Adopting a dog is an exciting time for a family. Making sure you pick the best type of dog for your family can be a confusing decision. Let me help to walk you through what to do when you are trying to pick your newest family member. Here are the things to consider and decide prior to beginning your search.
Are you ready for a dog? Adding a dog to your family is a huge responsibility. Are you going to be able to provide adequate food and shelter? Is your family going to have enough time to play with and care for the dog?
What type of dog is best for my family? Is the dog breed you are looking at good with children? This is a huge mistake people can make. Having a dog that is child-friendly is a necessity. I know you can take a look at the dogs and fall in love with that cute little pup, but will it prone to biting or hurting a small child? If you adopt a dog from the pound or Animal Humane Society, they normally test the animals to see what type of environment they would be best in. When we picked our dog they had done various stress tests on her to ensure she would be good with kids. Remember, each dog has an individual personality, just because a certain breed is said to be good or bad around children does not mean each and every dog that breed will fall into that category. Think about the size of dog you would like. Do you want a dog that can withstand the cold and remain mainly outside? Do you want a cute little dog that can be carried in purse and dressed in little clothes? Will that size dog fit well into your family? Personally I would love a little dog, but I know that my two year old would torment a small dog, so we went for a medium-sized.
Find the right place to adopt a dog. You can get a dog from a number of different places, including dog rescues, shelters, individuals and pet shops. Fees are different at each location and the type of dog you get can vary by location. Getting a dog from a dog rescue or shelter could bring a dog that is timid or overly aggressive, depending on their background. I got a dog from a shelter that was extremely timid unless she got scared at which time she would become extremely aggressive and would bite. Buying a dog from an individual or some pet stores poses the risk of coming from a “puppy mill” and then contributing to the mistreatment of dogs.
Now that you have decided on the type of dog that you want and have an idea of where to look for the dog, begin the search! There are many places to find a shelter, dog rescue, pet store. A great place to start is Petfinder. This will give you a list of local animals up for adoption, many containing a picture. As you search through Petfinder, you may notice some animals have warnings that state “No Kids”, “No Dogs” or “No Cats”, making it much easier to look at only the dogs that will be good for your family.
When you find the one you are interested in, pay the animal a visit, spend some time with it and be sure your new found friend will fit in well with your family. One of the perks in purchasing a dog from shelter or rescue is that the dogs are normally spayed/neutered and their shots are up to date.
Before bringing home the new family member, be sure you have the following ready to accomodate the dog:
- Collar or harness
- Leash
- Dog Food
- Dog Treats
- Dog Toys
- A place for your dog to sleep
If you make an informed decision when picking your dog, spend enough time making sure you are ready for a dog and the dog you pick is ready for your family, you will have a life long friend.
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