Interview Applicant Long

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Personal Information

MAD Interviewer (Volunteer)

Script: Hello, my name is (insert interviewer name) and I am calling on behalf of the MAD Rescue to talk about your application. Do you have a few minutes to talk? The purpose of this discussion is to determnie the best fit. There are no right or wong answers. 

Purpose of the Application

For this section determine the goals of the applicant and what they hope to achieve through adoption/fostering. Why did they apply. 

Probe about the type of fostering, organization, breed. What was the outcoming. MAD Policy about not having a MAD dog fostered at the same time as another organizations foster dog.

General

Find out if they are already talking to someone in our rescue about adopting a dog.
How likely is a current pet to accept a new dog? How likely to accept a dominant or less dominant dog? What type of dog would be a good fit with the existing pets? Look at temperament, age, activity levels. Find out what the applicants has planned for dog interactions.

What is your ideal Malinois or Dutch Shepherd?

Determine what type of dog would make a good fit for the applicant and their life style?

If someone ask for a High Drive discuss this further. Describe that most High drive GSD's compare to a medium or low drive Malinois or Dutch Shepherd.
Comments for above question.
Determine if the applicant has used motivation in the past and how knowledgeable they are. If they train without motivation are they compulsive trainers? Comments in next question.
Comments for the above question.
Discuss what they would do to keep a dog busy that wants to retrieve. How long would they play fetch with their new dog.
for above ball drive question.
Ask specific questions about how they would housetrain a dog? How would they crate train a dog? How would they train a new dog that does not have obedience or house manners?
If the person say they can integrate any dog with another probe how that is to be done? How long would it take? What would they do if they could get the dogs to work out? If the person says they can train a dog with a cat, probe the method? Length of time? What would they do if the dog killed the cat?
If the person say they can integrate any dog with another probe how that is to be done? How long would it take? What would they do if they could get the dogs to work out? If the person says they can train a dog with a cat, probe the method? Length of time? What would they do if the dog killed the cat?
Check all that apply. 1. For applicants that plan to go to dog parks, discuss about Mals and DS's and how they may interact at parks. 2. For trips to friends discuss the plan to keep friends and the pet safe. What if the dog doesn't like to visit people. What if there are too many people. 3. For trips to family discuss the plan to keep friends and the pet safe. What if the dog doesn't like to visit people. What if there are too many people. 4. If they plan to use a Pet Sitter / Walker discuss the plan to integrate. What is the skill of the sitter? What would they do if the dog bit the sitter? 5. Protection sports. Discuss that we don't allow that with MAD Rescue dogs. Talk about the liability and the downside of that for a rescue dog.

Training Methods and Philosophies

This series of questions is about the applicant and how versed they are in various training methods and tools. 

Check all that apply in the type of trainer and setting and the actual type of training. The purpose of this question is to determine how much education the new owner/hander has had in the past.
In this section you can determine if they really know what they are talking about ore repeating things they have heard. This should be discussion. Below are though starters if the person can't describe. It is a combination of training methods and attributes of training methods.
Look for consistencies with training method. Also probe if they know what these tools and terms are. Find out what they use the tools for or how. It's that are not common are low on the list. If the user has used e-collar or aversive training techniques in the past find out current methods. Did they evolve? Do they do more balance now? Are they well educated in that they have taken many types of training and classes? Where do they stand today?

Medical Capability of the Applicant

There are no right or wrong answers for this section. These questions are to determine the capability of the adopter/foster in handing certain situations. What do they feel comfortable performing or treating with their new pet/foster. This can be read from their application. Discuss how wiling the are to take on medical cases and hw positive dogs. 

An applicant won't be called for HW positive dog if they are not willing to treat this condition. This section is used to determine what types of dogs they will be contacted about. if they are fostering we may not know a dog is HW positive a head of time. Discuss this with them. For HW treatment they may not know the steps. Typical steps are. 1. Test = positive 2. 45 days of Doxy (pill administered orally) 3. 30 day resting period 4. 1 injection 5. 30 days waiting 6. 2nd injection MAD Rescue does the fast kill method. We will not move the dog during the injection period so make that clear. We will let the dog get started on the Doxy and then find a longer term placement. MAD Rescue will pay for all medical treatments on HW positive dogs. MAD Rescue will lend additional support for HW positive dogs in the form of a Foster Wishlist. MAD Rescue will also give support for any dog that requires surgery and longer term recuperation. Every foster dog will receive a foster box.

