Post by Lucy on Dec 1, 2012 12:49:03 GMT
The Dogs - FAQs: Adopting a Dog at CDH, Reserves system, Dog Walking at CDH.
P.S. Don’t forget the dogs on page 2!
Cardiff Council has a legal duty to impound stray dogs and is solely responsible for dealing with stray dogs found in Cardiff City.
Dogs found straying will be picked up by the Dog Wardens or the public and taken to Cardiff Dogs Home which is run by Cardiff Council. The Home deals with more than 1,200 dogs per year.
There is a legal requirement for the Council to keep the dog for seven days whilst every attempt is made to trace the owner. On the eighth day the ownership of the dog is transferred to the council and the Dogs' Home is entitled to re- home.
If you are looking for a new pet dog, Cardiff Dogs' Home has a great choice of wonderful dogs - from beautiful pedigree dogs to the nicest, friendliest mutts! They operate a re-homing procedure which aims to find the best possible home for each dog in their care.
We have put together sections for the most frequently asked questions with the answers at the bottom so that you can easily scroll to the relevant section.
Adopting a dog at CDH FAQs
Cardiff Dogs' Home deals with an average of 23 dogs per week!
We always try and do to updates in this section on the forum twice a week usually on a Monday and a Thursday, updating the dogs who have been rehomed and any new ones that have come in since the last update.
Q1. Puppy or Older dog?
Q2. Breed Misconceptions? Bull Breeds – Staffys The Nanny Dog
Q3. Release Date and the Reserve System
Dog Walking at CDH FAQs
Cardiff Dogs' Home currently has 500 registered Volunteer Dog Walkers! That is Fantastic! ;D
We would love it if you could post some stories/photos of the dogs so that we can all Oooooh and Arrrrrrgh over them.
You may have seen the Dogs for Adoption book that is in the reception area at the Home, or when we are out at promoting events (if not, have a flick through!) The book is based on the information that is provided by the dog walkers on the forum, and these updates really do play an important part in getting the dogs rehomed. The pics of the dogs out and about doing their doggy things and the stories to go with the pictures are a fantastic way to get to find out about the pooches.
Q1. How and where do I register to become a volunteer dog walker?
Q2. Is it ok to bring your own pooch when you walk one of the CDH doglets?
Q3. What are the walking hours, including on the weekend?
Q4. What is a SWALK, when do they happen and who can join in?
Adopting a dog at CDH Answers
A1. Puppy or Older dog? Good Reasons for Adopting an Older Dog
Many people think that they need a puppy so that it will grow up with their family - unfortunately Rescues are full of puppies who became the wrong match as they got older!
By adopting an older dog from Cardiff Dog’ Home you will know the answers to the following, none of which are known with a pup.
You will know:
Some people assume that Rescue dogs are dumped because they are problem dogs. This is not so in the vast majority of cases and the dogs make excellent family pets. Some are in Rescue because of a genuine change in owners circumstances, some have genuinely been lost, some because puppies have turned out to be the wrong match as they reach adulthood, some because owners do not realize the responsibilities of dog ownership and how it affects their families' lifestyle.
Likewise a lot of people do not realize the vast range of dogs available in Rescue – all shapes, sizes, ages and an increasing amount of pure breed dogs and puppies. ( Puppies are very hard work, please think very carefully about whether you are prepared to put in the time and effort to see your puppy through infancy, the ‘teenage’ stage and through to maturity.)
If you visit the Dogs’ Home looking for a new family pet, please go with an open mind and be prepared to be guided by the staff. Remember - they know the dogs and their aim is to provide a home where the dog will be happy as well as the family.
Lastly, Please read about the Home's procedures by clicking on the link under INFORMATION - 'REHOME A DOG' on the left hand side of the forum.
A2. Breed Misconceptions? Bull Breeds – Staffies -The Nanny Dog
Like Rescues and Pounds all over the country, Cardiff Dogs' Home has more than its fair share of staffies/staffie x's. If you read our Dog Walkers Tales you will see that they are all great little dogs, people and dog friendly, loving and fun. Yet they are constantly overlooked by people looking to rehome a dog. We are asking you to please consider them and not walk past - just stop and look, talk to them, take them for a walk and just see if your opinions of them are based on stories you have seen/heard and not on true facts.
These are the facts, how many did you know -
1) The Staffordshire bull terrier is the only breed to have the words ‘totally reliable’ in its breed standard.
2)The Staffordshire bull terrier is one of only two breeds from over 190 recognized by the UK Kennel Club to have a mention of the breed’s suitability with children.
