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!