Foster or Adopter Home Accommodations

Determine the places that the applicant has that can isolate a dog if the dog does not work out. 

check all that apply. Probe questions on Fences or multiple fences. Kennel runs both inside and out. Rooms just for dogs. Isolation areas.

Applicant Knowledge

Determine the background and extent of knowledge of applicant, especially working with rescue or problem dogs. 

MAD Rescue evaluates every dog that we take. We do not take dogs with known bite histories. Even with an evaluation unknown or unexpected behaviors may develop or present. This section is to determine what behaviors you are aware of and your knowledge for resolution.
OPTIONAL depending on how the interview is going. Recommend reading to the applicants. These books are both available in written form and audio form. 1. Decoding your Dog by College of Behavior Veterinarians 2. From Fearful to Fear Free by Dr Marty Becker
Which ones have they heard of? What was their definition? How did they address these issues? What was the outcome?

Applicants Pervious Experience

Determine how experience the applicant is with rescue animals. Expereience level with dogs that have issues. 

Assure the applicant that we have many variety of dogs. We are working to determine what might make the best fit. Some dogs have minor issues. What issues are they capable to work through.
Determine how the applicant would feel if they get a pet that won't come out for the first week or so. One that avoids them. One that takes time to warm up.
Probe for experience in integrating an older dog to a home (not a purchased puppy). What are their thoughts and expectations on what this would take. According to the College of Veterinarian Behaviorist this average time is 21 days. Each dog may vary. Most people who are not successful with adopting or fostering rush this period of time. The dog determines this time frame.
Most people can make an attempt at this. Discuss with the applicant Decompression. Decompression is a calming period that a dog needs when first arriving in your home. It is imperative the dog has this time to adjust to the new environment, people, and other animals. Discuss the 3 X 3 x 3. 1. The first 3 is the time that it takes for the dog to determine if you can be trusted. It's important to be trustworthy during this and to win their trust. 2. The second 3 is the time it takes for the dog to learn your routine. Dogs want to be successful. They don't want to be in trouble for things they don't understand. Structure and consistency are important during this time. The dog will try to learn and adapt to the schedule and expectations. 3. The third 3 is the time it takes the dog to believe that it is home. This is their place. They bond and make strong relationships during this time. (cover only if they may foster) For fostering with MAD we try to get the dog to it's permanent home as soon as possible. We like to learn about what will be a good home for a dog and move it to the idea location. We don't leave dogs in homes for full decompression because of this. Otherwise the dog has to decompression multiple times. We work to learn the dog in the first 30 days and have placement before 60 day. Medical conditions and age factor in to this.
Determine if the applicant has always gotten puppies or adult dogs. Were the dogs always tried. For example, highly trained from another rescue or a wash out form a canine program? If someone has always had adults dogs and are looking at a puppy, discuss this. Many people return puppies as vicious (mouthing and nipping) or that tear up things (dogs chew and tear up items, many get over this at 2 years of age).
Determine if they have trained pets themselves? Where pets highly trained when they got them?
If someone has always had adults dogs and are looking at a puppy, discuss this. Many people return puppies as vicious (mouthing and nipping) or that tear up things (dogs chew and tear up items, many get over this at 2 years of age).

The Applicants Plan for a new Foster or Adoptive Dog

Determine their plan and help them if the plan is not sufficient. Probe to see if they can follow a new plan for success. 

