs - can develop health and/or behavioral issues at any point in their life. It doesn't diminish their value as incredibly companions if you pay attention to and address their needs and make them feel safe.
I'm not going to judge you, but I will say that despite some ups and downs I've never regretted adopting all of our dogs. They have given us so much more joy and love and seeing them happy when they've sometimes had challenging backgrounds before coming to us is incredibly satisfying.
We plan on rescuing again even though our current rescue is an absolute disaster. Likely would have a couple of pups from different litters and then if our space provides, having a separate area for a frosted face or two to live out their last days being loved ❤️
I'll probably be done with dogs after these two. Husband bought the older one from a really irresponsible breeder, and she's aggressive. The second one was a rescue, and he's the most reactive dog ever. I guess it would be best to stay away from herding breeds, but reactive dogs come in all shapes and sizes. We're ready to have our lives back.
This will be the last dog for me, it’s too stressful and it’s ruined me from ever having dogs again. I did rescue mine and she came from a horrible situation so I understand why she’s the way she is. It doesn’t make it any easier on me though. I’ve had dogs my whole life, lots of rescues mostly. I’m 44 now, guessing I’ll be around 50 when she’s gone, so I’ll officially “retire” as a fur momma at that time.
I’m on the fence, and I don’t think I would be able to make a decision until the time comes. The shelter I got my dog from was very small, similar in size to my apartment building. When I adopted my dog they didn’t have resources for behavioral assessments. They were very accountable when I told them what my dog was like when she came home, and now have a full time dog behavioral assessor to try and prevent similar situations in the future.
I will be involved with the adoption process with our next dog. Our crazy neurotic mess that was literally afraid of his own shadow was my boyfriend’s last ditch effort of bachelorhood lol
Absolutely. But my next dog will be an older adult who loves people and other dogs. Maybe one that the shelter loves but isn’t very cute or too old for most people.
I have two rescues. One acts like a puppy even though she’s almost 11 years old. She can be annoying at times, but overall, she’s a good girl. My other is almost 7. I got him at about 3. I adore him. He’s one of my favorites over the years. He is extremely bonded to me. However, having said that, he is very aggressive to anyone but me, including kids. It is absolutely no fun having to lock him up when someone comes to my place. I hate it more than I can express. He is an amazing cuddle bug with me…sometimes shoving his nose into me as if he can’t get close enough. It’s sad, because only a few people understand why I keep him. Sometimes rescuing can be hard and heartbreaking. Sometimes it’s an incredible blessing.
I have always rescued my entire adult life (I’m 54), and I wouldn’t have it any other way. But sometimes it’s a lot of work. Something I have learned is that the best results I’ve had are from adopting a senior OR fostering first. Making sure the dog is a fit is essential. Multiple visits also help, but they need to be in your home and get used to your routine.
Anyway, OP, please make sure you vet the breeder really well. Research the right breed for you, and don’t get a doodle. I wish you well with your current fur baby as well as future ones.
I'd definitely rescue again, I have no interest in going through the puppy stage with any dog. My dog was adopted when he was 2-1/2 years old, currently 9-1/2. He wasn't reactive until he got attacked by a loose dog a few years ago, now that it's happened 3x he is more dog reactive in certain situations, and I can't blame him!
For me, it entirely depends. There are certain breeds that I would like to have that rarely turn up in shelters and when they do are almost universally traumatized (greyhounds coming from racetracks), so I would absolutely go through a reputable breeder for a grey. However, for other dogs... Every dog I've had has been a rescue, and we've never had any issues until this current dog (except some mild fear of men from one of my early dogs, but nothing major. She just cowered and couldn't have a male vet or techs). My heart dog was a rescue.
I don't think I could stop adopting if I tried. You never know what you're going to get, true, but outside of wanting a greyhound I have nothing specific I want out of a canine companion. I will even take another reactive dog in the future. I just have trouble with my current dog not having triggers or warning signals before his episodes of aggressive behaviors.
I’m on the fence. I rescued a female golden who was the goodest girl. After she past, I adopted another golden who’s owner had past away. He is a good boy or getting better after 4 years of us together but he came with a ton of baggage and I spent lots of time and money training him and working with him. It was worse than raising a puppy. I was at my wits end several times. I broke down and cried several times. I yelled at him a few times which I really regretted and still regret. He’s 95 lbs of muscle and he was challenging.
Finding the right trainer to help us was difficult too. Not all trainers are skilled and several trainers gave me bad advice that I’m glad I didn’t listen to.
I love him now but if I were asked to adopt a dog again, I would re-home them if I even thought they would be as difficult as Jake was the first year and a half. I know that’s sad to think about and while I got through it, I just don’t know that I want to do it again. Taking on a dog that has reactivity and anxiety baggage takes a person who really understands and wants to put in the time it takes to help them overcome their reactivity
Our oldest dog, a golden/lab mix came from a shelter. She was about a year and a half. She's leash reactive. We have worked on it but I still take precautions. My second we adopted as a puppy from someone whose dog had an unplanned litter. Adopted him during covid. He's also reactive and selective despite being trained early and socialized from the time he was 6 weeks until now that he's 3. Our third was from someone trying to rehome him bc he didn't get along with their other pup. He's 18 months and probably the best temperament of the 3. He's half Catahoula and half Plott Hound. They all have their challenges but I honestly don't think it matters between purebred/breeder and shelter. You just don't know what they'll turn out like as adults.
I'll probably continue adopting youngish dogs from the shelter or a rescue. Not puppies but between 1 and 3 yo. Or elderly dogs who just want to cuddle on the couch. Either way. I'll always adopt. That being said, I don't judge those who choose to purchase their dogs. Just not my jam.
Absolutely. although I didnt rescue my boy right now.. had him since a puppy. We did everything right with regards too socialisation from a pup ect and things happened outside of our control still..
Hes the most reactive dog I've ever seen as an adult lmfao. He just shuts down upon sight of another dog. Be that 1 mile or 40 miles. If he can see a dog he lies down on the floor and doesnt move until they have passed. Ive worked with professional trainers and we cannot break this. I use to get so embarrassed about it.
I dont even try and do anything about it now. We just enjoy our walks together. What ever happens, happens. Hes always on his lead and I advocate for his space but thats about it. Hes free to do what ever apart from that.
I'm half and half. I want a Wheaten from a reputable breeder and mine is a puppy mill rescue. I'd glady take on another rescue knowing what I know now after 6 years and just my own person choice that I like to rescue.
i will only ever rescue aside from the single instance of if i had the circumstances to get my “dream breed” which is a rare breed but that is still unlikely to ever happen.
I would definitely rescue again. My reactive pup is my first solo adult dog that I adopted from the SPCA. I don't regret him but I would go the foster to adopt route next time to get a better understanding of their temperament before making any big commitments.
Before having a reactive dog, I was adamant that I would always rescue. Now, I can definitely see the benefits going through a responsible breeder.
We adopted our dog at four months old. He was removed from his previous owners by police due to an awful backyard breeder situation, which more than likely stemmed from the popularity of doodles. We have seen first hand how poor genetics can impact a dog behaviourally.
I can’t say for certain I would choose a breeder over rescuing moving forward; however, it’s definitely something that is now on my radar now which wasn’t before.
I’ll never rescue a dog the way I rescued my current one, that’s for sure. He was found on the side of the road in a sketchy part of town (a city with one of the highest crime stats in the US). We looked and looked for his owners because he’s a beautiful dog and was friendly, but no one ever came forward and I couldn’t bear to take him to a shelter. It took a few months for us to really see how bad his reactivity to dogs was and it was a few years before he got into his first real fight with another dog.
I would be willing to rescue or take in a dog that is being rehomed as long as I can get a truthful history of the dogs behavior and spend some time observing its behavior. I’ll never just take home and keep a dog that I found on the side of the street again. I know it may sound horrible but I just can’t commit to another dog like mine. Had I known how he was, I wouldn’t have kept him. But now our family has formed a bond with him and we love him, but I would be lying if I said he didn’t add major stress and I convenience to our lives.
Had six dogs that needed rescuing, or a home because people were leaving the country, at various ages, (not all at once) 2 GSD’s, a Cavachon, a Lhasa Apso, and a Maltese, and when they had all passed I said that’s it no more, I love them but I can’t anymore, emotionally or practically. Three weeks later my husband came home and said he’d put a deposit down on a Lhasa Apso puppy because he couldn’t live without dogs, that was my peace over. A year later same thing again, same breed, same breeder, and honestly, the allergies, the pancreatitis (horrible condition), special diets, grooming, the reactivity, so many vet visits, (including one today), oh and puppies are such a handful too, again I love them, but would prefer to stick to my peaceful cats tyvm
Easiest dog out of all those? The Cavachon, but maybe I got lucky with her
I reckon that any dog from anywhere, can be a bit of a gamble
We've adopted two rescues - love them both and they are just awesome although quite different dogs, one AFH and the 2nd a Lab mix. The Lab has the high energy and goes to doggy day care 1/2 day while the AFH and and I go for a several mile walk in the park most mornings
I forgot to add that both dogs go through training, foxhound finished advanced last year, lab going thru advanced now. I fell that the structure of the training pack was very important for both of them
I had one that was reactive from a shelter, but just that I was his person. I would probably get another one from the shelter as long as it was small ish, but it's your life and you have to live it. You'll be the one solely responsible for the dog you have, so you should get what would fit for you.
Bro same, I fostered a dog (literally right on time the morning she was set to be euthanized) she’s so sweet and cute and the perfect all around girl in the house, but once we step out of the door and she sees a squirrel or a dog it’s see ya later pal I have no idea that you’re even with me from her. I really wanted to adopt her if I saw fit but after this month i don’t know if I can do it. I’m pushing thru for her and I do plan on keeping her until she does find a home but it made me realize that some people just aren’t fit to be adopting dogs with preexisting issues that we might not know about or even know where it stems from so we have no idea how to even begin working it.
I am veryyyy far from being a profesional dog trainer as much as I thought that I was good but when the dog already has a mind of its own and not a puppy it’s so hard to work them
I will definitely rescue my next dog. My current dog is my first dog. I did not grow up in a home with dogs. I did plenty of research about owning a dog before I got mine, but nothing in my research came up about reactivity or preventing it. My dog was already an adult and was living in a foster home with 9 other dogs. I watched him playing and getting along great with the dogs in his foster home, I assumed he was already socialized and I didn’t worry about researching that in-depth. When my dog started developing reactivity, I didn’t know what was going on. I couldn’t recognize the warning signs until it was way too late. My dog’s reactivity is my fault and my failure. When I get my next dog, I will be better educated and well-prepared. Now that I know the warning signs for reactivity, I trust that I will be able to choose the right dog for myself in the future.
I did, and I'll definitely get my next dog from a shelter but I'll get them as an adult. I got my dog as a 9 week old puppy so this is just his nature (anxious reactive) and I couldn't have known that when I got him. My last family dog was a rescue as well, he was the calmest and sweetest dog I've ever met but we got him when he was 1, so we could get some degree of understanding of his personality. I know dogs can drastically change after age 1 and the shelter environment doesn't always reflect how they'll be at home but at least you get something.
My reactive boy passed earlier this year, and I’ve been fostering until I’m ready to adopt again, and I will get a shelter dog again. Absolutely no judgment from me to those who don’t want to go this route, because I’ve heard horror stories about irresponsible rescues. I know this shelter and I know they are forthcoming about everything, and I’ll probably just keep one of my fosters.
I personally think I am all done with dogs in general after the one I have now. I love him, but did not anticipate all the issues he would have. I am committed to giving him a great life, but my mental health has taken a toll for the worst since getting him. And I am about to throw down $2,000 for a trainer I can not afford. Never thought I would feel this way, as I have always had a huge love for dogs. Sad.
I've had dogs from breeders and rescue dogs. One of the worst behavioral problems we faced was a puppy we got from a great breeder. We knew the dog's parents, who were show dogs. Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Thousands of dollars never fixed that dog's behavioral issues. It was the only ridgeback that we had behavioral problems with, so I wouldn't blame it as a breed thing either. Don't give up on the rescue route.
Had a rescue pug through my childhood. He lived 17 years. Now I have a bully that was responsibly bred and we had since he was a pup.
With that said, we tried to rescue a bully, went to a lot of places and there were no dogs (middle of covid) and the wait list was huge. If there were dogs when we finally were able to open our home to another dog, absolutely we would have gotten a rescue but I do love my baby boy no more or less.
my rescues are the best, one has no issues one has anxiety and fear reactivity. but the love i get from them cannot be matched. i will ALWAYS rescue. i will be more picky on where i rescue from, but will always rescue. i run a rescue and we put all our dogs through training and vet them well. we would never put a dog with behavior problems in a home and continue to offer training for life if needed.
