How to Choose the Right Dog to Adopt

According to The Humane Society of the United States, “6–8 million animals end up in shelters each year, half of which will probably not be adopted.”

How tragic! But you can help.

How?

By choosing to adopt.

If you want to bring a new furry friend home, you should seriously consider adopting a dog from your animal shelter.

This article is going to talk about the benefits of adoption and how to choose the right dog. If you want to learn more, keep reading!

Benefits of Adopting a Dog

To kick this off, let’s go over some reasons why adopting a dog is such a great idea.

Adoption Saves a Life

You can’t save every dog that lands in a shelter. But you can save one! (Or two, or three….)

And that’s probably the best benefit of all.

You Can Choose a Dog That’s Already Been Trained

Don’t have the time or patience for puppy training? No problem! Many fully grown dogs in animal shelters have already been trained.

Important Note: Not all adult dogs have been properly trained and socialized. Although these canines certainly need good homes too, they require experienced owners that are ready for the challenge.

Or Start from the Beginning with a Puppy

Maybe you dream of raising a puppy. In that case, don’t assume you need to find a breeder. There are plenty of puppies in animal shelters, just waiting to find their forever homes.

Adopting is Cheaper than Buying

According to Geoff Williams, a contributor to U.S. News and World Report, the average cost to adopt a pet is $50-$150. That’s downright cheap when you compare it to the “thousand or more,” that breeders charge.

Important Note: Remember, most of your pet care expenses will come after the adoption fee. That includes vet bills, food, toys, etc. Make sure you can cover those costs before adopting a dog.

More Pets Will Be Saved

Adopting a dog opens up space for the shelter to rescue another homeless pet. And that means even more lives will be saved.

That should make you feel good!

You Can Find Out About the Dog’s Personality and Behavior

Shelter staff and volunteers care for rescued dogs on a daily basis. This allows them to discover each canine’s personality.

Take advantage of their knowledge by asking them questions about any pooch that catches your eye. The information they share will help you decide if that dog is the right one for you.

Your New Dog Will be Grateful

Pets love their people. But guess what? Rescued animals seem to have an even deeper appreciation for their two-legged family members.

That’s probably because many rescued animals have experienced hard times. Their difficult past makes their wonderful life with you that much sweeter.

What Kind of Dog Should You Get?

You’ve learned all about the amazing benefits of adopting a dog. Now it’s time to figure out what type of dog you should look for.

Find out by answering the following questions.

How Much Space Do You Have?

If you live in a tiny apartment, a giant-sized dog probably isn’t the right one for you. Or, if you live in a home with a small backyard, you should avoid active dogs that need lots of space to run and play.

Do You Have the Time and Money for High Maintenance Coats?

Long-haired dogs sure are pretty. But they are also lots of work!

If you get a dog with a high-maintenance coat you will spend a lot of time grooming your pup. Or you will have to pay extra to hire a professional groomer.

Make sure you are ready for that before getting a dog that has a fancy coat.

How Active Are You?

High energy pups require lots of exercise. If the thought of long walks, hikes, and other forms of vigorous activity tires you out, you need a less active dog.

On the other hand, if you enjoy physical activity, you might get frustrated when your canine couch potato doesn’t have enough energy to keep up with you.

With all that in mind, assess your own activity level. This will help you narrow down your choices when it’s time to look for dogs.

Do You Have Kids?

If you have kiddos, you must choose a dog that likes children. Otherwise, your kids could get bitten or scratched.

Are You Up to Training a Puppy?

Few of us can resist an adorable puppy. But many of us aren’t ready to care for one.

Puppies require even more time and effort than adult dogs. As a puppy parent, you will be responsible for:

· Obedience training

· Potty training

· Supervising

· Socializing

Think long and hard before getting a puppy. If you determine you aren’t ready for this major commitment, find an adult dog that’s already been trained.

Would You Be Willing to Care for an Older Dog?

Shelter senior dogs have a hard time getting adopted. But a senior dog can be a great pet, especially if you don’t want a high-energy pup.

However, it’s important to note that elderly canines are more likely to have health problems. Those health problems could require extra TLC while increasing the cost of veterinary care.

But if you can meet a senior dog’s special needs, caring for an older animal is highly rewarding. Best of all, a deserving dog will live in a loving home during its last phase of life.

How to Choose the Right Dog

Are you ready to start looking at available dogs? Great!

But before you begin, please realize that shelters can be stressful for animals.

There’s no question that rescue organizations help many pets. But most dogs don’t really like being in a shelter, which makes them feel stressed.

That can cause them to act differently than they normally would. It’s just something to keep in mind as you begin looking at different dogs.

Now, let’s talk about the steps you need to take next.

Learn How to Read Dog Body Language

If you don’t understand what a dog is saying, how can you know if that dog clicks with you?

