There is no doubt that dogs are little furry bundles of joy that become an inseparable part of their human families in an instant. Dogs’ playful energy, warm cuddles and unconditional love fill happiness in your lives. So, it is no surprise if you are eager to add a four-legged furry companion to your family. And if you are drawn towards adopting a shelter dog, there are a number of aspects you need to consider to get the canine that will be just right for you.
In this article, we have listed factors to consider while finding the shelter dog that is the perfect match for you and your family.
Factors to consider while finding the perfect shelter dog
Consider the following factors while determining the suitability of the shelter dog for your family:
- Breed size
Determine first whether you want a pure breed or a mutt (mixed breed) dog and accordingly, visit the shelters that have your choice of breeds in the house. Keep in mind the size of your home while short-listing the breed. An apartment will be more suitable for small and medium-sized dogs, whereas large-breed dogs would be more comfortable living in a large house, with a backyard. - Age
If you are a first-time pet parent or do not have enough time for training, a mature dog with basic manners may be a good choice for you. Contrary to that, if you are ready to train the pooch from scratch and are comfortable with handling the high energy levels of young dogs, a puppy is a more suitable option. - Personality
Meet more than one dog during your visit to shelter homes. Find out more about the one that has stolen your heart. Have a word with the staff regarding the dog’s liking, whether they are energetic or couch potato, happy around people or want to stay alone, food-driven or motivated by toy plays, etc. Check the compatibility of the dog’s traits with your lifestyle to evaluate their suitability for your home and family. - Comfort level with kids
Spend some time with the dog and take your kid(s) with you. If possible, visit them multiple times and observe how the dog behaves with the kid(s). It is important to know how the dog socializes with kids even when you have kids as frequent visitors to your home. If the rescued dog gets frightened or anxious around kids, it may not be the right choice. But if you have time to work with the dog on this, they may be trained for socializing. - Training level
Check out if the dog is housetrained, and evaluate the level of commands they understand. A puppy or an adult dog who has never received potty training may need more time and effort to get trained. If you have planned to spend the amount of time required for training, an untrained dog should not be a problem. Otherwise, select the dog that has already received basic training. - Behavioral issues
Rescued dogs end up in shelters for various reasons and the stress of being abandoned may lead to behavioral problems in them. Ask the staff if the dog you are interested in has any such problem. It could be anything, from biting behavior to vulnerability to separation anxiety. Knowing about their past helps you arrange for required training to improve the dog’s behavior and provide them a safe forever home they yearn for. - Health status
The health check is one of the most important aspects to consider while adopting a shelter dog. Find out about the vet care the dog has received in the shelter. Check out their vaccination status and find out if the dog has any known health conditions. This will help you determine the kind of care you need to provide to the dog and be financially ready for future expenses.
Wrapping up
Bringing home a new pooch is definitely a happy moment for the family. But, parenting a dog comes with its own set of responsibilities. And when you decide to adopt a shelter dog, it is a notable commitment considering they have a past. Keep in mind the tips mentioned in this blog while selecting the shelter dog for your home to get the canine companion that is the best match for you. This will help add happiness to both your and your new furry family member’s lives.