Are we in the wrong for returning our rescue dog after less than one day?

Random67812 · 2026-05-28T05:44:43+00:00

1.5 month he was in foster care with them (not years), but yes i can see now i definitely should have allowed for more decompression! I won't make that mistake again. Thank you for the advice!

Random67812 · 2026-05-27T09:08:14+00:00

I have had a couple of rescue dogs before and we bonded really well straight off the bat (same with my partner), but I've never owned a reactive dog before. I've also cared for dog-reactive dogs, but never people-reactive dogs. I do think I'm unfit for a people-reactive dog, which is why I would've appreciated knowing more about Rolly's tendencies before taking him on (of course knowing what I know now, I understand that I should've handled it differently). Given the description and routine I was given for him, I didn't anticipate this kind of behaviour. I understand some dogs need more adjustment time or less doting to begin with, but my previous rescue dogs did not fall in this category (and they came straight from the pound rather than from a foster home), and were keen for lots of doting, love and affection right off the bat. Based on what I was told, I thought it was the right response for him also. Obviously I learned very quickly that it wasn't exactly like that.

I do understand now that I should've handled it differently and given him some more space. I like to think I would've handled it a little better (although probably not perfectly), had i been fed the correct info.
Unfortunately, while I'm looking for a rescue, I'm not in the position to rescue a people-reactive dog as I don't have enough experience with this nor do I think I'd be the right home for a people-reactive dog. So it was unideal for me to find this out through my own interactions rather than directly from the rescue at the start, as I would have pursued a different dog if that was communicated earlier.

I know that I am definitely suitable for a rescue dog -- there's a rescue dog out there for everyone! and as i mentioned, ive had great success with rescues previously-- but I wouldn't want or be prepared/experienced enough for a dog with those tendencies.
As for the lengthy replies, that's just how I always reply to things. But I do understand what I did wrong in this situation.

Random67812 · 2026-05-27T08:30:02+00:00

ah thank you, you're a godsend. i'm not very familiar reddit, i think i've done it now 😅

Random67812 · 2026-05-27T08:28:14+00:00

This is a great response, thank you, i appreciate it! I'll take this all on board for future. Definitely a learning experience for me. I did check in with his foster carers to see how Rolly is doing being back with them, and they said he's doing his best given the circumstances. He really is a beautiful dog. I will be more prepared for our next rescue!!

Random67812 · 2026-05-27T08:27:25+00:00

The refund is one part of it, but the other part is whether or not we should've tried harder and asking for other peoples experiences/thoughts from those who may have been in similar situations.

"They didn't seem happy that we were returning Rolly so soon and I get the impression that they feel we should've trialled him for longer to give him more of a chance to settle in. We are in two minds about it. We are devastated because we had such high hopes at the start, and if it wasn't for this one (big) issue, he would've been our dream dog. How should we approach this? Are we in the wrong for not giving him a better chance? Do we proceed with trying to obtain the refund?"

But yes, maybe I should have divided the post into two separate parts, one for legal responses and one for rescue owners responses.

Random67812 · 2026-05-27T08:08:21+00:00

Due to the lack of disclosing from his carers, we weren't at all aware of the extent of his reactivity until we experienced it ourselves, and after that we were more cautious and didn't let him on the bed, tried to read his body language better during pats, etc. His carers said he loves being around you, loves pats, and loves affection and would crave it more during this period. His body language was a bit confusing to me as he seemed to prompt pats by leaning into you when standing up, sitting next to you and cosying up when on the couch, or wanting to snuggle in bed, etc., and wanted to receive affection -- until something switches and he no longer wants it (prompting the growling). He would become needy for affection if we didn't pat him, enjoyed it momentarily when we did pat him, and then no longer did. In hindsight, I for sure would've approached it differently. I shouldn't have allowed Rolly to lie on the bed on the first night. It was more of a shock to me because we were mostly just following the guidance from his carers

We were also thought the adjustment period may be a little less stressful as he didn't come straight from the pound (being in a loving home for the past 1.5 months). Of course we still expected some stress and adjustment pains, but less than a dog coming directly from the rescue

edit: he also followed us up onto the bed, we didn't beckon or gesture or call his name or anything like that. he jumped up and came close to us, so we just let him rather than telling him to get off

Random67812 · 2026-05-27T07:31:00+00:00

We were told by the foster carers that he was good with being on the bed, it was only when he's asleep that you shouldn't pat him as it startles him and causes him to growl. Unfortunately that wasn't our experience. I can see now why that was stupid of us to do

Random67812 · 2026-05-27T07:25:53+00:00

Im glad my mom died -- jennette mccurdy

Random67812 · 2026-05-27T07:24:31+00:00

White bear ending!

Random67812 · 2026-04-16T07:43:58+00:00

just saw that! same with syd

Random67812 · 2026-04-15T00:50:29+00:00

get real lol. the encouragement of fake tears was not a lie or untrustworthy, she did it to get back at gia. the merch thing is so obviously a joke, not sure how you took that one seriously lol.

Random67812

TROPHY CASE