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Dog Adoption Overview

  • Leader Dogs for the Blind places, approximately, 15 career change dogs per month into good homes.  Dogs are career changed for medical, behavioral or training reasons that do not allow completion of the program.
  • Leader Dogs can be career changed at any stage of our program.  Typically this occurs within weeks of a dog arriving, when they are x-rayed and receive a full physical exam.  Since the majority of our dogs are career changed prior to receiving any training, this should not be an expectation when adopting from Leader Dogs. Obedience classes with your new dog are highly recommended and would be very beneficial to both owner and dog.
  • A common problem with large breed dogs, and the reason Leader Dogs career changes many of our dogs, is hip dysplasia.  How this may affect the dog depends on the degree of dysplasia.  Minor hip dysplasia may never result in serious problems if preventative measures are taken (proper exercise and weight control).  Severe dysplasia is likely to result in restrictive movement, arthritis, and possibly surgery as the dog ages.  The adopter will be informed of the grade of dysplasia and what may be expected.
  • Breeds available for adoption are Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, and crosses of those and other select breeds.  Dogs are typically between 12-30 months of age, though older dogs (5+ years) may become available.
  • Each dog has been x-rayed, neutered, and is current on all vaccinations and heartworm preventative.  On rare occasions a dog may be career changed for other medical problems without being x-rayed.
  • Leader Dog offers no guarantee that any dog adopted will be housebroken.  Our dogs learn to relieve themselves on indoor concrete runs.  The students are taught how to housebreak their dog prior to graduation.  The adopter may have to do the same.
  • Upon notification that a dog has become available applicants need to make arrangements to visit the kennel within 48 hours.  It is highly recommended that all persons living in the home, particularly children, come to meet the dog.
  • Adopters are also strongly urged to bring any dog currently living in the home to meet the new dog on neutral ground to judge compatibility.  However, adopters should be aware that a friendly meeting might not be indicative of behavior of either dog once at home.  There may likely be a transition period as your current dog becomes accustomed to the new dog.
  • Our goal is to find the best possible match for both dog and adopter.  Because of this, placement of a dog is not dependent on how long an application has been on file.  Filing an application does not guarantee that you will receive a dog.  There could be up to a two-year wait for a dog, and only serious inquiries should be made.  Also note, because of the volume of applications received, Leader Dogs cannot respond to individual inquiries on the status of an application.
  • Please remember, an adjustment period of a couple days to several weeks should be expected when introducing your dog to its new environment.  And although you are adopting from Leader Dog, it is still a dog.  It can and may likely: bark, shed, drool, scratch furniture, chew plants, and otherwise…be a dog!
  • Possible adopters will receive a phone interview prior to dog availability to further enhance our ability to provide the best possible match for both dog and adopter.

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