Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 4: Match Your Dog
• Part 2 of 4: Prepare for your dog to enter the house
• Part 3 of 4: How to take a dog from a shelter
• Part 4 of 4: How to groom your new dog
• Tips
• A warning

Ever wanted to adopt a dog from a shelter? Adopting a shelter dog that has been abandoned or bullied can save his life, and at the same time, it can enrich your life. Dogs of almost any breed and age can be "adopted". You can take them in different places, it can be breed dog care centers, shelters or temporary overexposure.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Match Your Dog

1. 1 Study dog ​​breeds. Each breed has its own characteristics and needs. Explore the different types of breeds and find the breed that suits you best. Various online resources, books and magazines about different breeds of dogs can help you with this.
   • Find a dog that suits your activity level. Some breeds are more energetic than others. If you lead a sedentary lifestyle and like to spend time quietly and calmly, then it would be wrong to take a dog of a breed that is famous for its high activity, such as the Boxer or Jack Russell Terrier. Better look at breeds such as Pekingese or Shih Tzu.
   • Consider your living conditions. If you live in a small apartment, then it is worth taking a small breed dog. Larger dogs can also live in apartments, but they will need to pay more attention to get enough exercise. On the other hand, small dogs may feel uncomfortable in a house with a large surrounding area, full of dangers for them.
   • Decide on your requirements. If you take a puppy, then you have to teach him everything. In addition, some dogs need special attention during the day. Think about how much time you can spend with your adopted dog.
2. 2 Consider whether it is worth taking a dog with special needs. These are dogs that need constant veterinary supervision, dogs with disabilities, dogs that have been abused and now have behavioral or emotional problems.
   • Try to understand the dog's needs before expressing your desire to "adopt" her. A dog with a chronic illness will often have to be taken to the veterinarian. Make sure you can pay for these visits and the costs of maintaining and caring for your dog.
   • Set aside a special time for your dog. Many dogs get nervous when they find themselves in a new home, especially dogs with special needs. Try to give your dog as much time as possible so that he gets used to you, to the other members of your family, to the new home.
   • Ask at the shelter or at the overexposure: "What special thing will I need to do to ensure that this dog is properly cared for?"
3. 3 Visit the shelter. Dogs of all breeds, ages and all skill levels can be found in the shelters. Call the shelter and ask if it is possible to come and meet the dogs that they have for the shelter.Ask how you can get to know overexposed dogs, if they have any.
   • Before going to the shelter, it is worth visiting its website. Many shelters post information about attached pets in the shelter and overexposure sections. Read information about different pets. Find out the characteristics and individual needs of each dog.
   • If you are looking for a special dog, such as a rare breed, ask to be put on the queue. Most shelters will inform you if they have such a dog.
   • Contact the breed-specific dog help teams for a specific breed or purebred purebred dog, browse the websites or call breed-specific help centers.

Part 2 of 4: Prepare for your dog to enter the house

1. 1 Buy whatever you need for your dog. This includes: collar, leash, food and water bowls, dog food. You may want to buy a cage or playpen, toys, dog crib, training aids. Here's a list of things you might need:
   • food bowl;
   • dog food;
   • a bowl for water;
   • collar or harness;
   • leash;
   • address book;
   • dog bed;
   • arena;
   • carrying cage;
   • dog bed or blanket;
   • new toys.
2. 2 Find a veterinarian. You may not be adopting a dog that will need regular veterinary care, but many shelters ask the new owner to find a veterinary clinic near their home in advance before "adopting" the dog. This will ensure that you are well prepared for the introduction of a dog into your home.
   • Talk to local veterinarians and ask them about the breed of your choice. If you want to adopt a dog of a certain breed, ask your veterinarian if he has worked with that breed. If you are adopting a pet that will need ongoing veterinary care, check with your veterinarian if he has encountered a specific problem that your dog has.
   • Ask for a prevention program for your pet. Many veterinarians have a puppy and dog health program that includes veterinarian visits and preventive measures such as annual vaccinations and heartworm tests. Ask your veterinarian if they have any discounts on the package of services.
3. 3 Check if your home is dog safe. After you have equipped your new pet, go around the house and remove or move anything that could pose a potential hazard to your dog. The extent of this training will depend on the size of the dog and on its character. But, in general, it is worth doing the following:
   • Block access to stairs that might lead you to where you would not want your dog to go, or could be dangerous for a small puppy.
   • Close the trash cans if they have no lids.
   • Secure the bottom drawers of cabinets that your dog can climb into, especially if you keep household chemicals in them.
   • Move away or block any objects with sharp edges or ends that could cut your dog.
   • Close toilets, especially those that are cleaned with chemicals.
   • If you live in a private house, make sure that it is fenced off.
   • If you have potentially dangerous plants such as fruits, vegetables, and other plantings in your yard or home, remove or block access to them.
   • Check other places in the house if necessary.

