Frenquently Asked Questions
Can I apply to several rescue groups at once?
Submitting applications to multiple groups at one time causes us to spend an inordinate amount of time checking references and processing applications that will be or have already been checked by another group. Letting us know may speed your approval time if they have processed your information (references and home visit). If you have applied with another rescue it does not mean you are exempt from completing our application. Each rescue has their own unique application. While we still need our application completed it may simply save us time and avoid repeat calls to your references. If you have an approved application and we do not have your Boston we will work with our sister rescues to help you and your Boston find eachother.
PLEASE Keep in mind that we're all volunteers and most of us work full time jobs. We will process your application as soon as possible and we'll contact you at that time. If you do not hear from us within a week please contact us and ask the status of your application. Thank you for your understanding. If we do not have a suitable match we will WITH your permission submit your information to our sister rescue’s in hopes of finding your new darling.
What to expect when you adopt a rescued Boston Terrier?
Adopting a rescued animal is one of the most rewarding experiences you will have as a pet owner. You are giving an animal a second chance at a loving and caring home – and sometimes life itself. There are many misconceptions about adopting a rescue so we have provided this information to answer the many questions we receive regarding adoption. Please read through it carefully considering your home environment, the time you will have to invest in a new pet, and the special commitment that may be required in adoption.
What is the temperament of a Boston Terrier?
Boston Terriers are special dogs that can do special things. They are highly intelligent and learn quickly. They enjoy showing off in the conformation ring and do very well in Obedience, Therapy work, and Preformance events and are gaining in popluality as agility and flyball champions. One of our rescues Maude has been ranked amoung the top 5 Boston Terriers in agility. Maude started out as Mae Mae the destroyer. Her adoptive mom realising that Maude needed training and an outlet for her energy started her in agility classes. Maude has taken part in National and Regional Agility Trials. Maude is pictured above. Bostons excel in many roles. A Boston Terrier can be a child's rough and tumble best pal, or a senior citizen's soulmate and confidante.To true Boston people they are part of who each person is, Most of all they excell at being your "best friend"!
Bostons require a lot of time and attention. They are and have been bred to be companions. They will langusih without human contact. They are not "outside" dogs! Boston Terriers are very active dogs that love to play. Without some basic training they may jump on you and maybe even give little nips while playing. Some Bostons have been given up for adoption or dropped off the local "dog pound" for these very reasons. If you do not train your Boston they will train you. To live happily with your Boston you must establish your the alpha in the relationship. Boston's respect firm loving humans as their pack leader. An educated owner has a happy Boston.
We are NOT trying to discourage you from having a Boston, We just want people to be aware
Boston are true companion animals and as such need to be near their humans as much as possible. Boston's are not suited to all people. Bored Boston's are destructive Boston's. Not all Boston's need as much time as others. Seperation anxiety while not the rule with all Bostons is more common than with other breeds. Each Boston is unique as are our applicants. Boston's as a rule are high energy dogs. Not all Boston's have the same energy levels. Some are quite mellow and will be happy with a person or family that leads a quiet life. Others are active more of the time than not.
Will an adopted Boston terrier be housetrained?
All of our rescued Boston's spend some time in foster care living in a home environment for healthcare and behavior evaluation. If house training is required, the rescue receives this training at his/her foster home. However, we find that almost all rescues require a period of adjustment when going to their new home. A rescue could have spent time as a stray or in a shelter where house training is lost. In addition, each home is different and the dog will need to adjust his/her new routine. Expect to watch your new adoptee closely for at least a week and work with them consistently on their new potty routine.
Will an adopted dog mark in the house?
