Sharing your life with a dog has many benefits, and brings
great joy to you. If you are thinking about adding a dog to your family, it’s
best to learn about its needs and lifestyle. Each type of dog is different in
terms of care, feeding, behavior, cost, housing and demands on your time. If
you know what you’re getting into, you’ll be more likely to have a a good
relationship with your dog, and an easier time dealing with any challenges that
might arise with adoption..
BEFORE
YOU ADOPT:
·
Check out the
shelter website before visiting the shelter: Most shelters have websites that many experts recommend
surfing. Beyond looking up requirements needed for adoption, people can see all
the dogs the shelter currently has to get a better idea of what they're in for.
·
Check the
requirements: To avoid delays once you meet that perfect dog, shelters
recommend looking into what paperwork is required for adoption. This can range
from leases or other proof of residency to vet references. While home or
apartment renters may be more aware of requirements needed for dogs, it is
important for homeowners to see if they have any dog restrictions as
well.
·
Do your
research: Experts suggest researching breeds and characteristics to
identify dogs that best fit your lifestyle before you arrive at the shelter
where you could find yourself falling for a cute dog that wouldn't be a great match. It's
smart to budget for the costs you'll face when you bring the dog home such as
vaccinations for young dogs, license fees and dog supplies.
·
Make sure
everyone in the family wants a dog: Dog
ownership can affect many aspects of family life, from deciding who gets
to take the puppy out in the middle of the night to making sure everyone
understands an dog is a long-term time, emotional and financial investment. And
because the dog will be part of the family for the long haul, it's important
that everyone is on board about the kind, size and personality of the dog.
Shelter experts advise discussing the delegation of responsibilities and going
through the process of picking out the dog as a group to avoid problems down
the road.
·
Puppy-proof
your home: Similar to preparing for a new baby, it is important to
make sure a home is safe for a new arrival of a puppy. Puppies can get into
just as much trouble as young children. Work ahead to keep valuables out of
reach it can save time and money in the end.
It’s easier to do a
little work ahead of time instead of buy new shoes, because you know your puppy
will chew your favorite pair. It's also recommended that prospective owners
purchase as many essential supplies as you can before adopting, This includes a
leash, toys, a bed, or a crate. Getting set up ahead of time can help smooth
the transition from the shelter to the home.
WHILE YOU'RE
AT THE SHELTER:
·
Ask questions
about the dog: Don't be afraid to ask questions about anything regarding
the dog, such as their health history or the situation that put them in a
shelter. The more information the shelter can give, the better prepared a
family will be when questions arise long after they have left the
shelter. You want to know the medical conditions, if they’ve been spayed
or neutered, any behavior issues. Anything they can tell you about the dog is
useful.
·
Bring that
paperwork you prepared: Meeting lease requirements for
adopting an dog can delay a dog's release for a day or more if the paperwork
isn't ready in advance. Many times, the lease is used as confirmation of
what is and is not allowed on the property. Without that proof, a family would
not be able to bring home their chosen dog the day they picked it out.
·
Bring your dog
if you already have one at home: Many
shelters require families to bring any dogs they already have at home for a
meet-and-greet with the potential new dog, a policy meant to ensure chemistry
between the two dogs shouldn’t be an issue. Occasionally the situation
shows it’s a bad idea (to bring another dog home).
·
Check the
chemistry with humans, too: While some may have their heart set on a certain breed or
look of dog, it's important to keep an open mind when looking for a forever
friend. There’s going to be a lot of dogs, so just go where the chemistry
takes you. People have a preconceived idea of what they want and they almost
never leave with that.
ONCE
YOU'RE HOME:
·
Accept if it’s
not a good fit: While some families want a dog and think a breed or specific
dog is perfect for them, this isn't always the case. If the dog and family
would be happier separated, it's important to talk to the shelter and look into
returning the dog.
·
Don't sweat it
if you new dog is shy: Dogs tend to want to hide when they
first get in a new environment. Shelters recommend leaving shy dogs alone to
get used to their new home on their own terms, which means not following the
dog around as they explore. Also, even if they were housebroken in the shelter,
dogs can revert back to old behavior when scared. It’s important to
remember they do grow out of it.
·
Go to a
training class: Puppies aren't always easy to train especially when their
cuteness gets in the way of efforts to establish boundaries and rules. Taking
an obedience class is a simple way to teach an dog the proper way to behave
while also creating an important bond between the dog and its family. Making sure the dog is healthy, happy, and
taking a training class as a whole family makes it a more enriching experience,
and everyone will be happier in the end.
·
Keep asking
questions:
Many shelters encourage families to
call when they need anything. These are the places that know a lot more about
the dog than their new family. It's good to keep current with your
veterinarian. They can answer health-related questions, as well as give the
recommended yearly vaccinations.
·
Send pictures: An easy way to say thanks to a shelter for all their hard
work is to send photos electronically of the dog in its happy new home. Many
workers don't get to say goodbye to dogs before they get adopted so keeping
current with them is affirmation that they went with the right family. A
lot of adopters really understand how much we put in to the dogs we care and
get attached and want us to be reassured they went to a good home. This is very
thankless job, and it’s such a nice morale boost to hear success stories.
·
Track your dog: Dogs can wander away from home and get lost,. To make sure
it's easier to find your beloved dog, experts recommend registering them with a
microchip installed in them. Having proper identification on their collar is
also a good idea. A shelter can scan for the dog's unique identification number
and contact the dog recovery service, which will connect them with the
owner.
“If you can’t love a dog like a family member,
don’t get one. Because they only know
how to look at you as a pack member, and to them that is family.” (Anonymous)[i]
 |
| Left to right, Allena and Rosco, Bobbi and Chico, Robert and Lola |
·
[i] Sources used: “Choosing a Dog” by Best Friends
·
“Dog
Adoption 101: What to Do Before, During and After a Shelter Visit” by Lauren Coffey
The above guideline
could also be used when adopting a cat (or kitten). All three of our dogs (Chico, Rosco, and Lola) were adopted from the Franklin County Dog Shelter in Columbus, OH. They have been wonderful additions to our family.
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