Size, activity level, breed, age, and past breeding if that information is available.
Make sure it is trained to return and that it is okay with CHILDREN and other dogs.
All dogs are trainable and you can train it to sit, stay and come with love and patience. At any new home a dog will be excited and sniffing around a lot and may potty on the floor to mark it's territory. After a few days it will calm down
Sarra I agree ,on the other hand there are certain dogs with a ;Stubborn'streak . I know this only to well as I have such a creature. Had dogs all my life. Sometimes Sarra something breaks the mold and that is my dog. Sorry no space for more.
Age, don't want a puppy. Is he bubbly or calm? How does he react to loud noises and children? What kind of dog? I only like certain breeds. Is he easily trainable? Who would he be devoted to, my husband or me? Would he be comfortable in our house? How much would the cost be if he was a dachshund with back problems, a short dog vs. a big dogs eating habbits, etc.
All dogs are trainable. It takes time, love and patience. Does it matter who the dog is devoted to? Really? Basically it is the one who feeds it and takes the most time with the dog. If you fall in love with a dog the rest doesn't matter
Yes, it does. Who is the dog a companion for? Normally, one person desires the dog more than the other and the animal should be loyal to that person. Eventually, the dog grows on the other individual and they both consider the dog family.
By everyone in the household not agreeing to have a pet, usually the pet goes back to the shelter. It is very important that everyone involved wants the pet not just one person.
Anyone can agree, but they are never as 100% about the situation as the main person who wanted the dog. After a few months, you typically win over everyone in the family. You need at least two people to agree in a family for there to be a pet.
The first and most important thing to consider is are you ready for a life long companion. I am very much pro adoption, especially older dogs, and if you are not ready to keep this dog until the day it passes then don't get one. Pick the dog that fits your lifestyle: are you a jogger or a couch potato. You will have to get out during all kinds of weather to take your dog for a walk so it potties outside so you need to consider that, unless of course you have a back yard. Make sure you are allowed to have a dog where you live, especially if you are in an apartment. Do you have little children or older children? Where is the dog going to stay while you are away from home? Please, Please don't stick it on a chain in the back yard and forget about it.
You need to take time with your dog every day. Walking, grooming, bathing, clipping nails, playing and teaching. Dogs are absolute wonderful companions and will be your best friend forever. Best of luck. I know you will find your new best friend. Remember that older dogs generally don't need to be potty trained.
I just adopted a female Scottish Terrier from a local vet who rescued her from a Potosi, Missouri puppy mill. I lost my beloved Scottie, MacGregor, July of 2012 to bladder cancer, and I miss him with all my heart. The first thing I considered is what I know about my own situation regarding finances, time and the fact that I live in an apartment. I help my mother weekly due to the dementia she now struggles with, though she is well enough to continue living independently in her home. I do all the driving for her and help her with tasks such as grocery shopping, doctor visits, Rx refills and the laundromat. However, we schedule these tasks.
I went to the vet's office twice to visit with the 4 year old rescue. She had dermatitis from a flea infestation that the vet treated. She had some missing patches of fur due to scratching from the fleas. Her hair was already beginning to grow in. I knew that she had come from abysmal living conditions all four years of her life, but I spent time with her to find her amazingly social, friendly and non-aggressive. She is lively, sparkly eyed and exuberant, which is much better than I would be under the circumstances! She has been treated and cured of fleas, and will require one more treatment for 'every parasite known to man'. The vet treated her with Panacur and I will begin another this week. I am also treating her ears per the vet, as they itch from the poor living conditions, as well.
There is never a 'perfect' time to take on another responsibility, but when the need is now and it is feasible, there is no better time.
Since I am familiar with the Scottish Terrier breed and love Scotties, I am aware of the health issues pertinent to the breed. There are no guarantees, however, when we have a child, give an animal a home or make any changes in our lives. One can only go with what they know and do their best. There will always be events in every life that are unplanned. With adopting a dog, it is important that the caregiver can afford to give the dog the necessities, time, attention and love to make the experience mutually rewarding.
