How To Choose Your Rescue Dog

Before you decide to adopt any dog, rescue or not, be sure you are prepared for the commitment it will take to keep one. Dogs may be cute, wonderful, and loyal companions, but they also have needs. To build a trusting and healthy relationship with your rescue dog, you should be ready for the long-term responsibilities of being an owner.

Why Dogs Are Left in SheltersOne of the leading causes of why dogs are given up for adoption in shelters is the inability of owners to care for a dog for various reasons. For instance, the dog may have become a handful for them or have developed destructive behaviors. Many owners do not realize that they could be the cause of all the bad behavior, For example, the dog lacks exercise or does not look up to the owner as its pack leader. The good thing is that dogs live from day to day and when you finally choose a rescue dog, you can start afresh with it, whatever its age or past behavior.

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Choosing the Right Rescue DogChoosing the right rescue dog for you might be quite a challenge because there are so many breeds to choose from, each having its own characteristics and appearance. Narrow down your choices by having an idea of the kind of dog you are looking for. Consider the size, temperament, and degree of care and maintenance in terms of grooming and diet. Choosing your dog can take time and if needed, several trips to the shelter.

Check on the available breeds up for adoption in the shelter if you have any breed preferences. Bear in mind that some dogs are mixed breeds but they can still make fantastic pets. Also consider the dominance and energy levels of the dog you want to adopt. If you are adopting a family dog, consider the opinions of the other family members and how they will take to the dog and vice versa. The dog you get has to jive with your family’s lifestyle. You do not need to make a choice in just one shelter; you can visit several that are close to your area until you find the one dog that is most suitable.

Do not be in a rush when choosing a rescue dog because you might later find out that you were not a good match to begin with and you might decide to take it back to the shelter. You will just be doing the dog a disservice since dogs that are repeatedly returned to the shelter have a higher chance of being euthanized.