I'm not a proffesional evaluator, but im taking clases to get my training and behavior certificates so I've been going to local shelters to do my "on hand" hours. Some shelters have to go in and bring the dog out to you, so you cant pull them from their kennel at all. Ask if you could because it would be much better then just taking the leash in the lobby. When i first get up to their kennel, i look at their reaction to me. Barking, growling, hackles up, or some even cower back and hide. I stand outside the kennel and talk with a shelter worker to get some more info on the dog, this also lets him/her sniff me through the cage and get used to being around me. Never make any eye contact, or reach through the cage to touch the dog. After a few minutes i walk into the kennel, leash in hand, and just wait another minute or two before putting the loop over their head. then i give a quick hot dog piece or whatevr i have in my pocket and we walk out of the kennel.
when checking over the dogs overall health, looking at the feet to check how long their nails are, if their pads are cracked or warn down, if theirs knots of fur between the pads which can cause pain when walking etc. Looking at their body to see/feel ribs, feeling the coat, brushing it backwards to see their skin, color, texture ect. Wehn looking in their ears your looking for color if they're really red and inflammed chances are they may have some kind of reaction, gross build up (had a case once where they told me the dog was deaf... she had so much build up in her ears she couldnt hear a **** thing! quick trip to the vet, problem solved!) Be careful when checking teeth, i usually do this whole "dog checking" part last because it gives you a chance to let them trust you before you go poking and prying. When checking teeth your looking for color of the gums, tarter build up on the teeth, also i noticed to look for broken teeth or missing teeth, anything that could be problematic for the dog or adopter to deal with once theyve gotten home. I also do a quick "private" check when i have them laying down getting the famous belly rubs. Just to make sure they dont have a skin infection around there, or that in some longer hair dogs, they have problems defacating because of hair knots in the anal area.
I try and walk around outside letting them just paruse (sp?) around taking it all in, i try to walk past the outdoor area where some dogs are to see how they react to them. Once we've spent a little time together and are comfortable we pick a spot to begin our body check. Lastly i make aquick stop into the cat room, or if the shelter has a cat out i see how they react to being around cats.
Getting as much personal information from the shelter workers, certain little personality traits, or quirks they've noticed in working with the dog, so when i leave i have the most info possible.
when checking over the dogs overall health, looking at the feet to check how long their nails are, if their pads are cracked or warn down, if theirs knots of fur between the pads which can cause pain when walking etc. Looking at their body to see/feel ribs, feeling the coat, brushing it backwards to see their skin, color, texture ect. Wehn looking in their ears your looking for color if they're really red and inflammed chances are they may have some kind of reaction, gross build up (had a case once where they told me the dog was deaf... she had so much build up in her ears she couldnt hear a **** thing! quick trip to the vet, problem solved!) Be careful when checking teeth, i usually do this whole "dog checking" part last because it gives you a chance to let them trust you before you go poking and prying. When checking teeth your looking for color of the gums, tarter build up on the teeth, also i noticed to look for broken teeth or missing teeth, anything that could be problematic for the dog or adopter to deal with once theyve gotten home. I also do a quick "private" check when i have them laying down getting the famous belly rubs. Just to make sure they dont have a skin infection around there, or that in some longer hair dogs, they have problems defacating because of hair knots in the anal area.
I try and walk around outside letting them just paruse (sp?) around taking it all in, i try to walk past the outdoor area where some dogs are to see how they react to them. Once we've spent a little time together and are comfortable we pick a spot to begin our body check. Lastly i make aquick stop into the cat room, or if the shelter has a cat out i see how they react to being around cats.
Getting as much personal information from the shelter workers, certain little personality traits, or quirks they've noticed in working with the dog, so when i leave i have the most info possible.