One of the most common reasons that dogs end up in shelters or rescues is that the original owner did not have them spayed or neutered. Leaving a dog intact will increase their desire to “mark” territory by urinating at certain spots. All of our Boston Terrier Rescue dogs are spayed or neutered prior to being adopted but it takes several months after the surgery for the hormones to completely leave the dogs system. Some dogs – particularly males – may try to mark their new home. This is far more common if a recently neutered male is coming to a home with other male dogs. If they do mark – it usually will happen in the first day or two. Keeping a good eye on your new dog is the best way to prevent this. If this continues after a few days contact us and we can recommend several different products that are very successful is stopping this behavior.
Do Boston Terriers require special diets?
YES! If you intend to feed a grocery store dog food brand or whatever is cheap you'll need to apply elseware to adopt. We do not go through all we do with each Boston that comes to us just to let them go into a home that is careless about nutrition. Dog foods with flashy commercials, publicly traded companies that make toothpaste and household cleaning products are not interested in providing the best quality nutrition to your animals. They are interested in the bottom line and stock holders reports.
Most Boston Terriers, have sensitivity to corn and corn byproducts. One side effect of digesting corn is gas! Another is hyperactivity, giving a Boston a diet high in corn and corn byprouducts is like giving a human child a couple of high sugar caffinated soft drinks and a few candy bars. Not a good idea. Many Boston's are given up to shelters and rescue because they are hyperactive and have behavior issues that could be easily remedied with a simple food change. Unfortunately, almost all popular dog foods contain corn and corn byproducts. In addition to corn they may contain BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin. The most carcinogenic is ethoxyquin. While it's against the law to preserve human food with ethoxyquin it's allowed in animal foods. In addition to harmful preservatives substandard meat and other ingreedients are used. Many dog food manufacturers use rendered animals as their meat. These animals could have died of natural causes or any number of other reasons. There is vast research on the nightmare ingreedients in companion animal foods available on the internet. Google or use your favorite serach engine to research what's really in your dogs food.
At Old Dominion Boston Terrier Rescue we work very hard to assure that all of our rescued Boston's are as healthy as possible. This starts with good veterinary care and proper nutrition. In most cases changing food to a high quality holistic diet is all that's needed to change the dogs "attitude" it absolutly changes their life. We watch
Should I crate my newly adopted dog?
Crating gives a dog a sense of security and safety, in addition to prevent accidents and speeding up the adjustment period. We recommend that you crate your dog anytime that you are out of the home, as well as at night. Many dogs become very attached to their crates and you may want to use it for the life of the dog. In many cases, though, a dog can gradually be left alone in the home or at night once he feels safe and secure. We recomend that you do not leave your new Boston alone with your other animals until they truly bond with eachother. Bonding may take a month or six months but it will occure.
Do I need to take my newly adopted dog to the vet for a checkup?
We require all new adopters to take their new family member to a licensed vet within the first 30 days after adoption. All Old Dominion Boston Terrier Rescue dogs are fully vetted in our care. They receive all of their annual vaccinations as well as their rabies vaccination and micro chip. All dogs are are given a comprehensive wellness examination and are and are heart worm negative and on prevention when adopted. The Wellness Blood Profile includes tests that provide a more complete picture of your pet’s overall health than can otherwise be determined on a physical exam alone. These tests can help identify occult or hidden problems - before they become more serious. Early testing and detection of medical problems often allows for a more favorable and less expensive outcome. Likewise, if the lab work is normal, these tests provide a baseline for future results and a comforting peace of mind that your pet is in good health! More extensive testing is done on our older Boston's. Our goal is to adopt healthy happy Boston's. All vet records are available to your vet prior to adoption if requested.
You will be given documentation of vaccinations, rabies, and heart worm testing for your records and our vets will fax the detailed test results and health record shortly after adoption. It is absolutely imperative that your Boston be given a heart worm preventive the first week of each and every month. Outside of a “get acquainted visit,” to purchase heart worm prevention your new dog should not need to be taken to a vet.
Old Dominion Boston Terrier Rescue strongly suggests that you purchase a handbook on Boston Terriers to further your understanding of this breed. We are here for you from the day your aproved to adopt throughout your dogs life. Our commitment to them is lifelong.