3)Bruce Fogle: "No breed is more loving with its family"
4)RSPCA chief vet Mark Evans: "Staffies have had a terrible press, but this is not of their own making - in fact they're wonderful dogs. If people think that Staffies have problems, they're looking at the wrong end of the dog lead! When well cared for and properly trained they can make brilliant companions. Our experience suggests that problems occur when bad owners exploit the Staffie's desire to please by training them to show aggression."
5)Breed Standard - Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Because of their natural fondness for people, most Staffords are temperamentally ill-suited for guard or attack-dog training. Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies are very easy to house train.
Again, like all rescues, the Home which has a non put to sleep policy as far as it is able, cannot keep taking in staffies who just stay there overlooked. At some point fairly soon, a decision is going to have to be made about some of the long stayers - and please don't suggest moving them to some of the large well known rescues - they have exactly the same problem but magnified - they are choca block with staffies to.
These little piggies will make great family pets, there is nothing wrong with them at all except that they were born staffies.
We are doing our very best for these little dogs - all we're asking is that you get to know them before making a decision about the dog for you. And please help us by sharing some of our staffie posts far and wide.
A3. Release Dates and the Reserve System
The Home is legally bound to keep stray dogs for 7 days in the hope that they will be reunited with their owners. If unclaimed, on the 8th day the Home becomes the legal owner of the dog and so they can then rehome it.
If you visit the Home and fall in love with a dog, if you and the Home Staff initially agree that you are right for the dog and the dog is right for you, you can put a 'Reserve' on them.
If you fall in love with a dog that already has a Reserve, it is worth asking for your name to be added to the list - that's if you don't fall in love with another of the dogs - there's a lot of gorgeous dogs in all the time.
Reserves don't always mean a dog is definitely going to his or her new home. People (quite rightly) need to make absolutely sure that they have made the perfect choice, and it can take a few visits before they know for certain. Sometimes introductions with their own dog do not go well. Sometimes life gets in the way. Sometimes, on reflection, they keep looking.
It's a good thing that people think long and hard before they commit to sharing their life with a particular dog, and it is important that they are absolutely sure they have made the right choice. A lot of reserves don't go any further, but it does mean that the perfect home is still out there.
Dog Walking at CDH Answers
A1. How and where do I register to become a volunteer dog walker?
We are not taking any new volunteers at the moment because we reached 500 registered Dog Walkers at the End of April 2012. Work is being done to assess the participation of the 500. Once this is done we may want to recruit new volunteers. Any announcement will be posted here. We would like to say a big thank you to all our Dog Walking Volunteers.
To register as a walker...
Go to the Home, take photo ID with you, and if you want to walk a dog the same day, please take your own slip lead and water bottle - the dogs can easily overheat on their walks, and drinking the river water is not a good option for them.
The staff will ask you to fill in a straightforward form, and to read 'the roolz' (eg, not to let them off lead, not to put them into a vehicle, not to try to sell them, to be careful around other dogs), that sort of stuff, but do read it through carefully. This 'process', the form and confirming you have read and understood the terms, ensures you are covered by the council's insurance whilst you are out with a Home dog.
The Home do have a supply of slip leads, (the dogs do not get walked on a lead and collar) but they can run out these on busy days, so if you want to walk regularly please bring your own slip lead (and remember to ask the staff to hand it back to you after your walk). Also, please take a bottle of water and a bowl - the dogs can get very hot and thirsty, and river water is not ideal for them.
If you want to be a really Good Friend please take a camera, get some nice pics (especially after the dogs have settled down a bit) and update their rehoming threads
If you have experience of using positive reinforcement training methods ONLY then you could make use of your time together to see if you can encourage steady lead walking, sit, down, paw, wait (at kerbside) etc. Please don't use any harsh or 'physical' methods, we certainly don't 'touch'our dogs, and gentle persuasion will give better results all around than 'gentle pressure'.
Plans are afoot to roll out training seminars for our walkers and any interested parties, including those who may be thinking of rehoming a dog. For the dogs, the most important thing is 'consistency', and we are hoping to implement 'Good Practice, Practicing.....
Teaching a dog to Walk on a Lead
Teaching a dog to Sit
Teaching a dog to Stand
Teaching a dog to Wait
Teaching a dog to Be Gentle around Food
It is vital for the dogs that they experience the same commands, and the same 'signals' from everyone who walks them if we are going to help them learn the basics.
A2. Is it ok to bring your own pooch when you walk one of the CDH doglets?
If anyone wants to take their own dog along, the staff are happy to accommodate this, provided....
