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"I Want a Dog-Friendly Dog"

We receive lots of applications from homes without dogs. But then one of a couple things happen.

 

  1. They state that they have no dogs and the dog they adopt does not have to be dog-friendly.

  2. They request that any dog they adopt be “dog-friendly.” Their reason is so the dog can stay with relatives/friends who have dogs or play with dogs who visit. 

    We should first state the obvious: Dogs are animals. We cannot predict their behavior in every possible scenario. Please read further for various levels of friendliness.

Will they be besties with another dog in their house? Could they at least live peacefully with another dog even if they aren’t besties? If they can’t live with another dog could they get along with dogs in social situations? Will they hate all other dogs except for  just one dog they know? Could they get along with your mother’s dog once a year? Will they not be able to be around any other dog ever?

 

We do the best we can to advise you what a dog will be like in these situations. We have NO WAY of knowing if they will like your friend’s dog or your mom’s dog they see one time a year. They may be fine outside a house but once inside of their home or another home, they could get territorial. 

 

If this is a requirement for you, it is highly unlikely we can safely place a dog with you. It is impossible for us to make any sort of assurances like this. DOGS ARE ANIMALS. Upon meeting another dog, they immediately have a reaction that they may like the dog, hate the dog or be indifferent. 

 

Dogs end up in rescue for a reason. Dogs vary in their friendliness toward other dogs, influenced by breed tendencies, socialization, individual temperament and the temperament of the other dog or the situation.

 

Here's a breakdown of different levels of dog-friendly behavior:

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1)    Social Butterfly

This dog thrives on interactions with other dogs, enjoys playdates, dog parks, and group activities.

They are typically well-socialized, confident, and playful. They can live in multi-dog households or live with owners who frequent dog-friendly social spaces. 

 

When we have social butterfly dogs, we will always place them in a home with an existing resident dog. 

 

About 10% of the dogs we receive in rescue are Social Butterfly Dogs

 

2)    Playful but Selective

Enjoys playing with other dogs but may prefer familiar or similar-sized companions.This dog benefits from structured introductions. This dog can live with other dogs, but introductions in a staged process for the in-home introduction is necessary. These dogs are ideal for owners with a dog with a compatible personality or for occasional dog meetups.

 

When we have playful but selective dogs, we will try to place them in homes with one dog of the opposite gender typically, and with a compatible personality. If the rescue dog is fearful we will try to match to a dog that is laid back.. This is where our “trial adoption week” works very well so we can test how the dog does with the resident dog.

 

About 20% of the dogs we receive in rescue are Playful but Selective

 

3)    Tolerant Companion

Gets along with other dogs but doesn’t actively seek their company. Happy coexisting peacefully without much interaction. May not enjoy rough or high-energy play. Usually this is an older dog who was loved but had to be surrendered for a life change with the owner. When we have tolerant companions, we tend to look for calm households with another older or low-energy dogs, or, more likely, a no-dog home. Many applicants view the idea of getting a 2nd dog as being a playmate for their current one. This is why these dogs don’t go to homes with other dogs.

 

About 10% of the dogs we receive in rescue are Tolerant Companion Dogs

 

4)    Reserved or Aloof

This dog prefers humans to dogs and may not be interested in canine interaction. Can coexist with other dogs but may ignore them. Tends to avoid conflict rather than engage. This dog usually should not live with other dogs. When we have this kind of dog, we seek to place it in a home with no other animals, with owners who don’t frequent dog parks or large gatherings.

 

About 10% of the dogs we receive in rescue are Reserved or Aloof

 

 

5)    Needs Space

May be uncomfortable, fearful, or reactive around other dogs. Requires controlled environments and careful management. Rarely can be improved with training and socialization. Many rescue dogs fall into this category, as well as working / herding breeds. 

 

When we have these dogs, we place them with experienced herding dog owners with knowledge of dog behavior and training.

 

About 50% of the dogs we receive in rescue are dogs who Need Space.

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