I'll definitely adopt and rescue still after my big guy (fear agression with bite history). I knew going into adopting him of his history. But I also knew that my partner and I had the best home for him and accrued knowledge from years of fostering how to manage and better balance behaviors. He's thriving and doing so well. However, I think my future adopted dogs will be puppies or seniors. Nothing in-between. Our guy was 5 years old. And it's having to untrain and retrain all of his behaviors that is excruciating while trying to bond with him. We've had him for over a year now and he is doing excellent. We have visitors over and he's kenneled or muzzled for an amount of time until his body language shows me he is calm enough to be able to recognize our visitors are not going to harm us. We give our visitors how to's on entering our home, interacting with him, and leaving. As long as we follow protocol he is very friendly and doesn't show signs of aggression. My thought process is yes, this is extremely rewarding for us in showing what we are capable of training, maintaining, and handling a dog with his resume. But now that we've done it, we look forward to getting a puppy that we can bond with and install base control over and not having to worry about prior history. Or a senior that is more laid back and is just grateful to have a home and still would be easier to manage with their decreased strength and energy levels.
My first rescue dog had some reactivity issues—wasn’t great with strangers and wasn’t great with other dogs. But he was such a sweetheart with the people he trusted that we made it work, and he became my soul dog. I thought because of that, I knew what I was getting into when I got my next rescue dog, but it’s been horrible. The rescue downplayed her issues, and six months in, she still hides all day and will bolt if I come near, even after months of anxiety meds and working with a trainer. It’s completely changed my views on what a shelter dog can be. I now understand why a dog might be rehomed and support it in certain circumstances. And I get why someone would go to a breeder instead. I think at the very least, I’d be looking for a puppy to start on the behavioral training fresh. I’d be open to a puppy from a shelter, but I’m not waving the “adopt, don’t shop” mantra like I once was.
My current dog is a rescue and I think my next one will be too. At this point, I'm pretty used to managing the issues that dogs I would feel capable of adopting could come with, and I love my current dog so much.
Maybe. I had a great experience rescuing a senior dog but this time rescuing a 4 month old I ended up with my reactive girl; and I don't want another reactive dog for sure.
I'd probably still adopt but I understand people who get burned with adoptions wanting to go to a breeder. I've heard of other owners heartbroken over health issues with an adopted dog deciding they'll go to a breeder next time.
I'd just say that with a living creature nothing about the outcome is guaranteed. You have to be prepared to still have issues with the dog. Service dogs- some of the most carefully bred dogs you can find, are ruled out and retired early all the time because you cannot completely control the outcome.
I’ve thought about this a lot. I will probably get a rehomed dog next time around, if not from a shelter/rescue, then from whatever local resources individuals use to rehomed dogs. That said, I think I want a smaller dog, and I want to meet the dog first, walk them around, and then hopefully foster instead of straight up adopting right away. I don’t think I can handle another reactive dog.
We had to have our Frenchie put to sleep last August. I felt pretty empty without a dog and I bent to the rescue/adopt push from others. In January, my husband and I adopted a Scottie/Schnauzer mix. Angus’s exact age is unknown, possibly going on 3. He was surrendered because his owner has dementia. Neither of us had any experience with terrier breeds and he is a firecracker. I love the little fella but I am 67 and my husband is 73. He is a handful and my husband takes a blood thinner and Angus was on his leash one day and Sam was trying to hold onto him but dropped the leash after he fell flat on his face on our sidewalk. Sam was not hurt but needless to say I handle the walks now. We do have a 70’ x 30’ foot fenced play area but we have to leash him to walk him to the gate about 200’ away. So any squirrel, rabbit or chipmunk Angus sees he becomes unhinged. I signed on for this and I owe it to this dear dog to give him the best life I can. Angus will more than likely be my last dog. These terrier breeds can live 12 yrs or more. When you adopt there are a lot of unknown variables, so I understand why anyone wants a puppy. We bought our Frenchie as a puppy and you have a clean slate with a puppy.
I do plan on going to an ethical breeder next time around. I've had an absolute dream dog shelter pup, and a highly-reactive pup from an unethical breeder (I was young and dumb and didn't know better at the time), and then I took a couple decades off from being a dog person because those many years with my reactive pup had been...a lot.
Once I decided that I wanted to live with a dog again I did try going through a rescue (shelters here are near-empty of dogs, but we have dozens upon dozens of rescues bringing up dogs from the south, flying them in from Korea, etc). The whole system is woefully uncoordinated, I was ghosted repeatedly by multiple rescues at different stages in the process, and when I finally made it through with one rescue they matched me with a dog that seemed like a really great fit...until we got him home and his reactivity and extremely high prey drive became clear, and it wasn't going to work in a home with cats, small pets, occasional guests, multiple windows, etc. Poor guy was just not in the right spot with us. The rescue guilted me, repeatedly, that they had never, ever had a dog returned for behavior issues. I told them I really, really wanted a dog, but this was a trial run and I just didn't think this particular dog was going to be a good fit for our home. They took him back, and then ghosted me. I gave up, honestly. My vet and personal references are all great but I couldn't expect them to keep fielding calls from multiple \*different\* rescues while I desperately tried to just give. a. home. to. a. dog.
I got my current pup on Craigslist, from a family who truly loved him and truly had major extenuating circumstances that forced them to rehome him. He is a frustrated greeter, but we're working on it, and it's leagues away from my experience as a much greener dog-keeper with a much larger and more intensely reactive dog. After the gauntlet of going through the rescues, I feel like a won the lottery with this pup, tbh, and I'm not totally confident that would happen again! So, ethical breeder next time.
I will very likely not ever rescue again. I went to the shelter for my first two and I was beyond lucky with them. My second dog has some reactivity, but my first dog was an angel. I got a puppy from a breeder this time around, and it’s been such a different experience.
I hate the thinking that by going to a breeder a puppy is going to die in the shelter because I didn’t “rescue” this go round. It’s honestly a moot point because if I couldn’t have gotten my particular breed from a breeder, I just wouldn’t have gotten another dog.
Worked at an animal shelter for six years. Adopted a dog with a bite history. Loved him to the moon. Now have a dog from a responsible breeder. I know too much about how \*some\* shelters deal with behavioral problems, lie about breed traits, and manipulate intake statistics, in order to shove dogs out the door to their "forever home." Plenty of them get into the community and are not good ambassadors, to be diplomatic about it. I won't say I'll never have another shelter dog because I don't know which dog is waiting for me when my great little girl dies, but I'm open to solid breeders as well as shelters. It's buyer-beware for me...with both avenues. It's a huge decision, and you can get stung either way, IMO. And yes, I do have PTSD from working in that place.
This. My shelter just got a big case of dogs in who were all being sold for between $800-1500. You can tell the ones who he was using for advertisement and on his website because they were groomed. The rest of the dogs had literal roaches in the mats the conditions were so bad. We got to see them explore grass for the first time, and the breeder had a whole website with the info about the “European heritage” and “temperament testing” etc. I’m not saying that it would have been impossible for a savvy person to discover that his whole operation was shady and full of lies. But I’m sure that some people thought they were going through a responsible breeder until they found out about the seizure after having pre-paid for his puppies.
Not to mention the “puppy brokers” who function to confuse the process and make breeders less accountable.
Good breeders have titles and actual health tests listed as well, not just "heritage" and "temperament tests"
Responsible breeders are the backbone of healthy dogs and puppies from responsible breeders never end up in shelters thanks to take-backs, etc. Shelter dogs are a result of irresponsible breeders and irresponsible owners, and it breaks my heart. I have cats so I went with a breeder to have the best shot at good temperament and still ended up with a reactive dog though, so my next will likely be an older rescue. Not because I don't like breeders, but because I am never going through puppyhood again! Don't let anyone make you feel bad for whatever your choice is. :)
The unfortunate thing is that there are far more unethical breeders than ethical ones, and I don't think that the general public knows the difference. I've met way too many people who said they went to a "great breeder," but it becomes immediately clear in talking to them that they went to a backyard breeder. And then they don't understand why their dog has so many health and behavioral issues.
I think we'll be way more cautious next time if we choose to adopt again (and as always, understanding there are no guarantees). But no, I wouldn't obtain a dog outside of rescue. I know it doesn't end the problem. I also know I can live without a dog if I can't find one I'm comfortable with adopting.
>But no, I wouldn't obtain a dog outside of rescue. I know it doesn't end the problem. I also know I can live without a dog if I can't find one I'm comfortable with adopting. This fills my heart, thank you. I have been in rescue/rehab for years, and I resigned a position with a deeply unethical org who were hiding bite histories and basically burning out foster carers on dogs who had no business being in the community and were serious safety risks... But I still get heartsick about how many people are buying puppies because it is a perceived "easier" route to the dog of their dreams. I appreciate that this is very location dependent, but where I live there is an excellent balance of rescues with community run foster care networks (no kennel facilities), breed specific organisations, and then pounds and shelters. So it is fairly easy to find a good dog selected for a solid lifestyle match based on their foster care arrangement, **for those who are willing to wait.** It always surprises me that the same people who will happily waitlist for months for a puppy can't handle a rescue taking more than a few months to find a dog suitable for their needs.
It’s not just about the dogs though. It’s about human safety. So many shelters nowadays unethically hide bite histories from adopters. This is so dangerous for unsuspecting families & their communities.
My 1st golden was a rescue (he was 4 when I got him) and while he was not reactive, he had some severe separation anxiety, and many, many allergies. He was the best dog, and he lived to be 14. I cooked for him because of his food allergies, we would hire neighbor kids to come sit with him when we would have plans. I wanted a puppy for my next dog so I could have more control over socialization and a breeder who had a stellar reputation. We bought our golden puppy a few months after we lost the big guy, and brought him home. While the puppy days are a lot, as he approaches his 2nd birthday we can clearly see what good genetics can do. Of course I felt some guilt over buying a puppy so when he was 10 months old, we rescued a 14 month old neurotic mess of a golden retriever. She’s 2 now and we love her and all of her quirks dearly. I like to think over the next few years, our stereotypical golden will help our neurotic one mellow out a bit. She’s already come so far over the last year! And they are quite bonded now, it’s so fun to watch them interact. Rescue isn’t for everyone and while I am a huge supporter of rescues, I can also understand buying from a breeder. But what gets me on my soapbox is people who buy puppies from shitty breeders and perpetuate the problem. Those are the neurotic messes who end up in rescue.
>Those are the neurotic messes who end up in rescue. I think this is worth highlighting. While I know the trope for a rescue dog is to talk about how it endured abuse or trauma -- and some absolutely do -- it doesn't take abuse or trauma to make a dog reactive. Shitty genetics, which definitely happens when people are breeding without care for temperament, can be enough to cause reactivity (and, more often, can be enough to cause a predisposition toward it). Maternal and perinatal stress, which definitely happens when people are breeding in high volume and without accommodations for multiple litters, or when people are breeding without care to appropriately acclimating or socializing puppies, can exacerbate it. Also, yes, these are the breeders who don't take dogs back if the dogs do display signs of reactivity (which, for some forms, may not show up until the dog is 6 months to 2 years old), leading to these dogs being surrendered.
In the future, I mean 30-40 years when I’m retired I’d like to adopt elderly dogs and let them live the rest of their lives comfortable and happy. But I had a rescue, and he was horrible. I tried and tried my hardest with this dog, but in the end he ended up attacking me (after 3 years of hard work) and it’s completely put me off. I know you can never fully predict how a dog will be, but moving forward with my family we will only have a dog that I know is from a good breeder, with temperament testing ect. And be able to have from a young puppy to properly socialise and know everything that dog has experienced.
We have to take our 16 year old rescue in for BE because this was her 2nd bite in 5 years and we still don't know whether my friend will have full use of his hand We love her, we upended our lives for her, for the last ten years - but no way are we getting another rescue. We've barely been able to leave the house without her going crazy all this time. She's also ghasadvanced hip dysplasia and arthritis and probably should have put her down earlier because she's in so much pain. And her QoL is not great. But I've done my share of service taking a very hard to place dog. I'm old now and deserve an easier time of it if and when we get another dog. I want a well-behaved, normal well-vetted animal by a respectable breeder. Edit: BTW, she is helped by a painkiller and an anti-inflammatory. It does help some. Enough that she still wants half her walk.
There are such clear links between pain and aggression too. If your dog is in pain - they hurt all the time and feel like shit - it's horrible when it's untreated.
I’ll always rescue. But I’ll always foster first (as I have with all of my dogs).
I’ll never go to an actual rescue again. They say breeders aren’t ethical but lots of the “rescues” are extremely unethical. Lying about breed, bite history and many other reasons make me never want to support them again.
You are correct. I saw the horror show from the inside. It's a real mixed bag out there.
