My fiance and I are going to adopt our first dog together, what do we need to do/get before hand?

Question

We're going to the animal shelter to adopt a puppy, what is everything we need to know/get/do?

Answer 1

You need to get to know a good veterinarian. Ask around for recommendations. That's one of the more important things.

You'll want to go to the pet store and get a few things like a dog bed, a few toys, treats, and food. (Be sure to pick a dog food that has a meat as it's first ingredient and little or no corn, wheat or soy, as those can cause allergies and don't have a lot of nutritional value.) Food and water bowls with wide bases are a good idea, because they don't tip over easily.

If your dog will need to be crated, you may want to pick the crate after you pick the dog, as it's important that it be the right size. Large enough for the dog to stand, turn around, and lie down, but small enough that they can't pee in one end and sleep in the other.

You'll need a collar that's the right size. You should be able to get two fingers between the collar and the dog's neck. A leash, and an ID tag with your dog's name, your name, and your address and Phone number in case he gets lost.

Set up the crate (or the bed) with a few toys, and maybe a chewy bone (We like Nylabone) and put a piece or two of your dirty laundry in it (A T-shirt works great) as that will get the dog accustomed to your smell.

It's always a good idea to puppy-proof the house. Plug the lower outlets, pick up electrical cords and anything you don't want chewed. :)

Congratulations on picking a shelter dog. They're the best! And you'll be his hero for giving him a happy loving home.

Answer 2

Pick a veterinarian. The shelter will require that you take the dog to a vet for an examination within a certain period of time after the adoption.

If you pick a puppy, you will need to have money for vaccinations. There will be a series of puppy vaccinations over several weeks. Someone will have to take the puppy to the vet for each vaccination and pay for it.

You will want to have food, dishes for food and water and a collar and leash on hand before you cring a puppy or dog home. Crate training is a good idea - you'll want to get a crate as soon as you select a pet.

Learn how to house train your pet.

Learn how to prevent fleas on your pet so that your house does not become infested.

Be prepared to commit to your pet for the duration of it's life. The $15 dog that I adopted from the animal shelter in 1994 is almost 16 years old now. He has hip dysplasia, arthritis and dry eye disease. Between his special diet and his medications and trips to the doggie opthamologist, the doggie dermatologist and the doggie neurologist he costs me about - well, I don't know how much he costs me a month. That $15 dog is pretty expensive these days, but I wouldn't trade him for the world!

Love your new baby. My dog came from the Falkenburg Road animal Shelter in Tampa Florida in August 1994. He's the best dog I've ever had. But he DOES represent a significant commitment in terms of time, effort and money.

Answer 3

Go to a Pet store and get a crate for the puppy. When you drive home with a puppy it would not be unusual for it to be very nervous and use the bathroom in your car and/or throw up in it. Line the crate with a wee-wee pad only for this trip.
Have a puppy food picked out, but don't go by the product presentation that say they have the best food. Get a good brand for puppy depending on the size and breed(s). A good food should not have BHA or BHT for preservatives and first few ingredients should be the meat source. Avoid corn and wheat, SOY, beet pulp and molasses in dog food as well as "by-products".
Your records should show what shots and worming the puppy has had. Within the first few days, go to a Vet and have the puppy examined. Be prepared for more worming and perhaps medication for other parasites. That would not be uncommon.
Go to a large pet store and get a book about basic puppy care and read it before you go.
Find out what breeds your home owners association or complex does not allow.
Once you have the puppy, keep it in your home and limited outdoor exposure until the shots are completed.
Your trip to the pet store should help greatly in getting an idea of puppy needs. PetSmart and PetCo stores allow puppies and dogs in the store so your pet can go shopping with you.

Answer 4

1. Will you have enough room for the animal. Dogs have alot of energy and need places to run. Or will you be able to walk him/her every day.

2. Will you have enough time. They need alot of attention.

3. Before adopting the animal, have it checked out by a vet of your choosing. Alot of times dogs from kennels can have illnesses that are not easily cured.

4. If your getting a puppy, get ready for the chewing and jumping part. have alot of patience.

5. If the dog is timid or agressive in the dog pound, don't get him. Sometimes people think they can cure a dog with lots of love. Since this is your first dog together this might not happen.

6. Make sure you know each other's rights and responsibilities toward the animal in case you break up. That's always a source of heartache for couples, Alot like having kids.

