How To Adopt the Right Dog
Bringing a furry friend home is a massive, life-changing decision for everyone. Dogs, indeed, are a man’s best friend. Adopting a dog will change your life forever. But while this is a very happy change in your life, you need to be informed about picking the right companion to bring home. Just like human beings, all dogs have unique, individual personalities. Adopting a dog is not a decision to be taken lightly. Careful consideration and study are required before picking your best mate.
Whether you adopt a dog from a shelter or buy a puppy from a store, it is essential to research before you finalize your four-legged companion. A puppy may grow up to be a dog with a completely different personality than how it was when younger. A shelter dog may take months to show you its real personality after bringing it home.
Even though this is a tricky business, there are some ways in which you can be sure you have chosen the right companion.
Here are a few tips to guide you in choosing the right dog for you and your family.
Decide What kind of Dog you Want.
Before looking at options, you need to answer several questions. What kind of lifestyle do you have? What traits are of various breeds? Would you want a big or small dog? Other factors, such as the dog’s previous history, are also crucial.
Lifestyle & Flexibility:
What kind of lifestyle do you lead? Are you willing to make changes? Do you lead an active life? These factors are necessary to consider before choosing the dog you bring home.
Family:
If you have children at home or if you have kids that frequently visit your home, you need to pick a dog that will be friendly with them. Most dogs get along well with kids, but there are some exceptions. The same applies to older people. A calmer dog would be better suited for your home if you live with an older adult.
Size:
The size of the dog matters, especially if you live in an apartment. Bigger dogs require space to move around. A yard or a garden is preferable. However, a smaller breed will be more suitable for an apartment.
Maintenance & Activity level:
Larger dogs generally require more activity. Suppose you do not have the availability to provide the necessary exercise. In that case, you should choose a smaller or less active dog. Dogs with longer coats require more maintenance. If you do not have the time to brush and bathe your dog frequently, you should go for a smaller one.
Breed:
Various dog breeds have different characteristics, and some even have inherent health issues. Before you adopt a dog, research these parameters to decide which suits you best.
Age:
Some people prefer to get home an adult or mature dog instead of a puppy. Think about whether you would like to raise a puppy since it’s weaned or you want to get home an older dog.
Once you have decided on these parameters, you need to determine if you want to adopt a dog from a shelter or buy a puppy from a licensed breeder. If you choose to adopt a dog from a shelter, you need to get to know the dog before you select it. Read up on dog body language and shelters in your area before picking the shelter to visit and the dog to bring home.
The below tips will help you get to know a dog better before choosing it.
Decipher the Description Carefully:
Kennel card description reading “one-person” or “guard-dog” usually means the dog is not very people-friendly. Whereas “boisterous” or “energetic” may mean the dog is excitable and requires a lot of activity.
General Behavior:
Try walking the dog on a leash. Check for signs of aggression. Mild pulling is considered normal, but check if it lunges, growls, or cowers at other people/dogs. Play with it, then leave it alone. Check if it can find something else to do once you’re done playing or if it is needy and attention-seeking.
People Interactions:
Take your family, especially kids, to meet the dog at the shelter. See its reactions to them. If it gets along, it is safe to bring the dog home. Check for body language signals to see if the dog is calm or anxious.
Offer Food:
An uncomfortable or anxious dog will usually not take an offered treat. A dog who frantically lunges may also be nervous. Drop some food and the floor and see what the dog does when you approach. Does it run away or try to attack you? Any of these behaviors indicate the dog is not comfortable.
Meet more than one dog:
It is entirely possible to fall in love at first sight with your future furry friend. However, after all your research, it is wise to meet more than one dog individually to determine which one would be the best fit for your family.
Adopting the right dog is essential for both you and the dog, as many dogs are abandoned or returned to shelters due to not being the right fit for the family. Therefore, this decision needs to be taken with utmost thought and care.
Do you know of any other tips for adopting the right dog? Let us know in the comments below.
References:
https://dtua.org/
https://www.akc.org/breed-selector-tool/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pet_adoption
