You are looking for a dog. Your friends have told you heart-warming tales about adopting a shelter dog so you have decided that’s the route for you.
What your friends left out, however, is the months it can take to find a dog at a shelter. You see one online you like, it’s already been adopted. You call about a dog and you find out there is already a waiting list. Feeling a bit frustrated, you finally decide to just go down to the shelter and look at the dogs in person (a good decision really, because you shouldn’t pick out your dog solely on looks anyway).
When you get there, though, you are met by dozens of barking, whining, pacing dogs. It’s overwhelming and heartbreaking. It’s easy to just want to take the first dog you see staring back at your with those sad eyes. But that could be a mistake.
Picking out a rescue dog is no easy task. If done wrong, it could cost that dog a priceless chance of having a home. And if they were already a second or third chance rescue, it may cost them their life.
Before You Go
Make a list involving all the people that will be interacting with the dog on a daily or fairly regular basis: family, close friends, house keeper, etc. This list should include:
- Size of dog – Chihuahua or Great Dane?
- Gender – everyone you meet will have a different opinion on this topic. Since the dog will be fixed before you adopt him or her, it really makes little difference, but you should still discuss it.
- Age – puppy, young adult, or sage senior?
- Breeds – purebred or mixed, you can probably find it at the shelter.
- Good with other animals, kids, etc? – who is already in the household that the new dog must get along with?
- Energy level – couch potato, marathon runner, or something in between?
- Do you want it already trained? (if not, who will be responsible for training?)
- Are you willing to take a special needs case – a dog with 3 legs, need medication, one eye, or doesn’t get along with other pets, children, etc.
Having this list with you will show that you are prepared and have thoroughly thought out the adoption, which will impress the shelter. It will also help you not get swept up in those sad brown eyes. Since no dog is perfect, you may need to be flexible on some of your criteria. Let the shelter worker know which of these you can be flexible on (Like gender or age) and which are a must (like has to be good with kids if you have five).
At The Shelter
Bring along as much of the family as you can, so everyone can have a say. When you get there, show your list to the staff and they can help you determine which dogs fit within your criteria, or at least most of them.
Then, it’s time to meet your potential new family member. Remember, do not get caught up in that cute face and soulful eyes, they all have it. Stick to your criteria! Also, remember that dogs are not comfortable at the shelter so you are most likely not see their true personality. Ask the worker:
- Why the dog was surrendered
- If it was a stray, did they do an evaluation?
- What do staff members who interact with her most say about her personality?
Then, be observant and look for things like:
- Overall health of the animal. Coming from a rescue or a shelter does not mean the dog is healthy. Make sure you can handle whatever it is the dog appears to have before adopting, because you will be paying those vet bills. I adopted a cat from a rescue and ended up paying close to $1,000 in dental and vet bills the week I brought her home.
- Personality. Even though the dog will not be his normal self, you can still look for things like being overly aloof, shy or aggressive when the kids approach, ignoring you rather than coming up and checking you out, guarding behavior, etc.
- Play. Will she play with you at all? Even though they are not comfortable, you can get an idea of her personality by producing a few different kinds of toys. It’s a good sign if they seem at least interested in the toy at the shelter
- Manners. If you are looking for a trained dog, pay attention to how the dog acts while the shelter worker leashes them up and walks them to the visitor area. Are they jumping, pulling, and being a pest?
Above all, do not make an impulse decision or one based purely on looks. Think it over and if you aren’t sure, don’t adopt. There are hundreds of dogs out there and the perfect one is waiting for you, it might be the first dog you look at, or the fiftieth.
About the Author
Based in Tustin, Calif., animal lover Kristina N. Lotz is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and works as a full time trainer. She also owns her own custom pet products company, A Fairytail House, where she makes personalized collars, leashes, beds, keepsake pillows and blankets, and anything else your imagine can think up. In her spare time, she trains and competes in herding, agility, obedience, rally, and conformation with her Shetland Sheepdogs. She smartly married a Veterinary Technician, who helps keep the fur kids happy and healthy, and provides a quick resource for articles.
