INFORMATION SUMMARY FOR PROSPECTIVE ADOPTERS

INFORMATION SUMMARY FOR PROSPECTIVE ADOPTERS

I use this form to give adopters information about the temperament, behavior, medical history , and other important stuff regarding the dog they are considering adoption or have adopted. My Adopter's Guidebook explains and expands this material; used together they provide a lot of guidance for the dog's first few months in the adoptive home. This form is designed so appropriate choices can be circled and blanks filled in. Sometimes more than one choice may be circled.

Dear Prospective Adopter,

This sheet summarizes important medical and behavioral information concerning the Bouvier whose adoption you now contemplate.

DOG'S NAME :

• formal : ____________________ du Clos de la Fourrière
• informal : __________________________________

DESCRIPTION :

• AGE : ____________ (as of date _____ ) based on my estimate / prior owner's statement
• SEX : male / female
  • neutered / (definately) spayed / (believed to be) spayed
  • spayed/neutered : before rescue / after rescue         date __________
• COLOR & MARKINGS : _______________________________________
• EARS : natural / cropped
• TAIL: natural / docked

TEMPERAMENT:

• stability : highly stable / adequately stable / marginal
• self-confidence : highly confident / adequately confident / .marginal
• socialization : highly socialized / adequately socialized / needs more socialization
• with strange adults : outgoingly friendly, eager / friendly but reserved or cool / initially timid but soon accepts & trusts / mildly shy
• with strange children : outgoing / reserved / initially timid but accepts / mildly shy
• with familiar adults, children : affectionate, "love starved", demands petting (pushy) / affectionate, asks for petting , but not demanding / accepts affection when offered but does not know to ask
• dominence tendency : highly submissive / submissive/ medium/ dominent/ highly dominent
• with dogs : gets along well w most dogs / same-sex aggressive / should be only dog
• prey chasing drive (generally) : very intense / high / moderate / low / not assessed
  • towards cats : highly aggressive / chases / likes / ignores / untested
  • towards livestock : very aggressive / strong chasing , herding / moderate / untested
  • towards rabbits, squirrels , etc : aggressive / chases / likes / ignores / untested
  • towards joggers, skateboarders, etc : aggressive / chases / likes / ignores / untested
• hardness(= insensitivity to discomfort): very hard / hard / medium / soft / very soft
• laid-backness : extremely laid back / fairly laid back / less than most Bouvs / "hyper"
• tendency to guard food ?    none / mild, now cured / mild, not cured / severe / has not been tested

MEDICAL INFORMATION

• IMMUNIZATIONS :
  • Rabies : most recent _________, tag #______________, due on _______
  • DHLPP : most recent _______________, due again on _________
  • other : ________________________________________
• HEARTWORM :
  • not tested / tested negative / tested positive, treatment advised
  • currently receiving once a month Interceptor / Heartguard, on _____ of month
• OTHER MEDICAL : ____________________________________________ _____________________________________________________

FOOD (diet and body weight issues)

• brand and type of food ________________________
• fed ___________ total per day in ______a.m. ______p.m.
• preferable to feed in crate?     essential (food guarding) / preferable / no /optional
• appetite :     gluttonous / eager / usually good, adequate / sluggish eater
• optimum weight = _____________    current weight _________
• tendency towards : overweight / underweight / neither / unknown

CRATE or X-PEN ACCEPTANCE :

• loves crate / accepts / resists, restless / not tested
• loves X-pen / accepts / resists, restless / not tested

HOUSEBREAKING MAINTENENCE

• housebroken?   :   yes / no / "marks"
• accustomed to dog door ?   :   yes / no     
• dog-door advised? yes / no / optional
• signals need to go out ?   :   barking / scratching door / unknown
• reccommend crating ? (for housebreaking)   :   night / not recently "emptied" / unsupervised

CHEWING & OTHER DESTRUCTION PREVENTION :

• dog exhibits tendency or need to chew :   :   rarely or never / sometimes / often
• due to : immaturity (expect to continue next ________ months)
• due to : separation anxiety or boredom when alone too long
• reccommend providing chew toys ?   :   yes/ no      type__________________
• reccommend crating ( for chew prevention)?   :   night / no one home / unsupervised

SLEEPING QUARTERS

• accustomed to : in crate / bedroom floor (on dog bed) / on sofa / on person's bed / other ______________________

FENCE RESPECT / escape tendencies & prevention

• has never shown inclination to escape in my home and/or prior home
• has escaped (my home or prior home) or may try : can jump or climb ____ ft / goes under fence / other method _______________
• suggest hot wire (electric fence) ? near top and midway up / near bottom

EXCERCISE NEEDS

• current condition : very fit / somewhat fit / rather unfit / couch potato / disability = _____________________
• used to distance aproximately _______________ , usually in morning / evening
• pace : ordinary to brisk walk / walk w some jogging / moderate bicycle speed
• if deprived few days : tolorates idleness / gets a bit "antsy" / gets really wild

GROOMING

• needs to be combed out : daily / three times per week
• outer coat is : very harsh / somewhat harsh / soft
• undercoat is : moderate in amount / excessive in amount or softness
• preferred tool : MatBreaker / other =____________________
• dog's attitude toward comb out : enjoys / accepts / endures / resists
• toenails : OK for cutting / OK for grinding / resists / muzzle recommended
• has dewclaws ( = 5th toe with toenail that does not wear down) : front feet / rear feet
• inner ear : use cleaner monthly / use cleaner and pluck excess hair
• teeth scaling : scale monthly / may need scaling more frequently

OBEDIENCE :

• training collar : nylon slip (size ___) / chain slip (size ___) / "pinch" (med or heavy)
• halter ("Halti" size ____ or "Gentle Leader" size _____ )
• corrections must be well timed, with strength usually : mild / medium / strong
• positive reinforcement with : food / ball / other ______________________
• current training responses (when well handled by accepted packleader) :
  • "COME" : obeys very well / adequately / poorly /has not been taught
  • whistle (=come) : obeys very well / adequately/ poorly /has not been taught
  • "DOWN" : obeys very well / adequately / poorly /has not been taught
  • "STAY" : obeys very well / adequately / poorly /has not been taught
  • "SIT" : obeys very well / adequately / poorly /has not been taught
  • "HEEL" : obeys very well / adequately/ poorly /has not been taught
  • loose leash walking : does very well / adequately / poorly / not taught
• group class participation : absolutely nescessary / highly recommended / optional

• Adopter's Guidebook (detailed advice on caring for a newly adopted dog; also much information on my own methods of foster care; used in conjunction with the Adopter's Information Summary) explains terms ued in this Information Summary and how they relate to living with this dog
• Simple Adoption Contract (extremely simple contract that I used in conjunction with Adopter's Guidebook and Adopter's Information Summary)