What other used car salesman speak should we look out for from rescues?
oh man there's.....a lot. in general i'm pretty happy to read over a dog bio and tell you if anything jumps out if you send something my way
a few off the top of my head:
Bella wants all the attention to herself! = Bella is dangerous around other animals
Bella wants to be the only pet in her new home = Bella is dangerous around other animals
Bella needs slow introductions = Bella is dangerous around humans
Bella needs an "adult only" home = Bella is dangerous around children
Bella is so wiggly that she might knock over small children = Bella is dangerous around children
Bella has stranger danger = Bella is dangerous to unfamiliar humans
Bella loves her people so much that we're looking for someone who can be home with her most of the day! = Bella has serious (and potentially dangerous/expensive) separation anxiety
Bella is learning to share her toys/treats/food! = Bella is a dangerous resource guarder
Bella needs an experienced owner = not always euphemistic but often means that Bella has significant behavioral issues
Bella comes with FREE lifetime training from our shelter behaviorists! = Bella has significant behavioral issues
Bella needs a "low traffic" home = Bella has significant behavioral issues
Bella doesn't know her own strength = Bella is either wildly out of control/untrained, dangerous, or both
Bella is still learning her manners! = Bella is either wildly out of control/untrained, dangerous, or both
Bella needs more training = Bella is either wildly out of control/untrained, dangerous, or both
Bella can be mouthy = Bella will bite you
this might sound paranoid, but this is a real excerpt from a public "toolkit" on how to market adoptable dogs from a major national organization (Best Friends Animal Society):
Here’s an example of how not to do it: “Joey unfortunately has leash reactivity, which means he behaves offensively toward other dogs when he’s on walks. He can live peaceably with other dogs, as long as they’re submissive.”
Here’s a way to emphasize the positives without ignoring the negatives: “Joey is that rare sort of pooch whom a child can climb all over and hug. He’s so gentle and sweet around everyone. Well, except other dogs when he’s out on a walk. He’s not so good with other pooches when he’s on leash.”
You can include restrictions, but be gentle and choose your words carefully. For example, instead of saying “Andy must go to a home without children,” which could scare off even a childless couple, put a positive spin on it: “Jo-Jo’s such a goofy bundle of energy that he might be a bit too much for small children.”
always try to read between the lines – it's not paranoia when they're really out to get you.
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