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Questions To Ask When Adopting a Shelter Dog
These days there are so many amateurs breeding puppies and selling them that the dogs already in shelters are not been given the chance to be adopted by people who would care for them and give them a good home.
As an alternative to buying a new pup from a pet store or a classified advertisement, if you consider yourself to be a true dog lover in every sense, then why not go along to your local shelter and have a look at the dogs desperately waiting to be adopted?
Now I understand that ideally every dog loving family wants to raise a pet from the puppy stage, but why do this when there are thousands of healthy dogs in need of a home just like yours?
Don't let the fact that the dogs are living in the shelter put you off - most of them are not there due to violence or sickness, but for a multitude of other reasons usually beyond their control.
In general people tend to think that rescue dogs are tainted in one way or another. It can't be denied that there are dogs that have been in abusive situations in the past and as a result behavioural problems may have arisen.
What else can you expect when they end up living on the street and having to fend for themselves?
However, all this can change with some TLC and a little basic dog training.
The Animal Shelter Interview
Just like any other service you take up, the animal shelter needs to be checked out before you make a decision about adopting one of their dogs and this will involve asking specific questions in relation to both the shelter and the dog you have your eye on adopting.
You need to know that the shelter takes very good care of the dogs they house and that this care goes much further than simply making sure they have food and water.
Do the dogs have times during the day when they are free to move around, take some exercise and mix with other dogs?
If so, how long does this free time last and do they get the opportunity to interact with humans too?
Certain Dogs to Avoid
You need to be careful about the kind of dog you take into your home. Puppies that have been cramped up in a tiny cage for their stay at the shelter are likely to be stressed, display traumatic anxiety disorders, and be very nervous about the outside world so this is probably not the ideal dog for you.
At the time of visiting the shelter it´s a good idea to ask about the services offered after you have taken the dog home.
For example, do they publish a monthly newsletter or have a website where information about how to make the transition from the shelter to your home smoother and an enjoyable experience for both you and the dog?
Do they offer dog training or can they refer you to someone who specialises in training for dogs who have been rescued from shelters?
By adopting a dog you save a life so get down to the local shelter and start asking those questions straight away!
----------------------------------------If you're interested in adopting a Labradoodle, we strongly suggest you go to IDOG (International Doodle Owners Group) Rescue which is a excellent resource - and you can find tham at the link below:
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