No “tips list” can guarantee that
the dog you walk away from the shelter or rescue group with will be the
perfect dog for your family, but by following a few simple rules you
can help minimize the chances of adopting a dog that will fit well into
your family and lifestyle.
The first step in
choosing the right dog is choosing the right group to
adopt from. If you have small children in your home, prefer a purebred,
or would like to do a specific activity with your dog such as therapy
work or agilty you should probably go through a rescue group to get
your dog. Rescue groups are usually breed specific, and because they
foster dogs in homes instead of kennels, they can thoroughly evaluate a
dogs temperament- thereby making it easier to match dogs to homes that
prefer or require specific traits. If you have a soft sport for mixed
breed dogs, a lifestyle that can accommodate unanticipated behavioral
issues, and like the feeling of rescuing a pup from death row the local
animal shelter may be the route to go.
Either way, when you meet a potential dog
for the first time let him sniff you, and then ignore him for a few
minutes. Does he nuzzle for attention or wander to the other end of the
room or leash investigating smells. Ideally, the dog should act curious
about you and generally people oriented without demanding your
attention.
Pet and play with the dog. Not all
dogs are playful in strange situations, but they should not show
discomfort in being petting. As you are petting the dog, run your hands
all over their body, including ears, paws/nails, and lifting the gums
to look at the teeth. The dog should tolerate this touching without
aggression.
As you are playing with the dog,
turn and begin to jog away. Dog the dog immediately start to follow
you? Does he run ahead? A dog who doesn’t follow may have trouble
bonding with you, and a dog who runs to be in front of you may have
dominant tendencies, but following or running at your side indicates a
happy, behaviorally sound dog.
Take the dog for a short walk
outside, preferably around people. Does he pull ahead? Lag behind?
Lunge at strangers or balk from them? Any untrained dog may lag to
sniff or pull ahead in excitement but a behaviorally sound dog will not
do so out of fear or aggression. The dog should show a casual interest
in people walking by without signs of timidity or aggression. If at any
point the dog demonstrates aggression you should allow the dog more
time to work with rescue/shelter trainers and behaviorists before
bringing him into your home.
Remember that many dogs new to the
shelter or rescue may be healing from a spay or neuter or being treated
for illnesses- medical conditions like these, or extreme starvation,
can affect the dogs behavior around you so the above tests may not be
accurate. If you find yourself drawn to a dog that isn’t healthy yet,
inquire if fostering is an option. Fostering the dog will allow you the
opportunity to get to know the dog without making a commitment before
you can see the entire picture.
If the dog passes all these test
with an amicable and friendly personality then you are well on your way
to adopting a happy, healthy canine companion.
Before taking the dog home, you
should inquire about the group’s post adoption health policy:
You should absolutely take your newly adopted dog to your own vet
within 24-48 hours of adoption. It is important to know the rescue’s
policy on what they will do if your newly adopted dog proves to be ill.
A trustworthy shelter will take the animal back, refund your adoption
fee, treat the animal, and put it back up for adoption. A rescue should
have, at minimum, the same policy and a good rescue group will offer to
pay the bill if it was something their vet should have noticed.
