Adopting a dog can be a life-changing experience, and this furry angle can bring you more than companionship. For the cutie puppy, your action is a life-saving proposition. Here are some steps you should know before adopting.
1. Find the suitable breed
Each dog breed has its own personality and needs. It's necessary to do research first on the most suitable breed you are able to take care of before heading up for adoption, since it can reduce the risk of regret after adoption. Numbers of resources online and magazines are available.
Consider the size of your living area. Different dogs need different sizes of area for them to exercise. For example, if you live in an apartment, you should think about adopting a smaller dog as they do not need too much space to exercise and play.
Think about your own experience. Once you adopt a puppy, it would be your responsibility to do the training, and you would find it overwhelming if you have no experiences at all. In this case, an older dog can be a better choice.
Match your activity level. Different breeds are at different energetic levels. If you enjoy having fun with your dog in the park or running on the courtyard road, Boxer or Jack Russell terrier can be your choices.
2. Consider special-needs dogs
Think about if you would like to adopt a special needs dog. The needs are different, with some of them may have disabilities, or have emotional issues due to abuse.
Be prepared to give the dog more time, especially for those who have been abused in the past. Make sure you have enough time and patience for the dog to be familiar with the environment when they are brought to the new home for the first time.
Make sure you fully understand the needs of the dog before making decisions. Some of them may need to visit the vet several times after adoption. You need to confirm you have enough time and money for the extra caring.
3. Be a regular visitor to the shelter
You would find dogs of different breeds, ages, and training levels at a shelter. Set up a visit to make sure you can come by and meet adoptable dogs. This can make it much easier for you to find the suitable dog.
Put your name on the shelter's call list. If know exactly what you want, and it happen to be a rare breed, the shelter would call you if this type of dog is brought to them,
Check their website before the visit. Lots of shelters have their own websites with adoptable animal information on them. By reading this information, you can find the dog you want easily, and have a target dog before visiting.
Consider adding you into their foster program. Some shelters have these kinds of programs where you can help them foster the dog, and you can choose to proceed with adopting the dog after the foster. It gives you an opportunity to see if the dog you want really fits your condition.
4. Buy all the items you need
- Dog food
- Food dish
- Water dish
- Dog bed
- Blanket
- Harness
- Leash
- A crate
- A travel carrier
- New toys
5. Find a trustworthy vet
The shelter would always ask you to find a veterinarian before you bring your dog home. This can be helpful to prepare for the arrival of your new dog, but it is not necessary to book a visit in advance.
Contact the local vet about their experience. It would be much better if the vet has been working with your dog's breed. Be sure you ask the vet first if your dog has special needs to see if they can handle this particular condition.
Think about the wellness plan. Most vets have puppy and dog wellness plans, which includes several visits, vaccines, and heart worm tests. See if there is a discount price for the packages.
6. Make sure your house is dog-proofed
Go through your house and check if you already removed all the potential threats to your new dog.
- Covering toilets and trash can without lids
- Moving or blocking all the sharp corners or edges which might cut
- Securing low-set cabinets that dogs are able to access
- Blocking access to areas you do not want you dog to get in
- Making sure the outdoor area is fenced
- Removing or barricading any harmful plants
7. Fill the paperwork
After you found the dog you want and fully prepared your house, you should start your adoption process by filling out the paperwork with the shelter or rescue. Tell them which dog you want to adopt, and let them understand you are fully prepared, they will let you finish the paperwork. Remember to ask them to send you a copy.
The paperwork can be longer than you thought. It might require your name, address, and contact of your veterinarian. Sometimes, it also requires you to write down the preparation you have done for the adoption.
Please be patient. The shelter or rescue just wants to make sure their dogs find a caring and loving permanent home, and both you and your dog can live a better life.
8. Pay the adoption fee
There will be an adoption fee needed to be paid once you adopt an animal. This fee helps cover the cost of the shelter or rescue of caring for the dog and providing vet care after the adoption. This helps the perseverance of shelter or rescue.
Contact the shelter about the amount of your fee. Different animals have different fee amounts to be paid. Make sure you are paying the right amount.
Make sure your payment method is accepted at your shelter. Sometimes the shelter does not accept credit cards.
9. Set up home visit
Sometimes, the shelter would require a home visit before the adoption. Please make sure you ask them if this is one of their requirements, so it won't trouble your adoption.
Ask the shelter about the requirements of the visit. Sometimes it can be a day visit, and sometimes it's overnight. In some cases, the shelter would provide food, but sometimes they wouldn't.
Make sure you have enough time. Do not leave the dog at home alone on the home visit day. Please make sure you have enough time to spend with the dog before the visit.
10. Set up for pickup
After the paperwork is done, and you received the approval from the shelter, you can finally bring your new pet home.
Set up a time with the shelter to pick up your dog to their loving, permanent home.
Make sure you have proper transportation. It would be best for you to have a car or a ride lined up to bring your new dog home, and cause least stress.
Be prepared to have a whole day with your dog on the pickup day. Your new dog would likely be nervous when being brought to a new environment. Make sure you have enough time to help your dog acclimate the new home.
11. Training your puppy
If it is a puppy you bring home, you will need to spend a lot of time on properly training them. You can consider enrolling in a basic behavioral training class, where your dog can learn how to behave properly, at the same time it helps you with learning how to deal with the improper behavior your dog does in the future.
Be consistent. Please attend each training session, and practice commands and behaviors after class at home.
Think about further training courses if your dog still needs some help after the basic training.
Some local pet stores always have training classes for new adopted dogs. Try to contact them to see if they have training classes, or ask for help from other experienced trainers.
12. Socialize your dog
Socialize your new dog by introducing them to other dogs and other people, as well as training them to interact properly. This is really important as this kind of encounter would be inevitable for your dog.
It might take longer for rescued animals. Some rescued animals are shy and cautious as they might have been abused before. Please give them enough time to adapt, and do not force them to do anything they do not want.
Start with your friends and family members. It can be much easier for your dog to meet new people in a familiar environment.
Try dog parks where you can get your dog socialized with other dogs.
13. Get a vet check
Bring your new dog to the vet after you bring them home. This can help your dog and the vet know each other, and the vet can have a better understanding of the condition of your new dog.
Make an appointment with your vet by phone or email. Ask to set up an initial visit to your dog, and set up a care package for your new dog.
14. Be patient enough
There will be a lot of new things for your dog to accept at once. Apart from that, they also need to deal with their own stress from their past abandonment or life in their former home. Please be patient and understanding to help them adapt to their new home, and give them enough time.
Give them rewards when they behave properly with affection, affirmation, and treats. Do not react at all to negative behaviors as it may cause misunderstanding except when other dogs or people are getting threatened.
Work with a trainer or behavior specialist to find the right set of training techniques.
Never give up on your dog, especially when they are not learning that fast. Keep working with them and reinforcing good behavior.
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