Part 3 of 4: How to take a dog from a shelter

1. 1 Complete all papers. Once you have found a dog that you like, everything is prepared for its appearance in your home, proceed to the very process of "adoption". Start by filling out paperwork at a shelter or overexposure.Tell the shelter management that you are ready to take the dog, find out if someone else has taken the dog you have chosen, and then ask them to send you a copy of the agreement for the transfer of the animal.
   • Completing the attachment documentation can take time. You may need to include not only your name and address, but also the veterinarian's contacts, your profile, and even the reasons why you want to take the dog and what you did to prepare for your arrival.
   • Keep in mind that shelters always want dogs to find loving, caring owners and a permanent home to take care of the dog for its entire life. Try to fill out the documentation as completely as possible.
2. 2 Pay the "adoption" fee. Most shelters and overexposures charge a fee for the "adoption" of dogs, which covers some degree of their costs of rescuing and caring for the dog. This includes neutering or neutering and veterinary services that the dog required after being rescued. Fees vary depending on breed, age, condition, training or veterinary care the shelter has provided.
   • Find out how you can pay for the services of the shelter. For example, if you want to pay by credit card and the shelter only accepts cash, you will not be able to borrow a dog from them.
   • Check with the shelter in advance how much you will have to pay for your pet if you have not already been given this information.
3. 3 Arrange a visit to your home. Some shelter workers visit potential owners' homes before donating a dog. Ask the shelter if visiting your home is a prerequisite or not. If so, ask for a date and time for the visit.
   • Ask the shelter in advance how this visit will go. Will it be a short visit? Do I need to prepare food, bed, any toys? What do you need to cook?
   • Typically, the purpose of this visit is to make sure you are able to properly care for the dog. Ask what kind of documentation you will need to prepare to demonstrate this.
   • Make sure you have time. It is foolish to leave the dog alone in the house during the follow-up visit. Make sure that by the time the dog is brought to you, you have already completed all your business - take a day off from work or take time off from school to spend the whole day with the dog.
4. 4 Make an appointment to pick up the dog. After you complete all the paperwork and receive permission from the shelter, you can pick up the dog and bring it home. Make an appointment to pick up your dog at the shelter and bring it to your new permanent home.
   • Take care of transport. Even if you can transport animals in public transport in your city, the dog can get scared or agitated and show aggression. Try to arrange a car to get your new pet home quickly and with minimal stress.
   • Try to pick up your pet on a day when you can spend the whole day with it. Your new dog is likely to be scared and confused. If you leave her at home alone immediately after you bring her into the house, it will not be easy for her to get used to. Find a day where you can spend all the time with your new dog and help him get used to his new environment.

Part 4 of 4: How to groom your new dog

1. 1 Work with your puppy. If you have adopted a puppy, keep in mind that he has a lot of energy that needs to be directed in the right direction. Sign up for a general training course with your puppy. They will not only teach your puppy how to behave, but will also help you learn how to properly cope with some of his unwanted habits and actions.
   • It is very important to be consistent in teaching. Stay on top of classes and train teams and behaviors at home between classes.
   • If after general training your puppy still needs to be disciplined, consider how to continue training.
   • Local kennel clubs offer activities for puppies and young dogs. Contact the club for a training course or a local instructor.
2. 2 Socialize your dog. It is very important that your dog learns to interact with both other dogs and people in an intelligent and respectful manner. Socialize your dog, introduce him to other dogs and people, and teach him how to interact with them properly.
   • Be patient. A dog that has suffered a lot and has been rescued may take time to socialize. Shelter animals can be shy or distrustful. It is very important to give them the opportunity to socialize, but you should not force them to take any action. This can hurt both your dog and those you want to introduce him to.
   • Start introducing your dog to family and friends at home. Let your dog meet new people in a familiar and familiar environment, and only then can you leave it with new people for a more or less long time.
   • Try going to a dog-walking area to help your pet socialize with other dogs.
   • If you are worried that your dog may show aggression towards other dogs or people, contact a dog handler to work with her. This usually happens as a result of previous training sessions or because of the fear the dog is experiencing. A well-chosen training program will help your dog learn to behave correctly and receive positive reinforcement for such behavior.
3. 3 Get your dog examined by a veterinarian. Even if the shelter has arranged veterinary services for your dog, it is important to have your dog examined by the veterinarian after you have brought him home. This will allow your dog and vet to get to know each other. In addition, your veterinarian will be able to assess your dog's condition and make a plan of action that works best for her.
   • Call your veterinarian and tell them you have a new dog. Ask for an appointment so that the vet will examine the dog and create a package for it.
4. 4 Be patient. Your dog has to process a lot of information at once. Among other things, she has to overcome the stress of getting used to the new environment or because of what she had to go through in her former home. Be patient. Try to understand your new dog as he gets used to his new home.
   • Don't follow stereotypical parenting practices that might harm your dog. You shouldn't hit her, even slightly, with a rolled-up newspaper, you shouldn't poke her nose into puddles if "trouble" has happened to her.
   • Reward her for the correct behavior with affection, a kind word, and various treats. Try not to react to all negative behaviors, unless the behavior poses an immediate threat to the dog or to someone else.
   • Work with a trainer or animal psychologist if you need to create an appropriate training program for you and your pet.
   • Don't give up or give up on your new dog if it doesn't behave the way you would like it to. Work with her and reinforce the correct behavior.

Tips

• Remember, shelters and breed teams charge a "adoption" fee to help them cover their costs of rescuing the dog. Typically, this fee is much less than the cost of a puppy from a breeder or pet store.

A warning

• Certain fighting breeds are prohibited in some areas. Check the rules for keeping dogs in your country and city to make sure that you are legally allowed to keep a dog of this breed in your city.
• Make sure that your dog undergoes a full veterinary examination before "adoption" so that possible health problems of your pet do not come as a surprise to you.