Should I sponsor a Dog at the local Humane Society?

Today my children and I went to meet a dog that we had inquired about at the local humane society. We had also been looking at another dog that was there as well. We have decided to go with the initial dog only because of his age and because of the breeds. He is a LARGE Lab Chesapeake Bay retriever mix (just awesome) and he is around 4 or so.

My trouble is this. The other dog we had looked at is a very nice looking and healthy looking Australian Sheppard Lab mix and is 7 months old or there abouts. When we were looking him over he is so zealous(....lol...he knocked our 3 year old into the water pan...no harm there) he being the breeds he is and his age is still a jumper and he still has his dewclaws. I put my hand out to push him down by his chest, like I have been shown by dog trainers, and he caught my hand with his dewclaw and riped it open pretty good. I will live and am not upset at all. My concern is...would he be more likely to be adopted if he couldn't injure people with his dewclaws. My husband and I have discussed this and he thinks that future owners should be responsible for that...my argument was ...if he keeps unintentionally hurting people he might never have an owner and that is such a horrible thought. He will make a wonderful pet for someone.

These dogs are in a place where they try very very hard to not put animals to sleep. They in fact have not put one to sleep in a few years and those were animals that really had no other option due to health.


Any thoughts people might have on this I would appreciate some input on this. Also if anyone has any idea on the cost of this would be helpful, as all of the dogs we have ever had in our family came to us without dewclaws.

Thanks and sorry I got so long winded.

 

post script


My husband and I would be willing to sponsor this dogs dewclaw removal if it is in our financial range. I do know that it can be quite a procedure for a dog more than a few days old.

 

Just my personal opinion, even if his dewclaws are removed he can still cause scratches and cuts with his other nails, if you want to sponser him I think thats a great idea but would probably be more beneficial to have your donation go towards having him trained.....if thats a possibility.

 

Hello:

Are the dew claws on the front and the back?
It is so much harder for an older dog to recover from having the dew claws removed. Removing dewclaws from an adult animal is more difficult than just snipping them off of a young puppy. Recovery time is also longer and many adult animals will bother the incision due to it being so easy to reach.
I have a rescue dog with front dew claws and floppy back dew claws. I have often wanted the back ones removed for fear that she will tear it on something. Plus, they are not that pretty to look at.
But, I adopted her when she was 10 months old and I was told unless she is getting it torn on things and it is bothering her to that point, then it is painful and not to bother.

If it is just a jumping reason that you are looking to remove the dogs dew claws, I am wondering if you could work with a professional dog trainer that can teach you to teach the dog an "Off" command.

Also, with young children, the questions I would be asking the adopting center is:
Does the dog have food aggression?

Can you easily pull the dogs tail?

What does the dog do when you check his ears,

the inside of his mouth?

Take him by the collar and lead him elsewhere?

What does the dog do when you hug him?

Can you easily touch all of his paws?

Is the dog afraid of baseball bats, sticks? Objects swung over his head? (Things a kid would naturally do when playing outside)

Can you easily take a pig ear from the dog?

Can you take the dogs toys away?

Does the dog willingly drop his possessions?

What will the dog do when you are walking him down the path and he sees another dog or squirrel?

Basically, I am asking you if the dogs have been temperament tested?

A dog that is adopted into a family with children should be temperament tested. I am NOT SAYING FOR YOUR FAMILY TO DO THIS! I am asking if a qualified person at the shelter has done these above things or something similar?

These things are more important than teaching an easy "Off" command.
A dog that passes this type of test with flying colors is something I would be looking to adopt having young children.

As far as teaching “off”, here is an easy way:

Have a prong-training collar on the dog and put him in a sit in front of you with his leash attached to the collar. Let the leash dangle onto the floor, and firmly step on the leash where it angles onto the floor. "Set up" the training by making the jumping inviting (talking silly show a treat, etc). When the dog tries to jump, he will self correct while you are telling him "OFF! SIT!” AS soon as his rump hits the floor, instantly, praise and reward for the sit.
Do this several times in a row, and most dogs will start to get the idea after a few times
Some dogs learn very quickly and others need a bit more time, be consistent.
This technique needs to be done a few times daily, until the dog learns not to jump. The dog will remember quicker if you practice more.

Once you think the dog understands what "OFF" means, you can then do the same thing with the leash, but actually act like you are inviting him to jump: tap on your chest with both hands, talking cute - "Do you want to come up?" and then reinforce with OFF, SIT!” Again, instantly, high praise and reward for the sit.

This is the method I was taught to use to train shelter dogs. I have been using this technique for about 4 years now and have easily trained dogs not to jump quickly.
It works VERY WELL.

Good luck to you finding a dog and let us know what happens.

Sue

 

first off congrats!! on your new dog.
butI think the dew claws aren't that big of a deal. My dog has them and he rips his other nails out more often than those (not the whole nail though) I would see about the training thing but I guess you don't have the time for that or else you would have gotten the dog that needs more training to begin with! But maybe you (along with a friend)could take your new dog and the shelter one to an obdience class.
The wya I taught Luther to not jump up (which he learned to jump up in obdience class, ARGH) is by distracting him to do another trick, shake or roll over or something.

 

Thanks for all the advice.


We have decided to go with the older dog.

Not because the younger one hurt me but because we already know the temperament of the older one. The younger one is only 7 months old and is a very nice looking dog and I don't think they will have much trouble getting him adopted out. If possible adopters are aware of his dewclaws and that he can hurt himself or others with them and are willing to overlook that. I know that they all have nails and can hurt you with them as well. The dewclaws are sharper (for a reason).

My concern was more him not getting adopted if he keeps jumping and hurting people with them. I know he didn't mean to. There was no way I could be upset with him for cutting my hand. I just want him to have a better chance at getting adopted and knowing the love of a family. I do think that he would benefit from dog training. If he were the dog we were going to get he would be well trained.

I however am a bleeding heart and I feel deeply for the unwanted. The dog we are going with is HUGE and Black and everyone knows that they are the most overlooked dog (and euthanized) out there. They are also the most awesome and protective. At least in my opinion...lol.

Thank you again so much for all of your advice and if anyone has anymore I would be more than willing to listen.

I may be starting a topic about teaching dogs to be therapy dogs and the one we are going with shows great potential towards that. So look for that. I am so glad that I found this site!

Thanks again

 

Sorry about the post scripts

I just reread one of the posts about taking my dog and the other one to training with a friend. That sounds like a great idea!

Thanks for that. I hadn't thought of that.

Oh and his dewclaws are on the front.

 

Well, it sounds like you found what you are looking for.
:lol:
My dog is a pet therapy dog. She was a pound dog too.
She is a pit bull/mix .

Myself and my family all assited with her obedience training.

Are you going to be training your new dog to obtain his/her CGC???

Ginger has been a pet therapy dog for about 3 years now.

She has done seminars for the Animal Control Association as well as being an fashion show dog guest for a fashion show fund raiser that had over 300 invited guests.

I am so proud of her. She also has been on TV a few times. (Once for the fashion show and once for the bride fund raiser) :mrgreen:

This past May, Ginger was a bride in a fund raiser wedding with over 100 guests.

She is a true pet therapy dog. Ginger is a real gem.

(PS She also is the dog that has the dew claws on both the front and back)

Good luck to you. and your new pet.
:mrgreen:

Sue