For children it is important to consider the age and experience level of the children. Make sure to create a positive association with children and the dog. Younger Children should be kept separate from the dog initially. Slow introductions over days or weeks. Children should be given a special high value treat to give the dog upon meeting and ever time the child meets. This treat could be cut up hotdogs, small pieces of cheese, or freeze dried treats like Stella and Chewy which can be purchased on Amazon. 1. Allow dog to decompress and integrate before expectations for the dog to spend time with the child. 2. It is easier to go forward with integrations over going back. 3. Select a specific high value treat for the child to share with the dog. 4. the dog sets the pace for integrating. 5. If this is rush then things will go poorly. 6. Given time the dog will become a life long family member.
Most people say slow introductions here. Ask the exact schedule and introduction period of time when this happens. This will vary from dog to dog. Dogs that seem to accept each other will suddenly have an issue at the 5 week mark (4 to 8 weeks). The more difficult the dogs is, the longer it takes to make introductions. 1. Dogs should not meet in the first few days. NO INTRODUCTIONS early on. 2. With help take current dogs and the new dog out on a leach and walk them. Start farther apart and get closer. See what reactions are. 3. Let the dogs see each other through a barrier. This can be a baby gate or fence. Make sure dogs are leash so that they do not go over the barrier. 4. Eventually dogs can meet outside. 5. When inside keep dogs on a leash. 6. Once dogs are interacting in the house take them off leash. 7. Slow introductions are 3 days, 3 weeks, or even 3 months. This is based on how dog friend and social the other dog it. 8. Male to Female dogs match up's are easier. 9. Applicants who have never had same sex dogs together should consider a dog of the opposite sex to add to their home. 10. Build a positive associate from one dog to the other through giving treats to each which they are in the presence of each other. This can take time to build this positive associate. This should be a unique treat that they only get when they can see each other or are together.
Have the applicant describe their plan for integration to a cat. Most people say segregation or that their cat is a dog. It's a dog until it is not a dog. 1. Cat should be kept separate initially. 2. Dog should be allowed to decompress and start fitting in. 3. Make sure the cat has escape path. Baby gates with a cat door. A Malinois or Dutch can know a baby gate down or jump over. 4. A door with a cat door. 5. Keep the Malinois or Dutch Shepherd on leash initially. 6. As things progress let the dog trail the leash so you can grab it if needed. 7. Talk to the applicant about where the dog and the cat will be when they are not home. A cat should NEVER be left along with a malinois or a dutch shepherd, especially when there is more than one dog. In some cases dogs live with cats for year and then kill the cat. 8. What types of doors does the applicant have? Hollow core doors will not keep a malinois from going through. They will go through the door very quickly. 9. Ensure there are two points of failure when leaving the pets along. For example, the dog is in a crate that is in a room with a closed door. Preferable one with solid wood doors. 10. How would they feel if the cat was killed. Does the cat belong to one family member and the dog to another. 11. Are they sure they want a malinois or a dutch shepherd with the cat. 12. Discuss how counter conditioning or behavior adjustment training comes in to play here. All types of this training relate to creating a positive association between the pets. Depending on the dog it can be a quicker process or a process as long as 6 months. Treating the dog every time it is in the presence of the cat. Rewarding the dog for ignoring the cat. 13. Make sure we are looking at a low prey drive dog to place in a home with a cat. If they are asking for a dog with high prey drive or is not good with cats let them know that.
How will problems be handled. If they are looking at a problem dog discuss the specific issues like resource guarding.

Advanced Questions for Harder to Place Dogs

Use your best judgement for asking these questions. If the applicant has struggled with questions so far they are not going to take on a pet that falls in these categories. 

1. Dogs must be returned to MAD Rescue if any issues. 2. Slow integrations for children. 3. Have children participate in professional training classes with dogs for bonding and to increase their knowledge and dog savviness. 4. Muzzle train dog for early on introduction to house holds.
1. New dogs should not be introduced to visitors directly. 2. Crate or place new dogs when a visitor is planned or enters. 3. Teach dogs a place or crate command when visitors come. Practice this. 4. The applicant and the dog have to learn each other before they can be trusted in various situations. 5. Muzzle train the dog to keep visitors safe as the applicant is learning the dog and the dog is learning visitors.
1. Did they seek training? 2. Did they seek medical attention? 3. How successful will they be with integrating a mal or ds in their home? 4. Muzzle train dogs for introductions.

Final Comments from Interviewer

Describe what type of dog would be good for the applicant. How strong is the applicant? Would this person be a great foster? Or Super Foster? 

Describe our observations and why you recommend them for the above. What needs to happen to make this applicant successful with a dog?
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