Should I shut up and stay out of it?

C

Count Oggy

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I rang a local dog shelter today to enquire about one of the dogs advertised on their page. I came across him while looking for a dog for a friend. This was in early September. I didn't want a dog but he'd been there a month and they said he was very nervous and needed some TLC. 3 months later he's still there and I feel so sorry for him. When I rang today I was told he wasn't ready for rehoming. I just think life in a quiet house must be better than the pound. Should I go and talk to her and try to get her to let me meet him (I'm not expecting to just go and be allowed to bring him home)? Or just leave it? feel so sorry for the fellow.
 
Are you getting him for the right reasons ? It's a,lot of responsibility to take on a dog just because you feel sorry for it. There must be a reason why they won't rehome him as yet (although I'm puzzled as to why he is being advertised if not available ?)

If you really think you can give him a good home then it can't do any harm going to see them and finding out more.
 
We already have a lab. My husband works from home so is generally around and I have long holidays so the Christmas break would be great as all the responsibility would fall on my OH.
I think he may be on their website as they put them all up when they arrive and they hadn't realised how nervous he is. Maybe I should offer to foster over Xmas and they can visit and make the final decision. I'm prepared to accept this isn't the home for him but if there's no hope for him surely pts would be kinder. Not that I'd suggest that to the shelter.
 
Perhaps the shelter might be working on his behaviour or maybe the dog's had a medical set back. Some of these poor critters spend over a year, sometimes more in a shelter. A temporary foster home would be ideal, to assess what the lad's like in a home. Give it a go.
 
If the dog is very nervous, Christmas may not be a good time to change his environment as he may be made worse by the coming and goings of visitors. Some very nervous dogs become totally unapproachable, sometimes for weeks, in a new environment which will mean a lot of problems re toiletting for instance. Extreme nervousness can also mean possible aggression. There is usually a major problem when a rescue says a dog is not ready for rehoming. By all means try and find out a bit more about the dog's problems but be honest with yourself and the rescue about your experience and ability to cope with severe long-term problems. Not all dogs can be rehabilitated and the rescue may still be trying to decide what is going to be best for this dog in the long run.
 
Your assuming they will listen to reason. There are many very very good charities.
There are some that will do weird and wonderful things and they may well take offence to being told what to do with one of 'their' dogs - I'd move on to another personally. Three months is not a long time depending on what facilities they have - some take a long time to come round.
 
It depends why he is nervous. He may not like the pound environment and noise of other dogs and come out of his shell as soon as he goes into a home, or he may be generally nervous and go on the attack as soon as he gets in a home. There is only one way to find out really. I would offer to foster him for a few days to find out if he is as nervous at home as he is at the kennels.
 
The rescues I know will jump at the chance to get a nervous dog out of kennels. Go back and have that conversation about fostering and working with them to help the dog overcome his issues. They may change their mind when you suggest that - I think it was a good idea.
 
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