Dog's Up for Adoption News & Entertainment
Twice Chosen, Twice Returned: The Unique Behavior That Makes This Shelter Dog’s Adoption Challenging
Gabrielle LaFrank
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Let’s face it: nobody–human or animal–is perfect. Any creature can make a mistake or struggle at a skill, yet people often expect ‘perfect’ behavior from their pets. This comes from a lack of understanding of animal rescue, but this knowledge can be the difference between a failed or successful adoption.
Just ask Sid! This 7-year-old shelter dog has been looking for his forever family on Long Island, New York, since 2017, and his shelter friends ll agree it’s time he found where he was meant to be. He’s been staying with the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter under the care of dedicated volunteers, but his challenging past has made it difficult for the right adopter to find him.
A Sneak Peek at Forever
Sid’s first visit to the shelter began and ended in 2017. Originally, the young dog was found as a stray and brought to the shelter, but he was adopted before the end of the year.
Unfortunately, Sid found himself back at the same shelter in 2021. According to the shelter, the Shepherd mix “can guard high-value items such as toys and food,” which is why he was surrendered. He and his first adopter had been getting on just fine, but because they had a baby on the way, they worried about having his guarding behavior near a child who would be too young to understand how to interact.
Sadly, a similar–but shorter–thing happened two years later. Although the shelter had been transparent about his resource guarding, the person who adopted him quickly returned him as soon as they felt like they couldn’t work with his behavior. Since then–April 2023–he’s been relying on the care and attention of his shelter volunteer friends.
Resource Guarding Requires Care
Hilary F. is the devoted volunteer who works closely with Sid at the shelter. She calls him her ‘Buddy Dog,’ and she has nothing but positive things to say about him.
“He is in training at the shelter and is just the best! He is very treat motivated and knows every command. I really enjoy my time with him. We have long walks as he sniffs his way around the world. He is fun and has the best smile. He loves pets and his buddies. I just love him so much and know his right home is out there for him!”
Despite her positive outlook, she also understands that resource guarding can be a complex behavior that requires an experienced owner to deal with. In the past, Sid has had two bite incidents related to his resource guarding, though Hilary has observed the warnings he gives before he reaches his limit. She explains, “He does warn, and those warnings need to be respected and dealt with by a savvy owner.”
With some patience, understanding, and a lot of love, this rescue dog will be an excellent companion–and the only four-legged companion– for a well-rounded adult-only home. Hilary thinks he would make an amazing hiking partner thanks to his high energy level, but he’ll also be happy to curl up on the couch afterward.
To learn more about this handsome boy and whether you can meet his needs, check out his profile.
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