Adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue service can be overwhelming.
Adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue service is a big commitment. Depending on the age of your four-legged pal, you'll be responsible for its well-being for 10 to 15 years. Choosing the right dog to adopt can be overwhelming; it's hard to know where to begin with so many cute puppies and dogs available. Knowing what you want before entering an adoption service can help you choose the right pet.
Assessing What Type of Dog You Want
Different dog breeds have different characteristics, personality and behavior associated with them. Though most dogs can be trained to be loyal pets, knowing what kind of personality you'd like your dog to have is a great way to make the right adoption selection. For instance, if you're looking for a guard dog who is independent, you'd be more likely to chose a Doberman pinscher than a Chihuahua. If you live a relaxed lifestyle, avoid breeds that require a lot of activity, such as Australian cattle dogs. Even if you are adopting a mutt, breed mixes can predict behavior in the dog.
Information Provided by the Shelter
Regardless of the age of the dog, shelters should provide you with as much of the dog's history as possible. This can include where and why the dog was abandoned, how long it has been in the shelter and any illnesses or behavior problems the shelter has observed in the dog. Use this information wisely. Most shelters emphasize dog adoption over euthanasia, and some shelters may withhold or skew facts to see a dog adopted. Similarly, the information provided by previous owners relinquishing their pets may not be entirely factual. Compare the information provided by the shelter with the observed behavior of the dog to help you make your decision.
Choosing the Right Dog
While at the shelter, rescue service or pet store, select several dogs to visit with individually. It's easy to be swayed by the cuteness of puppies or dogs before getting to know their personalities. One adoption secret is to watch how dogs behave with shelter or store employees. Jingle your keys behind the dog's back to see whether it is skittish. If you have other pets at home, contact the shelter or store to see if you can introduce them to the dog you are interested in adopting before taking the dog home.
Remove the Dog from the Shelter
Shelters can be scary, noisy places for dogs. Small-breed dogs, abused dogs and dogs that are prone to stress can act differently in shelters from how they will act in your home. If the dog you are looking at seems to be shy or aggressive, ask a shelter employee of volunteer if you can take it outside on a walk. This will help the dog release pent-up energy from being caged for long periods of time and will allow you to see whether its behavior is different outside the walls of the shelter.
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