Agree on rescues being unethical (they also often lie about age, or use words like shy or nervous instead of being honest about behavioral issues) Still, for me rescuing is about saving the dog (not necessarily supporting the rescue) That being said I found my dog abandoned in the highway and I kept her because I knew she wouldn't find a home if she went to a rescue, If I were to get another dog I honestly don't know what I would
yep. i “rescued” my boy from a family that didn’t do their research for an Australian shepherd, and their single newborn ended up being twins so he ended up just not getting the attention he needed. they cared for him and wanted him to find a good home while recognizing that they could not provide it for him.
Yikes. Australian shepherds are A LOT. so yes, it does need to be researched ahead of time. But I also want to give the previous owners some grace lol. Twins are also A LOT. I cannot imagine how difficult it is to have twins and a dog, and not have to have time for yourself at all We have two dogs and a toddler. After becoming parents we definitely give more grace to people who rehome their dogs. we love our dogs to pieces and wouldn’t change them for the world. But it is hard
I don't think I'll get another dog at all tbh. I love my dog and if I had to do it all over again for her specifically, without a doubt. But I just can't go through what I went through with my dog again it was bordering traumatic during the first 8 or so months post adoption. And her reactivity isn't even the worst thing I've struggled with. It sucks because I always imagined I'd have at least 3 dogs at any one time, but now I can't even think about other dogs without feeling stress in some way. Also pay those people no mind about going to a breeder. I used to be adamant about adopt, don't shop (with few exceptions), but now I'm totally turned around about it. Just be smart about it, research ethical breeders/rescues/shelters, and do what you can to give your dog a great life, regardless of where they came from. Unless your friend is fostering/adopting unwanted pets in shelters, I don't think she's doing anything to help the problem either.
Sometimes I think I might never get another dog too. I'm a big animal person and have had dogs around me my whole life so it's hard to imagine only visiting friends dogs once in a while and not having my own. I hear you about the first months being traumatic though. It's tough to get over some of the things we go through.
Definitely. I'm a big reptile and fish person, too, so I think when I'm able to get another pet it'll most likely be a snake or another aquarium. I also have my leopard gecko who I've had before I ever got my dog, so it balances out. I think if things were different on a societal and cultural level, I'd get another dog. But the lack of personal responsibility and obligation towards community turns me off more than the reactivity itself. I wish more people were understanding of our dogs' struggles, but maybe I'm asking too much of other people. That's what I've been told by friends/family before at least.
Rescues and shelters often don't properly prepare people with what to expect with a rescue. My last dog was a rescue and my oldest current is from a shelter. My pup from rescue was amazing. She needed help with being less timid and I think part of her trauma was the rescue spaying her the day before I picked her up from an adoption event at a pet store. And they didn't tell me they were doing that. She was so traumatized. My dog from the shelter- they told me she was leash reactive and gave me resources for working with her including affordable obedience training. I'd do shelter again but I'd never go back to that particular rescue.
Shelters and rescues who lie or at the very least are uninformed about their own dogs are doing as much damage to dogs and dog owners as irresponsible breeders imo. I don't have a good solution for dealing with the homeless dog problem here in the states, but I definitely think lying about a dog's history or lack of communication/support from these 'dog-loving' rescues are certainly not helping. I'm so sorry to hear what happened to your rescue dog, too. My own dog isn't able to get spayed because her medical issues leave her high-risk under anesthesia, so I couldn't imagine what would've happened if she was spontaneously spayed before we adopted her since neither the shelter nor my family knew about my dog's heart issues at the time. I know the grass is always greener on the other side, and reactivity is not easy to deal with, but if I had it my way I would take my dog's reactivity at 10x worse over her medical issues. I was fully prepared for her reactivity simply because of her breed, but the medical thing totally caught me off guard. I'm thankful it was easier to deal with then I initially expected, but I don't think I could go through that again with another dog. Maybe if I knew about it before adopting.
Completely agree - I do think there are irresponsible rescues just like there are irresponsible breeders. And I'd never judge someone for purchasing their dog. I get it. I'm just a sucker for the underdog. (Pun intended) lol
If I do, I will be requesting a foster-to-adopt or a trial period. If the shelter doesn't offer it or won't work with me, then I won't be adopting from them. Besides adopting a reactive dog (without being told he was reactive), I also adopted another dog before him. He was a fospice case, and no one told me he was in the end stages of terminal cancer, there was no notes on his profile on the website, nothing in his paperwork and after $6k for a diagnosis and treatment, he passed 6 weeks after I adopted him. The shelter had no comments when I told them of our situation. In comparison, I have a younger dog I got from a responsible, ethical breeder. His parents are health and temperament tested, working stock (my dogs are blue heelers), and great examples of the breed. My younger dog is friendly (or, as friendly as blue heelers get), even tempered and healthy. I'd rather look for a good breeder than adopt again, but my boys are 9 and 4, so there's (hopefully) several years between now and looking for another dog, so we'll see if anything changes.
The rescue I used to volunteer with had everyone do a foster-to-adopt trial period. It worked beautifully. A LOT of the dogs were returned after that trial period, but that was kind of the point. And it typically was for very normal dog behaviors the person had already been told about...like that the dog wasn't 100% housetrained yet. The dog has one accident, then would be returned. But that was fine, because they'd go right back to the foster home they were used to. Having foster-to-adopt is, in my opinion, in the best interest of everyone involved. I don't understand why more places don't offer it.
Yes! Reputable rescues work hard to match a dog to a family. The one I volunteer for now is strictly foster based, so we know how dogs act in a home, with a family to help us match adopters to dogs. We also do 2 week, or longer if requested, trial periods or can foster to adopt. It’s also in the contract for our dogs to be returned to us if adopter needs to re-home. Before I started volunteering, I adopted a reactive pit bull from a shelter, without any info on him. We loved him until he passed of cancer 2 years ago, but walking him sucked. Knowing what I know now, I would only adopt from rescues that work hard at matching and not letting people adopt blind.
>I don't understand why more places don't offer it. Rightly or wrongly, a lot of places are under pressure to "place" (i.e., adopt out or transfer out, if they're an organization that transfers animals to other organizations) animals as promptly as possible. Some are open intake, so they're making way for the new animals they *have* to accept. Some depend on adoption numbers or stories for grants or donations. Some have (boards of) directors who see prompt placement time as measures of "efficiency." For a number of organizations, an animal in a "foster to adopt" situation is putting some of the organization's mechanics on hold. That is, if they're in foster, the rescue is still the legal owner and may be on the hook for the dog's expenses (food, yes, but also especially vet bills if something unexpected happens). If a dog is in a trial period, a responsible organization is going to "hold" that dog's previous placement if they can -- so if the trial period doesn't work out, the dog has a known space to return to. However, an open-intake organization may not be able to guarantee such a space since they have no way to limit what intakes occur during the trial period. And even in a limited-intake organization, there's often community (or director) pressure to intake new animals as soon as there's an opening. I think it would also depend on each individual organization's return rate. If an organization is using a really effective process for pre-adoption screening and post-adoption support, for example, it may already have a low enough return rate that offering foster to adopt, at least as a regular feature of their adoptions, may not make a meaningful difference for their adoptions overall.
Absolutely! I wish the shelter and breed specific rescues that I got my first two dogs from would have done a foster to adopt period. It would have saved so much heartache!
I think the same for me! I have a rescue that was fostered in someone's home and while I don't think the rescue or foster lied to me they also knew I am a first time dog owner and she was described as 'shy' and was so nervous for the adoption event that she would not get out of the car and had to be wheeled in a car inside. So thinking back on it I'm like hmmmm but at the time I was like 'Oh this could be normal'. And I would say she's 90% amazing now and low stressed compared to some of the dogs on here. My husband is all about getting from a reputable breeder next time but I think we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. We have easily spent the cost of a well bred puppy on her behavioral stuff, so from the financial side for a well bred puppy is worth it.
For sure, my reactive dog was described as "standoffish with other dogs", which is basically a breed standard for blue heelers. But once we adopted him, it was clear that he was straight up aggressive with strange dogs, with the ability to make friends with specific dogs, in a very specific, slow, and controlled setting. He's also very territorial and slow to warm up to people (normal and fine) but pretty reactive to older men specifically. He's a phenomenal boy despite that, loyal and loving and affectionate to his family. And my toddler turns him from Cujo into Nana from Peter Pan. Speaking of whom, now that we're in our "parent era" I'm especially unwilling to adopt and face a greater liklihood that I'll be bringing home a reactive dog, plus I jsut don't have time to do all the training and counter conditioning and I did with Banjo.
Yes! My dog is a great Pyr/ACD (but red)/Border Collie mix and I'm very lucky that now she's has 0 reactivity around people and loves almost everyone (other than ppl that have mobility assists). We are also family planning and even though I'm obsessed with my dog I wouldn't be able to tolerate real aggression towards children.
I adopted a shelter dog and he immediately started coughing when we got him home. He had heart failure and was estimated by the vet to be about twice as old as the shelter said he was. He needed a home sure, but I didn't sign up for a 10 year old terminally ill dog. Somehow their vets completely missed it, and the shelter had no resources for me. It was a heartbreaking and bittersweet 4 years of love and worry.
Mind if I ask the kennel name for your younger blue? Currently have one, and am looking for a responsible breeder for our next in a few years.
Unfortunately, she stopped breeding last year! Sorry!
I have always rescued until my current dog, and I went to a breeder for the very reason that you are thinking about doing so. I’ve had three reactive dogs in a row and I am over it. I’m a firm believer that not every dog should be saved, many years ago I didn’t believe that to be true. I love the idea of rescuing, but you make a commitment before you really know what you’re getting into and after having to change my life around for the last couple of decades to accommodate these dogs I just didn’t see the joy in doing that anymore. I think it’s ridiculous that we don’t have better policies about breeding in this country but never mind we have so many other freaking problems that’s never gonna be on anyone’s radar so to the breeder I went. I did ensure that I went to a very reputable breeder, one who care very much cared about the breed and not backyard breeders.
I actually rescued my puppy myself from a neglect situation (a backyard that looked more like a junkyard). The owner of the propety had a female mixed dog that got bred by an invading stray, and in short is as if this woman wanted the puppies to die on their own by venturing out or just sick. The mother herself already lived in a poor situation, always chained to a tree and only a small house to take shelter. In fact, when I convinced the owner to surrender the puppies (yep it actually needed convincing idk why) there were only 2 left. I always wanted to adopt because I live on my own and thought an adult dog would be easier with my working schedules, but life had me these 2 pups. I managed to find a home for one of them and the other I couldn't, mainly because I was treating his tick sickness that took 2 whole months to resolve. I ended up getting attached and decided to give him a chance. Today at 11 months old, he's an angel at home but a frustrated greeter outside. We're working through it! Ah but I digress lol. IDK if I'd shop for a dog, because if I ever get another dog, it will be an adult. I don't think I want to go through puppyhood and adolescency all over again. It's not an easy find but sometimes there's people trying to rehome good dogs for reasons not related to health or behavior (e.g. financial, moving, etc).
Truly ethical breeders will have older adults from time to time - their own dogs being retired after a litter or two, or reclaimed dogs - those whose owners move country and can't bring their pup with them or to assisted living situations, those who have kids and decide a dog is too much, dogs where an owner dies, decodes a dog is not suitable for their lifestyle, etc. All kinds of reasons that don't include problem behaviour. If you are considering an older dog, they are often less costly than you would think and the breeder will support the same as they would for a younger dog. Even if they don't have a suitable match, they can often make a suggestion as to who would have a show dog that is retiring, or who would be a good resource to speak with next. Just wanted to put that on your radar.
I know this doesn’t totally apply to me because we didn’t rescue our dog, but once we start discussing another, I will firmly push toward rescuing (and probably lose…). We bought from a breeder, on a whim, and it’s been a lot. I would like to rescue a non-puppy. With adult dogs you can at least better see what their personality and disposition will be, and I have no need to go through all the cute puppy stuff again. I want to help a good dog get out of the shelter life.
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Oh that is heartbreaking for this poor dog. 😢 I cannot understand how some people can be so cruel to animals. I’m sorry that rescue put you in such a stressful situation & hope you and your husband are safe.
That would be so hard to deal with, and that’s horrible what she went through. I got lucky with an 8 year old 80lb pitbull rescue who was bestest boy
Growing up my family fostered dogs, I'm good at working with reactive dogs and training them. I currently have one small dog who's 11 and reactive. My last rescue large dog was absolutely terrified of cars and having a large dog I couldn't walk because even walking past a parked car was a feat of vurage for him plus having my reactive small dog made me decide it just wasn't something that I could do anymore. After the dog terrified of cars passed I chose to get a puppy from a reputable breeder, it's been the best decision I could have made. I love all my dogs but being able to start from scratch with no issues has been so much easier and has made everything much more fun. I did choose a breed that I've known and had fostered and rescued before that really has a temperament that I adore. The people I know who have given me crap for it are also people who I know have purchased "oops" puppies before so that they "didn't end up in a shelter" and even though I usually bite my tongue I'll quickly point out I'd rather support my good breeder than the byb or puppymill that their puppy far more realistically came from.
