Rescue dogs are not automatically the perfect family pet. The “adopt don’t shop” people did their job too well. Since the movement started, the public has been brainwashed and guilted into thinking the only good way to get a pet is through a rescue. That’s just wrong. Rescue dogs are in rescue for a reason. And that reason is almost always some problem with the dog.
The reason may be physical, training, or personality. But almost invariably, the dog has issues. In our current class there’s a Newfoundland adopted from a rescue. They told the adopter that the dog was given up by the Amish puppy mill because she was “too small” to show in conformation. Poppycock. Amish puppy millers don’t show their dogs in conformation. There are only two reasons they surrender dogs. Either they’re sterile, or they don’t allow rough handling. Puppy mills consider dogs livestock and don’t tolerate dogs with opinions.
Pets not projects
Almost every single dog adopted from a shelter or rescue is damaged in some way. Almost always, they’re not pets. They’re projects. The ironic thing is that the dog’s true personality won’t show itself for about three months after the adoption. That’s how long it takes for a dog to figure out it’s home and doesn’t have to be on “best behavior” at all times.
And in that initial “honeymoon” phase, the adopter falls in love with the dog and can’t imagine giving them up.
So they do whatever they know, and can afford, to “fix” the dog. And feel like failures when the issues don’t go away. Sometimes people become prisoners to the dog’s issues. It doesn’t only happen with big dogs. Two of the worst cases we ever met were little dogs.
A Chihuahua didn’t allow anyone except her owner to handle her, and even that was iffy. She went ballistic if anyone came into the house, so the woman’s grandchildren couldn’t come. She bit her owner repeatedly. And because the owner sort-of liked her dog “protecting” her, she chose not to do anything about it. Not even realizing that her dog was making her life smaller, not better.
Another case was a Shih Tzu that no one, including the owner, could touch. That was particularly problematic since it meant the dog couldn’t be groomed. Again, the owner was held prisoner because she loved her little jailer. It was challenging to fit this dog into a harness. We had to keep throwing treats to him, one in front throwing treats on the floor, the other getting the harness on the dog. We wore gloves and he still drew blood.
Why it’s happening
The large “humane” organizations have huge budgets and spend a good chunk of that money convincing the public to feel sorry for dogs. That rescuing them is always the right thing to do. It’s not. Not all dogs can, or should, be saved. Some are so damaged that it’s doing them no favors to keep them in a shelter situation. It would be even worse to unleash them on unsuspecting adopters.
One of the worst nights we ever had as trainers was when we told a family their adopted dog had to be returned to the shelter they got her from. It was, in fact, three months after they’d gotten the dog. And as the dog showed her true self, she became a danger to the three small children in the family, snapping and biting. We got bitten, the mother was bitten, one of the children was bitten.
But the little boy loved his rescue dog and couldn’t understand why we couldn’t “fix” her. It may have been possible, over time. If the entire family was willing to schedule their life around the dog’s needs. That’s a project not many people can, or should, take on.
Don’t feel guilty
Think about what you want for your family when you’re getting a dog. Realize that everyone has to be on board and willing to train, with a rescue dog. If you just want a nice pet for the family, do the research that requires. Don’t walk into a shelter and fall in love with a fuzzy face. The next decade and more of your life will be shared with this dog. You can’t choose your family, but you can choose your dog.
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This hit very close to home for me. I volunteer and foster dogs from a local rescue and my 4th foster was a “foster fail.” I am ashamed to admit I did not ask the opinion of my teenage son, or consider the effects of a second full time dog in our home to him or our other dog. It has been really rough at times. I’ve done multiple training classes with him and work on training. But he’s just a really anxious dog. Extremely sweet, loving, and smart but super anxious, needy, and high strung. It’s been a learning experience and my son struggled for a while. We’re making it work but there are definitely so many things I hadn’t considered. Thank you for being honest. I absolutely love and adore this dog and will do anything for him, but my son and my other dog did suffer a bit, and our household dynamic changed dramatically, and not all positive.
It’s definitely a major upheaval to bring a new dog into the home. Perhaps it would benefit their relationship if your son played training games with the new dog, while you play with the older dog. We’d recommend you check out the dog training classes around you and see if you can find a positive-reinforcement trainer.
Thank you for writing this article. We rescued our dog from a shelter. She didn’t know how to walk on a leash, and was very reactive to other dogs. She had been rejected by another person who had previously adopted her. I can understand why some people would not have the time or patience to train her.
I think that the most important thing to consider is whether you truly have the time, patience, and desire to work with a dog who may need extensive training. If you can’t commit to that, but still want to adopt, I would take time to find the right rescue dog. The worst thing that can happen in my opinion is the person adopts, destabilized the dog further by returning them, turns to electric collars or other harsh training methods, or neglects their needs.
