Adopting a Dog?

Question

What is some good advice, information that I should know? In the near future I would Like to adpot a dog, but before that I would like to spend some time educating myself? It would be my first pet, dog ever.

Answer 1

Make sure before you get a dog to remember that dogs can cost thousands of dollars a year. The adoption fee is usually the least of your worries. Remember that some dogs need to be walked every day, sometimes more than once, and all dogs need excercise. If you don't have a yard for it to play in then you must realize that you'll have to walk any dog you get and often. You should think about what excercise requirements, size, temperament, ability to protect, trainabilty, grooming requirements and anything else you can think of to factor in there.

You should decide what age you want. Puppies are absolutely adorable but always find homes and are a lot of work and can't be left alone. Adolescents are still young and rambunctious but can be left alone for short times. Adolescents are also a lot of work but you only have to deal with this stage before they become adults, rather than puppy and teenager. Adults usually come with some amount of training. They are through they're difficult stages and their personality is easily distinguishable.

You should research the breed of the dog you're interested in before you decide to take it home. Even in a mixed breed, research the dominant breed. Make sure you're realize that you have to provide vet care and spay or neuter you're new friend. Don't get a dog and make it a yard dog as that is no life to live and remember it's a lifelong commitment, not a temporary plaything.

Go to http://www.petfinder.com/ or your local shelter's site to browse the dogs and research a few before you go in to the shelter in person.

Go to http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/ to research the breed of dominant breed.

It's great that you've decided to save a life! Good luck!!

Answer 2

Take your time. Do a lot of research. Ask a lot of questions. Make sure you can afford it. Dogs run over $1000 a year to maintain. Some need a fence. Remember it's a 20 year committment. You sound like a very smart person to actually think and educate yourself BEFORE you get a dog which is wonderful. Go to dog shows, talk to breeders, etc. Some rescues need foster parents where you take care of a dog until it finds a home which is pretty cool. Sometimes fosters adopt the dog.

Answer 3

By far the most IMPORTANT thing you have to decide is what kind of a dog do you want? Oh, there is SO MUCH to think about, I hardly know where to start!

I guess I'll start by saying that you are about to enter a world of love and joy that you can't even imagine. Dogs are the BEST. Nothing, no one will ever love you like your dog will love you. But you have to make yourself worthy!!

You are starting off right by doing your research BEFORE you adopt that adorable Dalmation puppy...

First question to ask yourself -- do you want a puppy or an adult dog? Puppies are adorable, but they need TONS of work to become well behaved pets. House breaking a puppy can try the patience of a saint. On the other hand, if you get a puppy, you will have total say about what kind of dog he turns into... In other words, you won't have to deal with what the dog might have learned, or not learned, before you got him.

I've adopted puppies and adult dogs -- for me, adult dogs are the easiest. But if you have your heart set on a puppy, by all means, get a puppy.

Next thing you have to ask yourself -- how big a dog do you want? Is your dog going to be indoors for long periods of time while you are at work? Do you have the time and energy to give a large dog all the exercise he will need? (PLEASE don't be one of those people who chain their dog outside and leave them there all day -- dogs should live INSIDE, with their people.)

Smaller dogs need less exercise, but they can be yappy and demanding. Big dogs need lots of exercise (and food!) but they can be more laid-back.

If you intend to get a purebred dog, please do your homework. I think EVERY breed is wonderful but some are better suited to certain lifestyles than others. If you don't have a VERY ACTIVE lifestyle, don't even consider getting that adorable Dalmation I mentioned before. Dalmations, Border Collies and Huskies have FAR more energy than any one creature really needs!

Another consideration -- your dog will require vet care for shots, neutering and when he's sick. Vet care is EXPENSIVE. Please be sure you can afford it -- can you imagine how awful you'd feel if your best friend was sick and you couldn't get him taken care of?

Talk to other dog owners, talk to vets, keep doing research... As you learn more you will start to know what you want in a dog and you will also learn what it means to be a dog's best friend. It's an AWESOME responsibility to bring any pet into your life, but dogs require perhaps the most of any type of pet -- they also GIVE the most.

I can't believe how long this answer has gotten! I hope that whatever type of dog you end up with, that you have a long, happy life together.

(I hate it when the Spelling Check isn't working...)

Answer 4

Well if you are considering a pitbull I hope you have researched them alot. These are a special breed (I own one and love her to death)But the reason mosy end up in shelters is because the owners want a "mean" dog and don't know how to properly care for them,in turn they are abandoned,abused or attack someone. If you have looked into it and want one I would suggest Willow because she's in foster care right now,you can ask those people how she is in a home setting and it says she's good with other animals ect. For the other breeds Barry as a stray has no background info and neither does River,so it's hard to say what to expect. Max may be a good choice considering the comments. So in all I guess I'm saying either Max or Willow..Good Luck and Congrats!!

Answer 5

As cute as puppies are to be around and it's fun to bond with them when they're young, if you've never had a dog before it might be in your best interest to get an adult dog first...it would probably be house broken and hopefully have an even temperment by then. Housebreaking a puppy can be very frustrating, and (cute or not) you may do more damage to the dog's personality because of your own temper than you realize. You don't want to raise a mean dog!

If you check out websites like the akc.org website or similar you can learn what different breeds are like, what their personalities will PROBABLY be like, and what sort of exercise and space they require to thrive...having a hyper dog in a small apartment is generally not a good idea, etc.

I recommend kennel training your dog. It's very easy (requires some tough love because they may not like it at first) and it gives you peace of mind when you leave the house...You don't have to worry about coming home to piles of poop or destroyed belongings...not to mention the dog feels like they have their own space they can go to that's their own. My dog still sleeps in her kennel whether I tell her to or not.

Best of luck!! And don't forget---there are lots of dogs at the humane society and kennels that need love too!! They're just as fun and have as much love to give as a purebred, and are MUCH cheaper if not free.

Answer 6

okay here some advice dont get a dog unless you can take it out for a walk EVERY DAY you must be able to aford to take him to the vets if he/she falls ill able to offer them a loving liifestyle also a dog isnt a great pet if you work all day as they get lonely hope this helped u even a lil bit

Answer 7

Good for you, we have two adopted dogs, and they are just great.

I could give you pages of advice, but I'll stick to just one idea. How about volunteering at your local shelter for a while, that way you'll get tons of hands on experience. You'll get to know lots of dogs, and will find a really special friend. Last but not least you'll get to chat to all sorts of people who will give you tons of advice.

Answer 8

We need more details....

Do you live alone? Roomate? Do you have a family, young children? Do you have an apt? House?

Give us some details, there are many factors to consider.

Answer 9

http://www.soyouwanna.com/site/syws/rightdog/rightdog.html

Answer 10

we need to know more about u