7. I think, it's awesome that you're adopting a dog! Good luck.

Answer 5

My advice is to figure out what what size dog can you accomodate. figure your living arrangements and outdoor space and decide on small ,little, medium or big(remember the bigger the dog the bigger its appetite and the bigger the piles of poop ya got to clean up. A mixed breed ,well,I have had better luck with them than purebreds. Dogs shed hair,some more than others. Short haired dogs require less brushing as opposed to one with long hair. Male or female,well if you are checking out a group of puppies which one seems more relaxed and comes to you,which one's are less of a biter and more of a licking your hand.How much time are you willing to spend walking it? Some breeds are more hyper(mixed terriers,lab mixed love to run ,jump, as opposed to dogs that have a hound mixed in and can be a little more laid back. As far as accessaries,a bowl for food and one for water,get the dog and then get the collar after you get it so you got some idea of size cause you will go through a couple of them till it gets it's full growth.A choker chain is great for training them to walk on a leash as it does not hurt them but as you are teaching it to walk on a leash a quick light jerk on the leash along with the words "heel" will soon have the dog walking beside you instead of dragging you down the street. Firm commands and praise will get the best reults in training your pup. If it does something wrong the right tone of voice(mean and commanding) and when it does something good nice and sweet(like talking to a baby) does wonders. Just put a slightly deeper tone of commanding /repromanding when it does wrong (BAD DOG,NO, STOP whatever its name is ,and a sweet tone saying god boy or good ,whatever ya name it. Chew toys/nylon bones and hard rubber, and real bones that you buy at the store that are thick is a must. A puppy is like a 2-4 yr old child and needs constant monitoring / discipline and love Good luck!!! Oh yea ,one other thing is food,Purina makes a good chow and beggin' strips help in training as a treat for good behavior. NEVER FEED THE PUP FROM THE TABLE! Cause if you do he /she will be a real pain in the A-- at mealtime and when guests come over by jumping up and harrassing you and them at a mealtime. Good luck!!

Answer 6

Almost every argument my wife and I have are about our dogs.

She thinks they are people, I know they are not. She would let them inside and I would want them to stay outside. I gave the dog a bath once and he "shook" all over the bathroom and I refuse to give him one since.




You will be fine with a dog, PROVIDED you are both on the same page about it, or you are at least willing to sacrifice and compromise on some issues. Things to consider are:

Where will it sleep?
Where will it stay during the day?
Do you have ample space for it to play?
Who's responsibility is it to feed in morning/night?
Who's responsible to let them outside?
Who is responsible to clean up after they poop/pee/puke/shred/rip/eat/knock over etc?
What will you do with the dog when you go out of town?


Lastly, dogs cost more than you would think. Plan on $20-40 a month figuring shots, licencse, food, vet visits etc. This isn't a big deal until your budget gets tight (which it will, I promise). Remember you are sacrificing a night out to dinner 12 months a year for approx 12 years. It doesn't seem like a lot but it will add up quicker than you ever thought and its on going. Its not like calling the cable company and cancelling your service.




I'll let others discuss the other considerations with an animal, just make sure you and your fiance are on the same page about a dog and you'll love it.

Answer 7

fenced yard is a MUST....
information about dogs is important -get an understanding of the time commitment you want to make to a dog.. if its low - get a lower intelligent breed.. smart dogs will be destructive if not kept mentally stimulated (border collies are NOT a dog for people who are not 100 % commited to them)
Stainless steel bowls

The same kind of food the pup is on... (or dog.. - dogs are less work)
collar - leash (get these AFTER so you know what size)
really your best bet is to go to the shelter pick out the dog and ask if they can hold it for 24 hours so you can get the supplies you need. they will tell you what you need based on requirements for that dog

Answer 8

Food & water bowl, collar, leach, id tag, microchip, wee-wee pads, stain remover, patience, love, caring, house breaking techinques, training techinques.
Any questions e-mail me [e-mail] with any questions. I have had10 dogs (4 right now) from 6 months to 16 yrs!
As well as 6 cats. My brother is also a vet with 4 dogs & 6 cats!

Answer 9

if the dog will be very young, think i the terms marriage and children (the dog will live usually minimum 12 years)... think in those terms also if you will be getting married soon.... then think about walking the dog (if you do not have house with a big yard) - minimum 3x/day (and 1x/day loooong walk)... think about picking up the dogs droppings (doo-doo), think about expences like shots etc. (can you afford them?), think about vacations (kennels can be expensive) - can you afford them?.... and think about the hair all over the place (vaccuming every day especially if you have small children)... and if the dog will like small children - very important...

dogs are usually first baby of the new family, but very soon after that real babies follow... will you share the care of the dog - that is also a question (with your significant other) if you are busy with your children (or if you work)....

Answer 10

well for one dog dishes for water and food learn patience need stain removers train puppy young any q about how to handle training ect email me at [e-mail]