Your own dog is well mannered and under your control at all times
There is (at least) one 'pair of hands' per dog
Walkers understand the basics of introducing dogs to each other
There is a very good, simple guide HERE
Read from "Parallel Walk Dogs You Want to Introduce..."
down to "When to Drop the Leashes" now STOP READING
Obviously you won't be dropping any leashes Parallel walking is such a 'good practice method' of helping the dogs 'not to make a mistake'
The Home dogs are strays, and they are probably not used to being confined in kennels, they are very likely to be hyper whilst they are out (for the first 20 mins or so anyway). Being 'greeted' nose-to-nose as soon as they come out from the kennels, even by the friendliest of our own dogs, isn't always the easiest way to help them settle into a nice walk.
A3. What are the walking hours, including on the weekend?
The Dogs' Home is open to the Public:
Monday 10:30 – 6pm
Tuesday 10:30 – 4pm
Wednesday 10.30am - 4.00pm
Thursday 10:30 – 6pm
Friday 10.30am - 4.00pm
Saturday 10.30am - 4.00pm
Sunday 10.30am - 4.00pm
Bank holidays
10.30am - 12.00 noon
Christmas Day Closed
These are general opening hours for viewing dogs for rehoming.
Dogs can be walked from 11am and must be back at the Home by 3.30pm or 5.30pm on Mon & Thurs when the Home is open later
Poop bags, treats and hi viz walkers 'apparel' are available in reception.
A4. What is a SWALK, when do they happen and who can join in?
SWALKS take place on a regular basis from Spring to Autumn and are advertised in the Events section of the Forum so please keep an eye out. It's more difficult to arrange in advance in the winter cos of the weather conditions so they are more likely to be arranged at short notice - so just keep an eye on the events thread
Just come along to the Home with your lead, and a bottle of water if it's hot at about 12pm. The staff will bring dogs out one at a time and allocate them to whoever is there walking, and people tend to set off in dribs and drabs so that the dogs aren't too bunched up together and getting too excited. Last time we were there the staff were very careful about not letting dogs get too close together so it's best that people spread out really. We tend to walk along the Ely trail towards Leckwith and if we get as far as the playing fields have a walk around there and back to the Home.
P.S. Don’t forget the dogs on page 2!
Cardiff Council has a legal duty to impound stray dogs and is solely responsible for dealing with stray dogs found in Cardiff City.
Dogs found straying will be picked up by the Dog Wardens or the public and taken to Cardiff Dogs Home which is run by Cardiff Council. The Home deals with more than 1,200 dogs per year.
There is a legal requirement for the Council to keep the dog for seven days whilst every attempt is made to trace the owner. On the eighth day the ownership of the dog is transferred to the council and the Dogs' Home is entitled to re- home.
If you are looking for a new pet dog, Cardiff Dogs' Home has a great choice of wonderful dogs - from beautiful pedigree dogs to the nicest, friendliest mutts! They operate a re-homing procedure which aims to find the best possible home for each dog in their care.
We have put together sections for the most frequently asked questions with the answers at the bottom so that you can easily scroll to the relevant section.
Adopting a dog at CDH FAQs
Cardiff Dogs' Home deals with an average of 23 dogs per week!
We always try and do to updates in this section on the forum twice a week usually on a Monday and a Thursday, updating the dogs who have been rehomed and any new ones that have come in since the last update.
Q1. Puppy or Older dog?
Q2. Breed Misconceptions? Bull Breeds – Staffys The Nanny Dog
Q3. Release Date and the Reserve System
Dog Walking at CDH FAQs
Cardiff Dogs' Home currently has 500 registered Volunteer Dog Walkers! That is Fantastic! ;D
We would love it if you could post some stories/photos of the dogs so that we can all Oooooh and Arrrrrrgh over them.
You may have seen the Dogs for Adoption book that is in the reception area at the Home, or when we are out at promoting events (if not, have a flick through!) The book is based on the information that is provided by the dog walkers on the forum, and these updates really do play an important part in getting the dogs rehomed. The pics of the dogs out and about doing their doggy things and the stories to go with the pictures are a fantastic way to get to find out about the pooches.
Q1. How and where do I register to become a volunteer dog walker?
Q2. Is it ok to bring your own pooch when you walk one of the CDH doglets?
Q3. What are the walking hours, including on the weekend?
Q4. What is a SWALK, when do they happen and who can join in?
Adopting a dog at CDH Answers
A1. Puppy or Older dog? Good Reasons for Adopting an Older Dog
Many people think that they need a puppy so that it will grow up with their family - unfortunately Rescues are full of puppies who became the wrong match as they got older!