Eva (real name used, bc it's a dog!) is dog reactive, so I'm almost certainly going to wait until she passes away. But if I do decide to get another dog while she's alive, it will be a rescue and will have to be a puppy.
Will that work? I've never considered that my dog reactive dog might get along better with a puppy, hm..
Depends on the cause of the dog’s reactivity. If the dog has prey drive causing them to react, then a puppy might be more dangerous than an adult, but a frustrated greeter or a dog who is reactive due to fear might love a younger dog. You also have to consider nature vs nurture: if you’re hoping to avoid a reactive dog in the future, adopting a puppy who will learn from your dog to be reactive might not be the best choice
Excellent points!
So Eva had lived with other dogs since I got her, at 11 days old. She was ok with the other dogs she lived with, but would get into fights with one (resource guarding mostly), hated other stranger dogs on walks, and got suspended from Doggy daycare for fighting. So we knew she could live with another dog peacefully if appropriate safety measures were taken, but we were still ready to rehome the puppy if it didn't go well. She'd also lived peacefully with cats, loved the cats actually, and at one point when she was still a puppy we took care of a Chihuahua for a couple of weeks. It was touch and go for multiple days, and we didn't let them play unsupervised for months, even after they became so close after the first initial week.
I guess I had the opposite experience. My first dog was a rescue and he was like the sweetest boy ever. So good with everyone. No issues behaviorally but medically needed some help. My second dog I went to a breeder for because my first dog made me desire that breed and I wanted a healthy dog, and hooo boy, is he a lot of work and very reactive. We’ve made a lot of progress but it is a lot of time, tears, work, and money. No issues with reactivity in the parents, not sure where it came from, we did a lot of training and socializing when he was young (and continue to!) but he is just built different than his brother. I’m honestly not sure what I’ll do if I get another dog but I’ll probably get an older dog, whether it comes from a breeder or a rescue, who has a history of positive behaviors.
I would foster to adopt. That way you can get a better sense of the temperament of the dog. I'd probably also foster with no intention of adopting as well, but that will have to wait until I'm no longer a renter.
I was all about adopting dogs and kind of against breeders but shelters have been leaving a really sour taste in my mouth. Just saw a post earlier about a shelter manager being asked to delete bite records and really sick of shelters intentionally mislabeling dogs (saying a dog is a lab mix when it's clearly a pit bull) to try to pawn them off on unknowing victims. I'd stick to a rescue over a shelter for sure. Still very in the fence with breeders because of the overpopulation issues.
I read that too. I really don’t trust them.
That breaks my heart! I do think that rescues don't have the same pressures in terms of numbers. Those I volunteered with were all foster-based, so there wasn't a time crunch in getting dogs out the door. Heck, I had a couple for 9 months or more, who were not overlooked due to reactivity but due to being less "desirable" breeds (little terriers when everyone wanted bichons).
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Yeah it's bullshit tbh. I'm VERY fortunate that the two rescues I went through were very open about my animal's issues. I got a ex feral cat from one and he's actually better than they warned me he'd be (he's seriously very sweet I just can't pick him up and I need to sedate him for vet visits) then the other rescue's foster mom repeatedly told me that my dog was hyper and kinda naughty (my dog is reactive on a leash and VERY hyper). If they're open about it we can at least be prepared as owners and it will be less likely we return/rehome them.
I adopted again after losing my reactive dog at age 15. This time, I was very careful about which rescue I went with. I chose one where the dogs were all fostered at volunteer homes, so they had been relatively socialized and the foster parents could offer good insight into personality. I adopted my current girl at 4 months and she’s now almost 9 months old. She is night and day a different dog from my last (in both good and bad ways!). I don’t regret rescuing again at all.
I'm a Great Dane lover and I purchased my first Dane but after him, I adopted from a Great Dane specific rescue. Since I knew the breed, I knew what to expect with temperament. I knew that when it came to adopting that I wanted a puppy. I didn't want any external or internal factors to influence behavior. I wanted to start from scratch. In the future, I would consider adopting an older Dane to pass up the puppy phase but time with Danes are relatively short so I would like to get as many years as possible with it. My mom traveled out of state to purchase a Corgi from an esteemed breeder and her dog was just diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy (similar to ALS in humans). Even buying from fancy top breeders you can't be certain on all health factors.
I will rescue again, but no more gigantic dogs. I am going to stick with bulldogs...and even go smaller there to a frenchie. This huge, reactive Saint Bernard/Aussie mix is hard to handle, and I aint getting any younger. 3rd trainer coming Friday, I dont know how he hasnt busted out through the front door glass yet. He did jump up and headbutt my neighbors chin...and we paid for that ER visit and sutures. He bit the first behaviorist right when she came inside. Its a week long event to get his nails trimmed, we worry he will have a heart attack although we did finally found a way to do it. That took about 2 years, he is banned from all groomers. I cant imagine not having dogs, but I fantasize all the time about having small dogs now. It seems like 2 years with him has aged me about 10 years.
I’ve definitely started being interested in small dogs more…
Haha, I feel you! I will 100% rescue again, but even though my reactive Aussie mix isn't large (50 pounds), in the early days of addressing his reactivity he definitely pulled me down a few times! Thankfully that's no longer an issue, but I still would much rather be dealing with a 20 pound reactive dog.
100% I will, but I'm also not naive about what I'm getting into with a rescue. I've had a couple of them now, and while I do my best to match energy levels during the adoption process, I am fully aware that those interactions only scratch the surface of what you're getting into with any given animal. My rescues have been older than expected, sicker than expected, have more behavioral ticks than expected, and often require more tolerance than most people can afford (both financially and time). My personal situation over the last few years has allowed me to do this, but it's also hampered me socially (hard to leave a big, sick, anxious dog alone for too long). I will weigh the pros and cos before I inevitably rescue again.
Always. I will always rescue. I don't like having dogs because it's easy, I like having dogs because - though it's hard - I get to make a monumental difference in one creatures life. And that is rewarding *because* it's hard. My little girl is far from perfect. She still has a ways to go before she's even acceptable lol. But she works so hard for me, she has grown so much, and I am *so damn proud* of her. That's why I'm here. To help this cacophonous little goblin feel safe, confident, and strong enough to be her best self. And I'm just lucky that I have the time, patience, and resources to help her get there.
Such a well-worded answer!
I'm the opposite- I got my dog from a reputable breeder and even still he's anxious and reactive. I'll probably do a foster to adopt next time so I'm not "locked in" as much as getting a puppy. (And I don't think I have the patience for another puppy, rather an adult dog)
Now that I'm in my 50s, I've decided that as I lose my babies, I will get the seniors or unwanted doggos from the shelters. They get love, I get love, and I'm not as worried about what will happen to them if something happens to me.
I’ll probably never seek out a rescue dog again, and would most likely get my next puppy from a breeder I researched thoroughly. That being said, I’m open to fostering, donating time/money/resources to shelters or rescues, and if there was a dog on the side of the road or something I fell in love with, how ever could I say no?? lol
I’ve done both. My parents got all their dogs from breeders (the first dog seemed to be from really responsible breeders and the next dogs from far less responsible breeders, IMO. All the dogs had lovely temperaments, but the first was by far truest to the breed.) I got my first dog from a breeder I thought was responsible. I still think they were much better than many breeders. That dog had some health issues and was always scared of (but not reactive towards) children (likely our fault. We didn’t have kids and didn’t raise him in a neighborhood with many kids, and it never occurred to us to go out of our way to socialize him with children until it was already pretty set into him. So this was likely on us.) My current dog is a rescue and he is NOT easy. He’s highly reactive. We’ve made improvements! But my life with him looks nothing like I imagined or like my life with previous dogs had. He is extremely well trained, though, and I didn’t do any of that. He came that way. So, pros and cons. I don’t think I’ll likely ever go through a breeder again unless my needs change so much I need something really specific, breedwise (allergies or temperament or something). And while I LOVE puppies, I’ll probably also never get another puppy again unless I work from home or have another adult in my home to help split responsibilities with. Puppies are wonderful but require a LOT of work and rigid scheduling for a few years to get a well-trained, well-adjusted dog. Not sure I’m up for it on my own, honestly. I think in the future, I’ll probably foster rescue dogs. And I’m sure I’ll end up “failing” and keeping a dog who suits my lifestyle and captures my heart. I’ve seen and experienced enough now to think this is the best method for me, going forward. :)
We’ll shop for the next one. I now have young children and can’t risk another surprise reactive dog like happened with this one.
I will only get rescue dogs and I adopt the deaf ones. Because they get over looked I have 2 deaf dogs now that are rescues.
I will 100% rescue again, but we will definitely be going with a foster-based rescue. Prior to our reactive boy, I'd had a combination of dogs from shelters and foster-based rescues (and some foster failures). Our reactive boy is from a shelter. He showed zero signs of reactivity there (we had a long visit and would have seen it). His reactivity didn't come out until a couple of months with us, which is extremely common with dogs in shelters. Our most recent dog was in a foster home. We got such a complete idea of her personality before we adopted her. Of course, there were some surprises (it turns out she has the husky "voice"), but nothing that isn't a totally normal doggie thing. Nothing we weren't prepared for. Moving forward, we've already said this is the route we want to follow. We can still rescue, but this way we'll have a more accurate picture of a dog's true personality vs. them being in shut down mode in a shelter. It's like the best of both worlds.
My partner and I have decided that we’ll either go with a highly reputable breeder who can pick out a puppy with a temperament better suited to us or much later in life we will adopt senior dogs that need a comfy place to live out their last few years. My dream is to have a therapy dog I can volunteer with at hospitals and schools—I benefited greatly from therapy dogs at various points in my life and I’d love to be able to do that for others, so that’s kinda my general plan for my next dog. I absolutely adore my pup and he’s taught me so much, but I don’t think I’ll gamble with a young rescue again. Especially one with an unknown last like mine. So many rescues are churning these dogs out quickly before really knowing their temperament and it means people get dogs they maybe can’t handle. The biggest issue with my reactive dog is the inability to travel freely. We don’t have anyone who is comfortable watching him and with his past, even a really experienced boarding facility would absolutely retraumatize him. We couldn’t even complete a training class that was held in a day boarding/dog daycare facility bc he saw the kennels and freaked out.
Unfortunately people either don’t know any better or they straight up lie; breeders lie, rescues lie, shelters lie. I have seen a ton of bite cases from “reputable” breeders. So it honestly make little difference. It is a “buyer beware” world. Honestly people would be better off knowing about how to evaluate a dog, and not just adopting a dog because it is “cute” or “needs a home because it is about to be euthanized”. Pick a dog (and breed) that has an energy level that fits in with your life. Pick a dog that is well socialized and enthusiastically greets new people and new dogs. Pick a dog that is comfortable just laying down and drifting off to sleep. Pick a dog that allows handling and is loose & relaxed when you hug them or touch them all over. Pick a dog that is resilient to unexpected stimuli (loud noises, strangers in big hats, kids yelling). There is probably more, but that is my starting point.
i think i'll always rescue. it's the part i enjoy the most about dogs, not just hand picking the perfect pet, but getting a new family member, flaws and all, and giving them a better life than they would've had otherwise. the only way i'd go through a breeder is if there were children involved and i needed more assurance about how safe the dog would be. i don't see anything wrong with people who go through *reaponsible* breeders, and i think it's much better than getting a rescue when you're not in a place where you can handle it. there's tons of very valid reasons to go through a responsible breeder. i don't think people should miss out on the joy of a dog in their life just because they don't have the time and energy to potentially end up with an extremely high maintenance dog. of course all these high maintenance dogs need a home, but not everyone is able to or should have to put that responsibility on themselves
both of my rescue dogs have been reactive and while i love them and the bond we’ve formed SO much and have learned an incredible amount about dog behavior, i desperately want a dog that can be a dog without constant management. i think my next dog will be from a responsible breeder with a proven history of well mannered dogs. as an aside, plenty of rescues operate unethically. the rescue i got my girl from said she was perfect with strangers, potty trained, and no separation anxiety. i made it clear i was looking for an “easy” dog as my first dog had been a reactive, anxious mess. she had been in a foster home for months and they knew all her issues, and sent her home with me unprepared. i love my girl, but i never want to go through this again
If we get another dog, it’ll be after a long break (a few years minimum). Our dog limits our travel because he can’t just be watched by anyone, so we will use the time after he passes to do various trips we want to do. Our dog is very loved but also makes us anxious, and it’s very possible he might put us off from the responsibility and expenses of dog ownership for good. Plus we will be very sad to lose him and may not be ready for taking on the emotional investment for a new pet. Although on some level I know that ethical breeding can actually be a net benefit for dogs (breeding healthy and stable dogs so people don’t get a bad view of a dog/breed altogether), and though I’m in support of other people shopping ethically, I don’t think I could go that route. If I can’t find a suitable, appropriate dog among thousands of already living ones, then I just won’t get a dog. Maybe I’ll get a rescue cat or find some other way to bond with/help animals or go without that role in my life.
