Unconditional love. Loyalty. Admiration. A best friend. A constant companion.
If this sounds good to you, then you just might be an excellent candidate to adopt a shelter dog.
Every year, three to four million dogs and cats are euthanized – simply because they are unwanted. By adopting a shelter dog, you can fill your home with love – and save a life.
But adopting in haste is not only unwise of you; it is unfair to the dog. Fido, who thinks he has finally found his forever home, will end up dumped right back off at the shelter. This is one of the most traumatizing events that can happen to a shelter dog.
Adopting a shelter dog, if approached with consideration and thoughtfulness, is a definite win-win scenario. If you’re thinking of adopting a dog, consider the following to ensure that your story has a happy ending:
Evaluate Your Home Environment
Do you live in an apartment with no yard, or a big home with a fenced-in yard? It’s not fair to adopt a dog that requires a lot of exercise if you have a small yard (or no yard), and then become frustrated when he tears around your house trying to burn off energy.
Likewise, if you have children, don’t expect your new dog to immediately warm up to being poked, pulled and prodded – especially if he’s not used to kids. It’s best to ask the shelter staff which dogs they recommend for children. Animal shelter staff tend to know the personality of their dogs very well, and can point you in the right direction.
On the flip side, if you prefer a more sedate lifestyle, you might consider giving a home to a deserving older canine who will be happy snuggling on the couch with you while you watch old movies.
Give Your New Dog Time to Adjust
As excited as you are to bring your new shelter dog home, he will likely be confused, apprehensive and even scared. After all, you are taking him from an environment that he is used to (the shelter) and dropping him in a strange new place with new people. If he came from a background of abuse, this will only add to his stress level.
Adding to the stress and confusion is that fact that, all of a sudden, the rules will have changed on him. What was expected of him at the shelter (and possibly in his previous home) will not be what you expect.
During this adjustment period, it’s not uncommon if your new dog doesn’t eat for a few days. He might even go a few days without going potty. Remember, the stress he is feeling will likely disrupt his system. This is normal. Be patient, show him love, and by all means don’t scold him if he doesn’t “do his thing” when you take him outside. Even if he is housebroken, his stress and confusion will likely lead to accidents.
Once your new pet understands that he is safe in his “forever home”, he will relax and quickly become a part of the family.
Don’t Force Yourself on Your Shelter Dog
As tempting as it is to want to instantly bond with your new dog, it’s important to consider his past and understand that this will take time. Especially if your dog is not a puppy, you are probably not his first owner, and you don’t know the rules under which he previously lived. You might want him to cuddle with you on the couch, but if he was previously scolded or punished for going on the furniture, it will take him time to understand that it is now okay and that you are not going to yell at him if he joins you for a little TV watching on the sofa.
The key is to let your new companion get to know you at his own pace. Forcing yourself on him will only overwhelm and frighten him. Soon enough he will become comfortable with both you and his new surroundings – and before you know it he’ll be hogging the bed!
Kids and Dogs: A Delicate Combination
Just as you don’t want to force yourself on your new shelter dog, you also don’t want to overwhelm him when it comes to meeting his two-legged siblings.
Never let children sit on your new dog, pull his tail, grab him or otherwise taunt him. Overbearing kids could be just the catalyst that turns your new dog's fear and stress into biting.
It's also important not to let children go near the dog's food or try to take his toys away from him, since that could also provoke him to snap.
The best rule of thumb is to introduce your kids to your new dog slowly, and always while supervised. And remember that respect is a two-way street. Your children need to respect your dog’s needs and fears just as much as he needs to respect theirs.
All too many sweet, loving dogs have been banished to shelters (or worse) because their owners did not understand these simple rules of dog/child etiquette.
Practice Patience and Love
Try to put yourself in your new dog’s shoes (or rather, paws). How would you feel if you’d endured stress and hardship (and possibly even abuse) before finding the security of a shelter - only to be ripped away and thrown into a strange environment?
Dogs are very resilient and adaptable creatures, and with the proper show of love and patience, your new canine companion will learn to trust you. And when he does, it will have been worth all the time and effort. You will have the most loyal, loving friend you could have ever asked for – and you will have saved a life.
