I believe in adopting when it comes to dogs. They need our help to the stop the abuse, killing, & overbreeding. Adoption helps, but what do we need to know first?
I’ve had dogs most of my life, and all but two were from a shelter or was a stray I grabbed saved on the way home. My life doesn’t feel full without pets. There is a reason why animal and humans have to come together since the beginning of time. To some degree, we depend on each other for survival. Humans are animals too. We have so much in common with animals. We both need to survive on this planet, raise babies, and thrive with love, and need to feel safe.
Get Your Mind Straight
There is more to adopting a dog than just running to a shelter to get one. There is a mentality that has to be in place first. If you’re thinking about adopting a pet, the first thing to come to terms with is your decision is forever. Don’t go into this decision thinking you can return them or abandon them, or give them away. If that thought has crossed your mind, then you probably shouldn’t be considering adoption.
It’s like having a kid. You can’t change your mind. You cannot fail them. When you walk into the shelter, be mindful of the type of dog you’re looking for, and be open to mixed breeds, because that’s the most common you’ll find in dog shelters.
You can also rescue specific breeds, if you’re looking for a full bred dog. Consider a Mastiff, Bully, Pug, or Boxer, etc. This way, you’ll still be rescuing a dog from the shelter, but you’ll also find the perfect breed for your lifestyle.
Adopt a Dog to Fit Your Lifestyle
We’ve made this mistake more than once, but being who we are, we adapted. We currently live with two adopted dogs who have an abundance of energy…more than we can handle. Fortunately, our pups managed to make us more active & aware of the benefits of dog enrichment. We’re even considering dog agility classes!
Be ready for the real possibility that your newly adopted pup will need some basic training, and lots of exposure to people, places, and things to start to feel comfortable out in the world, especially if they’ve been in shelters for a long time, or at an early age.
As for breeds or breed mixes, if you’re a couch potato, then get a dog who’s at least part couch potato. Larger dogs tend to be less energetic, due to their size, but this isn’t always the case. Ideal matches would be a Mastiff, Bernese Mountain Dog, English Bulldog, Spaniels, Pekingese, Bassett Hound, Greyhound, etc.
If you’re a jogger or the outdoorsy type, then a perfect match would be a breed with lots of energy to burn, like Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Cattle dogs, Boston Terriers, Staffordshires, or Golden Retrievers. Ooh, and let’s not forget the Huskies and Dalmatians!
Be Sure You have the Space
Before adopting a dog, make sure you have enough space for them to run and play in. This could be a dog run along the side of your house, a medium to large backyard (depending on the size of the dog you’re adopting), or if you’re a very active person, nearby trails you and your dog can walk daily.
The indoors matters too. Will you have, or make room for, their pet beds, toys, bowls, and all the things that come with having a dog in your home? Some dogs get nervous on hard floors, so are you willing to purchase an area rug so your dog doesn’t slip?
What do I need to ask before adopting a dog?
First, ask the questions you’ve been thinking about after deciding to rescue and adopt a dog. What’s been on your mind since that decision? Is there something you’re curious about? The top 5 questions to ask before you adopt a dog are:
- What do you know about the dog’s history, like living conditions, abuse, etc?
- Do they have any behavioral issues that I need to be privy to?
- How long have they lived in the shelter, and how old are they now (understanding that not all dogs will have a known birthdate)?
- Is the dog potty-trained and been through any basic training?
- What is their health history (vaccinations, microchipping, spayed/neutered), and do they have any current health conditions to be aware of?
- If you have children or pets at home, it’s very important to ask about how the dog behaves around them, whether it’s cats, other dogs, strangers, and young children.
- What are the costs involved in adopting a dog, and does your shelter offer free support, like puppy training, discounts for vet visits, or other resources (like training referrals, vet referrals, etc)