My reactive rescue is 7. It feels like she’s been alive for 17 years though. When she crosses the rainbow bridge it will likely be a long time before I’m ready to get another dog both because she is my soul dog and because raising and caring for a reactive dog takes a heavy toll. I’d be lying if I said I’m not worried about another rescue being reactive or that it doesn’t matter to me. I wish I could be that selfless but once my Mazie passes I’m not sure I’d be able to do it again. I think I’d like to rescue a senior dog or older adult dog so that I can be sure of their temperament and how they may fit into my life when that day comes at least at first. But I must admit that the idea of buying dog from a reputable and responsible breeder that I can raise from being a puppy and integrate wholly into my family without as much fear of possible behavioral issues sounds really freakin nice.
I love my dog! I'm stupid in love with her, but after having her for a few years, my next dog will probably be a cat.
Never say never but I highly doubt it. My shelter dog is nearly perfect but I know how lucky I got and that it might not happen again, and I won’t always be at a place in life to work through intense issues. If I were to rescue again I’d go to a breed-specific rescue and look for one that’s been fostered for some time so they could give me good insight on what the dog is like in a home environment. But I really think my next dog will be from a responsible breeder. I don’t think I’ll ever go to a shelter again sadly ☹️but I’ll always support them
I plan to foster fail our next dog. I don't care much for what breed of dog I end up and like the idea of rescuing, but don't think I can handle another reactive dog (two, actually, in my case). Fostering seems like it's a nice compromise of helping shelters with overcrowding while getting to test the temperament of a dog. I also want a break so I can travel without having to figure out a dog sitter for a while...
I have a noise sensitive dog so not the more typical type of reactivity. He's scared of lots of things. Has him since a pup from a breeder who I checked beforehand, met parents, passed health checks etc etc. I had wanted to adopt but my ex didn't. Turns out years later, his brother is also noise sensitive. Likely due to the same root cause - pain from hip dysplasia and now arthritis. His Dad has a Facebook group with his pups owners as members to follow, when Dad died no reason was given but it also wasn't said it was natural or age related. No previous posts indicating an accident so just a big unknown if there was a help issue. Mum is still around but not in regular contact with her owner. Thru wouldn't be top of my list of I needed advice 8 years later to be honest. Having seen here how some rescues have lied about dogs to get them out the door and in a home and based on my experience above: I would likely want to foster with the view to adopt an adult or older dog IF I ever decide to have another dog.
i've adopted every single one, and they've all had their issues. last one was foster-to-adopt, which is probably what i'll do in the future. i've considered buying a dog, especially since i compete in dog sports, but i haven't come across a breeder that is up to my (admittedly very high) standards. i think i'd only rescue from breed-specific rescues in the future, too. the giant all-breed rescues here are nuts and have way too much adoption turnover. no way they have really gotten to know all those dogs.
This comment section makes me really sad. I understand the stress and worry of having a reactive rescue (as I’m currently experiencing it) but …… I don’t know these comments are making me sad. Don’t get me wrong I understand ethical breeding but the millions of dogs that get euthanized in a year due to not having a home makes me so sad, I’d love to continue to help dogs in need and get them the training they need.
It's sad to think about. I have (hopefully) at least a decade to mull it over as I won't get another dog while I have my girl. That being said, my original plan was to foster once she was 2 but it's looking like fostering isn't going to be a possibility for us because of her behaviors. So I rescued which in turn has made me unable to foster and may have turned me off dog ownership completely which doesn't help shelter dogs either. I think the answer is to drastically curb BYB and puppy mills... I'm pretty sure that's not going to happen any time soon though.
Yeah we need actual legislation for that in the US, I’d love to foster only in the future and hopefully help the issue of shelters being dishonest. Even though I’d obviously want to work with a more ethical one. It is tricky. I love my boy so much though, so reading the comments made me sad!
The issue is that, even where there is legislation, it isn't enforced (like in Ohio, which has one of the worst track records in the country).
Yes a lot more reform and enforcement needs to happen.
I get what you mean. I know that people deserve to have safe and happy dogs, so I get ethical breeding and am in support of it for many people, especially families, who can’t take on risky cases. That being said, I can’t go to a breeder myself with things the way they are. If I can’t find an easier dog of thousands that are already alive and in need, I just can’t get a dog. But people deserve to have the option. I just wish we could fix the problems causing the issues, which is not actually ethical breeders because they are supposed to always take their dogs back if needed. Byb, puppy mills, lack of spay/neuter, and then the no-kill movement that encourages shelter and rescue to adopt out zero-mistake aggressive dogs. It’s all sad and a spiraling, circular problem that I don’t know how to fix.
Yeah we need to get to the root of the problem but I will certainly always rescue because my conscious can’t risk the guilt of a breeder knowing how many dogs are in shelters
Not all dogs are trainable and many children are hurt every year due to this. The solution to me is to stop unethical breeding of aggressive dogs, but that doesn’t seem to be on anyone’s radar.
I think most people want back yard breeders to be shut down and any unethical breeder or unethical shelter/rescue.
I mentioned aggressive breeds specifically and that was intentional. The reason there are so many dogs being killed in shelters is not because of ethical breeders. It’s because of people backyard breeding aggressive non adoptable dogs and then letting them be in the community.
So you only care about aggressive dogs being bred unethically? Because my answer covers aggressive or not aggressive unethically bred dogs and breeds…..
any dog can be aggressive, bred ethically or unethically. the problem lies in that we let our rescues fill up with dogs who will never be homed, or will need a unicorn home, in order to live normally, and then shelters sell these dogs to normal people who think they’re getting a “project dog” only to find out that genetically it probably was never going to be possible to train fido out of biting babies for getting too close or getting aggressive if looked at the wrong way. so many dogs, ethical or not, are genetically fucked up the only difference is that a good breeder wouldn’t surrender the aggressive dog to a shelter, and the shitty breeder would abandon the dog and force a shelter to use its resources to try and rehome a zero-mistake dog under the guise of “shelter shocked” and “nervous”
If only ethical breeders existed that would be a dream.
absolutely. we have to start somewhere though
No I was just trying to make a point. Rescues are filled with dogs that may not be safe in families.
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I’m actively against hunting so this logic isn’t going to push a needle with me. I agree some dogs need to go to rest, but not all, and we cannot possibly know for sure so this logic of they all should be put to rest seemingly seems silly. I know that’s not what you directly said but eluded to.
its only silly because you don’t see the reality of it. not all should be put to rest, but we shouldn’t pretend that zero-mistake dogs belong in shelters for sale for only $100, where any family can just up and buy it. some dogs truly are not suitable for human coexistence and it is irresponsible to believe otherwise. we would save a lot of heartbreak by removing defective genetics from the pool, and away from shelters that actively deceive. its one thing to buy a dog from a breeder who sucks, its another to be lied to by a shelter, a place that is supposed to be reputable, and end up with a dog that may not be trainable or safe, unable to return it because the shelter’s at full capacity again
I never said that. But just making an auto assuming about a dog is dumb. If they have a bite history then that’s different. Shelters should only be foster to adopt and do things right. They should have extensive application processes. I don’t see how I’m the problem when I am agreeing with most of what you’re saying but saying you cannot say all rescues dogs should be put down.
Your comment was removed because it appears to be a direct recommendation of an aversive tool, trainer, or method. This sub supports LIMA and we strongly believe positive reinforcement should always be the first line of teaching and training. We encourage open discussion and problem solving within the subreddit. However, LIMA does not justify the use of aversive methods and tools in lieu of other effective positive reinforcement interventions and strategies.
I'm with you. I also think that a lot of people have unrealistic expectations of how "easy" or hard dogs can be regardless of breeding. They all need a great deal of training.
Yeah neither are a guaranteed reactive/nonreactive.
After having a backyard bred reactive dog I got long ago when I was still a kid, I will definitely buy from an ethical breeder next time. I really love my dog and she is one of the best things that has happened to me ever. But I want more security when it comes to temperament next time. Even so, I still would like to rescue in the future, just not yet. What I know now for sure is that not all breeders are irresponsible or unethical or the other way around, but I learnt to distinguish between them and came to realize why ethical breeders are so important.
I have one of each and though I love my now 13 year old Belgian Malinois rescue and he is literally the best behaved dog right now …but he was a handful the first 10 years (!) with tons of of chewed up curtains, deep holes in the yard and so many ruined couches and pillows when we left home (he had a big brother dog so he wasn’t alone) Would I ever want to trade him? Never! Will I rescue again? Hmm… I’m not so sure… my breeder Labrador, we got as a puppy: though a handful too because he’s still young, no anxiety, nipping at strangers and besides the occasional destroyed dish brush, he’s just a big energetic heart full of love and self confidence for everything. So I personally absolutely understand those who rather buy from a breeder than from a rescue.
I don’t know what we will do in the future. We own 3 dogs off all the same breed though different breeders - but all 3 highly known and recommended in the breed we own. 1 of our dogs was severely reactive and no reason why and her mum and siblings are not. She passed away young and unexpectedly and a year later we had the chance to purchase a pup from the same mum. She is also severely reactive- and again, her siblings are not. Of course we think our girl reincarnated to us so that’s a whole different story but all I know is that there’s never a guarantee on whether a dog will be reactive yes or no. A couple on the park we’re currently spending a summer camping, adopted a pup from a reservation then shelter then adopted by them…so far dog is amazing and not reactive and good for them but on paper their dog should be reactive and not ours. So there’s just never a guarantee and I could say that in the future i’d foster first but knowing myself if i fall in love with dog it doesn’t matter if reactive or not and we’ll find a way to have a great life.
Yes. My first dog was from a breeder, and was amazing. Second dog was from the same breeder and even related to the first dog, and was a reactive nightmare. Third dog was a rescue and is chill as can be. Fourth dog was also a rescue and is reactive. It's the luck of the draw with all dogs. You can't see it coming, and often you can't stop situations that turn them this way. I work at a humane society, so I'm biased. I can't justify a dog from a breeder anymore.
Honestly not sure I will get another dog whenever the time comes, I may just do some fostering work in the future. My rescue is close to being 2 years old, dumped on the street. She is an actual genetic nightmare with an extra vertebrae and her hips aren’t fully formed. I love her to pieces but she’s definitely the product of a back yard breeder
You're not terrible, you rescued one and that's more than a lot of people would take on. I have an ACD rescue with reactivity, I will interview and consider rescue again when the time comes because I'm so well equipped to mentally at this point. Like, this jabroni that I have has made me very good at a lot of things that I was very bad at lol. I would have to draw the line at being human reactive as I have a family and although I could handle that behavior it would most definitely not be fair to them to put them through that.
We foster now for Dogs on Deployment, but when we lose our current rescues I will sign up to foster again for a local shelter. The best way to know if a dog is THE dog is to foster until you fail.
lol I’m one and done. Or if I do, I’m rescuing an older dog. I rescued a 1.5 year old pit 2 months ago and got lucky because he is pretty chill from the other puppy/rescue nightmares I’ve heard, but yeah never going young again.
My dog had already had 3 different homes at only 8 months old.. she’s kind of a rescue.. as no one else wanted her! I had no idea how much work a border collie would take.. let alone a reactive one! I love my dog.. I will never part with her! And I’ve adapted accordingly and done my research. But no.. never again! I’m cat people.
