I am an older male dog fortunate enough to reside temporarily at a leading No Kill organization. However, it seems that my age is not quite the bees-knees when it comes to finding a permanent home. I’m not sure why as I’ve been told wisdom is a plus.
Outside of the issue of barking a severe scolding at any dog that happens to pass by my kennel on one of their daily walks, I can't quite figure out WHY nobody seems to give me a second glance.
While I admit that I can look a bit rough around the edges, I think it is simply a matter of a good bath, and perhaps a better understanding of canine machismo. It is, after all, MY kennel they're passing, and if I am not napping at the moment, I simply wish to remind them of that. When one has lived for a bit in a shelter environment, even with the most careful and generous caretakers, one tends to become a bit territorial.
My question is, when do I know that the right family has come to adopt me? What sort of family should I be looking for? It might make it easier for all of us if we're in agreement about temperament (theirs) energy levels (mine) willingness to take long walks (theirs) ability to relearn good social skills (mine) a desire to enroll in obedience training (theirs and mine) and a credible amount of patience (theirs) to wait for however long it takes for me to figure out what I'm being asked to do. I don't speak English per se, but am willing to learn as many commands as any owner can come up with. I think I may even be quite capable of some marvelous tricks.
Thank you for your continued support,
Never Too Old For Love
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My Dear Mr. Love,
It is indeed the wise dog who knows to ask questions about the proper family for him. While I commend you for admitting your addiction to territorial barking, I think perhaps you may put too much weight on it as an issue to finding the right family. Think of it as an excellent way to weed out anyone without the time and patience for such an enthusiastic and intelligent dog.
I have found that one of the most efficient ways to discover whether or not an owner is capable of understanding one's peccadilloes is to stand at the kennel door looking ridiculously adorable and occasionally jumping at the kennel latch to show one's enthusiasm for affection and walks while perhaps exhibiting a wee lack of self-control in the good habits department. I've seen for myself how many dogs cooped up a lot are actually very good about waiting patiently for me to come into a kennel and leash them up without losing their cool if I simply remember to ask them to behave and wait patiently for them to work out what I want.
However, down to the real business. To really put a new owner through his or her paces, I suggest that once you are brought out for a test drive around the grounds, try to be a very mild handful on the end of the leash whenever another dog passes by. I know you may seem quite ferocious about it to the untrained eye, but in my experience, it’s simply a symptom of shelter life and your handler should explain for you that you are neither obsessive or anxious about it. Just a bit of a yeller. I tend to think of it as "grumpy un-walked syndrome." It's not an attractive habit, but hardly incurable or patently dangerous.
After testing your potential family’s patience for a bit, you’ll know they’re the right one when they ask for counsel from your caretakers and learn that your unwanted behaviors are certainly not permanent if proper rules, boundaries and limitations are set in place and you receive a healthy dollop of obedience school and plenty of exercise.
Please don't hesitate to follow-up with me when you find your new home. If you’re still having trouble with old habits, I can advise your family to seek the advice of a good rehabilitationist to figure out where the miscommunication is occurring between you and your owners.
Best of Luck,
Katrina
Dog Bone Studios
p.s. Would you perhaps be willing to pose for some photographs outdoors soon?
Suggested Reading Including Instructive Slide Shows:
Useful Training Tool
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