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Cadi
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Location: Kuwait
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21-09-2013, 12:04 PM

Frustration with a shelter.

I'm getting a bit frustrated with the shelter I want to adopt a puppy from (you can see the post in the breed talk section of the forum). The shelter seemed eager to have me adopt and we set the date for Saturday (at least for me to see the puppy and the mother.)

Well the shelter had an event on Friday morning and it was incredibly hot. I went, it was a nice event but the weather got in the way. Anyways, I contacted the shelter when I got home since they don't advertise their location and I need the address. The woman I have been in contact with told me that due to the event the volunteers are going to be taking the day off on Saturday and I can come see the puppy NEXT Saturday...

Now she did say it was possible for me to come by on Sunday but none of the volunteers will be there, just caretakers. I didn't mind but no one is answering the phone number she gave me so I still don't have the address...

I am getting frustrated and I am getting very worried. Every thing I read about puppies says the first 8-12 weeks is very important for socialization. Is it wrong for me to worry about having to wait a whole week and possibly lose out on properly socializing the puppy? Keep in mind I don't even know how old the puppy is, so every time I wait I feel like the idea of a properly socialized puppy keeps slipping away....


Argh, I don't know what I am asking, maybe I am just venting, but do I have the right to be annoyed and fearful of what's happening? Am I being silly and the puppy can still be socialized if I miss out on the week and end up adopting him at say 14 weeks? I don't know what to do
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tawneywolf
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21-09-2013, 12:57 PM
For various reasons some of my puppies haven't left me till later than 15 weeks sometimes, so I wouldn't worry unduly about that side of things. I agree that they are being pretty obstructive when all you want to do is help one of their inmates have a new happy family home. I would be rolling out the red carpet if it were me!!!
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Cadi
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21-09-2013, 01:14 PM
Originally Posted by tawneywolf View Post
For various reasons some of my puppies haven't left me till later than 15 weeks sometimes, so I wouldn't worry unduly about that side of things. I agree that they are being pretty obstructive when all you want to do is help one of their inmates have a new happy family home. I would be rolling out the red carpet if it were me!!!
Haha! Thanks! That made me feel better, it just annoys me because this is the same shelter that keeps complaining of being so overcrowded, I can see why now

See, if the puppy was with you for 15 weeks I wouldn't worry, but considering these puppies are stuck in a kennel (though still with the mother, thankfully) surrounded by barking dogs puts me on edge a bit. It shouldn't be that hard to re-socialize them, should it? And at least its getting some good mommy-socialization...
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catrinsparkles
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21-09-2013, 02:03 PM
The prime socialisation period is 6- 16 weeks and after this they are less likely to accept different experiences as easily. Hopefully your pup will have met quite a few different people being in a rescue and, like you say will have had some experience of other dogs. What it won't have experienced is the normal sight, sounds and smells of home life, washing machine, tv etc and any other things outside of the kennel environment.

It all depends on the pup. Remus saw nothing more than his brother and the inside of a derelict caravan, and one person feeding him very infrequently, until he was 12 weeks and he is very sociable but has a very laid back personality anyway.
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Tang
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21-09-2013, 02:08 PM
Must say their attitude seems a bit strange if their priority is rehoming the dogs in their shelter. And am a bit puzzled by this 'secret address' stuff - what's that for?

But then I'm also puzzled by them making a distinction between Volunteers and 'caretakers'. Aren't they all helping take care of the dogs?

What is this place? Or are you feeling too intimidated by them to name them?
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Cadi
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21-09-2013, 03:48 PM
No one can intimdate me but I live in the Middle East (hence the heat) so attitudes towards dogs are a bit different. They are secretive because the country has a massive problem with dog-theft (for dog fights and backyard breeders who sell the pups in the most horrible conditions). Sometimes they approach you outright asking if you would sell your dog to them. The shelter isn't doing so well in terms of donations considering its a no-kill shelter and they have pretty low security so really anyone can get in. Its just one way of trying to keep the dogs secure.

As for care-takers (or really maintenance crew) they are actually hired staff who watch over the kennels and the shelter in terms of maintenance. Volunteers are the administrators, trainers, etc. the ones actually dealing with the cats and dogs. At least this is how I figured they work, I could be mistaken.
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Baxter8
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21-09-2013, 04:08 PM
It's a shame when you're so keen to get started that you're frustrated like this and I think you're right every moment counts when it's a puppy. BUT I don't think it's catastrophic, frustrating but not the end of the world. I think you just, understandably, want to get started. Mind you when you've been run ragged after the first fortnight or so you'll wish it had been even longer.

Good for you rescuing a dog.

Originally Posted by Cadi View Post
I'm getting a bit frustrated with the shelter I want to adopt a puppy from (you can see the post in the breed talk section of the forum). The shelter seemed eager to have me adopt and we set the date for Saturday (at least for me to see the puppy and the mother.)

Well the shelter had an event on Friday morning and it was incredibly hot. I went, it was a nice event but the weather got in the way. Anyways, I contacted the shelter when I got home since they don't advertise their location and I need the address. The woman I have been in contact with told me that due to the event the volunteers are going to be taking the day off on Saturday and I can come see the puppy NEXT Saturday...

Now she did say it was possible for me to come by on Sunday but none of the volunteers will be there, just caretakers. I didn't mind but no one is answering the phone number she gave me so I still don't have the address...

I am getting frustrated and I am getting very worried. Every thing I read about puppies says the first 8-12 weeks is very important for socialization. Is it wrong for me to worry about having to wait a whole week and possibly lose out on properly socializing the puppy? Keep in mind I don't even know how old the puppy is, so every time I wait I feel like the idea of a properly socialized puppy keeps slipping away....


Argh, I don't know what I am asking, maybe I am just venting, but do I have the right to be annoyed and fearful of what's happening? Am I being silly and the puppy can still be socialized if I miss out on the week and end up adopting him at say 14 weeks? I don't know what to do
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Cadi
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21-09-2013, 04:14 PM
Originally Posted by catrinsparkles View Post
The prime socialisation period is 6- 16 weeks and after this they are less likely to accept different experiences as easily. Hopefully your pup will have met quite a few different people being in a rescue and, like you say will have had some experience of other dogs. What it won't have experienced is the normal sight, sounds and smells of home life, washing machine, tv etc and any other things outside of the kennel environment.

It all depends on the pup. Remus saw nothing more than his brother and the inside of a derelict caravan, and one person feeding him very infrequently, until he was 12 weeks and he is very sociable but has a very laid back personality anyway.
Your post gives me hope! So basically up to 4 months? I think they look younger than 4 but I am definitely not an expert. Your experience also helps. I am guessing some dogs are just naturally more socialized instinctively than others. The woman at the shelter already claimed that one of the puppies exhibited separation anxiety while the other two were fine (one was more hyper, the other more biddable, I want the latter.) So perhaps that is already indicative of how they may end up.
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Cadi
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21-09-2013, 04:26 PM
She messaged me back again! I think she sensed how distressed I was through the Force. Apparently they are 2 months old, so I still have a decent window! And waiting a week won't be as bad as I thought. Whew.
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Ginge2602
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21-09-2013, 04:28 PM
I was of the same mind as tangutica! But from your explanation it seems more plausible. Maybe they want to see how committed you are.
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