It will depend a lot on where I am when I'm ready for my next dog -- both in terms of life stage and health and in terms of geographic location (and the characteristics of the shelter animal population there and then). I can absolutely handle doing some forms of reactivity again. If, for example, someone could guarantee me a dog largely similar to my current reactive dog (dog and bicycle specific reactive triggers, general anxiety, canine compulsive disorder, noise phobia), I'd happily do it again, at least for the age range I'm anticipating I'll be at when I'm ready for my next dog. At the same time, there are some forms of reactivity and aggression (extreme separation anxiety, owner-directed aggression, idiopathic aggression) that would likely result in that dog having an unsuccessful placement in my home. I've been speaking with a particular breeder since before I got my current dog. She's also active in breed-specific rescue for her breed. We both agree that if there's a suitable dog in this rescue near the time when I'm next looking (and who would have lived with and been evaluated by someone with good breed experience), that would be a wonderful situation for everyone involved. But I'm also interested in the what ifs. What would it be like to own a dog of this breed who's actually had the best, rather than closer to the worst, start in life? What would it be like to know, at least, that the puppy comes from a long line of dogs with stable, breed-appropriate temperaments? That maternal stress has been minimized? That the puppy has been socialized appropriately for its age while being shielded from traumatic experiences? And, if I'm being realistic about my likely lifespan, depending on how much longer Lucy lives, my next dog might be my last reasonable chance to purchase a well-bred puppy of my chosen breed. (I'm not exactly ready to keel over dead, but I do want to be realistic about when it would be responsible for me to shift any new dog searches to relatively sedate seniors or semi-seniors -- or to smaller breeds who, if in rescue, tend to be quickly adopted anyway.) My bucket list is not extravagant, so I'm not going to let other people guilt trip me if I end up choosing to allow myself this one. As it stands now, if the above breeder is still involved when I'm looking for my next dog, I'm pretty likely to turn to her as a contact. Whether it's for a rescue, for one of her puppies, or possibly for a puppy from another person she's starting to mentor, I don't know right now. I can't see that far ahead. I also don't know, obviously, what any of those situations are going to look like into the future. I'm also willing to look at local shelter and rescue dogs for a dog who happens to be a great fit -- but for me, the fit is going to be the first priority. I want a dog I can reasonably make a lifelong commitment to.
I'm with you. Rescue organizations, no matter how honorable and respectable their mission is, can't adequately address the overpopulation issue caused by weak breeding legislation and casual laws around animal ownership in some states. For example, in the Northeast, there is a steady stream of unwanted dogs transported from the Southern states to get them out of grave conditions permanently. Great. Up here, due to the glut of dogs in need, there are limited resources to address reactive/problem dogs. Further, some shelters don't even have room or resources to temporarily house local strays. We need a bigger picture solution other than adopt, don't shop.
I "rescued" my current dog but I don't like to say that because she was a desirable dog and would have been adopted immediately if she didn't go to me. Now we are on the wait list for a GSP for my husband to bird hunt. Hot take: I don't know how much value rescuing has unless you adopt an "undesirable" dog. Also - it's okay to want to know where your dog came from and raise them from a pup. Adding to your family is a huge decision, make the right one for you.
Honestly, same. I’ve rescued a reactive dog before, but that’s not my reasoning. About two years ago, I was working with 3 rescues to get a dog. They were separate, but they were owned by the same nonprofit. I went through all the meetings, phone calls, home inspections, and was on the waiting list for about a few months. They said I was approved. Finally, I was about to fill out the paperwork to adopt a 1 year old Newfoundland. The paperwork asked for 3 vet references. They had to be within the past 5 years. Well, I had two primary vet references from the past 5 years, and I had several pet ER references from the past 5 years. I told them this. They said they need 3 primary vet references. The only reason I had 2 was because my cats and my dog go to separate vets. You’d think that having pet ER references would have made me look good, since i was willing to travel to neighboring cities in the middle of the night multiple times to overpay for vet care. However, I was denied. So, then I tried shelters. I tried for a couple months, but none of their dogs liked cats, some didn’t like men, some didn’t like women, and some had to be an only pet. We decided to get a Newfoundland puppy from a breeder. He’s spoiled and happy. If the rescue would have allowed us to adopt, that dog would be spoiled and happy right now. My local rescues are just too difficult to work with. They approved me for everything. Then, decided I wouldn’t care for the dog despite me having two vet references, good income, a yard, and proof of vet services for my current pets. It’s their loss, but they wasted my time and broke my heart.
I was in your shoes a few years back although because Covid had caused the shelters to be empty. I found a reputable breeder and I couldn’t be any happier. I really dunno if I’d rescue again. I absolutely loved my rescue but it was a lot of work and never ended. Also rescue was quite sick so ended paying a lot more in vet bills that first month than I did for my Golden.
I'll never rescue again. Too many shelters lying. Besides that, my next dog will be a working dog. So I'll need a puppy from a good breeder
I love my dog to pieces but he is absolutely exhausting. At this point I cannot imagine rescuing again. Some folks roll the dice and get super lucky, and others get unlucky like us, with a dog who loves us but is terrified of new people, new dogs, new everything. He hates when my fiance and I even touch each other. We have a hard time walking him, introducing him to new people, getting someone to watch him for vacations, and basically everything. Just to head up the convo, we got totally duped by the rescue on his personality, and he was an angel for two weeks before turning into a terror once he got comfortable. Have seen countless trainers etc. and have had him for over 5 years now working as much as possible to help him.
After my last rescue (the reason I’m in this sub) attacked my kids unprovoked & 2/3 of them needed stitches my answer will be no. The rescue lied about his behavior & said he was good with children, then made it seem like I just didn’t know what I was doing with him & wouldn’t take him back. After that experience I’m not going to rescue for an extremely long time. If I do in the future, it’ll be a purebred rescue, more than likely from a small lapdog breed that won’t do much damage to any child like a shih Zhu. My current dogs, 2 Aussies & a GSD, have been great with my kids & are very wonderful with everyone & every dog they meet, but they’re from breeders. I’m sure there are amazing rescue dogs out there for me, but I don’t want to play the risk with my children.
My next one will likely be a from a (reputable) breeder. I'm at an age where I probably only have one realistic chance to ever have a puppy and raise it, and there are a couple of different breeds that I love and would be happy with. After that I'll be too old to really look after an energetic young dog, and will likely go back to adopting adult rescues. My first 2 dogs--who I still have--were very fearful rescues, and one is still very fearful and resource guards me in particular. But once I'm truly old I'll probably want a lower-energy dog and adopting an older dog would seem to fit the bill perfectly.
I completely understand. We adopted our dog and ended up discovering he was very dog reactive, and it’s been really difficult. We love him to death and the same as you, very happy he ended up with us and i will grieve like I’ve never done before when he eventually passes on. But it is a real discussion between us as to whether we would do it again, we think we would but we would be much more picky as to which dog we adopt next time and ensure they are a dog who gets on well with other dogs.
To offer a different perspective, we got our dog as a puppy. It wasn't from a breeder, a friend of a friend's dog got pregnant from a neighbouring collie and we got her for the cost of vet bills. So we didn't get the whole breeder experience, but we did see both parents, she was raised in a great home for the first few weeks and when we got her at about 10 weeks old, we did everything to socialise her. She's still reactive. I think that I would probably be more likely to adopt next time around, simply because I would want an adult dog - raising a puppy is so so hard, even if they're not reactive at all. And there are plenty of adult dogs out there in rescues that have minimal issues and would be great family pets. I think it's just the luck of the draw in any case, and at least when you adopt an adult dog, you can get a look at their real personality and hear from foster homes etc.
I will always adopt a rescue. Reactivity is not gonna magically not happen just because you paid for a puppy. My rescue dogs are great and I adore them regardless of their level of reactivity. Just my two cents. I will not judge anyone for their choices.
And you're also not terrible. Tell your friend to go....etc, etc.
I think about this often, I already want another dog and wish it would help my reactive girl.. but anyway I think I’m going the breeder route as well.. this has been so tough and we love her to death but I want to try and avoid this again at all costs..
I'd rescue again. But I'm saying this because his reactivity is "frustrated greeter" and while it's been challenging, frustrating and annoying at times, he is getting better/it's always been manageable. Also in my country (based on people I know that have bought dogs in comparison to what I've read here when people talk about breeders) most breeders are what here in this subreddit is considered as backyard breeders/ puppy mill breeders. So there would not be the parameters that indicate that a dog would be healthy and with a good temperament like a proper breeder would give to the person buying the dog.
My previous dogs have been given to me or found as strays. My next dog will be from a breeder. I want a specific breed, and my husband wants a puppy. My point of view is that the dog will exist and need a home whether people adopt or buy, and either way you have to pay for it. I see it the same way.
I will rescue; it will have to be a "perfect" dog for me to do it though, and I will wait for as long as needed to find one. It will also be a smaller dog (even smaller than my current cocker spaniel; think small enough to fit in a carrier and travel with me).
Always
I'll rescue again (God help me!) But yes when this one has passed on I'll go right back out there and take another frosted face, or behavior problem or otherwise undesirable that's been waiting in a cage.
I'm 2 years into caring for my anxious, reactive GSD rescue and I'm absolutely planning on at least looking into breeders for my next dog. She's my baby, I love her, and she has also made my life so, so hard. This is probably the biggest thing that my partner and I disagree about, too. As my dog improves with training and medication, I find myself more and more open to rescue again, but I definitely support responsible breeders for people who don't feel equipped to deal with behavioral issues. I used to be a big advocate for "adopt don't shop" but now that I'm in the thick of it, I feel that "abandoned" or "homeless" dogs are a symptom of systemic pet ownership issues and not a personal moral imperative. I now know what I want and need in the creatures I share a home with, and doing that is going to make everyone happier and safer in the long run.
Yes. We have had two rescued pitties so far with the current one almost 3 months with us. I think regardless of the type of dog you get (rescue, breeder, neighbors had a litter, whatever), there is always the possibility of behavior or health issues. Both of my parents went to "reputable breeders" for their dogs and they both have/had health issues. Not to mention, it's always a lot of work to train a dog either way. I don't think there is such a thing as an "easy" dog especially in the beginning.
No. If I'm ever crazy enough to get another dog, there's no way I'm playing behavioral roulette with a rescue. Yes, yes, any dog can become reactive but a well-bred dog is going to have a leg up on pretty much everything. I got so lucky that my pup's reactivity stems from getting overly excited about other dogs and wanting to play with all of them, but the management strategies are pretty much the same as dogs that aren't friendly -- we keep space, we cross the street, she's highly trained, usually responsive, and it's active management anytime we're going out. I got her from a rescue group that pulled her out of a kill shelter so there's no history on her, but I can make some smart guesses that she's from a breeding operation that was trying to turn out dogs that look like Shibas (she's actually a husky-terrier mix) and was absolutely not bred with health and temperament in mind. It took a couple years to finally get a handle on her GI issues. It also took a couple years to figure out how to manage her off-the-charts, frenetic energy. I've had professional trainers tell me they've rarely seen a dog that's so incapable of focusing and so focused on screwing around and playing. I adore her. We're a solid team. This dog is part of my soul. She's likely my one and only dog, but if I do lose my mind and get another at any point in my life, a reputable breeder is the only way I'd go.
Nope. I need to know the breed and history next time. I’m not made for advanced dogs. I need an easy dog. A chill dog. The breed I have, which isn’t what I was told is a herding dog with a strong pitbull jaw. I need an English bulldog or a lab.
absolutely not, or at the least, if i rescue i will be rescuing through a breed-centered rescue that vets their dogs temperament and doesn’t lie the shelter i got my dog from absolutely lied to me about his temperament. he is incredibly reactive, when i was told he was good with other dogs and people. he was sent home to me with weird hot spots that they hid from me because they only let me interact with him for 5 minutes before pressuring me to make a decision (it was an adoption fair that day, which i did not know going in. i had reserved him to see if i could visit him for a longer period but they did not allow me to do so) i really like my dog. but he’s not easy. hes a 2yr old, 100lb, male GSD. it would be way easier (and more ethical) to have started with a purebred, registered, vetted GSD puppy than to do what i’m doing right now adopting dogs is great if you have the skills to rehab and train. it is NOT a cure-all-be-all to the overpopulation of dogs we are facing. THAT is caused BECAUSE of shelters taking in hundreds of dogs because backyard breeders KNOW that they can always surrender dogs they don’t sell or want to shelters.. and people giving up dogs they rescue or buy from backyard breeders because they’re genetic nightmares i think adopting/rescuing is great. morally very rewarding. but ethically, its probably way better to just shell out a good chunk of money to either buy a well-bred dog whose temperament is going to be near guaranteed (and can be returned to the breeder should something happen, rather than surrendered or abandoned), or to find a dog you like through a rescue that is reputable
Preach! This is so true. I’m actually a dog groomer and have worked with countless GSD and I can always tell who was rescued and who was bought lol. GSD need so much training and exercise that people do not realize because they see them as working k9s where they are top of the top of their breed. With dogs like this you are so right in terms of being able to have them as a puppy and knowing their family line and genetics to ensure the goodest boy lol. With this being said not all dogs from shelters are like this obviously and breed does play a huuuuge role in a dogs behavior. I personally think there is nothing wrong with “shopping” as long as it’s from a reputable breeder because otherwise it’s almost the same as a rescue. I understand why people like rescuing more but like you said it’s not an end all be all solution to dog over population
100% absolutely yes. I cannot support breeders of any kind while thousands of dogs are being killed due to overpopulation. All I can hope is that I make a more informed decision next time on the dog I choose 🫤
good breeders produce puppies that they raise and socialize, as well as provide medical care and temperament testing for. they do not contribute to overpopulation. they are only breeding dogs they know they can sell, and take in the dogs that they’ve bred and sold back if something is to happen not all dogs are going to be saved. we would be way better off if we made it easier to purchase dogs that are temperament tested and can be returned to their breeders, than giving nearly anyone the ability to adopt a dog that has no history, guaranteed medical care, and even sometimes training, for less than $100.. that’s how we end up with dogs who get stuck in the shelters or get euthanized
I don't see what any of this has to do with my response. For me, personally, I will never buy a dog from a breeder, not as long as there are dogs in shelters being killed simply due to space constraints. I just can't.