You can’t.

That’s why you need to learn dog body language. This knowledge will help you pick the right pup.

Choose a Good Animal Shelter

Before you can find the right dog, you must choose a good shelter to adopt from. When considering any organization, make sure that:

· Each animal has enough space

· The shelter has a “no-kill” policy

· Shelter animals are given opportunities to interact with people, such as staff or volunteers

· Each dog gets exercise

· The rooms/cages contain pet toys

· The shelter has a veterinarian or access to a veterinarian

· Adopted pets can be brought back if absolutely necessary

· Very young puppies and kittens are not up for adoption until they are old enough

· Newly rescued or surrendered pets are not immediately available for adoption

· Shelter staff clearly communicate the adoption process

· The shelter readily provides information about each animal

· Potential adopters are required to meet pets before adopting

· Shelter staff can answer your questions

Before visiting the shelter, look up reviews on the internet. But even if you come across some negative reviews, that doesn’t necessarily mean the shelter is a bad place.

Use discernment to determine which negative reviews should be seriously considered. After all, some might be written by people that are impossible to please.

Read the Available Information

When you’ve found a shelter you trust, you can begin looking at the dogs. Whether you go in person or browse the shelter’s website, carefully read the description for each dog that interests you.

This information will help you determine whether or not you should keep that dog on your list of possibilities.

But those descriptions alone won’t tell you everything you need to know. In fact, some of the information might leave you with more questions.

That’s why the next step is so important.

Ask Questions

Don’t hesitate to bring your questions to shelter staff and volunteers. This is your chance to find out more about any of the dogs you are considering.

Here’s a list of questions you should ask:

· How long has the dog been in the shelter?

· How did the dog end up here?

· If the dog was surrendered, what was the reason?

· What is the dog like during playtime? On walks?

· What is the dog like during mealtime?

· Is the dog easy to handle and groom?

· What is the dog’s overall personality like?

· Does the dog have any behavior issues?

· What is the dog’s favorite form of exercise?

· What makes this dog unique from other dogs in the shelter?

· How old is the dog?

· Does the dog have any special care requirements?

· Is the dog trained? How obedient is the dog?

· Does the dog get along with other pets?

· Has the dog ever shown any signs of aggression towards people or animals?

· Has the dog been examined by a veterinarian?

· Does the dog have any current health problems?

· Does the dog have a history of health problems?

· How active is the dog?

· Has the dog been properly socialized?

· Has the dog ever been abused?

· Does the dog have any experience with kids? How does the dog feel about kids?

· Was this dog an indoor or outdoor pet?

· Does the dog show any signs of separation anxiety?

Although the above list isn’t necessarily comprehensive, it should give you an idea of the questions you need to ask.

If the dog sounds like a good fit for you, take the next step.

Watch the Dog from a Distance

You are probably eager to meet your potential pet. But it’s not quite time for that yet.

First, you should observe the dog from a distance. Take note of how the dog interacts with staff, volunteers, and other canines.

The dog’s behavior during these interactions will reveal how comfortable it is around people and animals. You can also get an idea of how hyper or calm the dog is.

While watching the dog, be on the lookout for any signs of aggression, like barking and growling. But keep in mind, those expressions might just indicate excitement.

This is when you need to rely on your understanding of dog body language.

Meet the Dog

Now it’s finally time to meet the dog. How exciting!

But don’t let yourself get too worked up. Otherwise, you might accidentally influence the dog’s behavior.

So, do your best to remain calm. Your relaxed aura will encourage the dog to act normally, giving you an accurate impression of the dog’s true personality.

During this meeting, you can see if the dog:

· Likes your kids

· Is super hyper or mellow

· Demands attention or lets you walk away

· Seems aggressive, stressed, or anxious

· Connects with you and your family

Once again, your knowledge of dog body language will come in handy. But if you don’t trust your ability to understand that language, you should consider bringing a dog trainer to the meeting.

As a canine expert, the trainer can help you interpret what the dog is saying.

Don’t Just Settle, Wait for the Right One

The right pup is worth waiting for. That’s because adopting a dog affects everyone involved. You should never rush that process.

So don’t feel discouraged if the first dog you meet isn’t the one for you. Just keep looking until you find your special four-legged friend.

Once you meet the right canine companion, you will be so glad you waited!

Bring Your New Dog Home

When you click with a dog that fits your lifestyle, you will know that pup is the right one for you. And that’s the moment when all of your hard work and patience begin to pay off.

But it’s not quite over yet. After deciding to adopt the dog, you will need to follow the shelter’s specific adoption process. This may vary from one organization to the next.

Hopefully, the process goes smoothly and you will be able to bring your new fur baby home. What a joyous day that will be!