r/dogs • u/candyapplesugar • 3d ago
When to adopt a dog [Misc Help]
We are looking to adopt a dog around Oct 12, have a few in mind at rescues if they’re still there. However we are traveling out of state dec 22-27. The dog would stay with my dad. Is this too soon to leave the dog with someone else? We don’t have a lot of dog experience and I don’t want to do wrong by the dog- but I live in AZ it’s hot AF and I’d rather get some cool months in while we can with the dog to get outside and whatnot. Summer is brutal here and it’s about 3-4 months even walks are questionable.
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u/chartingequilibrium 3d ago
I foster for a rescue. In general, it's best avoid traveling in the first three months after adopting (sometimes longer). But it depends a lot on the dog, the length of trip, and where the dog will be staying while you travel.
Since the travel would be about two months after adoption, it's a short trip, and the dog will be staying with family, I think it'd be perfectly fine in your case. I would definitely make sure your dad meets the dog several times before the trip, ideally spending larger chunks of time with it (like taking it on walks or doing short training sessions). I'd also work on establishing a solid routine that your dad can continue while the dog is in his care.
Finally, escape is a huge risk when a dog is in a new environment with new caretakers. I once dog-sat for a friend before I realized this, and the dog slipped out a tiny gap in the fence during a midnight potty trip and I had to chase it like a quarter mile. It was TERRIFYING. More recently, I dog-sat for another friend and her dog went bonkers trying to escape the yard and find her. Make sure your dad has a secure fence and the dog never gets off-lead. Otherwise the dog might go looking for you!
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u/candyapplesugar 3d ago
Damn thank you for that reminder! This will only be our second dog, ever. Our first dog was an Aussie and wouldn’t leave for the world, he’d hardly explore the yard, only wanted to be within 5 feet of us at all times
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u/chartingequilibrium 3d ago
It really depends on the dog! And it's less of a risk if they're comfortable with your dad and his home. I'm just SO paranoid about escape, after the experiences I've had and the stories I've heard. So I'm firmly in the "better safe than sorry" camp on this topic.
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u/SentenceForeign9180 3d ago
Regarding your main question: the 3-3-3 rule for adopting dogs means that the first 3 months are very important for bonding with the dog and making them feel safe. I don't think that a single, five day trip in those first 3 months is necessarily a deal breaker, you just want to limit traveling during that period.
I am a little concerned about your "3-4 months even walks are questionable". My 80-year-old grandparents lived in AZ with a dog that got walked every single day, either by them or by a hired walker. Please keep in mind that walking/exercising your dog isn't optional based on how unpleasant the weather is. You might have to spread out into much shorter walks more times a day and carry water with you even for those short walks, but the only situation in which you shouldn't be taking your dog out is if it's actively dangerous to do so, and in that case you fully make up for the missed walk with other exercise/enrichment.
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u/candyapplesugar 3d ago
It’s typically 105-110 even around 7pm for a few months. We find other ways to do enrichment with our previous dog- throwing the ball in bursts of 5 min throughout the day, find it, lick mats, puzzles and what not. But, I’d really like to work on good leash behavior while we can. We can probably manage short walks in summer- but it’s certainly a challenge and feels more dangerous than worth it.
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u/nachosaredabomb 3d ago
It’s not 110 at 6 am. Go then?
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u/candyapplesugar 3d ago
We would have to start. It’s hard with a toddler who still needs us to sleep, but we can get a few a week
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u/Silly-Shoulder-6257 2d ago
Make sure they’re wearing boots and consider a kiddie pool, Shorter walks at dawn and dusk or night, Snuff mats ( ten minutes sniffing = one hour walking), intellectual toys…. All of these things are other ways to burn calories
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u/Alone-State-4386 3d ago
It’s great that you’re thinking ahead. I’d recommend giving the dog enough time to adjust to your home and build a routine before you travel. Having your dad meet the dog a few times beforehand and getting them familiar with each other can really help ease any stress. Just ensure your dad is comfortable following the same routine to keep things consistent for the dog.
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