By adopting an older dog from Cardiff Dog’ Home you will know the answers to the following, none of which are known with a pup.
You will know:
- Exactly what size they will be as an adult and what they will look like.
- What their personality is like.
- How much training they have had/ what training is required.
- How active they will be.
- Whether they will fit into your lifestyle.
- They will have been already neutered, micro chipped and vaccinated.
- As far as is possible, the right match for you and your situation. You will be adopting a dog that is known inside out by the staff and that has been assessed as being suitable for you and your family.
Some people assume that Rescue dogs are dumped because they are problem dogs. This is not so in the vast majority of cases and the dogs make excellent family pets. Some are in Rescue because of a genuine change in owners circumstances, some have genuinely been lost, some because puppies have turned out to be the wrong match as they reach adulthood, some because owners do not realize the responsibilities of dog ownership and how it affects their families' lifestyle.
Likewise a lot of people do not realize the vast range of dogs available in Rescue – all shapes, sizes, ages and an increasing amount of pure breed dogs and puppies. ( Puppies are very hard work, please think very carefully about whether you are prepared to put in the time and effort to see your puppy through infancy, the ‘teenage’ stage and through to maturity.)
If you visit the Dogs’ Home looking for a new family pet, please go with an open mind and be prepared to be guided by the staff. Remember - they know the dogs and their aim is to provide a home where the dog will be happy as well as the family.
Lastly, Please read about the Home's procedures by clicking on the link under INFORMATION - 'REHOME A DOG' on the left hand side of the forum.
A2. Breed Misconceptions? Bull Breeds – Staffies -The Nanny Dog
Like Rescues and Pounds all over the country, Cardiff Dogs' Home has more than its fair share of staffies/staffie x's. If you read our Dog Walkers Tales you will see that they are all great little dogs, people and dog friendly, loving and fun. Yet they are constantly overlooked by people looking to rehome a dog. We are asking you to please consider them and not walk past - just stop and look, talk to them, take them for a walk and just see if your opinions of them are based on stories you have seen/heard and not on true facts.
These are the facts, how many did you know -
1) The Staffordshire bull terrier is the only breed to have the words ‘totally reliable’ in its breed standard.
2)The Staffordshire bull terrier is one of only two breeds from over 190 recognized by the UK Kennel Club to have a mention of the breed’s suitability with children.
3)Bruce Fogle: "No breed is more loving with its family"
4)RSPCA chief vet Mark Evans: "Staffies have had a terrible press, but this is not of their own making - in fact they're wonderful dogs. If people think that Staffies have problems, they're looking at the wrong end of the dog lead! When well cared for and properly trained they can make brilliant companions. Our experience suggests that problems occur when bad owners exploit the Staffie's desire to please by training them to show aggression."
5)Breed Standard - Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Because of their natural fondness for people, most Staffords are temperamentally ill-suited for guard or attack-dog training. Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies are very easy to house train.
Again, like all rescues, the Home which has a non put to sleep policy as far as it is able, cannot keep taking in staffies who just stay there overlooked. At some point fairly soon, a decision is going to have to be made about some of the long stayers - and please don't suggest moving them to some of the large well known rescues - they have exactly the same problem but magnified - they are choca block with staffies to.
These little piggies will make great family pets, there is nothing wrong with them at all except that they were born staffies.
We are doing our very best for these little dogs - all we're asking is that you get to know them before making a decision about the dog for you. And please help us by sharing some of our staffie posts far and wide.
A3. Release Dates and the Reserve System
The Home is legally bound to keep stray dogs for 7 days in the hope that they will be reunited with their owners. If unclaimed, on the 8th day the Home becomes the legal owner of the dog and so they can then rehome it.
If you visit the Home and fall in love with a dog, if you and the Home Staff initially agree that you are right for the dog and the dog is right for you, you can put a 'Reserve' on them.
If you fall in love with a dog that already has a Reserve, it is worth asking for your name to be added to the list - that's if you don't fall in love with another of the dogs - there's a lot of gorgeous dogs in all the time.
Reserves don't always mean a dog is definitely going to his or her new home. People (quite rightly) need to make absolutely sure that they have made the perfect choice, and it can take a few visits before they know for certain. Sometimes introductions with their own dog do not go well. Sometimes life gets in the way. Sometimes, on reflection, they keep looking.
It's a good thing that people think long and hard before they commit to sharing their life with a particular dog, and it is important that they are absolutely sure they have made the right choice. A lot of reserves don't go any further, but it does mean that the perfect home is still out there.