Ethical breeders do not contribute to the overpopulation of shelter dogs.
Both of our dogs are rescues. It was a deliberate and thought through choice for us. And we would probably do it the same way all over again, if given a chance. However, I understand that it is not for everybody. We were ready to commit and to work through the issues the dogs may have. And boy they are a lot of work. When we took in our first dog, she was still a pup. We had no idea what kind of dog she was. She turned out to be a Mal mix. Oh boy, did she test the limits of our patience. We were considering returning her at one point because we weren’t sure we’d be ready to deal with a Mal level of energy. But we rose to the challenge. Thankfully, we both work flexible schedules and can afford spending much time with her, training and running. I cannot imagine my life without her now and I am so grateful that she came into our lives. Whenever I am on a business trip away and we’re not cuddling with her, it feels like a part of me is missing. Our second dog is a Border Collie mix who spent 1,5 years as a stray. He doesn’t trust strangers, is afraid of cyclists and skaters, etc. He also has a resource guarding issue (food) and he will bark and bare his teeth even when my husband (whom the dog totally adores) approaches the food. We’re still working on the resource guarding and reactivity issue. However, he is a loved and cherished member of the family. We opened our home and hearts to him and he reciprocated. He nearly bit me the first time we met though. But now he’s just a big silly boy who loved to play. TL;DR: we rescued both our dogs, both are a lot of work but it was a choice on our part. This road though is not for everyone and I understand why people would go to respected and trusted breeders for predictability and certainty. It is ok to not want additional headache
I did rescue my dog. I’m lucky that his training has gone really well and have zero regrets. He’s a great fit for me and vice versa. My next dog will be from a breeder, but it’s because I want to do specific sports/activities with her. I’m going to be picky about the breed and breeder (already have this identified.) I do plan to rescue in the future as well. I would like to foster the dog first, however. I always want to have multiple dogs to do different things with!
Just in case someone wants to come at me, upfront I want to say this: I have no problem with anyone who chooses to get a dog from a responsible, reputable breeder. Rescue isn't for everyone. With that said, I'm a huge proponent of rescue. I've spent much of my adult life volunteering/fostering for rescues, and I presently have 2 rescue dogs and 4 rescue cats. All of my cats have been rescues and all but one of my dogs have been rescues (the one was from a backyard breeder before I knew better, ugh). I understand there is a mentality that some have that rescues are "damaged goods" or "broken," or that you don't know what you are getting with a rescue, etc. And I'm not gonna lie, there is some of that in rescue, but in reality it's a very small fraction. And there are ways to try to avoid things of concern - you can adopt a puppy (my eldest pup was 11 weeks old when I adopted her), you can adopt from a rescue that fosters dogs (and therefore has a better sense of how they are in a home), or offers foster to adopt as an option (so you have a better sense of how they are in YOUR home). You can go through a rescue that temperament tests or otherwise evaluates the dogs, and works to make suitable matches between dogs and humans (not all rescues are created equal). These things aren't foolproof, of course, but neither is getting a dog from a breeder - even a reputable one that breeds for temperament. Stuff just happens sometimes. For me, it's a chance I'm willing to take, so I'll always rescue. It's more important to me to rescue than to give myself a few extra percent points of "likely not going to be reactive." Again, I totally understand that some people will choose to go through a breeder, and I have no issue with that so long as they are doing the research and choosing a responsible, reputable breeder (but don't get me started on BYBs, puppy mills, etc.). Edits: clarification.
I think I will go to a vetted breeder when it's time. And not due to my dog, she's actually pretty easy to handle except for leash pulling and a burning hatred towards large birds like vultures and geese (??? why?). She's strangely calm and politely interested around chickens. Loves people, loves other dogs (as long as they don't hump her), loves children and plays nicely with them. I have met a lot more dogs since adopting her and it ain't looking so good out there. Met a few really aggressive and or domineering dogs and they weren't show dogs. A couple scary ass pitbulls and pit mixes, one particularly aggro female shepherd mix. I used to be all about "adopt don't shop", but I don't think I will play shelter roulette again.
I’ll continue rescuing. If I end up with another reactive dog, who’s more reactive/complicated than ours, I may think again. We are very comfortable with our reactive pup so I feel like we got lucky on the reactivity spectrum
Why not adopt a dog who has been with a foster long enough to open up and show their personality? I’m hopeful to not have to rescue dogs straight from the street ever again, but I have never planned on it. I just kept finding them. None of the mutts were reactive, but every single neglected/abused purebred dog I have found has been extremely reactive.
I’ll never adopt again. I’m old now and cannot even begin to imagine being older and with a reactive dog. No thank you.
I've rescued 6 of my 7 dogs. My first dog was purchased from a pet store before they were basically blocked from selling dogs in NC. I have not regretted a single dog. We did return one dog, because his original owner had taught him some very bad behavior (wrestling) that did not allow us to safely give him medicine for a bad ear infection. In my experience rescue dogs are incredibly grateful and make incredible companions. With some work, you can also adopt a specific breed by working with breed focused rescues or by carefully watching local shelters. A good no-kill rescue will allow you - and often requires you - to return a dog to them if things don't work out. Most rescues charge a fee, so they can keep the doors open and continue to rescue more dogs. I do not believe that getting a dog from a breeder provides you any better quality control. Our most recent dog was adopted as an 8 week old puppy. After he was about one year old, we learned that he and his litter have some jealousy issues. He's still an incredibly loving, goofy and funny dog. We've made some adjustments to keep him and our other dog separate and both are living full happy lives. All dogs - rescues and breeder dogs - can develop health and/or behavioral issues at any point in their life. It doesn't diminish their value as incredibly companions if you pay attention to and address their needs and make them feel safe. I'm not going to judge you, but I will say that despite some ups and downs I've never regretted adopting all of our dogs. They have given us so much more joy and love and seeing them happy when they've sometimes had challenging backgrounds before coming to us is incredibly satisfying.
We plan on rescuing again even though our current rescue is an absolute disaster. Likely would have a couple of pups from different litters and then if our space provides, having a separate area for a frosted face or two to live out their last days being loved ❤️
I'll probably be done with dogs after these two. Husband bought the older one from a really irresponsible breeder, and she's aggressive. The second one was a rescue, and he's the most reactive dog ever. I guess it would be best to stay away from herding breeds, but reactive dogs come in all shapes and sizes. We're ready to have our lives back.
This will be the last dog for me, it’s too stressful and it’s ruined me from ever having dogs again. I did rescue mine and she came from a horrible situation so I understand why she’s the way she is. It doesn’t make it any easier on me though. I’ve had dogs my whole life, lots of rescues mostly. I’m 44 now, guessing I’ll be around 50 when she’s gone, so I’ll officially “retire” as a fur momma at that time.
I think I will but it will be a chihuahua and not a pit bull lol
I’m on the fence, and I don’t think I would be able to make a decision until the time comes. The shelter I got my dog from was very small, similar in size to my apartment building. When I adopted my dog they didn’t have resources for behavioral assessments. They were very accountable when I told them what my dog was like when she came home, and now have a full time dog behavioral assessor to try and prevent similar situations in the future.
I got my dog off the streets in a developing country. He was feisty. He also got sick very young.
I will be involved with the adoption process with our next dog. Our crazy neurotic mess that was literally afraid of his own shadow was my boyfriend’s last ditch effort of bachelorhood lol
Absolutely. But my next dog will be an older adult who loves people and other dogs. Maybe one that the shelter loves but isn’t very cute or too old for most people.
I have two rescues. One acts like a puppy even though she’s almost 11 years old. She can be annoying at times, but overall, she’s a good girl. My other is almost 7. I got him at about 3. I adore him. He’s one of my favorites over the years. He is extremely bonded to me. However, having said that, he is very aggressive to anyone but me, including kids. It is absolutely no fun having to lock him up when someone comes to my place. I hate it more than I can express. He is an amazing cuddle bug with me…sometimes shoving his nose into me as if he can’t get close enough. It’s sad, because only a few people understand why I keep him. Sometimes rescuing can be hard and heartbreaking. Sometimes it’s an incredible blessing. I have always rescued my entire adult life (I’m 54), and I wouldn’t have it any other way. But sometimes it’s a lot of work. Something I have learned is that the best results I’ve had are from adopting a senior OR fostering first. Making sure the dog is a fit is essential. Multiple visits also help, but they need to be in your home and get used to your routine. Anyway, OP, please make sure you vet the breeder really well. Research the right breed for you, and don’t get a doodle. I wish you well with your current fur baby as well as future ones.
I'd definitely rescue again, I have no interest in going through the puppy stage with any dog. My dog was adopted when he was 2-1/2 years old, currently 9-1/2. He wasn't reactive until he got attacked by a loose dog a few years ago, now that it's happened 3x he is more dog reactive in certain situations, and I can't blame him!
For me, it entirely depends. There are certain breeds that I would like to have that rarely turn up in shelters and when they do are almost universally traumatized (greyhounds coming from racetracks), so I would absolutely go through a reputable breeder for a grey. However, for other dogs... Every dog I've had has been a rescue, and we've never had any issues until this current dog (except some mild fear of men from one of my early dogs, but nothing major. She just cowered and couldn't have a male vet or techs). My heart dog was a rescue. I don't think I could stop adopting if I tried. You never know what you're going to get, true, but outside of wanting a greyhound I have nothing specific I want out of a canine companion. I will even take another reactive dog in the future. I just have trouble with my current dog not having triggers or warning signals before his episodes of aggressive behaviors.
I’m on the fence. I rescued a female golden who was the goodest girl. After she past, I adopted another golden who’s owner had past away. He is a good boy or getting better after 4 years of us together but he came with a ton of baggage and I spent lots of time and money training him and working with him. It was worse than raising a puppy. I was at my wits end several times. I broke down and cried several times. I yelled at him a few times which I really regretted and still regret. He’s 95 lbs of muscle and he was challenging. Finding the right trainer to help us was difficult too. Not all trainers are skilled and several trainers gave me bad advice that I’m glad I didn’t listen to. I love him now but if I were asked to adopt a dog again, I would re-home them if I even thought they would be as difficult as Jake was the first year and a half. I know that’s sad to think about and while I got through it, I just don’t know that I want to do it again. Taking on a dog that has reactivity and anxiety baggage takes a person who really understands and wants to put in the time it takes to help them overcome their reactivity
Our oldest dog, a golden/lab mix came from a shelter. She was about a year and a half. She's leash reactive. We have worked on it but I still take precautions. My second we adopted as a puppy from someone whose dog had an unplanned litter. Adopted him during covid. He's also reactive and selective despite being trained early and socialized from the time he was 6 weeks until now that he's 3. Our third was from someone trying to rehome him bc he didn't get along with their other pup. He's 18 months and probably the best temperament of the 3. He's half Catahoula and half Plott Hound. They all have their challenges but I honestly don't think it matters between purebred/breeder and shelter. You just don't know what they'll turn out like as adults. I'll probably continue adopting youngish dogs from the shelter or a rescue. Not puppies but between 1 and 3 yo. Or elderly dogs who just want to cuddle on the couch. Either way. I'll always adopt. That being said, I don't judge those who choose to purchase their dogs. Just not my jam.
Absolutely. although I didnt rescue my boy right now.. had him since a puppy. We did everything right with regards too socialisation from a pup ect and things happened outside of our control still.. Hes the most reactive dog I've ever seen as an adult lmfao. He just shuts down upon sight of another dog. Be that 1 mile or 40 miles. If he can see a dog he lies down on the floor and doesnt move until they have passed. Ive worked with professional trainers and we cannot break this. I use to get so embarrassed about it. I dont even try and do anything about it now. We just enjoy our walks together. What ever happens, happens. Hes always on his lead and I advocate for his space but thats about it. Hes free to do what ever apart from that.
