Meet & Greet Procedures
When you schedule your first Meet & Greet, its best to make a point to come with an open mind! Be prepared to meet more then one dog that may or may not include the dog you might have initially applied for. We always do our best to match you with the dog(s) that best suit what you are looking for and your lifestyle. Sometimes, the dog that originally caught your eye doesn't quite align with the dog you imagined. We know a great deal about our dogs and count on you to tell us about yourselves. Throughout your time with us (including post adoption) you will find that we are genuinely interested in making your connection with dogs as pleasurable and rewarding for you as it is for us.
When meeting any dog its important you feel calm, relaxed and even though it might be hard and you might feel rude we ask that you pretty much ignore the dog(s). This is polite doggie etiquette and will help in getting a dog to trust you. It will also help you learn about the dog as you observe the dogs at liberty. We ask that you permit every dog to approach you & use his or her nose to check you out without looking at him, talking to him, or reaching out to touch him. We can provide you with treats to sweeten the experience! If you have children please explain the greeting ritual to them ahead of time so they will feel like relaxed, dog aficionados! We will demonstrate how our energy affects the dogs energy.. kids LOVE this!!! One more thing to keep in mind is our dogs all have a comfort level with our staff and will be more inclined to show them a level of trust & affection that you will begin to earn during your meeting by following these simple social rules.
We encourage you to feel the "vibe" of each one of the dogs you meet.. do your best to let go of preconceived ideas about appearance , breed.. gender .. or how much a dog might look like a dog you once loved.
When meeting any dog its important you feel calm, relaxed and even though it might be hard and you might feel rude we ask that you pretty much ignore the dog(s). This is polite doggie etiquette and will help in getting a dog to trust you. It will also help you learn about the dog as you observe the dogs at liberty. We ask that you permit every dog to approach you & use his or her nose to check you out without looking at him, talking to him, or reaching out to touch him. We can provide you with treats to sweeten the experience! If you have children please explain the greeting ritual to them ahead of time so they will feel like relaxed, dog aficionados! We will demonstrate how our energy affects the dogs energy.. kids LOVE this!!! One more thing to keep in mind is our dogs all have a comfort level with our staff and will be more inclined to show them a level of trust & affection that you will begin to earn during your meeting by following these simple social rules.
We encourage you to feel the "vibe" of each one of the dogs you meet.. do your best to let go of preconceived ideas about appearance , breed.. gender .. or how much a dog might look like a dog you once loved.
Families with other dogs and children may take longer
We are always moving towards the goal of making sure the adoption is the most successful it can be. Families with kids, dogs or cats may take a little more time with possibly multiple visits to make sure everyone gets along in all different situations. This may include a home visit and/or walk around your neighborhood to help guide you and your new dog even more!
In our experience, most children have open minds and very much want to learn what dogs are all about and be able to communicate effectively and respectfully with dogs. We at LOVE DOGS believe dogs and kids are a great pairing IF and only if their socializing rules and skills are clear. As adults its on us to insure safety in all dog/kid interactions. This means we have to educate ourselves in order to teach kids how to show respect and enjoy dogs for who they truly are (not the make believe Disney dogs seen in movies and cartoons)! WE are all about learning here at LOVE DOGS! The many hundreds of dogs we've rescued and placed in homes have taught us volumes and the learning never ends! Its fun and incredibly rewarding! We are here to share as much as you care to know!
In our experience, most children have open minds and very much want to learn what dogs are all about and be able to communicate effectively and respectfully with dogs. We at LOVE DOGS believe dogs and kids are a great pairing IF and only if their socializing rules and skills are clear. As adults its on us to insure safety in all dog/kid interactions. This means we have to educate ourselves in order to teach kids how to show respect and enjoy dogs for who they truly are (not the make believe Disney dogs seen in movies and cartoons)! WE are all about learning here at LOVE DOGS! The many hundreds of dogs we've rescued and placed in homes have taught us volumes and the learning never ends! Its fun and incredibly rewarding! We are here to share as much as you care to know!
Time to take your new dog home? Here is some info know ahead of time!
