Adopting a dog is a huge commitment. Many people buy puppies and then realize that they need to potty train, they can be destructive and need to be taken for walks several times a day. Puppies can be horrible Christmas gifts for new dog owners because many people are unaware of the responsibility and work they require.
Many puppies go to the kennel because the puppy had an accident and the owners did not have time to take the dog out and provide the care that the puppies need. The puppies are not well developed, so it is difficult for me to see serious abnormalities. I have always encountered and interacted with dogs for at least 15 minutes. In the circumstances of being in an adoption situation, a dog might be more nervous than he would be once established in a forever home. Getting a clear reading can be difficult, but sometimes you can get an idea of how you would get along with a dog if you spend a little time with him.
Dogs are frequently surrendered for dire reasons. People think that dogs for adoption are headaches that other people wanted to get rid of. That couldn’t be further than the truth. Here are my suggestions before acquiring a dog:
When you meet a dog, kneel or squat, reach out your hand (palm up) and call out to the dog in a soft, friendly voice to invite him to interact. How does the dog respond to you (fearful, aggressive, playful, affectionate …)? Observe the dog’s energy level. This is tricky because, under the circumstances, the dog could (understandably) be hyperactive or excited.) Does everyone’s energy work well together? Do they all get along? You would see how the dog interacts with his family members including other pets, other important people …) and see how those people and pets respond to the dog.
Of course, you should always ask the people who are in the adoption organization before doing this. The dog can become overwhelmed if he is bombarded with so many stimuli. As important as observing the reaction of the foster dog, it is as important as observing the behavior of those loved ones and pets when they meet the dog. Is your child afraid of the dog and / or knows how to be nice to the dog? Is the dog comfortable with being handled properly (rather than pulling on the tail, which is not appropriate)? Do you react with fear or anger? Does the dog’s energy level match yours? Does the dog have too much energy? The person who is very inactive or unavailable yet needs to make sure that (especially) a high energy can get enough exercise. A calm or older dog will likely need less exercise. Will you, a family member, or a dog walker be able to get the dog out long enough to get that energy out for exercise? It is not unusual for a high-energy dog that does not get enough exercise to be destructive at home. All dogs need exercise to get their energy out of their system. Is there a park nearby? Can you exercise the dog in the backyard (not just let it out, but actively play and throw a ball for at least a couple of hours a day)?
Questions to ask the adoption agency before adopting a dog:
Go over the details about dogs with people who are familiar with dogs. Ask questions like: Does the dog have any health problems? What is the backstory of the dog? He was abandoned? Abused? Neglected? Why did you give up? Does the dog have any fear or anxiety about something in particular that you know? Is the dog okay with children? Other pets? Are there any behavior issues that I can address and focus on? Is the doghouse trained to go out?
