Customer Reviews

Successful Dog Adoption

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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.

What a great book! It is very well written, authoritative without being condescending, easy to understand without being simplistic and sometimes downright funny. I started reading at random and just could not put it down. Recommended for anybody who wants to adopt a dog - even if you do not believe in or want to try the test described in the second part of the book, there is a wealth of information on the first 100 pages alone.
I feel I have a much, much better chance now of finding the "Love of my life" dog we are all hoping for.

While the author's test may not be 100% accurate, her premise is that one should be VERY careful in adopting dogs in order not to get an aggressive dog. This is something that most other adoption books gloss over. The author is concerned that many agencies seeking to have dogs adopted are more concerned with getting the dog a home than in protecting the adopting owner. Why adopt trouble?

I've had 12 dogs in my life and am thinking of adopting when my 12 year old dog dies. I've been reading as many books as I can about adopting dogs and adult dog behavior and this is one of the best that I've found.

Wow! In my excitement over our decision to adopt a dog, I hadn't thought about the challenge it would be to find a suitable one. What did we know? Thank goodness someone recommended we read Successful Dog Adoption before going any further. With Sue Sternberg's expert guidance, I have learned more than I ever could imagine, including why not all shelters are good sources from which to adopt a pet (and how to find a good one), why many shelter/rescue dogs are *not* reasonable candidates for adoption (and how to tell which ones to stay away from, no matter what the shelter may tell you), and, while it's "buyer beware" out there, how to find a safe and enjoyable companion. We look forward to becoming first time owners of a terrific dog soon: I'm so glad we discovered this book BEFORE we tried to adopt one without understanding what we *could* have gotten ourselves into, especially in an urban environment. An enlightening and enjoyable MUST READ for anyone wanting to adopt a dog!

I bought two books on dog adoption, this book being one of them. I really didn't get my money's worth from this book. The tests that the author advised just are not practical. If people did what she said, no shelter dogs would ever get adopted. In general, other books on dog adoption have a lot more practical advice than this one. This book was not a total loss, I did learn a few things from it. But, all in all, it was not worth my money.

We used the tests in this book to help us identify a dog that would be kid friendly. The book included excellent explanations and detailed tests you can give a dog. We used them on dogs during the adoption process and found the perfect dog for us. So based on results, I would say this book was worth the time and money. It wasn't the politically correct take on dogs, which I actually appreciated. So many adoption books are preoccupied with "abused" dogs or dogs that lash out because of abuse. While I find it sad and my heart goes out to abused dogs, I don't want to take any risks with my children. This author respects and accepts that there are people like me who can't take any chances with their children being bitten or mauled. She gives straightforward advice based on that acceptance and respect.

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"!

As a parent of 3 who is looking into getting a dog and has seen a very strong anti-family/anti-child bias among shelter and rescue groups, I really appreciate this book. Her section on reading the internet ads was especially enlightening, since all shelters within a decent driving distance from me do most of their advertising on Petfinder. If we do decide to adopt a dog, I feel much more confident not only evaluating the dog, but evaluating the shelter.

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.