1) Its a good idea to have a supply of the dog food we have been feeding your dog. We use Wellness, Acana and a few other top quality brands. We evaluate each dogs dietary needs and do our best to meet them! They all get fish oil and a probiotic. Check with us to find out which one you should have.
BTW we LOVE the web site www.dogaware.com, Excellent, well researched info on food and supplements.. none of it funded by companies selling those products. The Whole Dog Journal is another great resource for reliable information. Its a great idea to be informed about what you are feeding your dog.. pay no mind to advertising and pretty packaging on dog food.. Read labels and KNOW what your feeding!!! We also suggest you pick up a container to store your dry dog food in.. Keeps it fresher and its less likely to attract mice and ants!
2) We are happy to send our dogs home with the collar they've been wearing... but you will need to have a nice leash.. we like 6 ft long and can sell you one of our new Pet Safe leashes. Skip the retractable style leashes, they send mixed signals to dogs and are generally unsafe to use.
We also recommend using a light weight drag leash ( leash without a loop) at home.. in the car.. during the first couple weeks.. (or more..depends on your dog) its much easier to pick up a leash and redirect your dog than to lunge after him/her and try to grab the collar! Something irresistible may pass by the front door one day when you reach down to pick up the paper.. or open the car door .. (YIKES!) or if your dog decides to visit the garbage can, counter top.. you get the idea!
3) We prefer stainless steel for water and food bowls .. they last and clean up nicely and we dont worry about a dog chewing the plastic.. and heaven knows whats in the plastic! Its a good idea to have a nice big water bowl or two and a couple of food bowls.
4) Crates - All our dogs are used to & comfortable with being crated or kenneled. Humans are the ones who have negative feelings about crates!! All of our personal dogs have crates and most choose to spend time in them.. sleeping, chewing their bully sticks or having their meal.. Its a good idea to carry on with this option. It helps with house training and offers your new dog a safe an familiar place to go! Shy dogs will prefer being in their kennel if young children are visiting.
5) Toys and treats.. We use regular kibble or fresh chicken or turkey as treats. You dont want to offer high carb.. high fat "treats".. which are mostly designed to attract humans to buy them! Check ingredients & again do not be lured by appealing packaging!! There are often recalls in dog treats & food check web sites or sign on to sites that send you alerts!
6)Chew treats - Dogs enjoy chewing, its a relaxing activity and it helps keep their gums and teeth strong and healthy. We do not recommend RAWHIDE!! Too many times we've all had to reach into a dogs mouth to dislodge a chunk of rawhide. Dentist will tell you that dogs should only be given stuff to chew on that you can dent with your fingernail. Best to discuss with your vet what is safe! We use a variety of of different items from bully sticks to frozen stuffed Kongs.. Many chews on the market contain ingredients that may be harmful. Choose thoughtfully!
7)Toys - most dogs (& humans) love spheres.. also known as BALLS! They like to be able to easily grab the ball with their mouths.. lots of dogs love soft squeaky balls.. its a good idea to have a few around.. also check with us to find out if your new dog is a CHEWER.. either way its good to supervise. (We had a couple BIG dog that used to eat rope toys so we became very diligent about picking up play yard toys!)
8) Gates, Steps etc. - We like having gates to restrict dogs from using parts of the house as needed.. again this helps with house training.. if young children come to visit.. we also recommend using steps for little dogs who are permitted to use furniture ( although we believe this too should be an earned perk!) The repetitive motion of jumping down off sofas and chairs.. can lead to chronic pain in neck and shoulders.. or sometime dogs especially little guys often have knees that are happier stepping up onto furniture rather than leaping from the ground!
9)Riding in the car - Some dogs especially little ones that cannot see out the window get car sick. A safe booster seat is great for them. DONT LET DOGGIES RIDE IN YOUR LAP WHILE YOU DRIVE.. please! There are various well made seat belts on the market.. at the very least its a good idea to pick up a barrier that prevents your dogs from climbing onto your lap or slobbering you in the face with a big kiss while driving! Think safety! Letting your dog hang his head out the window isnt a great idea either.. its not uncommon for a dog to get something lodged in his/her eye at 45 miles per hour.. or spot something they just have to chase and out the window they go!! Yes we've seen it all!!
