If I adopt a dog, will the people who work at the shelter come to my house and inspect it?
Does anyone know?

My local animal shelter - no. The rescue where I volunteer (occasionally) - yes.

Why is probably a good question, particularly in view of your other threads.

My local shelter verifies the info (landlord allows the pet, etc.).

You'd have to call each shelter to find out. Some do, and some don't. Either way, there is an application process and also probably a waiting period until the app is approved.

Be forewarned. If someone offers to give you a free or cheap puppy, there is probably going to be something wrong with it -- it's already sick or came from dirty surroundings and was with sick dogs, or was born and spent its young life in a cage without exercise and any love. If you go for free or cheap, you will get lots of problems and maybe will end up with a very sick or dead puppy.

If you want a healthy dog, go about this the right way, not the easy and cheap way.

Will my house and land out side have to be perfect if they come to see my house?

What do you mean by "perfect"?

You're not getting photographed for House Beautiful magazine. The place should look comfortable and clean. The grass should be cut and no garbage or debris lying around in the yard. The house should be relatively clean but the shelter realizes people live there. Dishes should be washed and put away, clothes not lying around or hanging on furniture, the floors should be free of dust bunnies and dirt, furniture shouldn't be ripped up, the indoors smell should be agreeable (not sewage or urine), the residents of the home should be polite and not yelling at each other.

Like... if someone comes to my house, should I clean it in advance? Or would that be lying?

Comes to my house to inspect.

Would cleaning be a three-day agony, or simply picking up stuff and putting it where it belongs? Pretend the minister or your doctor is coming over. How would you want your house to look?

If your house is normally a dump and you have to spend hours or even days cleaning, yes, that's lying.

Umm... I don't really know, we try to keep the house clean but sometimes it is a disaster. Usually we have a clean up on saturdays

umm... I dont really know, we try to keep the house clean but sometimes it is a disaster. usually we have a clean up on saturdays
Tell me three things that make it a disaster.

Clutter on the counter tops and table, Stuff dropped on the floor that's not picked up, Cloths and stuff (in my room)

I mean "clothes"

Like I said, the shelter people understand that you live there and can't keep the house looking like a magazine all the time. Is the house generally clean under the "disaster"? -- cabinets without food smears and drippings on the doors, stove and refrig free of grease and dark fingermarks, curtains and drapes not ripped or dirty?

No.. out house is not like that (I think) The problem is... I HATE cleaning. Do you have any cleaning advise?

I mean "our"

I volunteer at a shelter as well as help with an adoption agency for dogs, the agency does house calls, and it would have to pretty darn yucky for that to be taken into consideration. We mostly look for space (land and house), we look to see if it is an animal friendly neighborhood, and if you have other pets, how they react around strangers and if they look healthy. The shelter I volunteer for does not have the time nor the man power to make house calls. We do ask people to fill out the application, and we check references and vets, and make our decision based on that and the phone interview we do.

We don't care if your house is un-tidy, although a clean house does look better, it's not the deciding factor. We especially watch for any hoarding indications. That is a big thing for us. If there are any indications of hoarding we usually decline the applicant.

What do you mean by "hoarding"?

What do you mean by "hoarding"?

What do you mean by "hoarding"?
Papers and clothes and bags of stuff lying around all over the place and not sorted through or put away -- like those TV shows where people can't give up stuff and the stuff takes over their house.

Have you ever seen the show Hoarders? People who suffer from animal or regular hoarding.

Compulsive hoarding (or pathological hoarding or disposophobia) is the excessive acquisition (collection and acquiring) of possessions (and failure to use or discard them), even if the items are worthless, hazardous, or unsanitary. Compulsive hoarding impairs mobility and interferes with basic activities, including cooking, cleaning, showering, and sleeping.


I asked in another thread, but do you mind telling us how old you are? :)

Have you guys decided on a dog yet? It seems like you are taking your time and asking all the right questions, so I bet you guys will have no problem with adopting. Is your mom just as excited as you are?

