Adopting the adult dog
“Happy Endings” by Turtle Gardens Animal Rehabilitation Society
Adopting an adult dog makes a lot of sense.The adult dog will be fully grown; no later surprises about size.He may gain weight but he should not grow more than an inch if over 9 months of age.His coat will be full if a long haired breed, (collies grow their long hair after they are six months old) while a short haired dog will remain smooth.Their basic personality will be evident but will blossom and flourish living in a family. Here are a few things that will help the first few days of transition from shelter inmate to family pet.Plan to spend a full day or two getting to know and understand each other’s little idiosyncrasies.
You should purchase the same dog food the dog is used to eating so stomach upsets are kept to a minimum.Have the sleeping area chosen before the dog arrives, so he can have a peaceful area to “take it all in”.Walk the dog around the yard, on leash (most dogs here are leash trained).Show him the designated area for elimination and all the boundaries of his yard.Then bring him indoors, on leash, and show him the household and his private area. Have him lie down and give him a body massage.Rub him all over his body, over his head, feet, belly.Talk softly to him all the while.You will see him visibly relax.Then, leave him -“ stay in your corner” - and let him assimilate his surroundings. If necessary tie him with the leash.
In an hour or so, take him for another walk, teach him sit if he doesn’t know ( most know the command here) and play with him. Get to know him and him you.
Put his dinner ration in a bowl and hand feed him. This little training tip is called “Nothing in life is free” and is very instrumental in establishing the human/animal bond.He will look at you as his leader - you are responsible for giving him his food.Feed him after your supper, you are alpha so you eat first.Make him sit. Give him a handful of dinner. Call him to you then give him another handful. Then sit etc. This exercise will probably take 10 or 15 minutes and will go a long way in building the ground rules of house manners.Housebreaking is a two day chore with an unbroken adult.The reward system is very effective with an adult.Take him to the elimination spot, when he does his “duty” give him a great treat(cheese, wiener,cooked liver). Tell him “do your duty” or whatever command you wish to use as he does “it”.Don’t give him treats any other time until he understands the duty command.Two days should work unless he’s dense then four will do the trick.By the way, a dense dog is especially good as a children’s pet.Too smart and he needs stimulation and extra care to satisfy him and keep him happy.
All in all, the adult will fit in quickly and easily with a little extra time and training especially if he is part of the family.
Turtle Gardens has a variety of young adult dogs and cats, puppies and kitten available for adoption. Call 696-3188 for information.
TurtleGardens Animal RehabilitationSociety’s Sanctuary
Has Available for Adoption!
September 13, 2001
SPAYED OR NEUTERED
MEDIUM UNDER 60 POUNDS
1. ZOE: lab/aussie, smooth, black/grey, fem, 11 mon, clean, active, enjoys toys
2. BLONDIE: lab X,22 mon, fem, sits, very quiet, gentle , walks on leash, sits
3. MISTY: medium,mixed breed, smooth white, fem, 2yr, sits,loves people
4. DANCER: lab/shep, black, fem, 21 mon, walks well/leash, clean, well-behaved
5. PRAIRIE: collieX, gold/white, fem, 8 mon, active, loves to play, travels well
6. LUKE: shepX, black/tan, male, 3 mon, very personable, very intelligent
LARGE OVER 60 POUNDS
7. QUEENIE: shepX, grey mix, 4 yrs, good family pet, walks on leash
8. MORGAN:neufieX, black, 9 mon, velcro type, lovespeople and dogs
9. XENA: neufieX, black, big, 9 mon, very sensitive, good with dogs
10.CAMERON: shepX, sable/white, male, 10 mon, loves to be with people
11.KRAMER: rottie/husky, black/tan, male, 9 mo, good natured, friendly, active
12.MOGLI: labX, happy, black/white, 22 mo, male, good walking/jogging bud
13.KITA: golden/collie, brown mix, 7 yrs, well cared for, good with cats/chickens
14.BANDIT: lab/rottie, black, female, 10 mon, loves to be with people, possessive
NOT SPAYED or NEUTERED (yet)
15.TAMMY: spanielX, black/tan, fem, 4 mon, cute and friendly, fluffy
16. PUPPIES: sheltieX ,1-white/blonde, fem,1white/gold, male , 3 mo
17. PUPPIES: springerX,1- black/white, male,1-white/brown, fem, 4 mon
18. LOUIE: labX, black, male, 10 mon, good with people/other dogs
19. PEDRO: neufie/retriever, black, 18 mo, good w kids/dogs, rides/cars/boat
CATS
1. AMI: domestic shorthair, tortie, female, 9 mon, very laid-back, cuddly, sweet
©Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue Society. Have your pet spayed or neutered today.
We do have one in the pound - well actually in foster with the dogcatcher waiting to come in. She is a small white terrier puppy. Very cute! She will be posted on petfinder today.
She is a cocker spaniel/pomeranian mix and at 3.5 months old weighed 7 pounds. She is definetly a small dog. She learned new life skills though - she travels very well and met a lot of people. She will find her perfect match!
. Awesome work for awesome dogs! Thank you. 
Meeting little Kenny. 
Now - look at that grin!! Kenny is happy. 
Here is little Brier meeting Maggie - also from Turtle Gardens - adopted last year! You can’t have just one!!
A perfect match!
Hey Mom Your happy endings pics� are uploaded on to the server, yes it is 12:34 am and I just made it home. but there are going to be there for mor as promised. Wow is was a long day so many wonderful things to tell you all the adoptions went great. It sure was nice to see so many happy people so well� matched to there new family members. I have to admit I as a little worried about Spice she seemed so unsure and worried and not happy about the 18 hour ride.
She was kinda hiding in the corner while the rest were running and play having fun in the rain.
Here is Dad and Kelsey having fun in the rain.Oh man your furry friends were very happy to get out of the van. She just kinda stayed quiet during the first few adoptions, but she some how knew it was her turn, to be happy forever.
She was a little shy at first but walked right up to her new family with her courage being fueled by her new found� sense of belonging,mixed with acceptance and love.
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She said thanks and goodbye to Dad, while Kelsey and I did her paper work.
Well the picture kinda says it all, it’s a happy ending, Thanks for sharing your treasure with me it’s nice to be reminded,
I was planning to phone them once the hulabaloo dies down and I had a chance to eat breakfast - at 5 pm!! No wonder I am losing weight! Some days are way busier than others.
