People tend to have great misconceptions about
shelter dogs. The truth is, many shelter dogs are not bad dogs. They are
victims of well-meaning owners who didn't have the time, knowledge
or patience for the needs of a dog. And while the number one reason people
give up pets to shelters is because of behavioral problems—separation
anxiety, barking—it all stems from a pet not getting enough attention.
There
is also the notion that shelter dogs are all genetically and behaviorally
inferior. This is simply not true. It is not uncommon for shelters to
get $500 dogs that have either outlived their usefulness or their novelty
with impulsive buyers who considered the dog a possession rather than
a friend or family member.
The real truth is that dogs from shelters can
be great dogs and you are apt to get an idea of their personality soon
after adopting them. Shelter dogs usually bond quickly with new owners
and have fewer needs than a young puppy. And dogs who have had a rough
life are so appreciative of ownership. You can find perfectly good adult
pets that have matured to the point where they aren't rambunctious or
demanding for activity. They are just happy to be in a loving home.
Below, you will find additional links where you
can learn more about shelters and the process by which shelter dogs are
evaluated.
• If you are interested in fostering a shelter dog visit www.shibaweb.com/rfst.htm.
• To learn about the evaluation process that many shelters use to
match dogs with people visit www.canismajor.com/dog/sheleval.html.
• To learn how shelters work visit www.canismajor.com/dog/srcshelt.html.
The advantages of shelter dogs
There are a number of advantages to adopting a shelter dog:
• Shelter dogs are already house-trained and often only need some
reminders and a few days of adjustment time after their stay at a shelter
kennel.
• Many shelter dogs have already lived with children. There are
many adult dogs in the shelter that are recommended for households with
children. Rescuing a shelter dog also teaches children about the moral
benefits of saving the life of a homeless pet.
• Many shelter dogs already know some basic commands taught in their
first home or by shelter volunteers.
• Shelter dogs make for easier and fewer trips to the veterinarian.
Puppies need a series of shots, spaying or neutering and maybe an emergency
trip or two because they chewed something dangerous. When you adopt an
older dog from a shelter, the dog is current with all shots, already fixed
and heartworm negative at the very least. Some shelters include microchip
identification with every animal.
• You get a good match. Shelters do extensive evaluating of both
their dogs and their applicants to be sure that both dog and family will
be happy with each other.
• And finally, there's nothing that compares to the shelter
dog bond. Dogs with a rough start in life are more likely to bond very
completely and deeply with their new people. Those who have lost their
families to death, divorce or lifestyle change go through a period of
mourning. But once attached to a new loving family, they seem eager to
please to make sure they are never homeless again. Most dogs adopted from
shelters make exceptionally affectionate and attentive pets and extremely
loyal companions.
While you're at the shelter
This is the time to evaluate which dog will be the best fit for your family
and lifestyle. You might want to plan on making at least a couple trips
to the shelter. On your initial trip, observe the pets before picking
one to take home. Look for a dog with a good temperament who is friendly.
Once you have narrowed your choices of dogs down to a small group, you'll
want to bring your children with you to the shelter to observe how each
dog reacts to them. Look for the dog who is gentle around children and
who responds immediately to signal words, like "Easy" or "Gentle,"
or commands that force the dog to calm down, like "Sit."
Once you have decided on a particular dog and
tested how he reacts to your family, find out why the dog is up for adoption.
Older dogs might have habits that are undesirable and will throw off the
harmony in your household. Ask the shelter
specific questions like:
• Is the dog healthy now?
• Any known or suspected health problems?
• Has he been checked for worms?
• What parasite treatment/prevention program is the dog on?
• Has he been exposed to diseases?
• Any limping or other indications of bone or joint problems?
Never settle on a dog that you do not feel 100%
sure of or that is not a right match for your family and lifestyle. There
are hundreds of dogs at your local shelter who need homes. Sometimes,
you just have to be patient for the right dog to enter the shelter, and
eventually your life.
For more information and instructions on assessing
a shelter dog, visit www.shelterdogs.org/pdf/assessing_a_shelter_dog.pdf.
For information on and ways to evaluate temperament in a shelter dog,
visit www.shibaweb.com/rtemp.htm.
Once you bring a shelter
dog home
Many shelter dogs have behavior problems because they were not properly
obedience trained or socialized. Get a good collar and leash with identification
tags and get him involved with friends' or neighbors' dogs.
Socialize him with different types of people and make sure he will accept
being around children.
Some shelter dogs may be malnourished from their days
before they came to the shelter. Good nutrition and vitamin and mineral
supplements can reverse many health problems he may have. Your veterinarian
can recommend appropriate food and supplements for your shelter dog.
Although shelter dogs have been under the care of a
veterinarian, you'll want to make an appointment with your regular veterinarian
as soon as possible after bringing your new pet home. Your veterinarian
can thoroughly examine your shelter dog for any underlying medical conditions
and prescribe a parasite prevention product to keep him healthy.
