by Anne Stjern

Created on: August 27, 2010   Last Updated: August 29, 2010

Are You Ready to Adopt a Shelter Dog?

Adopting a pet from an animal shelter is a commendable act and one that shelter staff throughout the country wish would happen more often. Giving a forever home to a stray or surrendered pet is not without its challenges, however. Shelters are scary places for our pets and regardless of the quality of care they receive during their stay; the impact can affect their personality in a number of ways.

Many former pets experience separation anxiety and act out in ways they normally would not while strays have not had the opportunity to learn proper manners. Behavior problems such as jumping up on people, play biting or nipping, unnecessary barking, or resource protecting are common with all dogs but can take on a larger role in rescue dogs. With work and patience, these behaviors can be conquered but if unprepared, the challenges of integrating a rescue dog into a new home can be overwhelming.

First Things First

Before setting out to the local shelter to meet your new best friend, there are a few decisions to make. Size, temperament, age, level of training and amount of daily exercise the dog needs are important considerations that will help both you and the shelter staff select the right pet for you. No matter how cute a dog is, if it is isn't a good fit for your living space or lifestyle the relationship is doomed from the start.

At the Shelter

Once you get to the shelter, spend a few minutes with shelter staff and explain what you are looking for in a pet. Ask about the available dogs before venturing into the kennel so you know what to expect. Once you have met the new love of your life, find out as much as possible about the dog before making your final decision. A few helpful questions to ask shelter staff include:

• Is the dog a surrendered pet or a stray?
• How old is the dog?
• Are there any health problems that have been reported?
• How does the dog interact with other dogs?
• How does the dog interact with staff?
• Have there been any incidences of serious resource protecting?
• How active has the dog been during its stay in the shelter?

Welcome Home!

The first week with a new pet is always a little stressful as family members get used to each other. This is especially true of your shelter rescue, so expect a getting to know you period of at least a couple of weeks. As you work to establish house rules and limits, be prepared for the occasional lapse of judgment on both your parts. Remember, cats are not the only curious animal, so if there is something you don't want you dog to disturb, put it up and away. You won't always have to take this precaution but for the first few weeks, the fewer temptations the better. Chew toys, long walks, and a few sessions of fetch will go a long way towards helping your new pet bond with you and his forever home.

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