Meeting a new dog Tuesday with hopes of adopting? ?

Question

She is a border collie/german shepherd mix. I currently have a shepherd mix, who's female and about 1.5/2 years old.

What's the best way to determine if the new dog is a good fit?

Answer 1

Take your current dog with you and ask to use the yard to let them meet. It may be a little rocky at first, but give it a few minutes.

When I adopted my sheltie mix, Sparky had a few issues with her, mainly because he'd never seen an unspayed female before. We assume she didn't smell right to him or something, because he wasn't aggressive, he just didn't want anything to do with her.

But after an hour in the yard they started playing and we decided to to take her home.

:)

Answer 2

Take your shepherd mix w/ you. My shepherd mix and Great Dane didn't get along at first, and it took alot of patience and work but now they are best buds.

Answer 3

where will you be meeting the new dog? at someone's home, the shelter? yes, as someone already mentioned, it will be a good idea if you were to take your current dog in order to meet the new one. it also depends whether the dog(s) are fixed because it will tell whether she's friendly, territorial, etc..if they are young dogs, they have more of a chance of getting along but i'm not sure about the s*x though..wish you the best of luck!!

Answer 4

I would recommend taking your current dog with you to meet the new dog. That way you can see if they get along.

Answer 5

Funny you should ask.  I actually went to meet a potential adoption dog recently (wednesday, in fact).  She too, was a Border Collie mix.  I'm looking for a little bit more than a pet, but a dog who will be capable to do agility & obedience, but first and foremost, but be a nice pet.

Make a list of what behaviors you like, which behaviors you will accept and which behaviors you will not accept.

My list was:  must get alone with my current dog, biddable, bet 15-30 pounds and active.  My not acceptable list is:  Aggression in any form.

What I first looked for in the dog I went to meet was:  how did in interact with the people its currently living with?  Is she curious and come to smell you and investigate you?  What  is the reaction to your current dog?  What is your current dogs reaction to the potential new dog?  How did it react to you?  Did it approach you in a friendly manner or is she stand-offish?

I ended up not adopting the dog because:  it never bonded with the people it was living with, was not interested in me in any way, did not approach to investigate me, was not interested in my dog.  This dog did not take food from human hand nor was interested in toys.  This dog would never have been able to do agility or even live in a large city.  

I think you just have to make sure you have a "love connection".  I like a dog who is affectionate and wants to be with me.  This dog was neither.  

If there is anything about the dog which is on your "Not acceptable" list, then do not adopt.   I have no regrets about the decision I made, it just wasn't the right dog for my home.