A Shelter Dog In Adopt-a-Dog Month?
October is "Adopt a Dog Month". I am personally all for adopting a shelter dog so long as the shelter has a reputation that can be trusted. I have the skills to evaluate dogs, and I know how to read dog body language to see what the dog is telling me about himself. But most potential adopters do not.
Meeting with the family who fostered the dog is important. So is speaking with any previous owners the dog has had.
I also strongly recommend NOT getting a new puppy as a gift or a surprise for a family member. Especially on holidays or birthdays, as there is a frenzy of activity that make scare the new pup.
Before you bring home a new puppy or older dog, you should sit down and determine all rules for the dog. Inconsistency really causes a lot of dog behavior problems.
You also need to research your dog breed of choice well and be sure you can handle it's care needs. Walks, grooming, etc. A dog is not a toy that you can play with when you wish. It is a serious commitment.
The truth is that many dogs were abandoned for one of two reasons:
1. The owner no longer wants the responsibility, or
2. Extreme dog behavior problems.
You need to know which it is before you give your heart to that cute shelter dog or playful pup.
It's also good to agree that "I am going to try this shelter dog for two to four weeks before committing." Sometimes, the full extent of dog behavior problems doesn't show up at first, and most owners might miss the subtle symptoms. Explicitly stating and enforcing this "trial period" will help prevent heartbreak, for we people tend to form serious emotional attachments to our furry friends very quickly!
Consider this. Everyone loves to watch Beethoven and Turner and Hooch, but it's not cute at all when it's YOUR house!
Rena Murray
DogWhisperWoman
Meeting with the family who fostered the dog is important. So is speaking with any previous owners the dog has had.
I also strongly recommend NOT getting a new puppy as a gift or a surprise for a family member. Especially on holidays or birthdays, as there is a frenzy of activity that make scare the new pup.
Before you bring home a new puppy or older dog, you should sit down and determine all rules for the dog. Inconsistency really causes a lot of dog behavior problems.
You also need to research your dog breed of choice well and be sure you can handle it's care needs. Walks, grooming, etc. A dog is not a toy that you can play with when you wish. It is a serious commitment.
The truth is that many dogs were abandoned for one of two reasons:
1. The owner no longer wants the responsibility, or
2. Extreme dog behavior problems.
You need to know which it is before you give your heart to that cute shelter dog or playful pup.
It's also good to agree that "I am going to try this shelter dog for two to four weeks before committing." Sometimes, the full extent of dog behavior problems doesn't show up at first, and most owners might miss the subtle symptoms. Explicitly stating and enforcing this "trial period" will help prevent heartbreak, for we people tend to form serious emotional attachments to our furry friends very quickly!
Consider this. Everyone loves to watch Beethoven and Turner and Hooch, but it's not cute at all when it's YOUR house!
Rena Murray
DogWhisperWoman
Labels: adopt a dog, dog behavior problems, dog breed, DogWhisperWoman, Rena Murray, Shelter dog
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