Successful Dog Adoption

Rating:
Summary: A must read for anyone adopting a pet
Review: Adopting a dog is an overwhelming experience for novices. Successful Dog Adoption does an excellent job at walking an adopter to be through the steps of finding a dog and beyond. Don't let the adoption process get the best of you. Buy this book!

Reading her book led me to find out more about the author. I have to say that Ms. Sternberg is pretty incredible. I had the pleasure of seeing Ms. Sternberg in action last week in a documentary about her shelter called "Shelter Dogs" on the CBC (broadcast from Canada), which is coming to the US on HBO early next year. Her dedication to the dogs of her shelter and adopters who come in to find a dog is inspiring.

Rating:
Summary: buyer be aware, this temperament test is controversial
Review: Even in the hands of professional dog persons, the test has not been proven accurate. In the hands of a novice, your gut instincts may serve as well. In fact Jean Donaldson of the SFSPCA, in a small sample of 8 dogs, had a 75% WRONG rate. Dogs that failed went on to never bite anyone and a dog that passed wound up biting. Don't just take this test as science. It isn't. Notice that the author has referenced no other authorities but herself.

It is an engagingly written book, and has much useful information, but the test is very, very controversial among shelter people and dog-knowledgeable people.

Take it with a grain of salt. No, take it with several grains of salt.

Rating:
Summary: Hallelujah! A PRO-adopter book!
Review: If you don't want to make the life-altering mistake of adopting a "heartbreak" dog -- one which winds up intolerably dominating your life, perhaps even physically threatening your spouse, kids, friends, other pets -- this is a must- have book.

*Of course* the tests author Sternberg describes are controversial -- they are pro-"family" - even if it is {just} a family of two! But as I read it, Sternberg is in no way recommending potential adopters actually test potential adoptive dogs *themselves* -- the tests are explained as informational, and a way to screen the shelters and rescues with which potential adopters would choose to work.

I imagine shelters/rescues/individuals whose mission is to adopt out *all* dogs at any "cost" to prospective adopters will find this book particularly annoying. However, that opinion should not deter [especially first time or previously "burned"] adopters from benefitting from the author's superb recommendations and insights as contained in this gem of a book.

We *all* want to save as many dogs as possible from behaviorally-inspired euthanasia, but asking potential dog adopters *not* to discriminate in their selection of a suitable pet is simply humanly unreasonable. Afterall, the adopters are the are not the only ones who have to live with the result of their selection of their canine "partner"/family pet -- their selection has a significant impact on their human families (biological or extended) as well as the increasingly anti-dog-owning community, and responsible dog owners at large.

Hurrah for Sternberg's willingness to work with the conscientous "consumer"!







Rating:
Summary: Don't even THINK of adopting a dog before reading this book
Review: If you're thinking of adding a dog to your family (even if it's not the first), you can't afford to be without this book.

Sue Sternberg has her finger on the pulse of shelters and breed rescue as they stand today, and minces no words in describing for adopters how to find the BEST DOG EVER.

With her trademark compassion, humor and wisdom, Sternberg instructs would-be dog adopters on how to successfully negotiate an adoption, from the moment you decide you want a dog (or even before you decide), to the first phone call to the shelter, to your first weeks at home with your new companion.

Most important, she includes information to help you determine, from an expert's point of view, whether the dog you are considering will be SAFE, or whether the dog is a ticking time bomb... BEFORE the dog is in your home.

She also writes chapters on training your dog (including a list of dog sports you can dabble in with your new companion) and what to do when a dog's problem behavior seems overwhelming. In a chapter on Internet adoptions, Sternberg provides a straightforward (and achingly insightful) dissection of ads describing dogs available for adoption.

Her recommeded adoption process may feel long to some readers, especially if you're eager to adopt or facing an uncooperative shelter staff or rescue group. But following Sternberg's advice -- however long it takes -- is time well spent, not only for the safety of your family, but for the added enjoyment you'll get from your new friend.

How valuable is this book? No dog professional, shelter worker or rescue volunteer should be without a copy, either.

Rating:
Summary: Don't understand how anyone can do these tests on a dog?
Review: It just isn't practical in a shelter when you go to adopt a dog, to do all those tests. I have also read that the test is not reliable at all. Some people have great dogs that failed the test. Other things in the book were very interesting. Like what kind of second dog to get. That made a lot of sense.

Rating:
Summary: Don't understand how anyone can do these tests on a dog?
Review: It just isn't practical in a shelter when you go to adopt a dog, to do all those tests. I have also read that the test is not reliable at all. Some people have great dogs that failed the test. Other things in the book were very interesting. Like what kind of second dog to get. That made a lot of sense.

Rating:
Summary: buyer be aware, this temperament test is controversial
Review: This is the most important, most helpful book I have ever read on the subject of dogs. I adopted my first dog 5 years ago from my local humane society. A lovely mixed breed, he turned out to be very violent. It was a tragic experience. I will never adopt another dog, from anywhere or anyone, without applying the tools Sue Sternberg shares in this book - no matter how cute the dog or popular the shelter. As a matter of fact, I would travel the thousand miles from my home to her shelter to adopt from her. This book is truly a gift to anyone planning to add a dog to their life.

Rating:
Summary: The Most Helpful Book I've Ever Read About Dogs
Review: This is the most important, most helpful book I have ever read on the subject of dogs. I adopted my first dog 5 years ago from my local humane society. A lovely mixed breed, he turned out to be very violent. It was a tragic experience. I will never adopt another dog, from anywhere or anyone, without applying the tools Sue Sternberg shares in this book - no matter how cute the dog or popular the shelter. As a matter of fact, I would travel the thousand miles from my home to her shelter to adopt from her. This book is truly a gift to anyone planning to add a dog to their life.