Here are some images of hoarding.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1d/Messie_mess_1.jpg/220px-Messie_mess_1.jpg

http://www.iamjunk.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/hoarding.jpg

http://dingo.care2.com/pictures/c2c/share/68/682/234/682343_370.jpg

Oh.. them my mom is the opposite. She is really good at throwing stuff out! I think right now our house is in good condition! Except for part of out kitchen (we are redoing our kitchen cabinets and stuff so we had to load the stuff that used to be in the old cabinets onto the floor of our room that's part of out kitchen!

My mom is not exited too much... they are only giving me a dog because I really want one. But I am not allowed to get one before until August, September, or October. I am the only one who is excited. Hahaha. But it is really sweet of my family to let me get a dog! :)

Wow.. that's really messy!!

I mean "then"

"Getting a dog," raising a puppy, requires the cooperation of everyone. Will your parents help with training and housebreaking the dog? If you are the only one who thinks this is a good idea it could be a very unhappy experience for everyone, including the dog.

I don't do the actual inspection BUT I do know that the people who do look for things the puppy can get into, particularly harmful cleaners and the like, in plain view. They make certain that the people adopting know puppies are inquisitive, chew, get into everything they can find. You can try but you cannot police them 24 hours a day.

What? I think my whole family will love the dog. I think!

Are you saying that someone will try to kill the dog unpurpose?? I'm so confused??

are you saying that someone will try to kill the dog unpurpose??? im so confused???

Puppies are like human toddlers -- they get into stuff you never would have thought about. Just a day or so ago, someone posted on here that her puppy was bleeding and wouldn't drink and wouldn't move. She thought he had gotten into the garbage and swallowed rib bones from their supper. By morning, the dog was dead after bleeding all night. He might have had torn intestines from the bones or been suffering from parvo. That's why you have to outthink your puppy and what he might get into. You have to puppy-proof your house.

(Do you know what parvo is?)

Also, it costs money to own a puppy -- vet care, shots, maybe emergency vet care, leash, collar, toys, dishes, kennel, obedience school.

What is parvo?

It's a very contagious virus that puppies can get.

Canine parvovirus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canine_parvovirus)

If the puppy shows any signs of this, you must get him to a vet asap.

I really don't want that to happen to my future dog :( :( :(: :(

I really dont want that to happen to my future dog :( :( :(: :(
That's why adopting an adult dog (not a puppy) might be a good idea, simply because parvo won't be a problem plus some training has already taken place. With a puppy, you have to be especially alert to any changes in behavior or eating habits.

But I really want a puppy though... what do you suggest??

Like I said before, read up on puppies and what to expect. When they are teething, they will chew on everything. Someone in your house has to be the alpha person, so the puppy learns obey that person instantly. Having a puppy is a lot of responsibility -- not just a furry thing to roll around with and pet now and then.

What will the puppy do when you're at school? What if no one is at home? Where will the puppy be then? How will you train the puppy to pee and poop outside?

Well.. if the puppy poops or pees in the house... I will scold it. And bring him/her/ outside

well.. if the puppy poops or pees in the house... i will scold it. and bring him/her/ outside
How will you scold it? Will you smack it too, maybe with a rolled up newspaper?

Then the next time the puppy pees or poops in the house, what will you do? And the next time? And the time after that?

What about during the night, say, to a.m. and the puppy starts crying and even howling? Then what?

Where will the puppy sleep at night?

well.. if the puppy poops or pees in the house... i will scold it. and bring him/her/ outside


You are in this WAY over your head. You need to do some research BEFORE you (or your parents) purchase a puppy.

They have the attention span of a gnat. Unless you catch the puppy in the act it will have no idea why it's being punished.

I see dogs which are returned or turned in to shelters every single day because are not prepared to raise a dog.

Adult dogs often come with their own sets of problems.

How do your parents feel about paying for Vet bills (which can be sizable)? And neutering?

He/she will probably sleep in my room in a crate or a bed. And I probably won't hit it. And if she/he had to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night... I would probably ask someone to come with me out side :) And do you have any suggestions on how to properly train a puppy to go to the bathroom out side??

I probably wont hit it.
You had better not hit that dog, or I will come after you. Do Not Ever Hit a Dog!!!!!

if she/he had to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night...
How will you know that's why the puppy is crying?

