Rescue Risks: How to Pick the Right Shelter Dog for You.

Kingdom of Pets replies:

While getting any new pet is somewhat of a gamble there are a few basic principles to follow when choosing an animal from a shelter that can help you avoid some of the potential challenges.

Choosing a Shelter Dog

Stray or not

Although some animals come to the Shelter directly from owners who can no longer care for them, many will be strays or abandoned dogs.

Stray dogs have no history, so you should be ready for anything, including excess barking; destructive chewing; fear of men, women, children, noises, other dogs, etc.; house soiling; fear-biting; dominance; aggression; constant roaming; and health problems.

Dogs who come directly from owners however, can also have many problems. Owners who don’t train their pets may create a dog that is destructive, ill-behaved, aggressive, fearful, or just plain wrong for your circumstances. Owners surrendering pets may also provide false information to shelters so that even though you have more details you cannot be sure they are correct.

When you have no reliable history for an animal, you must rely on the observations and judgment of the staff at the shelter as well as your own instincts. Asking a few of the right questions can help you get the most information.

Ask the Shelter personnel these questions:

• What history do you have on this dog?
• What vaccinations, worming, and tests has the dog had?
• What behavior problems have been noticed since the dog arrived?
• Does the dog know basic commands?
• Is the dog de-sexed and does it have any existing medical conditions?
• Has the dog been tested for safety with cats, children and people?
• Can you refer me to a book, a breeder, a breed or kennel club, or a rescue organization?
• Do you provide training services or referrals?
• Do you provide consultation on behavior problems?

Be aware that a lot of these dogs are unsettled from being moved from place to place and will naturally need some time to adjust. It's estimated that an abandoned dog takes between six weeks and four months before settling into a new home.

Choose the right breed and personality

Do your research on breeds and their basic characteristics. Many good breed books are available from your local library. If possible take the breed book with you to the shelter to double check important information such as exercise needs, grooming needs, and breed strengths and weaknesses.

A German Shepherd that has a history of running away and is not obedience trained is not suitable for an elderly owner. A terrier-mix that nips kids is not right for a family with small children. A dominant adult male Rottweiler or Akita is not a desirable pet for a first-time owner;

If Shelter staff can’t help you in your selection, you’d be wise to visit another Shelter.

Questions to ask yourself:

• Do you want a puppy as your new companion? Young dogs often need much more training and supervision than more mature dogs. If you are busy and do not have time to work to a puppy feeding, training and housebreaking schedule consider an older dog.
• Does the dog's personality suit your lifestyle? If you are an active, social person who plans to take your dog wherever you go, you would probably suit a younger, friendly, confident, energetic dog. If you are not particularly active, you may be better suited to an older more placid dog.
• What sort of dog suits my housing, resources and abilities, for example if you live in a small apartment maybe a small dog is better, if you have limited mobility a smaller, lighter dog would be easier to care for.

Rescue shelter benefits

Dogs in adoption shelters can be an ideal choice for first-time owners, because they're often already housetrained and have usually been trained to some level of obedience. This takes a huge weight off a novice owner.

Rescue shelter dogs are also much less expensive than those purchased from a breeder (think $50 instead of $500).

Good shelters provide veterinary care too. Some will neuter/spay the dogs they take in, and most will include this service in the modest adoption fee. Your dog should be free of injury or disease, or at the very least, you'll be notified of any existing conditions before purchase, and will be given an idea of the care and expense required for treatment.

Finally, the emotional reward that comes from taking in an abandoned animal is often the best part of all. And isn’t that a wonderful way to start.

You can never be 100% sure that the dog you choose will be completely free of behavioral problems when you get them home, but this is also true of puppies purchased from breeders and pet shops. As long as you make an informed decision and choose a dog that is right for you, your adoption experience should be a highly rewarding one.

All the best,

Daniel Stevens and the Secrets to Dog Training Team
"Secrets to Dog Training - STOP Dog Behavior Problems!"
http://www.kingdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/

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