How to adopt a dog from a shelter?

Dogs in a shelter almost always have their own history: some have been abandoned, some have lost their owner, and some have been born on the street. If you decide to adopt such a dog, be prepared for the fact that the adaptation of the animal to the new home will be an important matter for you. Most likely, in the shelter the dog lived in a group enclosure with 10–20 other relatives, ate immediately and went to the toilet. You, as a new owner, have to completely change the usual life of the dog.

Choose a dog with a similar temperament

The main thing when choosing a dog is a character similar to the owner. When visiting the shelter, you will have the opportunity to look at the behavior of the animal. If you like outdoor activities, choose an energetic dog. If you prefer to read a book in a calm environment, pay attention to quiet, phlegmatic animals.

With the dog you like, you need to take a walk, talk. Do not worry if at first he ignores you – this is normal, because you are a stranger to him. The guardian who looks after the dog will help you to recognize the dog. With him, you can discuss the characteristics of the dog’s behavior and problematic traits.

Adaptation at home

The first thing you want to do when a dog appears in the house is to play with it, take pictures, show it to friends and acquaintances – in general, spend as much time with it as possible in the hope that this way the animal will get used to you faster. However, this is fundamentally wrong.

The best thing a shelter dog owner can do is gradually let the animal get used to the new environment.

Before moving in, prepare a warm and quiet corner in the apartment for the dog. Show the animal all the rooms and mark this place. Do not disturb the dog for two or three days, let him get used to his new home on his own. The same goes for walks: do not rush to the park, where all the neighbors walk with their pets, to introduce your dog to them.

Never bathe your dog immediately after moving in. So you will only increase the transferred stress. The issue of nutrition is also delicate: first, the dog must be fed according to the same scheme as in the shelter, gradually transferring to the food of your choice and the system developed by the veterinarian.

Health control

There is an opinion that dogs in shelters are most often sick with something. However, this is not the case, because most dogs are healthy, vaccinated and sterilized. All that is required of the owner is to visit a veterinarian in a timely manner at least twice a year.

If you are concerned about your pet’s mental health, see a pet psychologist. He will tell you if it is possible to correct the dog’s behavior and how to do it. Today, the services of such specialists are available even remotely. In addition, the dog may also need a trainer. Even if you adopted an adult animal from a shelter, a specialist will help teach it basic commands. This is especially true if this is your first time caring for a dog.

A dog from a shelter, whether it is an adult or a puppy, a thoroughbred or a mongrel, is always a grateful and faithful friend, for whom finding a new home and owner is the highest measure of happiness. The task of the owner is to treat the new pet with understanding, kindness and affection.

7 2017 June

Updated: December 26, 2017