I would probably ask someone to come with me out side
And you will be Miss Popularity for doing that.

Who had the attention span of a gnat?

What do you mean by "Miss Popularity"

And when I said ," i will probly not hit it" I meant I WILL NOT hit it

Who had the attention span of a gnat??
If a dog or cat or horse or cow poops or pees in the wrong spot, they have absolutely NO idea that's the wrong spot and DO NOT understand why you are angry. They go when they have to go. It takes hours and hours of patient training to teach dogs where to poop and pee -- just like when you were a baby. Your mom scolding you for making a dirty diaper didn't mean a thing to you. If she yelled at you, you just got scared of her. Same with a puppy.

You will not be Miss Popularity because no one is going to be happy if you have to wake him or her up in the middle of the night because your puppy is crying.

Oh.. How do you know so much?? Hahaha! I will be all prepared by the time I get a puppy! With food, a bed/crate (maybe both) toys, etc.

Oh.. hahaha.. that won't be too good. But I would probably be to scared to go outside alone.

oh.. How do you know so much??? hahaha! I will be all prepared by the time i get a puppy! with food, a bed/crate (maybe both) toys, etc.
But will you know how to be a good owner? Are you going to read up on training and dog care and get books from the library and read the web sites that someone had posted? Owning a dog is more than feeding it and playing with it.

Do you know about dog characteristics? Some like to run like crazy after squirrels and chipmunks, some are good escape artists and run away all the time, some are couch potatoes, some are diggers and will dig up your back yard, some get to be very large, some shed a lot, some drool a lot and leave saliva all over the place.

What if your puppy cries during the night but he doesn't have to pee or poop? What will you do?

I took out about 6 books from the library and I am putting together something about dogs. How they need exercise and you can't slack off on the job just because you are tired or lazy. And you have to walk your dog everyday, maybe even 2 times a day. And you have to clean out your dogs water dish everyday because no one likes drinking out of a dirty bowl.and you have to feed them 2-3-4 times a day (or something) (I will find that out) and I said that when you got the dog you are committing and agreeing to giving him/her everything he/she needs. And how you should bring bags with you when you go walking justs in case the dog poops. I really truly hope this is going to be a very fun experience for me. (and I am looking forward to those walk just me and my little baby!) I have dreamed of getting a dog for a long time! Any finally, its coming true!

I will comfort her or if she is hungry... I will feed her

And you have to make a schedule of what times you feed her/him (the dog).

But if you feed her in the middle of the night, you are setting yourself up for trouble.

Even if you comfort the puppy, you are setting yourself up for trouble.

And when I say "you" I mean anyone... mostly me for when I get a dog!

How old are you?

What do you mean I am setting myself up for trouble

He/she will probably sleep in my room in a crate or a bed. and I probably wont hit it. and if she/he had to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night... i would probably ask someone to come with me out side :) And do you have any suggestions on how to properly train a puppy to go to the bathroom out side????


I have very little patience because I see so many dogs surrendered by people who don't have a CLUE what they are doing.

That having been said - she will "probably" sleep here or there?

You would "probably" ask someone to come outside.

And the shocker - you "probably" won't hit it?

Has anyone asked your age?

You are very ill prepared to have a puppy - or an adult dog, for that matter.

Are you doing the reading that WG suggested or are you simply sitting at the keyboard, asking questions?

I can't exactly tell you my age but I am not a teenager

My guess - you're 12. Thus - your name.

I would have guessed younger but perhaps 12 is not correct.

Teens and adults don't keep posting "haha".

What do you mean i am setting myself up for trouble
You will be establishing a precedent. That means you will set up a bad habit for the puppy. Before you know it, every night he will be whining and crying so you come to him.

NEVER feed a dog in the middle of the night. It usually helps to put his crate in your bedroom, so he doesn't feel alone. You and your family will be his pack.

I have been researching so many things and you missed that I said "when i say i probly wont hit it, i mean I WIL NOT hit it. " I will never hit my dog!! I don't know why I put probably when I meant NO!!

