| How To Adopt A Labrador Retriever |  | ||
| We are committed to helping you make the right choice for you and your family.Applicants must read and agree to our Adoption Policies. | |||
| When your application is received and your $25 application fee is paid, you will be contacted by phone by a Rescue Volunteer nearest you. They will ask about your history with animals and your expectations of this dog. If this is your first Labrador, they will give you a good idea of what to expect. Next, a home visit will be scheduled, the coordinator will have practical tips and suggestion about how to manage the feeding, airing and exercising of your new Labrador. This will include crate training, a requirement of adoption. LRRoF reserves the right to refuse to adopt a lab to any applicant. After you have been approved for adoption, the counselor will tell you a little about the dogs we have available. If you find one that you like your coordinator with set up a time with the Foster Parent for you to visit the dog. Unless you have driven a great distance, you will be asked to wait a day to make your decision. The Foster Parent has final approval on any adoption. They know the dog's needs best. Once you and the Foster Parent have agreed to an adoption, you will need to purchase your food, crate and supplies. Your Labrador's homecoming should be as happy and orderly as possible. (Non-Refundable) Fees: Adoption Application fee: $25 (applied towards adoption fee) Adults - 6 months to 8 years: $225 Adoption Fee/Donation Puppies - up to 6 months: $275 Adoption Fee/Donation Senior labs - over 8 years: $100 Adoption Fee/Donation If you have any questions prior to submitting an application, you may email us at info@lrrof.org. If you've already applied and have questions, you may email us at applications@lrrof.org. SUPPLIES YOU WILL NEED
OBEDIENCE CLASSES Your Rescue Coordinator will help you locate a dog club in your area. CRATE TRAINING 101 Dogs are den animals. They prefer an enclosed area for sleeping and resting. Crating is not only a means of protecting your home and keeping the dog safe, it is a secure and comforting place that belongs just to your dog. The crate should be placed in a busy area of the house. Crate the dog for short periods while you are at home and in plain sight. Give the dog a treat and praise for going in the crate. Give him dog safe toys such as a Kong ball. Do this several times a day. NEVER put a dog in a crate as a punishment. A crate is a comforting place he will seek out when he is stressed. When you are leaving for longer periods, crate the dog 10 minutes before leaving. Then walk out of the house without speaking to the dog. When you return, let him out to his potty area. Only after he has relieved himself greet and play with him. Do not mark your leaving and returning in the dog's mind. Even very bright Labs cannot tell time. If the dog chooses to bark or whine while crated, give the command "QUIET". If the behavior persists squirt him with a 50/50 solution of water and vinegar in a spay bottle. When he settles down, let him out of the crate. Do not let him out for barking or whining. These rules can be relaxed as your dog becomes accustomed to his new home and you know each other well. Soon he will know which day the garbage truck arrives or the meter is read. Until then he will experience some stress. The crate will help him become secure and confident. | |||
