There are plenty of dogs in shelters awaiting a new owner. And if you’re planning to adopt a shelter dog, we’re happy for you! But a dog, just like any other animal, requires a special kind of treatment, accessories, and food.
If you haven’t owned a dog before, you may lack the introductory knowledge that will help you get your new dog used to the new environment. So, before you rescue a dog, we have a few tips for you. We decided to help you out by putting everything you need to know about rescuing dogs in one place.
Here are 7 tips to know before rescuing a dog:
Plan Ahead
Owning a dog is a commitment. Adopting a dog from a shelter means that you will have to take care of it. That means walking, playing, feeding, taking care of its hygiene, and visits to the vet. A dog owner must have time for all of this.
That’s at least 1-2 hours of your time for a pet every day. Make sure you have this time before visiting a local shelter and adopting a dog. You can always seek a helping hand when it comes to dog walking.
In addition to time consumption, owning a pet is a financial commitment as well. You will need to buy accessories for them, such as dog leash, collar, food bowl, and a plethora of toys. On top of that, you will have to feed your new furry companion. This isn’t an overwhelming financial burden, but you will need to set aside at least some money, nevertheless.
Each Dog Has a Unique Personality
No two dogs are the same. No, we are not talking about the looks, but about their personalities. A dog’s individuality can be seen when it plays with other dogs, humans, and while taking a walk. You are unable to experience its character just by looking at it in a shelter.
Fortunately, shelter employees and volunteers at the shelter have the pleasure of taking care of plenty of dogs there. If you’re interested in adopting a particular dog, ask the people at the shelter about the dog’s behavior and what’s been their experience when handling them. Shelter workers are great resources when searching for a dog with a personality that matches yours.
If you’re worried about behavioral issues when adopting a dog, rest assured that shelter dogs are carefully vetted. This means that the shelter staff puts every pup through a behavioral evaluation making their behavior vastly more predictable than a dog from a breeder.
Ensure That It Is Spayed or Neutered
If you want to be a responsible dog owner, we suggest you check whether the dog you want to adopt is spayed or neutered. If not, take care of it as soon as possible. Many shelters will spay or neuter their dogs for you.
Besides ensuring the common benefits of spaying/neutering, your dog will also experience medical and behavioral benefits. It will live a longer life and will behave better overall.
Get a Dog Tag and Microchipping
When you own a dog, it’s better to adopt a proactive mindset. You never know when your dog can run off. One more reason to get your dog collar with a dog tag. Have your dog’s name engraved on the tag along with one or two phone numbers.
Microchipping is also a great way to ensure that your dog gets returned to you if it gets lost. This procedure is somewhat painful, but it lasts only for a second and is performed by a local vet.
Shelter Dogs May Need Time to Adjust
A change of environment is shocking for humans and dogs alike. Therefore, your shelter dog will most definitely need some time to adjust to their new environment. This shock may manifest in your dog seeming shy or anxious, but they are just simply adjusting to their new life. Be patient with them and allow them the time they need to adjust to their surroundings.
In addition to this make sure to avoid any triggers that may alarm your dog before they’re used to their new home. Avoid inviting new people over, having large gatherings for a bit, going to the dog park, and other high-intensity situations. Situations like this can cause a lot of anxiety in shelter dogs.
Learn How to Take Care of Your Dog’s Hygiene
There are several things to know about a dog’s hygiene. First, you need to ensure that it has healthy teeth. Brush your dog’s teeth regularly to promote its overall health. Use treats to divert your dog’s attention during it.
Also, when outside the traction helps a dog keep its nails under control. When indoors, their nails will grow too long and potentially cause a range of inconveniences. Get some clippers and clip their nails at least once a month.
And finally, fur “maintenance”. Brush your dog as regularly as you can. Apart from removing excess hair, you will improve its skin circulation, promote healthy fur and skin. On top of that, brushing is a bonding experience, so make the most out of it. Bath your dog only if they get into something dirty or smelly.
Dogs Need to Run Around
Just as us humans, dogs need regular physical activity as well. If they don’t get it, not only will gain weight, just like we do, but they will find ways to get rid of that energy elsewhere – shredded and eaten furniture, broken things around the house, barking, and so on.
Make sure to take your dog out at least once a day for a long walk. Long walks should incorporate games that promote running, such as hide and seek and fetch.
This information will help you overcome challenges before, during, and after adopting a shelter dog. There is plenty more ground to cover when it comes to taking care of a dog.
We encourage you to continue reading valuable articles online and learn a few extra tips and tricks that will help you accommodate your new family member. For a little extra help walking your new dog, reach out to Cruisin’ Canines today!
I really want to get a Cairn Terrier puppy by the end of March. Thanks for explaining that I will want to make sure that I brush his teeth. It might also be smart for me to pay attention to the oral hygiene of the puppies I am looking at adopting.