Adopting A Dog
Everyone gets excited at the idea of getting a new pet. If you make the choice to Adopt a Pet and save a pup there are a few things you need to consider and ask yourself. Unless your adoption center has the parents on site, and know the breed of puppy you are adopting, you will be adopting what is called a mixed or cross breed. Some of the most amazing animals have been cross breed dogs. Since they take on many characteristics, of all the breeds in their DNA, they can be very intelligent and loving.
Adopt a Pet!
Now after a few days the excitement of getting your new pet will wear off. Reality will hit, and we soon realize we have a new member of the family, for which we are responsible. Your whole life will change as you adapt to having a new baby in the house, a baby completely in your care and dependent upon you. This is why, before you make the decision of adopting a dog, you need to think about:
Is a dog the right animal for you?
Are you able to take care of a dog? (Remember you will have to completely care for your pet 10-15 years, 2-3 hours per day.)
Can you afford a dog? Have you calculated the costs of food, toys, bath products, medicines, and visits to the vet?
Is any member of the family even slightly allergic to dogs?
What will happen to the dog when you are ill or go away for work or vacations?
How do you imagine the dog you are looking for? We all generate an image in our head of what we want. With a cross or mixed breed dog, this is difficult to determine. You should consider the following things:
Big dog or small?
Male or female?
Long Hair or short?
Adopted Pets Just Want to Love you.
Ready to adopt? Well… good for you! Try this 10 step process to help find the dog right for you!
STEP 1 – Initial Pass
When you enter the kennels, make a quick pass through without stopping. Do any stand out to you?
STEP 2 – Second Pass
On your second pass-through, stop and visit with each of the dogs you saw. Put your hand up to the kennel wire or bars. The dog should come up to see you and sniff your hand. Remember, these dogs are lonely, and should be starved to see you. When the dog sniffs your hand, tell thenm that they are good, and move your hand slowly several times. A social dog will follow your hand with its muzzle.
STEP 3 – Sociability Level
When you have identified the dogs on your list who are very social, take them out of their kennels to a quiet room if possible. Stand with the dog for about five minutes, and totally ignore him. The dog should look at you in a warm way, and try to worm his way up to you. (Leaning on you, nudging you, licking you, and trying to cuddle.)
STEP 4 – Petting Tolerance
If the dog you chose is very responsive, pet him slowly and gently down his back. If he shakes you off after you’ve touched him or moves away from your touch, he’s telling you he doesn’t like being petted.
STEP 5 – Food Aggressions
If he passes the petting test, ask a shelter staff member if you can feed him. You need to test him for food aggressions, a behavior that puts him at high risk for biting. Put a bowl of food on the floor, enough that it will take him about a minute to finish. Now talk to him, then pet him gently on the back. (Do not try to take the food away!) You want him to wag his tail. If he stiffens, blocks you with his body, glares at you, lowers his head into the dish, or growls he has food aggressions and may not be the right choice for people with children or other animals. **Ask the shelter staff if they have seen food aggressions from the animal before attempting any of this**
STEP 6 – Mouthing
Try petting the animal all over. Does he nibble or “mouth” your hands, clothing or face? Mouthiness, can be play and a way to “feel” you, but it can also be a sign of resistance.
STEP 7 – Energy Level
Now take out a toy and see if he will play some sort of game with you. Play the game for three to four minutes, enough to get him excited. Then abruptly stop the play, and put the toy away. Take note of how long it takes him to stop playing. Ideally, he should do this within two – three minutes.
STEP 8 – Walk Aggression
Take the dog for a walk on leash. Don’t worry if he pulls, or is very distracted. Watch for aggressive behavior toward other dogs or people while he is on leash.
STEP 9 – General Aggression
Avoid a dog who barks or lunges at anyone who walks by, this is a sign of aggression. If your dog will be around children, look for a dog who wants to play with children.
STEP 10 – Family Introductions
Make arrangements with the shelter staff to do introductions with any other members of your household as soon as possible.
Take Me Home!
