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A friend had to return a Malamute to the shelter (they're in Alaska so it's all Huskies and Malamutes instead of pits there, from what I gather) because the pup wasn't a good match for my friend's husband. That got me to thinking, if trainers could whisper into our ears as we're looking at all those soulful eyes, what advice would we hear? Great question! But as you can attest, there's no easy answer with all the variables in mind... Just like we can't predict how marriages/relationships may go (especially nowadays, where people split for the most futile reasons like keeping the toilet seat up or down!), things get even more complicated with dogs. Things that can turn helpful: Behavior assessments: that is, shelters that employ behavior professionals to assess dogs and carefully screen for things like resource guarding. They may use tools like "assess a hand" to screen for resource guarding, or use fake dogs to assess for dog-to-dog aggression, but these don't always give accurate results. Rescues that don't conduct behavior assessments and no kill shelters may be sometimes risky. Sure, they are great in saving lives, but that can also mean potentially adopting out dogs with even serious issues. Several shelters/rescues have gotten in trouble for bites happening just hours or days post-adoption. Still, it's a good idea to hear what the shelter workers have to say. They have interacted with the dog the most and may have access to the dog's history. If the dog was fostered, the foster family may be able to share many details. Last Petsmart adoption event I attended, I had two fosters I had kept for several weeks, and I was able to provide ample of info and even videos to the new owners and they were happy to get so many details! The dog's history. A good question is why was the dog surrendered in the first place? Often dogs are surrendered because of behavior problems. Sadly, not always such problems are revealed by those surrendering the pet, and it's like passing a hot potato over and over. And the more the dog is re-homed, the more the problems are likely to exacerbate! Common issues for surrender: The dog did not get along with other pets in the household The dog did not get along well with kids The dog was not house-trained The dog was too hyperactive/boisterous for the owner's taste The dog did not listen The dog acted aggressively The dog caused allergies The dog was not a good "fit" The dog was not well- trained The dog suffered from separation anxiety The dog required too much time The dog was too destructive Go Beyond One Visit- Like you did, one visit is often not enough. Multiple visits can help, but still we need to factor in the honeymoon period, during which the dog is at his best behavior and this can last even months. Back to marriages, it's like dating, you can't know a person just first the few dates; it may take years of marriage for the real personality to emerge. Sure, many dogs become more relaxed and happy as time goes, but some others may revert to the problematic behaviors that caused them to be surrendered in the first place. The power of fostering. I think that a good way to get to know well a potential dog is to offer fostering. This way one, can have a better feel of how the dog truly is, perhaps even past the "honeymoon" period. Some general suggestions: Ask if the shelter temperament tests the dogs upon arrival. Check if the shelter has a good reputation. Enter the shelter with an open mind and be rational; don't let the cuteness factor exclusively affect you! Ask to meet the dog that interests you in another room away from the kennels Ask if the dog has been tested for resource guarding and other forms of aggression Ask to take a dog your are interested in out on the leash (note: pulling is rather normal for a shelter dog) Ask if the dog in question is good with kids/other dog/cats/other pets etc If shedding is an issue, ask how much this dog may shed Do your home work on the breed (more about this below) Breed Research- While the cuteness factor is often the driving force in dog adoptions, it's important to make rational choices and learn more about breeds and their characteristics. For instance, in adult guardian dogs, it's quite normal for them to be a standoffish, taking a wait-and-see approach. Small dogs may also be shy considering their diminutive sizes. Even though purebred dogs may offer more predictability as to what temperament to expect, there can still be individual factors at play which can make pups of the same litter behave quite differently from one another. Mixed Breeds Mixed breeds are more of a challenge because their mixed ancestry makes it more challenging to know how they will turn out. Knowing what breeds they are composed of can help, although not all DNA tests are totally accurate. I must say, that many of the strongest successful dog/owner relationships I have seen involve mutts! Red Flags of possible problems-Lastly, I am not really big into making red flags because shelters are a very unnatural place for dogs to be and they are known to trigger stress and potentially cause dogs to act in uncharacteristic ways. In general, I feel that any extremes can be red flags, but of course, dogs deserve being evaluated in more natural settings, giving their mind and bodies a break from all the noise and stress. I would see as red flags extreme shyness, overt aggression, excess hyperactivity. These are likely too much for the average prospective owner or those with busy families and kids, but some (depending on what's at play) may be ok in a family with more experience/willing to commit to work on the issues. It goes without saying that, choosing a dog in a shelter takes a lot of research and understanding. Many dogs have some level of "baggage" which are issues one may have to work through. However, the experience of adopting a dog, training him and giving him a chance at life can be remarkably rewarding. This is why people that start adopting from shelters do so again and again!