BTW we LOVE the web site www.dogaware.com, Excellent, well researched info on food and supplements.. none of it funded by companies selling those products. The Whole Dog Journal is another great resource for reliable information. Its a great idea to be informed about what you are feeding your dog.. pay no mind to advertising and pretty packaging on dog food.. Read labels and KNOW what your feeding!!! We also suggest you pick up a container to store your dry dog food in.. Keeps it fresher and its less likely to attract mice and ants!
2) We are happy to send our dogs home with the collar they've been wearing... but you will need to have a nice leash.. we like 6 ft long and can sell you one of our new Pet Safe leashes. Skip the retractable style leashes, they send mixed signals to dogs and are generally unsafe to use.
We also recommend using a light weight drag leash ( leash without a loop) at home.. in the car.. during the first couple weeks.. (or more..depends on your dog) its much easier to pick up a leash and redirect your dog than to lunge after him/her and try to grab the collar! Something irresistible may pass by the front door one day when you reach down to pick up the paper.. or open the car door .. (YIKES!) or if your dog decides to visit the garbage can, counter top.. you get the idea!
3) We prefer stainless steel for water and food bowls .. they last and clean up nicely and we dont worry about a dog chewing the plastic.. and heaven knows whats in the plastic! Its a good idea to have a nice big water bowl or two and a couple of food bowls.
4) Crates - All our dogs are used to & comfortable with being crated or kenneled. Humans are the ones who have negative feelings about crates!! All of our personal dogs have crates and most choose to spend time in them.. sleeping, chewing their bully sticks or having their meal.. Its a good idea to carry on with this option. It helps with house training and offers your new dog a safe an familiar place to go! Shy dogs will prefer being in their kennel if young children are visiting.
5) Toys and treats.. We use regular kibble or fresh chicken or turkey as treats. You dont want to offer high carb.. high fat "treats".. which are mostly designed to attract humans to buy them! Check ingredients & again do not be lured by appealing packaging!! There are often recalls in dog treats & food check web sites or sign on to sites that send you alerts!
6)Chew treats - Dogs enjoy chewing, its a relaxing activity and it helps keep their gums and teeth strong and healthy. We do not recommend RAWHIDE!! Too many times we've all had to reach into a dogs mouth to dislodge a chunk of rawhide. Dentist will tell you that dogs should only be given stuff to chew on that you can dent with your fingernail. Best to discuss with your vet what is safe! We use a variety of of different items from bully sticks to frozen stuffed Kongs.. Many chews on the market contain ingredients that may be harmful. Choose thoughtfully!
7)Toys - most dogs (& humans) love spheres.. also known as BALLS! They like to be able to easily grab the ball with their mouths.. lots of dogs love soft squeaky balls.. its a good idea to have a few around.. also check with us to find out if your new dog is a CHEWER.. either way its good to supervise. (We had a couple BIG dog that used to eat rope toys so we became very diligent about picking up play yard toys!)
8) Gates, Steps etc. - We like having gates to restrict dogs from using parts of the house as needed.. again this helps with house training.. if young children come to visit.. we also recommend using steps for little dogs who are permitted to use furniture ( although we believe this too should be an earned perk!) The repetitive motion of jumping down off sofas and chairs.. can lead to chronic pain in neck and shoulders.. or sometime dogs especially little guys often have knees that are happier stepping up onto furniture rather than leaping from the ground!
9)Riding in the car - Some dogs especially little ones that cannot see out the window get car sick. A safe booster seat is great for them. DONT LET DOGGIES RIDE IN YOUR LAP WHILE YOU DRIVE.. please! There are various well made seat belts on the market.. at the very least its a good idea to pick up a barrier that prevents your dogs from climbing onto your lap or slobbering you in the face with a big kiss while driving! Think safety! Letting your dog hang his head out the window isnt a great idea either.. its not uncommon for a dog to get something lodged in his/her eye at 45 miles per hour.. or spot something they just have to chase and out the window they go!! Yes we've seen it all!!