Help with adoption Home Visit

[kaliman91]

are going through a stray rescue to adopt a puppy.We have adopted
pet 2 other times in the past years. These have taken place at our local
Petsmart. Usually we just pick the pup we want pay the adoption fee and
we are off.
This time we picked the pup and was told we had to have a home visit as
well as fill out a application the involved over 40 questions including
personal references.
All of this is fine with us. They told us they just wanna make sure we
dont live in a apartment and have a fenced in yard.
But we are worried that we have 1 dog right now. She isnt agressive at
all although she doesnt really like dogs who just jump right on her
like puppies do when they play. On out previous pup we adopted 4 years ago
it took her over a month to get used to it and stop running away from
it.
Well the foster parent is bring the pup over for a vistit and to make
sure it will be a good fit. I am worried she will see our current dog
not real receptive of this new dog and then tell us its not a good fit.
We spent over 4 weeks and looked at over 30 puppies till we found this
one and just fell in love with him.I would hate to be told sorry we dont
think this will be a good fit.
Is there anything i can do to keep my dog calm and not be scared. I
would assume taking her for a long exercise session before then meeting is
a good idea.But is there anything else i could do?
"

and was asked on 08/14/2006

[SPCAEmployee]

I would explain the situation to the foster parent. she might understand!

[BrinkleyBing]

Hi kaliman91,

We foster dogs and do home visits before they are adopted. I would suggest you to let the foster parent know about your dog and his personality. Please do not hide anything from them, as it may directly affect the newly adopted puppy....and it may end up in the shelter again.

Let me tell you how we work things in these cases.

We do not take the puppy with us to make a home visit.

We let the owner's dog meet the puppy in a neutral place...like a dog park. Have both the dogs on leash. Have lots of treats with you. May be have a big bottle of peanut butter with a long spoon. Let them sniff each other. Give them sometime to adjust.

When you get the puppy at home for the first time.... again the same thing about leash & treats. You may want to make the introductions in your garage. It may take more than half hour...depending upon your dog...to get used to having another dog in the house. Then you can let them in the yard.

Please keep a very close eye at them when they are together. Do not leave them alone together for atleast the first day. If you have a crate...keep the puppy in it when you cannot supervise. You may keep them in separate rooms too.

Don't forget to give him lots of love ....in the excitement of the new puppy. Your own dog may get jealous about the new puppy.

I am sure the foster parent will help you in the introductions as much as possible. I hope this helps. :)

[Evey]

If these people are educated enough to want to visit your home, they will understand that some dogs will need some time to make an adjustment. Be upfront and let them know that on previous occasions it has taken your dog X amount of time to accept a newcomer into his house. They will appreciate your honesty.

[rosemary]

You could take your dog on an hour long walk and get him nice and tired. That make help him stay calm since he will be too tired to make a fuss. I read this in the book Cesar's way. Though he says it should be over an hour.
Good Luck!
Rose

[kaliman91]

Oh no i dont wanna try and "hide" anything. I just know it took a while for my current dog to adjust to a puppy wheh we got one 4 years ago.We had to put him down because he got "DCI" i beleive its called.
She is aware of my current dog. I just want it to go smoothly at first is all.

Thank you for the replies everyone. I will post back again and let you know how it goes.

Thanks
Kali

[kaliman91]

Well we had a day set for her to come and do a home visit and she planned on bring the pup with her and if all went well she would then leave it with us.

Well, she never showed up and didnt return my phone call last night!:(

I will attempt to call her again this afternoon. But i am a bit frustrated. She could have atleast let me know that she could not make it yesterday. I took the day off from work to make it more convienant for her.
I wanna give her a peice of my mind but i am am sure she will just not want to let us adopt the pup if i do this.

I hate inconsiderate people:mad:

[Evey]

It was rude to not at least call and let you know that there had been some earth shattering crisis in her life. Things happen and we all have to reschedule once in a while.

On the other hand, my grandfather has been in the hospital since Friday and my father is so upset by the accident that he just thought to let me know about it this morning. He has been at the hospital since Friday, so you never can tell.

[kaliman91]

Well i called her and was very polite. She claimed she was sick and didnt feel good. I didnt ask why she didnt call me and let me know.
Anyway she offered to do it today so i said great when?

She said" Whenever i can do it"
I said "Now"

She said "Or how about we meet halfway because i know you really want this puppy and we live so far away from each other" (We live about 60 or so mile apart)

She said we will still have to do the home visit and all but she isnt feeling good and this will help her out alot.

Now i am fine with this and we have adopted 2 other pups the last 6 years without home visits.(They never said we needed on before)
But isnt this abit irresponsible on her part to just give me the pup?
Well, i will be meeting her in 2 hours so hopefully she doesnt have me drive through all of this traffic and then doesnt show up.So i am driving like 50+ miles of this "meet me half way agreement"

Frustrated new Memeber
Kali:cool:

[Evey]

Can't wait to see pics of your new puppy.