[maryellen]

Home check form

Date of Visit:

Applicant Info:
Names:
Address: Town:
Phone Number:


Environment:
House Condo Apt Mobile Home
City Suburban Rural

Is there a lot of vehicle traffic?
Is there a lot of foot traffic?
Is the neighborhood safe and well kept?
Does the house look wellkept from the outside?

Interior of home:

We need to verify home ownership. This can be done with a copy of the mortgage bill or tax bill. They just have to show you the form, and you mark down here who’s names are on it and the date on it. Then return the form to the homeowner.

Have they checked with their homeowner insurance to see if an APBT can be covered on the policy? What is the name of your homeowner company?

Ask for a tour. Look around the house and into all the rooms including the bathroom, basement, den, etc..
Is the home neat and clean? ( we want comfortable, not compulsive)

Is the home dog proof?
If not, what needs to be done to dog proof the house? ( i.e. pick up chemicals)

Are there any household items that could be poisonous or harmful to a dog lying out within a dogs reach?

Where does/will the new dog be fed?
Is there fresh water available?
Clean bowls?
What brand of dog food will be fed?
Why this brand?


Is there a crate in the home? Is it the right size for the new dog?
Is it used for the current dog? If so, do they have another one?
Where will the new dogs crate be kept?

Where does/will the dog sleep?
Where will the dog stay during the day?
Are there photos of current/past pets visible?

Home Yard
Is there a fence?
What type? How tall?
Are their gates? Are the gates securely locked?
Does the dog have access to shelter?
Is the fence in good shape or need repair?

Is there evidence the dog is tied up outside? (bare spots, chain around tree or runner)
How large is the yard?
Is there a kennel in the yard?
Is there shelter in the yard?
How many dogs share it?
Is there water?
How many hours a day will the dog be left in a kennel area alone?
Is there a pool in the yard>
Is there a fence around the pool? If not, how do they prevent the dog from getting in the pool and drowning?
Is the yard well kept?
Is there any junk, chemicals, broken glass, cigarette butts lying out that could harm the dog?

Family info
Everyone in the house MUST be present for the home visit
Applicants
Children
Roommates
Pets

Speak to family members and note their comments and answers

Why do you want a new dog?
What do you like about APBT? Dislikes?
Who plays, walks, takes to the vet and trains the dog the most?
Who clips the nails and how often?
Who cleans the dogs ears and how often?


What is meant by dominance?
Who is pack leader and holds the alpha position?

Kids
How are the children with the pets?
With your dog?
Have the children been raised with dogs?
Are children well behaved overall?
Did parents supervise the children around the pets?
With your dog?
Do the children seem
Scared? Indifferent? Excited? Respectful?
What rules would applicant give the children in regards to interactions with the new dog?
Are the children often left alone with the dog? (ie parents in different room)
Are childrens friends allowed to interact with dogs?
How would you react if the dog didn’t like all your childrens friends or is too playful?

Adults
How do the applicants treat / react to your dog?
Do adults treat each other in respectful manner?
Do both adults interact with pets and your dog in a comfortable manner?
Do they both seem to want a new dog?
Have applicant handle your dog. Do they seem confident? Afraid?
Intolerant? Other?

How is applicants dog?
Healthy and well cared for?
Good weight and nails trimmed?
Well mannered and well trained?
Does he/she get along with your dog?
Does he /she seem aggressive? Outgoing? Fearful?
Submissive? Well behaved?
Ask the applicant to have his own dog sit/ or down
Does dog listen?
Does the dog know any tricks?
How does applicant respond if dog doesn’t obey?
Are the dogs allowed on the furniture/beds in the house?
Ask applicant to have dog get off furniture if one is on already – does dog listen?
Has any dog gotten into a fight or bit anyone?
If so, what were the circumstances?
How did you react?
Have you ever had any problems with anyone in town over your pets?
When you go on vacation what happens to your pets?
When do you feel its ok to allow the dog off leash?
What would you do if someone was harassing your dog while you were out on a walk or was in your yard?

How would you handle it
We want to see what they would do in different situations:

If your rescue dog got along with everyone , but after a few days had a problem with a family member?
If this dog got into a fight with your dog?
Started marking in the house?
Eats your good shoes?
Kept getting in the garbage?
Chasing your cats?

Please explain to adopters that although our foster dogs may behave certain ways in the foster home, once they get into a new environment they will test their new owners to see what they can get away with. They will be stressed over the move, and may need to be re housebroken again , or worked with on proper house manners. This is why we require a mandatory obedience class.

About the Breed
You must stress to the potential adopter about the APBT history of dog aggression. Most adopters don’t know about it, or choose to ignore it. You must stress to the adopter that there is always a 50% that the dog might become dog aggressive as it matures.. you must stress to them , what if the dogs don’t get along? Are they willing to do a crate/rotate so that the dogs never see each other? Or do they not want to deal with dog aggression issues? You also must state that bones/toys/food must be kept off the floor when the new dog arrives so that fights don’t break out.. you can direct them to www.realpitbull.com for more info on dog aggression if need be…



Preferences for a dog
Is there a particular dog you are interested in?
What age do you prefer?
What sex do you prefer?
Please advise applicant, NO same sex adoptions will be done. If they have a male dog they can only adopt a female, and if they have a female dog they can only adopt a male. No exceptions..

What activity level do you prefer? High, medium, couch potato?
Would you be willing to adopt a APBT mix?

What reason would you feel it necessary to return the dog?

Thank the family for their time, and leave..


Overall :
What strengths / weaknesses does the family have?
Would you approve this family?
If yes, would you feel they are novice, average or experienced?
If you were to die would you leave your APBT with these people?
Please write down ALL details as much as possible..



Volunteer info:
Name:
What dog went with you?
Home check comfort zone learning comfortable very comfortable
How long have you been a volunteer?
Rate yourself
Strict firm lenient tolerant

Do you have APBT yourself? If not,what breed?
How long have you owned a dog?
In what capacity? Show? Pet? Obedience??