In anticipation - what does "precedent" mean? (Amusing myself)

OK! Thanks for all the help, wondergirl!

In anticipation - what does "precedent" mean? (Amusing myself)
From the online Merriam-Webster dictionary --

2 prec·e·dent
Noun \ˈpre-sə-dənt\
Definition of PRECEDENT
1 an earlier occurrence of something similar
2 something done or said that may serve as an example or rule to authorize or justify a subsequent act of the same or an analogous kind <a verdict that had no precedent>

ok! thanks for all the help, wondergirl!
I'm being dismissed?

I'm not telling you if you are wrong or right.. perhaps I used 12 because its by birthday or a special date in my life.. or maybe I didn't.. can't tell! And would you stop being so hard on me? Thanks

No.. I just meant thanks for everything thing! Not like I'm saying good bye or anything

I'm being dismissed?


Not by me, no. (Out of greenies but I'll bet you are/were great with kids. You have no idea how much I respect you. Honestly!)

Snowball, I strongly advise you to read up on what it means to have a puppy and also make sure your family knows about a lot of things too. Getting a puppy is nearly as major as having a human baby.

OK.. I will do that!

Who?

Snowball 12: "im not telling you if you are wrong or right.. perhaps i used 12 because its by birthday or a special date in my life .. or maybe i didn't.. can't tell! And would you stop being so hard on me? Thanks "


I'm not being hard on you. I'm being realistic. I have no patience for game playing on the Internet (a question about your age when you are about to take on the commitment of a puppy with apparently little family support, not anticipating the expenses and costs of a dog is NOT inappropriate, yet you can't give a straight answer) and I would say the same thing to anyone who was ill prepared to take on this big job - important for you but more important for the dog. It's life and death for him/her. It isn't for you.

I stand there and watch dogs surrendered because people are ill prepared. You didn't even know what parvo was. That indicates you have no knowledge of the Vet care (and shots) the puppy will need - and the expense. Some of the dogs I see surrendered find new homes. Many, many do not. Getting a puppy is not a game.

To: Judykaytee
Getting a puppy is fun. I know it can be hard sometimes, but its mostly fun. I feel that you are being rude to me. That's just what I feel. I'm am not trying to be mean.

Not by me, no. (Out of greenies but I'll bet you are/were great with kids. You have no idea how much I respect you. Honestly!)
I'm great with EVERYbody, even homeless people and telemarketers. I should call you some day and let you experience my warmth and magnetism. :D

to: Judykaytee
Getting a puppy is fun. I know it can be hard sometimes, but its mostly fun. I feel that you are being rude to me. thats just what i feel. im am not trying to be mean.
Judy isn't being rude, snowball. She is so right. I volunteer at a cat shelter and see so many cats brought in because that cute little fuzzy kitten got expensive with shots needed and neutering and even sickness and oh my gosh! Grew up and wasn't so cute any longer when it was clawing up the furniture and needing to have its kitty litter box cleaned every night. I've rescued four cats that people dumped in my yard during the past ten years. Before that, I adopted cats from shelters.

Yes, puppies are fun -- for about two hours (maybe). They also are tons of work and expense and worry.

To: wondergirl :)

By any chance, are you a councilor? Because you are very good at giving advise!

I thought that it was rude when she said that I wasn't getting family support :(.. but I am getting A lot.. and she said that I couldn't give a straight answer :(

to: wondergirl :)

By any chance, are you a councilor? Because you are very good at giving advise!


This is not a chat board. Please stop using it as one.

And here's what can happen. I live with an acre of backyard, totally fenced. Sunday night a woodchuck came under the fence and my dogs tangled with it. Neither dog was bitten but the woodchuck escaped. It can't be tested for rabies because it's... gone.

BOTH dogs went to the Vet yesterday. They BOTH needed physicals, Rabies booster shots, blood tests. Each dog - $275. Total - $550. That's for starters if neither one gets sick. That's in addition to their semi-annual physicals and shots (about $200 each), blood panel (about $150 each), heartworm and flea medicine (about $400 a year total) and anything else that happens to them. Oh, and my larger dog is on thyroid medication.