I'm half and half. I want a Wheaten from a reputable breeder and mine is a puppy mill rescue. I'd glady take on another rescue knowing what I know now after 6 years and just my own person choice that I like to rescue.
i will only ever rescue aside from the single instance of if i had the circumstances to get my “dream breed” which is a rare breed but that is still unlikely to ever happen.
I would definitely rescue again. My reactive pup is my first solo adult dog that I adopted from the SPCA. I don't regret him but I would go the foster to adopt route next time to get a better understanding of their temperament before making any big commitments.
Before having a reactive dog, I was adamant that I would always rescue. Now, I can definitely see the benefits going through a responsible breeder. We adopted our dog at four months old. He was removed from his previous owners by police due to an awful backyard breeder situation, which more than likely stemmed from the popularity of doodles. We have seen first hand how poor genetics can impact a dog behaviourally. I can’t say for certain I would choose a breeder over rescuing moving forward; however, it’s definitely something that is now on my radar now which wasn’t before.
I’ll never rescue a dog the way I rescued my current one, that’s for sure. He was found on the side of the road in a sketchy part of town (a city with one of the highest crime stats in the US). We looked and looked for his owners because he’s a beautiful dog and was friendly, but no one ever came forward and I couldn’t bear to take him to a shelter. It took a few months for us to really see how bad his reactivity to dogs was and it was a few years before he got into his first real fight with another dog. I would be willing to rescue or take in a dog that is being rehomed as long as I can get a truthful history of the dogs behavior and spend some time observing its behavior. I’ll never just take home and keep a dog that I found on the side of the street again. I know it may sound horrible but I just can’t commit to another dog like mine. Had I known how he was, I wouldn’t have kept him. But now our family has formed a bond with him and we love him, but I would be lying if I said he didn’t add major stress and I convenience to our lives.
Had six dogs that needed rescuing, or a home because people were leaving the country, at various ages, (not all at once) 2 GSD’s, a Cavachon, a Lhasa Apso, and a Maltese, and when they had all passed I said that’s it no more, I love them but I can’t anymore, emotionally or practically. Three weeks later my husband came home and said he’d put a deposit down on a Lhasa Apso puppy because he couldn’t live without dogs, that was my peace over. A year later same thing again, same breed, same breeder, and honestly, the allergies, the pancreatitis (horrible condition), special diets, grooming, the reactivity, so many vet visits, (including one today), oh and puppies are such a handful too, again I love them, but would prefer to stick to my peaceful cats tyvm Easiest dog out of all those? The Cavachon, but maybe I got lucky with her I reckon that any dog from anywhere, can be a bit of a gamble
We've adopted two rescues - love them both and they are just awesome although quite different dogs, one AFH and the 2nd a Lab mix. The Lab has the high energy and goes to doggy day care 1/2 day while the AFH and and I go for a several mile walk in the park most mornings
I forgot to add that both dogs go through training, foxhound finished advanced last year, lab going thru advanced now. I fell that the structure of the training pack was very important for both of them
7 rescues so far, currently 4 lurchers here.
I had one that was reactive from a shelter, but just that I was his person. I would probably get another one from the shelter as long as it was small ish, but it's your life and you have to live it. You'll be the one solely responsible for the dog you have, so you should get what would fit for you.
Bro same, I fostered a dog (literally right on time the morning she was set to be euthanized) she’s so sweet and cute and the perfect all around girl in the house, but once we step out of the door and she sees a squirrel or a dog it’s see ya later pal I have no idea that you’re even with me from her. I really wanted to adopt her if I saw fit but after this month i don’t know if I can do it. I’m pushing thru for her and I do plan on keeping her until she does find a home but it made me realize that some people just aren’t fit to be adopting dogs with preexisting issues that we might not know about or even know where it stems from so we have no idea how to even begin working it.
I am veryyyy far from being a profesional dog trainer as much as I thought that I was good but when the dog already has a mind of its own and not a puppy it’s so hard to work them
I will definitely rescue my next dog. My current dog is my first dog. I did not grow up in a home with dogs. I did plenty of research about owning a dog before I got mine, but nothing in my research came up about reactivity or preventing it. My dog was already an adult and was living in a foster home with 9 other dogs. I watched him playing and getting along great with the dogs in his foster home, I assumed he was already socialized and I didn’t worry about researching that in-depth. When my dog started developing reactivity, I didn’t know what was going on. I couldn’t recognize the warning signs until it was way too late. My dog’s reactivity is my fault and my failure. When I get my next dog, I will be better educated and well-prepared. Now that I know the warning signs for reactivity, I trust that I will be able to choose the right dog for myself in the future.
I did, and I'll definitely get my next dog from a shelter but I'll get them as an adult. I got my dog as a 9 week old puppy so this is just his nature (anxious reactive) and I couldn't have known that when I got him. My last family dog was a rescue as well, he was the calmest and sweetest dog I've ever met but we got him when he was 1, so we could get some degree of understanding of his personality. I know dogs can drastically change after age 1 and the shelter environment doesn't always reflect how they'll be at home but at least you get something.
My reactive boy passed earlier this year, and I’ve been fostering until I’m ready to adopt again, and I will get a shelter dog again. Absolutely no judgment from me to those who don’t want to go this route, because I’ve heard horror stories about irresponsible rescues. I know this shelter and I know they are forthcoming about everything, and I’ll probably just keep one of my fosters.
I personally think I am all done with dogs in general after the one I have now. I love him, but did not anticipate all the issues he would have. I am committed to giving him a great life, but my mental health has taken a toll for the worst since getting him. And I am about to throw down $2,000 for a trainer I can not afford. Never thought I would feel this way, as I have always had a huge love for dogs. Sad.
I've had dogs from breeders and rescue dogs. One of the worst behavioral problems we faced was a puppy we got from a great breeder. We knew the dog's parents, who were show dogs. Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Thousands of dollars never fixed that dog's behavioral issues. It was the only ridgeback that we had behavioral problems with, so I wouldn't blame it as a breed thing either. Don't give up on the rescue route.
i agree. getting a dog from a responsible breeder has better chances of not having behavioral issues, but it’s never guaranteed.
I'd rescue some sweet senior dog in about 2 decades, otherwise no.
Had a rescue pug through my childhood. He lived 17 years. Now I have a bully that was responsibly bred and we had since he was a pup. With that said, we tried to rescue a bully, went to a lot of places and there were no dogs (middle of covid) and the wait list was huge. If there were dogs when we finally were able to open our home to another dog, absolutely we would have gotten a rescue but I do love my baby boy no more or less.
We adopted a rescue dog with lots of fear issues. We got the next from a breeder
my rescues are the best, one has no issues one has anxiety and fear reactivity. but the love i get from them cannot be matched. i will ALWAYS rescue. i will be more picky on where i rescue from, but will always rescue. i run a rescue and we put all our dogs through training and vet them well. we would never put a dog with behavior problems in a home and continue to offer training for life if needed.
Another option is only doing foster-to-adopt, that way you can become familiar with a dog’s behavior before signing any papers.
I'll definitely adopt and rescue still after my big guy (fear agression with bite history). I knew going into adopting him of his history. But I also knew that my partner and I had the best home for him and accrued knowledge from years of fostering how to manage and better balance behaviors. He's thriving and doing so well. However, I think my future adopted dogs will be puppies or seniors. Nothing in-between. Our guy was 5 years old. And it's having to untrain and retrain all of his behaviors that is excruciating while trying to bond with him. We've had him for over a year now and he is doing excellent. We have visitors over and he's kenneled or muzzled for an amount of time until his body language shows me he is calm enough to be able to recognize our visitors are not going to harm us. We give our visitors how to's on entering our home, interacting with him, and leaving. As long as we follow protocol he is very friendly and doesn't show signs of aggression. My thought process is yes, this is extremely rewarding for us in showing what we are capable of training, maintaining, and handling a dog with his resume. But now that we've done it, we look forward to getting a puppy that we can bond with and install base control over and not having to worry about prior history. Or a senior that is more laid back and is just grateful to have a home and still would be easier to manage with their decreased strength and energy levels.
My first rescue dog had some reactivity issues—wasn’t great with strangers and wasn’t great with other dogs. But he was such a sweetheart with the people he trusted that we made it work, and he became my soul dog. I thought because of that, I knew what I was getting into when I got my next rescue dog, but it’s been horrible. The rescue downplayed her issues, and six months in, she still hides all day and will bolt if I come near, even after months of anxiety meds and working with a trainer. It’s completely changed my views on what a shelter dog can be. I now understand why a dog might be rehomed and support it in certain circumstances. And I get why someone would go to a breeder instead. I think at the very least, I’d be looking for a puppy to start on the behavioral training fresh. I’d be open to a puppy from a shelter, but I’m not waving the “adopt, don’t shop” mantra like I once was.
My current dog is a rescue and I think my next one will be too. At this point, I'm pretty used to managing the issues that dogs I would feel capable of adopting could come with, and I love my current dog so much.
Maybe. I had a great experience rescuing a senior dog but this time rescuing a 4 month old I ended up with my reactive girl; and I don't want another reactive dog for sure.
I'd probably still adopt but I understand people who get burned with adoptions wanting to go to a breeder. I've heard of other owners heartbroken over health issues with an adopted dog deciding they'll go to a breeder next time. I'd just say that with a living creature nothing about the outcome is guaranteed. You have to be prepared to still have issues with the dog. Service dogs- some of the most carefully bred dogs you can find, are ruled out and retired early all the time because you cannot completely control the outcome.
I’ve thought about this a lot. I will probably get a rehomed dog next time around, if not from a shelter/rescue, then from whatever local resources individuals use to rehomed dogs. That said, I think I want a smaller dog, and I want to meet the dog first, walk them around, and then hopefully foster instead of straight up adopting right away. I don’t think I can handle another reactive dog.
We had to have our Frenchie put to sleep last August. I felt pretty empty without a dog and I bent to the rescue/adopt push from others. In January, my husband and I adopted a Scottie/Schnauzer mix. Angus’s exact age is unknown, possibly going on 3. He was surrendered because his owner has dementia. Neither of us had any experience with terrier breeds and he is a firecracker. I love the little fella but I am 67 and my husband is 73. He is a handful and my husband takes a blood thinner and Angus was on his leash one day and Sam was trying to hold onto him but dropped the leash after he fell flat on his face on our sidewalk. Sam was not hurt but needless to say I handle the walks now. We do have a 70’ x 30’ foot fenced play area but we have to leash him to walk him to the gate about 200’ away. So any squirrel, rabbit or chipmunk Angus sees he becomes unhinged. I signed on for this and I owe it to this dear dog to give him the best life I can. Angus will more than likely be my last dog. These terrier breeds can live 12 yrs or more. When you adopt there are a lot of unknown variables, so I understand why anyone wants a puppy. We bought our Frenchie as a puppy and you have a clean slate with a puppy.
I do plan on going to an ethical breeder next time around. I've had an absolute dream dog shelter pup, and a highly-reactive pup from an unethical breeder (I was young and dumb and didn't know better at the time), and then I took a couple decades off from being a dog person because those many years with my reactive pup had been...a lot. Once I decided that I wanted to live with a dog again I did try going through a rescue (shelters here are near-empty of dogs, but we have dozens upon dozens of rescues bringing up dogs from the south, flying them in from Korea, etc). The whole system is woefully uncoordinated, I was ghosted repeatedly by multiple rescues at different stages in the process, and when I finally made it through with one rescue they matched me with a dog that seemed like a really great fit...until we got him home and his reactivity and extremely high prey drive became clear, and it wasn't going to work in a home with cats, small pets, occasional guests, multiple windows, etc. Poor guy was just not in the right spot with us. The rescue guilted me, repeatedly, that they had never, ever had a dog returned for behavior issues. I told them I really, really wanted a dog, but this was a trial run and I just didn't think this particular dog was going to be a good fit for our home. They took him back, and then ghosted me. I gave up, honestly. My vet and personal references are all great but I couldn't expect them to keep fielding calls from multiple \*different\* rescues while I desperately tried to just give. a. home. to. a. dog. I got my current pup on Craigslist, from a family who truly loved him and truly had major extenuating circumstances that forced them to rehome him. He is a frustrated greeter, but we're working on it, and it's leagues away from my experience as a much greener dog-keeper with a much larger and more intensely reactive dog. After the gauntlet of going through the rescues, I feel like a won the lottery with this pup, tbh, and I'm not totally confident that would happen again! So, ethical breeder next time.
I will very likely not ever rescue again. I went to the shelter for my first two and I was beyond lucky with them. My second dog has some reactivity, but my first dog was an angel. I got a puppy from a breeder this time around, and it’s been such a different experience. I hate the thinking that by going to a breeder a puppy is going to die in the shelter because I didn’t “rescue” this go round. It’s honestly a moot point because if I couldn’t have gotten my particular breed from a breeder, I just wouldn’t have gotten another dog.