Assessments and pets

[Worcs04]

I'm in the early days of going through the adoption process. Everything has been done online so far but I'm certain at the end of May we will start having face to face meetings.

I know that part of the assessment there will be an assessment of our pets - 2 dogs. Both are lovely dogs but quite young and upon first meeting a new person they can be excitable. I worry that the social worker might not think that they're suitable to be around a young child. Anyone any experience of this part of the assessment? Any tips?

I was worried at first with my dogs as they're quite excited for the first few minutes when you come in the house and one of them is quite vocal; but our social workers had no concerns at all and said they were really well trained and well behaved dogs!

I would start gate training them / working on their manners around visitors while you have a few weeks and also gently reminding the social worker that they've obviously not been used to visitors due to covid!

We were in a similar situation with our two dogs and our SW who clearly was not a dog person. Make sure they know the command to go in their beds at least that way once they have got over the initial excitement you can send them in their beds, which at least helped us to look like we had some control over them.
I also used to tire them out as much as possible the day before and the morning off the visit, with long walks, puzzles, chews and nose work.
Ours repeatedly suggested seeing a trainer. It’s just another smile and nod part of the process.
I used to get so worked up over the dogs, but try not to worry, as long as they are good natured I’m sure they will not mind what they get up to.

All dogs are excitable and esp with covid nobody has been visiting so it's a good excuse haha.

We walked ours before we knew SW was visiting, didn't help that they were scared of dogs so wanted to put ours in another room (which we have never done before!)

We've had to think also about loud voice commands for the dog, could scare little ones so we are working on other techniques.

Good luck!

Cheers for the responses. My dogs will be out walking daily marathons in the lead up to meetings! I'm going to continue working with the dogs on behaviours when people visit..... just need to get some people to visit now

Hopefully our social worker will be a dog lover.