How to Avoid Bringing Your Dog Back to the Animal Shelter

The day you bring home a dog from a shelter is always full of joy. Now this dog is your companion for many years. But sometimes the relationship between a pet taken from a shelter and the owner is short-lived.

Why are dogs returned to the shelter?

A 2013 study by the American Humanist Association found that one in ten adopted pets returned after six months. The problems associated with shelter dogs are multifactorial, the study says, and unfortunately there is no single recipe for avoiding return. 

The most common reasons for returning dogs to a shelter

The study found that future owners who have specific expectations for their new pet are more likely to return it to the shelter. Often the problems that lead to the return of a dog to a breeder are related to time and money costs, health and behavior. Namely:

• Unexpected expenses
• Human health problems
• Destructive behavior (uncleanliness in the house, damage to furniture)
• Disobedience
• Barking
• Hyperactivity
• Aggression (toward children or other family members)     

How to Avoid Bringing Your Dog Back to the Shelter

An AHA (American Humane Association) study found that there was no difference in the number of returns among owners who studied a lot of information about a pet before taking it home, and those who made a spontaneous decision. However, the study found that people who sought help before returning a pet were more likely to keep the animal than those who did not seek advice from a veterinarian, friends, family, or shelter.

How to prepare for the arrival of a puppy or dog from a shelter in the house? 

• Learn more about the animal. Think about how you will respond to problematic situations and how you can help your dog adjust to your family. When doing household chores, you need to be aware of the potential and behavioral problems that can arise when a dog moves into your home. 
• Make sure you can afford to have a dog. The average cost for the first year of owning a dog was $3085, according to the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. This figure includes the cost of various supplies, food, veterinary expenses and one serious illness, but does not include training fees.
• Check if your family members have allergies and can live comfortably around the pet. Be sure to visit your veterinarian to make sure your new dog is free of diseases and parasites. If after adopting a pet you find that someone in your home is allergic to it, talk to your doctor about how to reduce the reaction. To avoid such situations, it is better to adopt a dog from a shelter together or go to visit friends who have dogs to make sure that no one in your family suffers from allergies.
• Talk to your landlord to see if you can get a dog. Some leases may state that pets are not allowed or require additional fees. 

What to do if the dog chews furniture?

To avoid chewing furniture or uncleanliness in the house during your absence, you can accustom the dog to the cage. Also, in order for a dog to behave well, it must be trained. Training is recommended for bonding with your new pet and also for acquiring important skills. Dogs are members of the pack, so be the pack leader. 

Why does a dog bark and behave hyperactively?

Anxiety due to separation from the owner can cause barking or lead to hyperactivity. To combat this, be sure to give your dog enough attention when you’re at home, take him on long walks, or play with him at the dog park. Tiredness at the end of the day, as well as extra attention, will help reduce the fear of separation. For residents of apartment buildings, barking can create problems with neighbors. Think about this before getting a dog. Find information about dog breeds that are less likely to bark. This will help you find the pet that best suits your life situation.

How to avoid aggressive dog behavior?

Most shelters test dogs for aggressiveness before releasing them to new owners, but this is not always reliable. Your first responsibility as a pet owner is to ensure that children, family members, friends, people on the street and other animals do not become victims of aggression from your pet. If you notice that your dog is behaving aggressively, keep him away from interaction with other people or animals and study the reasons that provoke your dog to aggressive behavior. Seek help from your veterinarian and behavioral veterinarian. Aggression can be the result of poor parenting by a previous owner, so proper behavioral training can eliminate many of the causes of aggression in an animal.

By following these simple rules, you can reduce the likelihood of your pet returning to a shelter. Remember that you will not be the only one whose heart will break if you have to do this, so think carefully in advance – and you will live happily together for many years to come.

Kara Murphy

Cara Murphy is a writer from Erie, Pennsylvania and the owner of a cat, Olive, who was adopted from a shelter.