BOTH of my dogs were rescues. One is AKC, one is not. (I know, what's AKC?)

I trust, Snowball, that you and your family have that kind of money?

I don't want to say anything that I will regret. But it was wrong for you to say "it is not a chat board" to me because you said to wonder Wondergirl "(Out of greenies but I'll bet you are/were great with kids. You have no idea how much I respect you. Honestly!)" so you used it as a chat board too. Please leave me alone now. Good bye.

P.S. I don't mean to be mean, so please don't think of me as a mean person.

I don't want to say anything that i will regret. but it was wrong for you to say "it is not a chat board" to me because you said to wonder Wondergirl "(Out of greenies but I'll bet you are/were great with kids. You have no idea how much I respect you. Honestly!)" so you used it as a chat board too. Please leave me alone now. good bye.

P.S. i don't mean to be mean, so please don't think of me as a mean person.
Snowball, Judy has made some very good points about dog owning. She wants you and your family to be successful and give a dog a happy home where he or she is safe and healthy. Judy and I have known each other for a long time on this site -- thus her remarks to me. And yes, I'm a counselor -- plus a librarian and a teacher.

I just didn't appreciate her kind of being rude :(

I don't want to say anything that i will regret. but it was wrong for you to say "it is not a chat board" to me because you said to wonder Wondergirl "(Out of greenies but I'll bet you are/were great with kids. You have no idea how much I respect you. Honestly!)" so you used it as a chat board too. Please leave me alone now. good bye.

P.S. i don't mean to be mean, so please don't think of me as a mean person.


Don't attempt to dictate who will answer you and in what manner.

Good-bye? You are leaving? Mean? No, that isn't a word I was going to use to describe you.

Wondergirl - you're in charge! Call me in 6 months and let me know how things are going with the puppy.

I just didn't appreciate her kinda being rude :(
She wasn't rude. She's scared for the puppy that might end up in a bad situation with people who haven't done their research and who don't know which end is up on how to care for him the best way.

We see way too many ignorant people here on this site who have destroyed their dogs (and other pets) out of ignorance and laziness.

Oh.. that's sad. I love dogs so much and I would never do that to my dag :) they are like little babies to me :)

I meant "dog"

oh.. thats sad. I love dogs so much and i would never do that to my dog :) they are like little babies to me :)
But, snowball, you have shown over and over again how clueless you still are. Please continue to educate yourself and your parents, so you don't end up with a bad situation. Loving dogs is not enough. You have to know what you're doing and have money to be able to give good care to a dog.

OK.. do you want to educate me? You seem to know so much :)

ok.. do you want to educate me? you seem to know so much :)
What have I been doing for all these pages?

You said you checked out six dog books at the library. When you finish with them, check out more. Check out kids' books on dog care. You might want to buy a good book on general dog care, so you have one at home to consult.

The main thing is that you read up on dog characteristics and dog care. Books, Internet sites, and talking with dog owners will help with that. Have you narrowed it down to the type of dog you want? Just because a dog is cute isn't good enough.

What will the dog do while you are in school and your parents are at work?

My mom does not work and I am home schooled :)

my mom does not work and i am home schooled :)
How involved will your parents be with the dog?

Well.. I told them that I would take care of her but they would probably help me out a little.. plus they are paying for mostly everything!

Well.. i told them that i would take care of her but they would probly help me out a little.. plus they are paying for mostly everything!
The main thing is to do your research and reading now, so you are prepared when you get the puppy or dog. Do you know yet where you will go to find a dog?

I have to say, I haven't read all the posts on this thread. I have no time.

I'm going to post and hope that what I say hasn't already been covered.

Our shelter doesn't do home inspections. They rely on honesty. Be honest to yourself. What sort of dog can you handle? It's not about a breed/look preference. It's about the energy level, what you can do, what you're willing to do, and what the dog needs.

Any breed you're looking at needs to be researched by you. If you're getting a beagle you will need a fenced yard, know that you can never let the dog off leash, know that this is a working breed (it's ingrained in their DNA) and understand that this breed will be a lot of work. Don't judge a dog by its size, or it's looks. You need to judge any dog you get by it's disposition and energy/needs.

