GUIDELINES for DOING A HOME VISIT
The home visit is a way to see and evaluate the home to which our dog or puppy is going. And to see if what is stated on the application is borne out at the home. But it is not an interrogation. Questions need to be asked in ordinary conversation. And observations need to be made.
Please make the home visit appointment for a time when everyone in the family can be there. Take note if anyone is resistant to the idea of a new animal. Also take note of how the children react.
Read the application carefully and make notes about answers that should be elaborated upon or checked out by sight. (Judy may make suggestions) For instance the application may say “fenced yard” See it. It could be only partially fenced or very flimsy. The application may say the puppy or dog will be left alone for only 3 or 4 hours. Discuss the family’s actual schedule—when they leave and when they get back home. People don’t always consider travel time. Some say they’ll come home for lunch just to make the time crated appear to be less etc
Please don’t put words into the applicant’s mouth or give them your (our) ideas about how to solve a situation. It is important that the applicant is willing to think things through and come up with a solution
If there are other pets observe where they are kept not just while you are there but ask where they (and our dog) will spend their time when no one is home and also how the dog will be confined outside. Ask this also if our dog is to be the only pet.
If there are cats ask where they spend their time and where they can get up on or go to when bothered by a dog.
Ask about past pets and explore what happened to them.
Observe how well behaved the family dog is. This is an indication of the attention and training the family has been willing to give. If there is no other dog ask if they plan obedience classes or some other way of training. With puppies ask how they will house train.
Explore the very important issue of exercise---how and how often. Puppy adopters need to be considering life with an adult dog in the future.
Know that if the applicant is turned down it will be done in such a way as to not reflect on you. Often it is just a matter of our saying that the one whose application came in first was approved for the dog. Almost no one is ever told they are unsuitable. (even if they are)
Most applicants are friendly and personable. Many houses are nice. BUT- that’s not what we are looking for. Instead we need to know if this is a lifetime- of- the- dog commitment and if the dog will be happy and well cared for there.
We will be doing a vet check. We will also counsel the family based on things you may pick up while with them.
If you aren’t comfortable taking notes while there please jot things down for us when you get home. We suggest you take with you the check list. After the visit please email your notes to Judy to be attached to the application.
Thanks for all you are doing! It makes such a difference to the dog being placed and may well prevent the dog from being given up later in time.