| If you and your family are considering getting a dog, | | | | regular basis. He may not always feed the dog |
| you may want to consider getting a rescue dog for | | | | adequately. The dog could be very frightened by |
| adoption instead of buying a brand new puppy. There | | | | strangers and it may not be thrilled to see you at all. |
| are millions of dogs that need good homes in this | | | | Don't take it personally. These dogs need to re-learn |
| country. It's easy to pick up the local penny-saver | | | | to trust humans and all it takes is the right owner to |
| classified ads from your grocers or convenience | | | | teach him that. |
| store and find rescue dogs to adopt. When it comes | | | | Rescue dogs for adoption sometimes require a lot of |
| to adopting a rescue dog, you should ask the | | | | work (i.e., training, attending doggy class or spending |
| following questions to ensure that you get the right | | | | time with other dog professionals). You're the only |
| kind of dog for your family: | | | | person who can really determine whether you want |
| Why are you giving away your dog? If you found | | | | to adopt a particular rescue dog or not. The best |
| the dog advertised for adoption on the Internet or in | | | | way to find out is by observing and spending a lot of |
| the local newspaper, drive up to the owner's house in | | | | quality time with your rescue dog. |
| broad daylight to see the dog's current living | | | | When considering a rescue dog for adoption, make |
| conditions and see how people are treating the dog. | | | | sure to visit your local pet adoption shelter. Before |
| How does the house look? Is it well kept or is it beat | | | | adopting a rescue dog, many city pet agencies |
| down to pieces? Why are they getting rid of the | | | | require the dog to be spayed or neutered before |
| dog? Are they moving out of state or to a new area | | | | leaving the shelter. Many dogs will have received |
| that does not allow dogs? Are they getting rid of the | | | | up-to-date shots from the local shelter. This is |
| dog for financial reasons? Does the dog suffer from | | | | another benefit for adopting a rescue dog from a |
| some kind of medical condition that would prevent | | | | local pet shelter. If you go to a pet shelter, ask if |
| the owner from properly caring for the dog? | | | | you can take the dog out for a walk to see how the |
| You want to ensure that you do not inherit a very | | | | dog reacts with you, other strangers and members |
| sick dog unless you really and honestly plan on giving | | | | of your family. Does he behave well on a leash? Does |
| lots of love, attention and patience to a "new" dog | | | | the dog want to be in control and yank your arm out |
| and lots of money to a veterinarian. | | | | of its socket? Is the dog afraid of coming out of his |
| Does the dog have a medical and behavioral history? | | | | shelter? It could be caused by being intimated by a |
| Does the dog have dietary restrictions, allergies or | | | | group of people... |
| any other kind of psychological habits he may display | | | | By studying the dog's behavior, you should get a |
| while under stress? | | | | sense of its energy and determine whether or not |
| How healthy is the dog? If unhealthy, why is the dog | | | | this particular dog would be a good fit for your |
| not in perfect health right now? The environment | | | | family. Remember that if you are willing to put in the |
| may be a factor, so look at the physical state of the | | | | work, time and effort, adopting a rescue dog can be |
| dog's living quarters. The owner could simply be lazy | | | | a wonderful and rewarding experience. You'll also gain |
| or not have enough time to walk the dog on a | | | | a new best friend for life. |