So, you're thinking about sweet furry faces, happy helicopter tails, being showered in wet, sloppy kisses, and adopting a dog.
Adopting a dog is a life-long commitment. They become a family member. You will be their whole world. He will trust you with his whole heart, life, and pure, unconditional love.
You may hear about experiences people have had adopting dogs, just like you may hear things on many different topics, on any given day.
You can ask 10 different people the same question and get 10 different answers even though the topic is the same (ex: “My friend, Betty's daughter,
was bitten by a pit bull. I will never get a pitbull!”)
No dog has the same personality, history, or behavior profile as another dog. Circumstances change. Just because it was one experience, with one dog, doesn't mean the same thing will happen to you with a different dog and in different circumstances. The dynamics are different and always changing.
Prepare, Research, Pray
Research the breed of dog you're interested in adopting. Find out as much as you can before your “Meet & Greet” with the dog you're considering adopting. The more you know about him will help you decide if he's right for you and if are you right for him.
Dogs should have a say in the matter.
There are telltale signs if they like you and are socially outgoing toward you.
Ex: Happily coming up to you, helicopter tail wag, looks at you, takes a treat from your hand, and lets you pet him.
Some behaviors can show he's just not into you.
Ex: Growling, and baring teeth, give clear signs to stay away, and don't pet him.
What traits does the dog you're considering adopting have?
Ask questions his foster mom or dad, or shelter staff, can answer.
If he lives in a foster setting, his foster parent will be able to answer a lot more of your questions about him and his daily life than the shelter staff. Ask shelter staff questions they may be more likely and able to answer.
Foster parents and shelter staff will have questions for you too.
Ex: Is it a 1-parent or 2-parent home? Have kids or expecting a child? Is there a cat and/or another dog in your home? Why are you looking to adopt? Do you have the time and resources it takes to care for him?
Ex: What if he becomes ill or injured and needs vet care, possibly surgery, can you financially support, provide for, and maintain a good life for your new dog? Be there for him timewise, especially when he comes home to get better.
Be open, honest, and realistic about your answers.
Never get a dog because you think, “If only I had a dog to love me, I'd be happy.”
Never get a dog as a holiday gift for someone, especially kids. They aren't property, like a gift. They are living, breathing pets and family members with big hearts and beautiful souls.
Ask about his health history (ex: Past or present illness or injury, or chronic illness?) vaccinations (are all shots up-to-date?), Has he been neutered (or spayed for a female dog?)
Does he walk, or run, up to you with a smile, helicopter tail, and give you kisses?
Or,
Does he cower closely by the foster mom, or shelter staff, in a corner?
Or,
Does he seem genuinely happy to meet you, you know, “a happy-go-lucky kinda fella?”
Or,
Does he nervously yawn a lot or project other nervous traits?
Or,
Does he seem aggressive toward you? Does he keep jumping hard on you or growling at you?
Think about the message his behavior is sending.
How Can You Know, “Who He Is?”
What you can do is ask about his history, background, and behavior in different circumstances and settings, and compare them to what he’s like now and in 2 or three “Meet & Greets.”
Ask, Ask, Ask!
Have 2 or 3 visits with him. How, if anything, has his behavior changed each time? Why?
A good way to find out is to ask the right questions:
What kind of family would seem best for him? Kids, cats, other dogs, babies, 1 parent, 2 parents? Home alone all day? Crate trained? Active/lots of energy?
What else do I need to know about him?
What is the story that brought him to you?
What is his medical history?
Does he bark a lot?
Look at how he is behaving right now in the current setting.
Does he appear
shy or timid?
Nervous, jumpy, or can't settle down?
Or,
Does he seem gentle, sweet, and affectionate with you?
Ask some insightful questions to give you a good feeling of whether he is, indeed, perfect for you and your family such as the Extremely Important Questions listed.
12 Extremely Important Questions
What is the most important thing you can tell me about him?
Has he been re-homed before? How many times? Why?
Have you seen signs, or know, if he’s been abused, neglected, or abandoned?
Does he need urgent or ongoing medical care and treatment?
Does he have a microchip?
Has he been neutered? (or spayed for a female)
Vaccinated? All shots up-to-date?
Groomed?
Does he have a fur sibling or family he misses desperately? (Ex: Due to death of his loved one? Or, his family moved without him?)
What kind of family would seem best for him? Kids, cats, other dogs, babies, 1 parent, 2 parents?
How many times is he being fed per day and given water and treats? What brand of food and treats? Walks? Go outside? Play?
To your knowledge, was he left home alone all day or outside all the time? Crate trained?
Visit With Him a Few Times
What is his behavior like towards you at each of your visits? Does he act differently each time?
Having researched his breed ahead of time, please answer: On a scale of 1-10
1 is no, and 10 is yes.
Is he very active and needs a lot of exercise to calm down his nervous energy?
Or,
Is he calm and likes to take cozy naps and snuggle?
Or,
Does he need a lot of attention and affection?
Or
Is he happy looking out the window and watching the squirrels?
Investigate Further
What can you tell me about his walks (does he take the lead/leash, or does he heal and walk nicely alongside you?
Or,
Does he not cooperate, stay in place, and pull or tug on the leash?
Or,
Does he lunge at other dogs and bark with aggression?
Or,
Does he only want to stop and sniff sniffs with his sniffer and won't continue on?
What's his favorite toy? Does he want you to play too or does he take the toy, walk away, drop it, and not bring it back to you?
What is he like at bedtime? Does he sleep through the night? When does he wake up to go outside to go potty, and eat breakfast?
Other Things To Consider
Is his heart open to trust you?
What if he misbehaves? Is he just trying to get your attention?
Or,
Is he upset that you're busy and can't play with him right now?
Investigate Further
Does he seem happy, playful, energetic or does he seem lethargic and timid?
Is he a senior dog, pup, or puppy? How old do you think he is?
You Can Also Ask These Questions:
As far as you know, has he had any training? (In your home, who would train him regularly?)
Does he obey commands?
Does he sleep good at night?
Does he bark a lot?
Does he jump on people when he meets them?
When you bring him home, he will need time to acclimate and feel comfortable through love, and reassurance he's a good boy, he's safe, you will take good care of him, provide what he needs, and understand and love him as long as it takes.
As you can see, there's much more to know and learn than just thinking about sweet furry faces, happy helicopter tails, and being showered in wet, sloppy kisses.
Once you feel confident that, “Yes, he's the one for you,” it's a life-long commitment of love and companionship.
You are the dog's world, they will give you pure unconditional love, and will always be there for you. Are you able to do the same in return?
Get your copy today of my book, "𝑷𝒖𝒅𝒅𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒔"
Come back and check out next week's blog…
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