Adopting a shelter dog is an act of love. Giving a new home to an abandoned dog instead of buying a new puppy helps to reduce the numbers of unfortunate companion animals who are facing euthanasia through no fault of their own.

Most dogs in animal shelters are not strays, but have been abandoned by their owners for one reason or another. The owners often cite “behavior problems” as the reason they’re giving up their pet, but such problems are usually the result of inadequate dog training methods, or no training at all! Other occupants may be pure breed puppy mill puppies who weren’t placed with owners or puppies that were the result of the neighbor dog slipping under the fence. http://www.clickandtreat.com/dfogb8.htm

Most shelters evaluate their dogs for temperament and behavioral issues and let prospective adopters know what they’re in for, but less scrupulous shelter staff may gloss over the dog’s worst features to encourage an adoption. Adopted dogs are often returned to the shelter because the new owners aren’t able or willing to deal with the dog’s problems. First-time owners who have little understanding of dog behavior and how to deal with unwanted behavior should be particularly careful about adopting a dog from an animal shelter. http://www.clickandtreat.com/dfogb8.htm

Inexperienced dog owners may be fortunate enough to find a well-trained, adoptable dog if they are patient and visit the shelter regularly. With so many dog owners in dire financial straits, it’s becoming easier to find adoptable dogs who are already suitable family companions. You’ll have your pick of many types of dogs, but don’t make an impulsive decision. Pleading eyes may capture your heart, but it’s important that you choose a dog that fits your lifestyle. Please use this guide to learn how to adopt a shelter dog.

Do some research into the types of dogs that interest you and study their typical breed characteristics. Some dogs need huge amounts of exercise–do you have time to provide the activity they need? Or would you prefer a dog who’s content to lay at your feet most of the time? How much time do you want to spend grooming your dog? Is your home or apartment large enough for the type of dog you want? Do you want a dog who is submissive to you, or one who is more spirited and independent? Be sure that the dog you choose is the right fit; it’s unfair to the dog to return him to the animal shelter once you’ve offered him a home.

You’ll have a choice between dogs of all ages, from puppies to senior dogs. The pure breed puppies in shelters will most likely have come from pet store puppy mills where dogs are often produced in crowded, unsanitary conditions and bred for an physical beauty with little attention paid to health concerns or early socialization to humans and other pets.http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/puppy_mills/ The same is true of ”designer dogs” who are often mass-produced to fulfill the demand for fad cross breed dogs.http://www.enterprisenews.com/lifestyle/family/x2103874220 Will you be able to afford the veterinary treatment such a puppy might need, perhaps not until he’s grown? Could you handle the emotions created by the death of your sweet puppy if he succumbs to a serious health condition? These puppies deserve good homes, but the adoptive owners must be aware of the risks they’re taking.

You’ll also find a variety of mixed breed dogs and puppies available for adoption. Many of the mixed breed puppies in animal shelters are the result of an indiscriminate breeding and were abandoned by an owner who couldn’t (or didn’t care to) find homes for them.http://www.clickandtreat.com/dfogb8.htm

Some dog owners would have nothing less than a mutt! Mixed breed dogs are often unique in appearance and may be a mix of the best, or worst, features of the parents. It can be difficult to predict a mixed breed puppy’s size at maturity, but some folks like a surprise! Choosing a full-grown mixed breed dog will eliminate any surprises regarding his ultimate size, his personality, or how much grooming he will require.

Adopting a mature dog is often preferable for owners who don’t have the energy to keep up with rowdy puppies and would prefer a ready-made companion who has already had some experience with humans and understands their body language.http://www.aspca.org/adoption/adoption-tips/reasons-to-adopt-an-older-dog.htmlOld dogs can learn new tricks; often faster than puppies because they’re calmer and can pay attention longer. Adult dogs may be already housebroken, reducing the amount of training and clean-up that puppies require.http://www.aspca.org/adoption/adoption-tips/reasons-to-adopt-an-older-dog.html

Unlike adopting a puppy, whose character is still malleable, adult dogs are who they are. Pure breed dogs don’t always follow the typical behavior pattern of the breed; dogs have individual personalities like people do. Dogs who have friendly temperaments but haven’t had the benefit of proper obedience training are often easily trained once they receive the love and attention they crave.