Dog Walking at CDH Answers
A1. How and where do I register to become a volunteer dog walker?
We are not taking any new volunteers at the moment because we reached 500 registered Dog Walkers at the End of April 2012. Work is being done to assess the participation of the 500. Once this is done we may want to recruit new volunteers. Any announcement will be posted here. We would like to say a big thank you to all our Dog Walking Volunteers.
To register as a walker...
Go to the Home, take photo ID with you, and if you want to walk a dog the same day, please take your own slip lead and water bottle - the dogs can easily overheat on their walks, and drinking the river water is not a good option for them.
The staff will ask you to fill in a straightforward form, and to read 'the roolz' (eg, not to let them off lead, not to put them into a vehicle, not to try to sell them, to be careful around other dogs), that sort of stuff, but do read it through carefully. This 'process', the form and confirming you have read and understood the terms, ensures you are covered by the council's insurance whilst you are out with a Home dog.
The Home do have a supply of slip leads, (the dogs do not get walked on a lead and collar) but they can run out these on busy days, so if you want to walk regularly please bring your own slip lead (and remember to ask the staff to hand it back to you after your walk). Also, please take a bottle of water and a bowl - the dogs can get very hot and thirsty, and river water is not ideal for them.
If you want to be a really Good Friend please take a camera, get some nice pics (especially after the dogs have settled down a bit) and update their rehoming threads
If you have experience of using positive reinforcement training methods ONLY then you could make use of your time together to see if you can encourage steady lead walking, sit, down, paw, wait (at kerbside) etc. Please don't use any harsh or 'physical' methods, we certainly don't 'touch'our dogs, and gentle persuasion will give better results all around than 'gentle pressure'.
Plans are afoot to roll out training seminars for our walkers and any interested parties, including those who may be thinking of rehoming a dog. For the dogs, the most important thing is 'consistency', and we are hoping to implement 'Good Practice, Practicing.....
Teaching a dog to Walk on a Lead
Teaching a dog to Sit
Teaching a dog to Stand
Teaching a dog to Wait
Teaching a dog to Be Gentle around Food
It is vital for the dogs that they experience the same commands, and the same 'signals' from everyone who walks them if we are going to help them learn the basics.
A2. Is it ok to bring your own pooch when you walk one of the CDH doglets?
If anyone wants to take their own dog along, the staff are happy to accommodate this, provided....
Your own dog is well mannered and under your control at all times
There is (at least) one 'pair of hands' per dog
Walkers understand the basics of introducing dogs to each other
There is a very good, simple guide HERE
Read from "Parallel Walk Dogs You Want to Introduce..."
down to "When to Drop the Leashes" now STOP READING
Obviously you won't be dropping any leashes Parallel walking is such a 'good practice method' of helping the dogs 'not to make a mistake'
The Home dogs are strays, and they are probably not used to being confined in kennels, they are very likely to be hyper whilst they are out (for the first 20 mins or so anyway). Being 'greeted' nose-to-nose as soon as they come out from the kennels, even by the friendliest of our own dogs, isn't always the easiest way to help them settle into a nice walk.
A3. What are the walking hours, including on the weekend?
The Dogs' Home is open to the Public:
Monday 10:30 – 6pm
Tuesday 10:30 – 4pm
Wednesday 10.30am - 4.00pm
Thursday 10:30 – 6pm
Friday 10.30am - 4.00pm
Saturday 10.30am - 4.00pm
Sunday 10.30am - 4.00pm
Bank holidays
10.30am - 12.00 noon
Christmas Day Closed
These are general opening hours for viewing dogs for rehoming.
Dogs can be walked from 11am and must be back at the Home by 3.30pm or 5.30pm on Mon & Thurs when the Home is open later
Poop bags, treats and hi viz walkers 'apparel' are available in reception.
A4. What is a SWALK, when do they happen and who can join in?
SWALKS take place on a regular basis from Spring to Autumn and are advertised in the Events section of the Forum so please keep an eye out. It's more difficult to arrange in advance in the winter cos of the weather conditions so they are more likely to be arranged at short notice - so just keep an eye on the events thread
Just come along to the Home with your lead, and a bottle of water if it's hot at about 12pm. The staff will bring dogs out one at a time and allocate them to whoever is there walking, and people tend to set off in dribs and drabs so that the dogs aren't too bunched up together and getting too excited. Last time we were there the staff were very careful about not letting dogs get too close together so it's best that people spread out really. We tend to walk along the Ely trail towards Leckwith and if we get as far as the playing fields have a walk around there and back to the Home.