Things to consider when adopting a dog.
1. Is everyone in the household agreeable to the plan?
2. Is someone going to assume the alpha roll and be responsible for the dog so the dog is not in charge of the family?
3. Can you afford a dog? Vet bills are expensive. Quality dog and cat food is expensive. The animal may get sick or be injured and require an outlay of several hundred dollars or more to save its life. Are you willing to make that sacrifice?
4. Do you live in an animal friendly area--will the neighbors object.
5. If adopting a dog have you researched the breed to know how it is going to act, the upkeep it will need, etc.
6. Are you ready to have a new best friend, or will the pet just be a nuisance that you will soon grow tire of? Animals need attentions. I am a dog-person, not crazy about cats. I have three beagles, and they expect me to spend time with them each day. They are among my best frineds. Two of them will probaby die before I do. I will mour their deaths. They are a part of the family.
What most people don't consider (I didn't see it in the comments either) is the amount of sheer WORK required to take your dog, young or old, from acceptable to exceptional. We're talking several months to years to get real training done.
I wanted a water dog to be a companion for me at the duck club. But my black Lab hates the water. I wasn't going to send the dog back as "defective" but I assigned him a new role he is excellent at: guard dog for the house.
He is highly trained on all commands and even in field work to a small degree, though I don't use him that way. He is very much loved by the children but most loyal to me. I am his alpha and I think that's important to take note of. Who will be your dog's alpha? There can only be ONE alpha in the home. The dog shows the most respect the leader of the family "pack."
So, consider the work you will put in (years, in my case) to get the training done, the time commitment to the dog, and the type of experience you want and how you will handle the situation if the experience you desired doesn't end up being your reality. Even though he is now old for his breed, he is still learning new things. Two years ago, he learned to open door handles (I didn't even teach him). Last year, he learned not to eat small dogs, Lol... now, he plays with them... Dogs are very intelligent and will continue learning all their lives.
Personality, meaning what is the characteristics of that breed of dog. it is best to do some research on different. breeds. Some dogs are stubborn and some docile. Some dogs need lots of running space and so on.
Whether a dog is child friendly is also important. Do you have the patience to train a dog? Will you walk your dog two or three times a day? Short or long hair, they do shed.
Dogs require maintenance for their well being and can be expensive to keep them fit and healthy. Having a very large dog cramped up with little space is not good for the pet. Some dogs have a tendency to have certain ailments.
Upon finding my pup on my doorstep 10 years ago, a black Lab and she is still with me, I knew none of this.
I usually end up going with my gut. I don't have to go looking for them, they find me, and then I just can't say no... Except now, enough is enough!
The first thing I'm going to ask myself would be "am I ready to adopt a dog?" The thing that matters the most is not the dog's breed, temperament, or age. It is whether you will be responsible enough to take a dog as a living being, to know and and give them what they really need as a species and not take them as a stuff toy. Many dog owners make that mistake, thinking that it's good for their dogs. But in reality, their are just irritating them and sometimes causing them to become the monsters they never wanted to be.
Give a dog a family, a pack. It's all that they need.
A dogs attitude is important. We looked for one that was happy and seemed to want to be with us. Read up on the type of dog that is best for your situation. There is some great information on television about how to pick the right breed for your family.
Usually, adoptable ones are a mixed breed. Knowing ahead of time which kind would work best for your home helps. We didn't want a very large one, since it would be indoors most of the time. We don't like barkers or biters, so that was important too.
Shorter hair was a priority, being a house dog. And being house broken. Some prior training would be nice, and neutered we wanted too.
We got lucky and were given a wonderful mixture of love and affection. He is very smart and very loyal to me, his alpha. Very gentle with children, doesn't bark except when someone comes in the yard. Loves to play and knows and learns new tricks quite easily. I am grateful to his previous owners for such care.
by Simone Haruko Smith 4 years ago
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