With this said, I do want to believe that all dogs can find the right person. If you follow this blog, you will know that Fran’s dog Tango was very aggressive. Fran had the ability to work with Tango and help him socialize. I wish every dog with troubles could find a Fran.
Thank you! You phrased it beautifully! And we share your hope that every dog does find the right person. As you say, it takes a serious commitment of time and patience to take on a “project” dog. If you’re willing to invest what it takes into a rescue dog, it’s incredibly satisfying and well worth it. Tango is now an absolute sweetheart – worth all the time, energy, and patience.
UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!! There are NO bad dogs!!! Bad dog owners? definitely!!!!!!!! These innocent, neglected, abused, innocent souls only know unconstitutional Love PERIOD!!! Humans do not. Rescue dogs are SO grateful to their rescuers!!!! No living being deserves what these dogs go through! More humans need to be in shelters than dogs!
I wish what you wrote here was true. Unfortunately, it is not. We do agree that it is the humans perpetrating the cruelty that are at fault, not the dogs. And in the dog training classes we teach, we see how overwhelmed the adopters are with the issues their adopted dogs bring.
Most everything in this article is untrue! I really wish you would do better research before you perpetuate the myth of all rescue dogs are damaged, most beyond repair!
I’ve been rescuing/advocating for animals most of my life, and it’s articles like this that spread lies and give rescue/shelter dogs a bad wrap!
In my experience, it’s usually the humans that are the problem!!! Whether bought from a breeder or adopted from a shelter, there are many animals that wound up there due to humans irresponsibility!
And saying that big humane organizations have tons of money might be true for the ASPCA or companies of that size, but most do not have tons of money and are hurting for help with so many things. To say this makes people turn against shelters as a whole!
You must be a breeder, or just started in your career, because you are extremely biased and have so much to learn!
We are neither breeders nor ever planning to be. We support local shelters, rescues, and organizations that take the time and effort needed for successfully rehoming dogs. As a rescuer, you know how much that entails. There are no absolutes in this. We just want people to know what they may be facing. Just as people should investigate any breeder, they should also investigate shelters and/or rescues. There are good and bad actors at every level.
May I add that Greyhound rescues are mostly successful. The gentle giants are not cuddly or fluffy but can be loving loyal pets having been trained by dedicated foster homes.
Also, Helpaws in St. Lucia rescues tiny puppies, deworms and neuters them. They are mostly abandoned very young and have not experienced mistreatment at the hands of humans.
Thank you for your input! Good to know!
I’ve always had rescue dogs. I adopt older dogs, so higher turnover rate. I’ve adopted 16 over a period of 20 years (have multiple dogs at a time). ONE was a problem dog. ONE.
You clearly have an agenda, and animal welfare isn’t it.
My agenda is to let people know they should do their research before bringing any dog into their family. You are obviously an experienced, dedicated dog owner prepared to deal with whatever issues the dogs you adopt may have. Thinking back, do you remember what it was like to adopt a dog 20 years ago, your first dog? How much difference has the internet made? It would be interesting to know how differently dogs were considered then.
I haven’t found this to be true with our three rescue dogs – who have all passed away over the years. But only one came from a shelter. Two (a staffie mix and one who was probably purebred but not breed standard) came from people who didn’t turn them in to the shelter, so I guess that’s a “foster” situation and their personalities were well known to the owners who reluctantly found homes for them. The shelter dog was a large dog, and he was so glad to have a home and had obviously been abused. He wanted so badly to trust us that he was always gentle, never a problem.
I’m glad our local shelters are having more dogs in foster situations, because they are often there for several months and have time to unwind and be themselves and the new owner can see if they are a good fit.
Exactly right – fostering is a good way for a dog to decompress and show their real personality. Thank you for mentioning it!
I couldn’t disagree more, and I’m extremely disappointed with you. I’ve had terriers my whole life. The last two have been rescues and both were rescued by breed rescues as strays. I was not brainwashed when I adopted rescues!! My first rescue was a bit of a challenge, but I was up to it, and she became a brilliant, wonderful dog. The second one, who lives with me now, is equally brilliant – and he’s the love of my live. He’s strong and independent and sweet as sugar. I find your disparaging words about rescues offensive – and they make me doubt your commitment to dogs, although I know you love the dogs who live with you. Please reconsider this post – rescue organizations save dogs and they need and deserve support.
Perhaps you can re-read what we wrote again. We do support local shelters, rescues, and breed rescues, and firmly believe that there are wonderful examples of each doing amazing work. We never blame the dogs, but as dog trainers, we’re always dealing with the aftermath of unsuitable adoptions. You may be an experienced owner and know exactly what you may be facing with a rescue dog. Many people are not and find themselves overwhelmed. Those are the people we are trying to persuade to do their research.