Adopting a senior dog has benefits as well as drawbacks. They may only be with your family a few years, but if you aren’t able to commit to long-term dog ownership and really desire a dog for the present time then adopting a senior dog is a good option.http://www.aspca.org/adoption/adoption-tips/reasons-to-adopt-an-older-dog.html

Older dogs may have age-related health conditions that need veterinary care, so be sure those expenses fit into your dog-care budget. However, the rewards of giving an old dog a new home are great: You get the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve made your dog happy and comfortable in his golden years, and will be repaid with a grateful and loving companion who is devoted to you.

Naturally, you’ll want to be sure that the dog’s behavior problems (if he has them) are manageable and that he isn’t overly aggressive or extremely timid, since nervous dogs tend to bite. You don’t want to put your friends, family, and neighborhood at risk of a potentially dangerous dog. Adopting a shelter dog with a known behavior problem is not a good idea for first-time dog owners or those who don’t have the time, experience or desire to deal with them properly. There is the occasional dog that is emotionally well-balanced and properly trained whose owner was forced to abandon him to a shelter, but these dogs are adopted quickly.

While at the shelter, notice the dog’s reaction to the humans and other animals around him. Does he show fear of humans when staff members approach him, or does he run eagerly up to the gate of his kennel to greet them? Does he appear confident around the other dogs, or is he intimidated by them? Shy dogs aren’t necessarily poor pets if they have other redeeming qualities and the adoptive owner is willing to accept the dog’s limitations. However, if you want a dog who’s eager to make friends with everybody then you’ll want to choose one who is naturally outgoing.

When choosing a dog, realize that their true personalities may not shine when they’re in a strange place surrounded by noise and chaos. Their daily routines have been seriously disrupted, they’ve lost their security, and they may behave in ways contrary to their true nature. That timid dog cowering in the corner may be a live wire under the right conditions!

Spend some time with the dog in a quiet place so you can get an idea of his true personality. Take the dog away from the hubbub of the kennel and to a quiet spot at the shelter, such as an outside run.http://www.clickandtreat.com/dfogb8.htm Ask a staff member to accompany you for your own safety, in case you’re unable to control the dog. Approach the dog slowly and quietly until you feel confident that he won’t do you any harm. Give him some basic commands, such as a “sit/say” or “down,” to judge how well he has been trained by his previous owners, or whether you will have to start from scratch. See if he can be enticed to play with you, if you want a playful dog.

There are other things you may want to know about a particular dog that the shelter staff can’t tell you. They may not know what sort of home he came from or how he was treated there, or whether he dislikes children or cats. They probably won’t know his medical history or who his parents were. Depending on how carefully the animal shelter evaluated the dog when it came into their care, you may have to weigh the desirable qualities of the dog against the risk of the unknown.http://www.clickandtreat.com/dfogb8.htm Choosing to adopt a shelter dog is a fine thing to do, but which dog to add to your family is a decision that must not be made lightly if the adoption is to be a success.

Bringing any new dog into your home can be a challenge, but there are steps you can take to make the transition more comfortable for an adopted dog. He’s in new surroundings and doesn’t know the daily routine or what’s expected of him. The first few days of his arrival in your home are especially important to his adjustment. http://www.aspca.org/adoption/adoption-tips/preparing-your-home.html

Your adopted dog will need a place where he can feel secure, so establish his “den” right away. Put his bedding in a spot that’s out of the way of family traffic and noise and forbid the children (or older family members who should already know better) from bothering the dog when he’s in his resting spot. He may enjoy the seclusion of a covered crate with the door left open so he can come and go as he pleases.

You may wish to confine your new family member to a limited area of the house until you’re sure he’s housebroken and won't destroy your possessions. Even dogs who were adequately potty-trained by their previous owners may have accidentsin your home. Your adopted dog's customary potty spots aren’t available, so you may need to reinforce his bathroom habits and teach him where it is appropriate for him to go. http://www.aspca.org/adoption/adoption-tips/preparing-your-home.html

A stable routine will also help your dog to adjust to his new home. Knowing when it’s feeding time, time for a walk, time for play, and time to go to bed give your dog a sense of security. Set limits on your new dog’s behavior, and teach him new habits right away so his old patterns of behavior aren't reinforced.http://www.aspca.org/adoption/adoption-tips/preparing-your-home.html

Make your new dog feel safe and secure and give him the guidance he needs, and he will adjust more quickly to his new environment. Of course, some dogs will adjust sooner than others depending on their individual personalities. Your new dog may fit right into the family unit within a few days] or it may take several months of patient, loving attention. Be patient with your adopted dog and give him the security he needs, and he will soon be happy in his new home.