Dog Adoption- 15 vital steps  you need to know

If you are considering adopting a dog, that can be a great choice to save a dog. 

Did you know that there are more than 6 million shelter pets every year in the United States according to the ASPCA.   Sadly, nearly 1.5 million of these pets are euthanized.

However, around 3 million are adopted by families each year.  This is encouraging, but it still doesn’t outpace the number of animals abandoned.

There is more help needed and dog adoption can save their lives. 

There are 72.9 pet owners in the United States.  They not only provide companionship but it has been proven that dogs can benefit their owner's health by relieving stress and depression.  

It has also been shown to lower blood pressure.

Dog Adoption is an enormous commitment. 

Many people purchase puppies and then they realize that they need to be potty trained, they can be destructive, and they need to be walked several times a day.

Puppies can be horrible holiday gifts for new dog owners because many people are unaware of the responsibility and work they require.

Many puppies go off to the pound because the puppy had an accident and the owners had no time to take the dog out and provide the attention puppies need.

Puppies are not well-developed so it is difficult for me to see any gross abnormalities. I have always met and interacted with the dogs for at least 15 minutes.

Under the circumstances of being in an adoption situation, a dog could be more nervous than he would be once established in a forever home. 

Dogs are frequently surrendered for shocking reasons.

People think that dogs who are up for adoption are headaches that other people want to get rid of.  That isn't true.

Dog Adoption - 15 Points To Consider

1. When you first meet a dog kneel down or squat, hold out your hand (with palm up), and call the dog using a gentle, kind voice to invite the dog to interact. How does the dog respond to you (fearful, aggressive, playful, affectionate…)?

2. Observe the dog’s energy level. This is tricky because under the circumstances the dog might (understandably) be hyper or excited). Does everybody’s energy work well together? Does everybody get along?

3. I would see how the dog interacts with your family members including other pets, and significant others…) and see how those people and pets respond to the dog.

Of course, you should always ask the people who are in the adoption organization before you do this.  The dog can become overwhelmed if he is bombarded with so many stimuli.

Just as important as observing the adoptive dog’s reaction, it is just as critical to observe the behavior of those significant others and pets when they meet the dog.  

4. Is your child fearful of the dog and/or does the child know how to be gentle with the dog?  

5. Is the dog comfortable with being handled appropriately (as opposed to pulling at the tail which is not appropriate)?

6. Does he react with fear or anger? Does the dog’s energy level match yours? Is the dog too high-energy?
A person who is very inactive or not available still needs to ensure that the dog can get enough exercise. A dog who is calmer or older will probably need less exercise.

7. Will you, a family member, or a dog walker be able to take the dog out long enough to get that energy out for exercise? It is not unusual for a high-energy dog who doesn’t get enough exercise to be destructive at home. All dogs need exercise to get their energy out of their system.

8. Is there a park nearby?
Are you able to exercise the dog in the backyard?  Not just let him outside, but actively play around and throw a ball for at least a couple of hours a day.

Questions to ask the adoption agency before adopting a dog:

Review details about the dogs with the helpers who have some familiarity with the dogs before adopting a dog.

Ask questions like:

9. Does the dog have any health issues?

10. What is the dog’s background story?

11. Was he abandoned? Abused? Neglected?

12. Why was he/she surrendered?

13. Does the dog have any fears or anxiety about anything in particular that you know of? Is the dog ok with children? Other pets?

14. Are there any behavioral issues that I could address and focus on?

15. Is the dog house trained to go outside?

These are important points to consider before dog adoption is right for you.

Here is my recommended e-book that goes into more detail about points to consider to adopting a dog.