What to expect from a home check

[ClaireandGeorge]

Just that really. Got a breed rescue coming out to do a home check probably next week and just wondered what they will be looking for. She said she bring one of her dogs to see how my ds is with it. At present he just seems to ignore anything furry.

[vjg13]

Just a friendly chat really, quick look at garden, where do the dogs sleep? Questions about other pets and family members. It was painless!

[BastardDog]

We had a home check from the Dogs Trust earlier this year. She just chatted to my youngest child (12) and checked our garden fence and gate were secure. She was here and gone in less than 5 minutes and didn't come into the house at all.

[GemmaTeller]

When we had one (from a boxer rescue) they looked at the size of the garden and the height of the fencing and the security on the gates. They looked at the lounge and the kitchen and the utility room.

They also talked to us/interviewed us about how long during the day we were out of the house, previous dog experience, how much exercise we intended to give them and what children and other animals were in the home already.

[ClaireandGeorge]

Thanks, It's stupid but I feel nervous like I'm having an exam or something!
DS is 18 months so I was worried it might be an issue I put his age on the application form as well as work commitments etc. They must think its OK as otherwise they wouldn't do a home check?
Our Garden is quite small but very secure. We have lots of beautiful walks within minutes of our house so hoping this won't be an issue.
We are quite happy to rehome an older Dog as we have decided a Puppy will be too much for DS as they nip and jump etc.

[Scuttlebutter]

Please don't be nervous. A homecheck is part of the process for the rescue to make sure you are matched with the best possible dog for your family, and to do that a home visit provides lots of info. The homechecker will be looking at the safety/security of your garden/house (important for a lively dog that can jump or tunnel), and will want to have a chat to you about your expectations/family set up/routine.

It's also a very good opportunity for you to have a chat with the homechecker about some of the little practicalities. For instance you might be undecided where to put dog's bed, or want advice on good local vets, training classes etc. Your homechecker will be experienced with the breed and usually fairly local so they can be a treasure trove of info and support. They are NOT there to inspect your house, couldn't give two hoots about your dusting and also must respect your confidence/privacy.

Usually, the final decision on whether the adoption goes ahead is not made by the homechecker. After the visit, they will report back to the rescue and discuss what they've found. The rescue will then decide if the likely pairing will work, if another dog might be more suitable or (rarely) if the family is not suitable for adoption at all.

Bringing along the homechecker's own dog is often to see how you will interact. If you start hyperventilating at the thought of dog hairs on your rug (and yes, this does happen!) then it probably means dog ownership isn't for you. If the homechecker practically has to shoehorn the dog back from you after extensive snuggles, playing, etc then they will be very much happier that you are a doggy household with a genuine love for the breed.

Good luck!

[Owllady]

what scuttlebutter said.

Please don't be nervous, the lady who homechecked us was a previous person like you, waiting for and wanting a dog and now home checked to help the rescue out.

She asked us previous history, who lived in the house (and met all of us) asked training based questions, behavioural questions to breed, then she measured the fencing. It took about 2 hours but I think. It was very thorough but they matched us really well with a dog so i think it was worth it

[ElleJB]

As everyone else has said! We were homechecked for our rescue dog last October, and it was fine - we'd already gone through working hours, lifestyle, etc at the rescue centre (and all family members had gone to meet our pooch at the centre before we committed to taking her), so it felt pretty much like a final check that we actually lived at the address we'd given them, garden was secure, etc. Good luck!

[ClaireandGeorge]

She's coming tomorrow at 2. I'm not sure what I'm nervous about it's like a job interview type of nervous. She seems like a lovely lady on the phone.

I just hope ds behaves himself. He may be asleep and if he wakes up he can be a right crank especially in this heat. Now I'm thinking I should have asked her to come later. Don't know why I'm over thinking this so much!

Scuttlebutter. We still have our old Dogs beds as it just felt strange to move them.

[topbannana]

Good luck today, let us know how it goes :)

[ClaireandGeorge]

we passed, just got to wait till after our holidays and we can adopt a doggy!

[pigsDOfly]

Oh that's fantastic news OP. Haven't been on here for a few days, so have only just seen this. You sound so committed I would have been very surprised if they had refused you.

Like topbannana said let us know how it goes.

Good luck.

[ClaireandGeorge]

I can't wait. The house seems sad without a doggy wagging its tail.

[metimeatlast]

so glad you passed the homecheck! we had ours done 12 days ago and collected our new heinz 57' 7 days ago although he is a 15 week old puppy, such a treasure, as ive got a 3yo the rspca wouldnt let us adopt anything over 6 months old, and at 15 weeks its quite a nice age as he isnt peeing and pooping everywhere the whole time so he has already learnt in a week that outside is for that and we have already managed to train him to sit, lie down, come, to wait for his meals in a relaxed manner and not to launch across the room and pinch a sandwich off lo's plate. his brain seems to be like a sponge at the mo. I hope you get a nice doggy to add to your family, best of luck and let us know what you get