Adopting a new furry friend can be a life-changing experience, and if you are not prepared, it can quickly become overwhelming - especially if it’s your first time owning a pup. That’s why in this article, we’ll explore:
Things to consider before you decide to adopt
Important questions to ask at the adoption center
Preparing your home and garden for your new dog
There are so many things to consider and prepare for during the adoption process, so keep reading as we’ll break it down in our comprehensive guide…
Things to consider before adopting a dog
Time & lifestyle commitments
Rescuing a dog can be incredibly rewarding, and with so many dogs in US adoption centers right now, it makes sense to adopt instead of shop. However, it’s still important to consider whether you have enough time to dedicate to a new dog and how they will fit into your lifestyle.
Dogs require significant time and attention, including exercise, training, and socialization. You also need to ensure that you have enough room in your home and garden, and if you live in a small apartment, a large, energetic dog may not be the best fit.
Think about how a dog will fit in around your working requirements - for example, whether you will have enough time during the day to provide mental stimulation, food, cuddles, bathroom breaks and walks.
Socialization & training requirements
Correct socialization and training of your new dog are so important, especially when it comes to rescue dogs. Rescue dogs can come with developed negative behaviors, such as chewing, whining or attachment issues.
It can be harder to retrain a dog with existing poor behavior related to trauma or not having their needs met for extended periods of time, so you may need to consider getting help from expert trainers. Puppies will need more time to be toilet trained and taught basic manners like Sit, Down, and Coming When Called, plus they need to be socialized from an early age to ensure they grow up to be confident around other dogs.
The financial aspect
Just like all pets, you'll need to ensure you have financial arrangements in place to support them, whether it’s kennel care while on vacation or unexpected vet bills. Work out how much you can allocate for emergencies and the day-to-day costs like food and training classes.
You should also explore pet insurance options before adopting your dog to ensure you can afford the monthly payments long-term, even if they rise or ask for excess payments on a claim. Do your research, check out customer reviews, and ensure you’ve found a good fit ahead of adopting.
Important questions to ask the adoption center
Ask about their medical history & background
Before adopting a dog, find out about their medical history to determine if they have any conditions that may require ongoing treatment. Dogs that need daily medical treatment are a big commitment, as they will need a lot of time and care and may cost considerably more to look after.
You should also find out more about their background, as this can indicate potential issues. For example, if they are a stray dog that is used to roaming free, they may be uncomfortable being confined and you may have difficulty crate training them, or you might face aggression toward strangers due to a lack of socialization that needs to be addressed in training.
Find out if they have any behavioral issues
Dogs that have lived through difficult circumstances may display behavioral issues, such as aggression, separation anxiety or doggy depression. Dogs with behavioral problems require a lot of love, time, and patience - and they may need special training to teach them how to calm down and trust humans again.
Depending on the type of behavioral issues, they may not be safe around young children or other pets, so finding this out ahead of time can save you heartache and ensure the dog goes to the perfect forever home.
Ask if they can live with other pets or children
Some dogs need to be the sole pet in the household otherwise they may display dominant behavior and cause stress to other animals or children. Rescue centers will be able to tell you the ideal circumstances for the dog, and it can also help you to prepare for what’s to come.
While it can be upsetting to learn a pup you’ve fallen in love with may not be the right fit for you and your family, taking home a dog that is uncomfortable in certain environments can lead to further stress and anxiety for everyone involved.
How to prepare for your new family member
Get your home & garden ready
Preparing your home for a dog is similar to baby-proofing. You need to ensure there aren’t any hanging wires, cleaning products stored low down, or anything within your dog's reach that could harm them if they got hold of it.
Some common household plants can be toxic when chewed or ingested by pets, so take time to thoroughly go through your house and garden to ensure it’s completely dog safe. When it comes to preparing the yard, make sure there are no places your dog could escape and that gates can be closed and locked properly.
Prevention is worth a pound of cure, which is why being prepared to use behavior management tools like walk-through gates, pens, tethers, and crates, that prevent your dog access to various areas of the house, is the best way to keep your dog out of trouble when you can’t supervise them.
Stock up on food, treats & toys
Make sure you have all the supplies needed to care for your new pup, including a dog bed, leash, collar, nametag, treats, dog food, plenty of toys and a crate (if you intend to use one). Before stocking up on dog food, ask the adoption centre about their current diet and feeding schedule.
The shelter may provide you with a dog bed and blanket so your new dog can stay with familiar items, so if you’re bringing those home with your pup, make sure you have a clean, comfy spot to put them.
Create a safe space
When you’re bringing home a rescue dog for the first time, give them plenty of time to adjust and create a space for them where they can get away from other pets, humans, and other potentially stressful situations when necessary.
To begin with, focus on getting your pup comfortable in their new environment and slowly introduce new situations in the coming weeks and months. Their new safe space could be a dedicated room, a quiet area in your home or their crate.
Above all, be patient and consistent, and work together with your dog to help build their new routine. With time, love. and patience, your rescue dog will be settled in no time at all, and you can focus on making memories with your new four-legged family member.