To Adopt A Dog Or Not To Adopt A Dog

Choosing an adopted dog or rescue dog from a shelter is a noble notion but as with any major decision in your life, it warrants serious consideration before making such a life changing decision. The unfortunate truth is that many of these dogs come from abusive and neglectful homes and taking on the commitment of what can be involved in re-training and re-socializing an adopted dog can easily overwhelm you.

The first mistake people often make when adopting a dog, is not doing any research so that they know what they truly want and what they should avoid when choosing their adopted dog. Many people will just go to the shelter with no information, just good intentions and end up getting caught up in those big brown eyes.

You know the ones, they call your name and induce every nurturing instinct in your body. The kind of eyes that you could not possibly leave behind in that cage even if you wanted to. The next thing you know, you're signing the papers for a dog you know nothing about, even though you have the best of intentions.

An adopted dog is probably something that most of us have dreamed about at some point in our lives, especially as children. I mean, what's not to look forward to and love. A dog is loyal and no doubt going to be your best buddy. They are playful, loving and always listen to you and never judge.

As I mentioned above, many people have the best of intentions in bringing home a dog from a rescue shelter or humane society but there are so many considerations before making that decision. A dog at a rescue shelter often comes from an abusive situation or have been neglected. They have limited training if any and will likely have serious anxiety issues and lack trust. In short, they will require large amounts of patience, trust and of course love.

Adopting a dog is a big commitment that last for many years and requires your time, money and patience. However, the unconditional love of your own dog is just something that can't be replaced and after considering the following guidelines, I would highly recommend it, if it fits into your lifestyle.

1. Budget - Becoming a pet parent is not free by any means. There is food cost, health care, annual vaccinations, spaying or neutering, grooming and/or grooming supplies, training and/or training supplies, and of course the all important extras like dog treats and dog toys.

2. Why do you want to adopt a dog? Is it just something you have always wanted to do since childhood, like a fantasy, or are you really looking for quality companionship and family member. Perhaps you are looking for protection or your child wants a dog. In any case, you need to evaluate your reasons and then determine if this is something you are truly ready to commit to.

3. How much time do you have to spend? A dog will require your daily attention, exercise, feeding, watering and of course many other maintenance chores, are you up for this? Do you have the time to devote every day?

4. Handling Illness & Injury - At some point your dog will likely become sick or injure themselves somehow and these things require treatment and sometimes treatment is expensive and can last for days, weeks or even months. Do you have the money and the time to commit?

5. Are your living arrangements permanent? When you agree to offer a dog a home, it's important to consider whether or not your living circumstances are permanent. If you are living in a house with a yard now, are you going to have to move into an apartment in a few months? This will never work for an active dog. Also, you must consider that some landlords do not allow pets.

6. Do you have anyone to help you? If you happen to get called away on business or decide to take a vacation, do you have a backup plan for your dog? Do you have someone that can step in to feed, water and exercise them? Perhaps a vet or pet care facility that could keep them until you can return.

7. Last but certainly not least is the length of your commitment. Taking on the responsibility of a dog is not short term. Often dogs live well over ten years old and many over fifteen years old. Do you have that long term commitment in you?

I would encourage anyone thinking of adding a dog to their family to consider adopting but please think and re-think your situation before making that commitment. So many people have the best of intentions when making that decision but unfortunately end up bringing their dog back to the shelter because they were not truly prepared for the long term commitment.

There are so many rewards to being a pet parent that I highly recommend the experience but at the same time, it's a lot like raising children in that it's a lot of work, responsibility, money and of course it requires your time. It's also important to note that a rescue dog has often already been through some of the worst times of their life, so when you bring them into your home and show them love, affection and training in a gentle way, they will show you true appreciation.

So take your time when making the decision to adopt a rescue or shelter dog. Consider all of the possible commitments and responsibilities and of course the benefits too. Talk to your family and discuss alternate plans for being gone and who's going to be responsible for what. Go over your budget and check out prices at your local store or online to get an idea of what your additional monthly dog expenses will be. Once you are fully informed, then make a solid decision that will potentially let you adopt the right dog for you and your family and be prepared for both you and your new dog.