Questions most shelters will ask is what sort of home you have. Is someone home all day? What other pets do you have? How often will the dog be walked? Do you have an enclosed yard? Do you have experience with dogs? Etc. etc.

Be honest with yourself. Will you walk the dog every day for an hour or more? Do you have the funds on hand to cover any medical expenses? If you get a puppy do you have the money for the 3 sets of shots, neutering/spay, in the first year? Will this be a lifetime (dogs life) commitment?

Pick a breed that's suitable for your lifestyle. If you don't enjoy walking for 2 hours plus a day, don't get a breed that requires a lot of exercise. If you don't have a fenced yard then don't get a hound, or a breed that will leave your property, or dig. Research the breeds that fit your lifestyle. Don't settle for anything less. If you go just by looks, you're doing yourself and the dog a great disservice.

No, I don't... I think we will go to shelters and find the "best dog for us" but first we will ask questions, like, will it shed? How big will it get and all

ask questions, like, will it shed? how big will it get and all
Ask about behavior, personality, whatever history the shelter knows, any previous training, energy level, disposition.

OK! You are being MAJOR help for me!

Now, go and do more research and talk to your parents about what kind of dog you all can handle in your lives and at your house.

Report back now and then, and ask questions if you have any.

OK! So are we saying good bye for now?

ok! so are we saying good bye for now?
I think we've covered everything for now. It's up to you to do your doggy homework. So, yes, we're finished today but will be here for future questions.

OK! Talk to you soon! And thanks!

Snowball, I got my first dog when I was 12 years old, somewhere along the line I made a huge fatal mistake. My "baby" was a 95 pound black lab, she ran 8-9 miles a day, ate 5 cups of food a day, and listened to every command I taught her. I assumed I had a great dog on my hands. One day I was outside playing with her (which I did everyday, every minute I was home) and she jumped the fence and killed a dog that a lady was walking by. Guess what? My dog was killed for MY actions, I had to hold her and tell her she was a good girl as her heart stopped beating, and her lungs stopped working, I cried for weeks, why? Because, in the end it was me who had failed her, I was the one who made the fatal mistakes in raising her, she was an amazing dog, with a strong need to please her owner, and I ruined her. Everyday I think "If i had given her to someone else and let someone else raise her she would be the most amazing dog" I had no idea how to raise a dog when I was your age (assuming your 10-11-12), no idea about alpha positions, nothing. I had no help from anyone. Shortly after she died I got a dog from my cousins farm, he's been a great dog, but since Tosha (my black lab), I learnt about the care a dog needs, if you go through my posts you will see the numerous problems I have with my dogs. Don't get me wrong I love them and wouldn't trade them for the world, but I admit I took on more than I should have, and am reminded everyday by the scars Hunter has left on my arm/face/neck/back/legs/hands. Please think twice about getting a dog at this stage in your life.

You probably won't listen to me, or anyone on here, but I thought I'd share my story, and help you learn that when this dog does something, it is YOU who has failed the dog.

I've added some pictures.


36430
This here was my baby. Tosha.

36431
This here was the dog she killed. Bubbles.

36432
Here is where Tosha is now.

Emily - well said and heart wrenching. This will haunt me, and with your permission it's an experience I will tell to other people. Very moving.

I was put off by the "baby" language - these are not "babies." These are not fur covered children (as much as I would like to believe that). We are talking about animals - more specifically, dogs.

I see a reluctant family, probably tired of OP begging and nagging for a dog, ill prepared, not understanding the responsibilities, maybe ready and able to pay Vet expenses, maybe not. These are the dogs that don't get neutered/spayed, "get themselves pregnant" and then more puppies are without homes.

This thread haunted me all night. I am also well aware that OP is not going to listen to any of us and is going to blunder into owning a dog. It's one thing to know you don't know what you are talking about, to ask for info, to learn. It's another to admit you have no idea - and you have minimal interest in learning.

The good news is that the OP doesn't want her dog to get parvo. (Tongue firmly in cheek)