Is it neglect when an adopter does not heed the advice of an adoption counselor about the needs of their new dog? I say, Yes.  It is as neglectful as the person who dumped their dog to thrive on her own.  Because that is exactly what the adopter is doing when they do not heed the recommendations of experienced rescue people.

We occasionally have adopter returns.  The vast majority of them revolve around the adopter not taking the needs of the dog seriously and so the dog reacts negatively.  Remember a dog has only TWO options. Fight or Flight.  There’s a 50-50 chance of Fighting, and that normally means a bite or a nip or jumpy/mouthy behavior. Some adopters return the dog instead of taking time to learn and listen.  

As an adopter you have a responsibility. It is not enough to simply rescue an animal.  Once you do that, your responsibility does not end. It just gets started.  It is your responsibility to give that dog what she needs. And if you adopt from a credible shelter or rescue you are given the tools prior to the adoption to do that. You are given dos and don’ts for that particular dog, you are given info on what to expect during the first few weeks/months, you are told not to overwhelm the dog and allow him to settle in at his own pace.  Not to go to dog parks or parties or have a stream of new people over to meet the dog.  Yes even after all of these warnings, it happens.  Then we get the phone call, we get the tears and we get the dog back, damaged, now often having a bite history attached to him and not more difficult to place thanks to the ignorant adopter.  Yes that is neglect.  You can justify it anyway you want to but yes that is neglect.  You as the adopter were neglectful and because of you the dog suffers.

So if you are thinking of adopting a dog, please listen to the advice of the shelter, the rescue, or the foster.  They all want the adoption to succeed.  Slow and steady is the general motto for a long and happy life with your new dog. No dog can be expected to adjust to a new home, new people, new sights, sounds, and smells, and a new routine in just a day or two. Give your new dog time the time she needs to adjust. Watch. Listen. Learn.

by Mary Lou Maraganis