So, we are still early in the process meeting with agencies, but DH and I have been working on getting the house together for the someday homestudy.
We have 2 dogs, Waylon the most relaxed, easy going lab around and Sandy lab mix that joined our family after my stepfather passed away and my mom couldn't take care of her. She is the sweetest girl, very loving. She was abused before my parents got her...the shelter said she was pregnant and abused. This causes her to have stranger anxiety, just when visitors come she barks and barks. No biting, she has never bit anyone. Is a barking dog going to be a problem? She eventually calms down, especially once everyone sits down. Then she will sniff and settle! We were thinking of trying as thundershirt also? If she would be a problem, I know she could live with my inlaws.. I love her so much, she has been in our family for 7 years. Sorry for the rambling, just getting worried early on. Thanks for your opinions/info!
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Re: dogs and homestudy
I was just wondering if anyone had an anxiety dog that caused problems with their homestudy. A thundershirt is basically a tight fitting garment that you put on the dog that is supposed to help with thunderstorm anxiety or other anxiety situations.
Just something that has worried us. Thanks for the other responses!
Our dog has serious stranger anxiety. We can't take him for walks, he has to be supervised outside, he can't sit on his perch in the front window without howling constantly if even a leaf blows by.
We had to get an in-home trainer prior to our home study starting because I was so freaked out that he was going to cause serious problems and I knew we couldn't just lock him away in a room while our SW was here.
So we put him through training and he ended up doing SO well when our SW was here. And by "well" I mean he barked when she got here, jumped up a bit on her, and then promptly settled down once we all sat on the couch and started talking. He sat in my husband's lap and just stared at her. He wasn't silent by any means when she first got here and we'd prepped her for this dog that was just gonna bark and growl at her non-stop.
All that to say, it sounds like my dog was way worse than your's initially and wouldn't calm down for anyone or anything. And then acted like your's does now in the meeting and it wasn't an issue at all.
:::Our Adoption Journey:::
Evan James was born 1/24/13 and matched with us 2/20/13. The LOVE OF MY LIFE!!!
A nervous dog shouldn't be a problem. An aggressive dog probably will.
Best bet is to explain the situation up front and ask if it will be an issue.
After 2 years of IF workups/treatments and 2 IUIs, we have closed the door on fertility treatments.
We are very excited to be pursuing international adoption from China!
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Miracle Baby #1 - March 2012
We were *just* approved and have seven rescue dogs. They are small, but some are "special needs" and one is reactive (acts aggressive out of fear). We sent him off with his dogsitter for the few hours the social worker was here for her first visit, then crated him across the house for the next visit. Everything was fine.
There's a book that may help, if you're interested... https://www.amazon.com/Scaredy-Understanding-Rehabilitating-Reactive-ebook/dp/B004HYHE54/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369751119&sr=8-1&keywords=reactive+dogs
15 treatment cycles: four early m/c
Moving forward with domestic infant adoption!
Home study approved 5/13, now just waiting...
True in our case, too. We were upfront about our plan, including help from our regular trainer in case we have trouble.
15 treatment cycles: four early m/c
Moving forward with domestic infant adoption!
Home study approved 5/13, now just waiting...