I want to adopt a dog from a shelter but i am afraid of health problems and behavior.?

Question

What can do to prevent these problems. Is it a good idea to train the dog. Should i get it nutered?

Answer 1

Actually, if you're going to adopt a dog from the animal shelter, there's a small payment, About $37 bucks here in West Covina. And with that payment, the animal shelter neutre/spay all the dog before they can give them to you. They provide all the shots such as rabies and the 6 in 1 that is against the most fatal viruses like a parvo, the kennel cough and etc. the first day the dogs were taken into the pound and you also have one free vet examination at any participating vets within the first five days of having the dog. And if the dog doesn't work out for you, got sick, or for any other reason, there is a 14 day exchange where you can come in drop off the dog and get a new one if you like.

I got my new 3mon old pup at the animal shelter and he is just fine and healthy. Knowing that i saved a life, I couldn't be more happier =)

Good luck to you!

Answer 2

A dog from a shelter or rescue will be fully disclosed to you about any known health issues, they're in it to find the dog a permanent home not make a buck (unlike some breeders). Also any dog adopted from a shelter or rescue will have been spayed or neutered and the cost is already included in the adoption fee.

Dogs at shelters are screened for behaviorial problems...anything severe like aggression or health issues that are severely terminal will result in the dog being put down as it would be deemed unadoptable. Anything that can be worked on or is a managable health issue should be fully disclosed.

No matter where you get a dog from you should plan on doing obedience training with it to establish you as the alpha/pack leader and to help you bond with the new dog. Also, spaying or neutering is also a wise idea regardless of where you get a dog, you just get the benefit of it being included in an adopted dog versus buying from a breeder. Also, a dog from a shelter or rescue will be current on it's shots but you should always consider getting additional ones like for kennel cough and some heartworm preventative. they also come microchipped.

You can check out my dogs' website and tell me if you can see any problems with them. http://smrfcop.com/kennels.html Two of them were from a rescue (http://www.narfrescue.org/)and one was a stray.

Answer 3

Most if not all shelters neuter their dogs. Read a book called Successful Dog Adoption, it has a great section on getting a dog with a great temperament. The dog should go to the vet, shelters here include a free visit, for a health check within 5 days of adopting. A good shelter does not offer dogs with problems for adoption as there are too many great, healthy dogs dying for lack of homes to bother putting aggressive sick dogs up for adoption. I adopted my choc field bred Lab from a shelter and he had no problems except he hated getting his nails cut. By the time I had him a month he accepted his nails being trimmed and now he lies there while I use a Dremel. Obed. training is a terrific idea for any dog, all my personal dogs and foster go to school. Even boarders get lessons while I have them. I can not see why people prefer to live with a dog with no training. Most new dogs need a 2-4 week time frame to settle into their new routine so do not expect the dog to be perfectly housebroken as his schedule is now different, his food is different and even different water can cause problems. I do rescue and my fosters are all acclimated in about 24 hours as they follow my dogs' lead. My Lab was 2 when I adopted him and he was a loose house dog from the next morning after I got him. He meshed well with my 6 dog pack but I temperament tested him b4 I adopted him.

Answer 4

I work at an animal shelter, and I can assure you that those dogs are healthy. When we do intake, we take them over to the vet for a complete checkup, and if anything is wrong with them, they stay in the infirmary (little quiet hospital holding type place) until they are back to health with medicine in them and happy. All the dogs are treated with flea and tick medicine, and all of their living spaces are sanitized each and every morning with new blankets, toys, balls, beds, everything. We make sure that they get the proper amount of food, and we pay attention to the poop to look for diseases. Also, every morning when we take the dogs out to play in their runs, we do a mini checkover to see if they're okay.

If there are any aggresive problems, we work with a few dog trainers- as do mose shelters do- to assist in helping the dog be trained. There has been very few times when we have had to put down a dog that is extremely aggressive.

You'll find a wonderful dog at the shelter, no doubt about it. They all are loving and are loved, and just want a home. Good luck!!! ^_^

Answer 5

You're probably better off getting a dog from a shelter than any place else, except, maybe, a reputable breeder. (not puppy mills or backyard breeders). Shelter dogs are checked and treated for diseases before they are offered for adoption. Their temperment is evaluated, and if they are a risk to people or other pets, they are not placed for adoption. If you get a dog from a shelter, it will be neutered or spayed. That cost will be passed on to you in the adoption process. Training is always a good idea, but you will be surprised to find that many older dogs are already well trained, and came to be available for adoption through some misfortune (getting lost from home, owner dying, etc.). If not, places like Petco and Petsmart conduct training classes for you and your dog. I think you will be very happy with a shelter dog.

Answer 6

Health problems shouldn't be any more of a problem as long as the shelter is well maintained. Ask the staff about the behavior of the dogs you are interested in and interact with them. Definitely take the dog to obedience training. Most shelters neuter before you get the dog, but if they don't then definitely do it.

Answer 7

When you adopt a pet from a shelter is usually spade or neutered if not take him to the Humane Society and let them know that is an adoption. Also find out as much as you can from the shelter about the history of the dog, these are dogs usually from the street or from people that can't keep them anymore and are usually very loving and grateful to have a home but get as much info as you can. The humane society also have medical services to give your pet a check up.
MP

Answer 8

I'd strongly advise adopting a puppy under 4 months, take the animal out of the cage and spend a good hour with it, normally you will see if he is reactive to anything. depending on the shelter they may temp test and know if the young animal is food aggressive, dog aggressive, good with kids. If you go for a grown animal be sure to get one that has been fostered or some other information known on it. Try not to judge a dog on color, if you don't want a heavily shedding animal you won't be able to tell if it's a pup. You don't sound like you've owned alot of dogs so try and work closely with an adoption clerk, look for lab or golden mixes, or smaller mixed dogs. Stay away from Rotts, pits and shepards they need someone with alot of time and history with dogs.
Most shelters spay and neuter, if not then yes! they aren't show animals and you don't need puppies or an animal that will pee all over, unless you know hpw to train a dog then yes.

Answer 9

Don't be afraid. The very, absolute best dog I've ever had came from a shelter. When you go pay close attention to how they act. Calm behavior is best. Also, know the size you want and how much coat you want to deal with. If you see one you want, walk him outside on a leash for awhile. Tell the attendant you want to think about it and ask them to hold the dog for a few hours. Go back and get in the pen with the dog, make sure he is still calm. Take him home- You'll make a friend for life. Spay/neuter- this will extend their life baring unforseen accidents. Get a book on training and teach him first to behave on a leash- walks are important and something you will be doing every single day to keep you both happy and healthy. All the best.

Answer 10

Shelters usually require neutering, and you prevent other dogs ending up there.

Always train a dog.

Look for a dog at the shelter that looks healthy and energetic, and has a sweet disposition. If there are not any, come back in a few weeks.

I have never brought a bad animal back, and the animals never gave me a problem later.