Are you ready to choose the right dog for you? Bringing a new dog into your life is a major decision that will require a financial, emotional and time commitment. Besides the basics of food and shelter, dogs require exercise and human interaction in order to thrive.
They also require regular medical checkups, flea/tick and heart-worm preventatives. Keep in mind, as your furry friend ages, their medical needs will most likely increase.
Adopting a dog is a lifetime commitment, and depending on the age of the dog you adopt, that may be fifteen+ years. Consider carefully if you are really prepared to care for a dog for the next decade and a half. There will be changes in your life and lifestyle over the lifetime of the dog.
Will you be prepared to continue to care for your pooch even when life situations change?
Many of the dogs we rescue ended up in a kill shelter because their family experienced a change in life….these are things to consider BEFORE committing to a new family member.
Size
You may already know you want a little lap dog that you can carry around, or, you might have your heart set on a large or giant dog breed.
Thinking of adopting a small dog?
Remember that some small dogs are delicate and more vulnerable to injury. Being stepped on or mishandled can cause serious injury. Also, little dogs can be more sensitive to colder temperatures, so be ready to help keep them warm. They may also need more frequent meals and potty breaks due to their small size, so this can make them more high maintenance than some larger dogs.
Don’t forget that small dogs need obedience training too! Sometimes little dogs are not trained as consistently since they are easy to pick up and physically remove from difficult situations, however, this can lead to unwanted behaviors, such as growling, nipping, or constantly wanting to be held. Be sure you are prepared for this possibility.
How about a large dog!
Very large dogs need a bit more space to move around. Big, happy dogs with long, whip-like tails need “wagging space” to avoid tail injury or damage to household objects.
Another consideration is the expenses: the larger the dog, the more expensive things like dog food, dog supplies, and medical treatments become.
Training is also a key factor here. If you get a large or giant breed puppy that is allowed to act like a lap dog when young, he will grow up to walk all over you, literally!
Activity Level
You probably already know that some dogs have more energy than others. A dog’s activity level is often determined by breed, but it does not mean you can rely on breed alone to determine how energetic your dog could become.
Every dog needs routine exercise, regardless of breed or size, so make sure you can provide this daily. If you know you can not commit to more than one or two casual walks per day, then you will probably be better off with a lower energy dog.
A dog that is barking constantly, digging up your yard, destroying your home, or acting out in some other way may need extra activities, mental enrichment, and additional training. Many behavior problems are exacerbated by excess energy.
Unfortunately, many dogs are given up or even euthanized because of behavior problems that may stem from lack of socialization, exercise, training and attention, so it is important to do your research and make sure the dog you want is compatible with your lifestyle.
Physical Maintenance
Your dog’s appearance has a lot to do with their maintenance needs. All dogs need basic grooming, but certain types need more based on the type of hair coat.
If you get a dog with hair that keeps growing, then advanced routine grooming is essential. Some grooming tools can help reduce shedding.
Be aware that dogs with long, floppy ears are more prone to ear infections and may require frequent thorough ear cleanings.
And many small breed dogs are prone to dental disease, which can require costly dental procedures as well as dedicated regular brushing at home.
Age
PUPPIES!
Puppies require the greatest amount of training and attention, especially during the first six months. Be prepared to dedicate much of your time to housebreaking and raising your new puppy. Your dog will likely have plenty of accidents in the house and will probably chew your furniture and personal belongings. These problems will gradually resolve with dedicated training, but patience is a must. You should also be aware that your puppy might grow up to be different than you expected, especially if you adopt a mixed-breed dog. This is not necessarily a bad thing, just something to keep in mind. Another thing about a puppy is the fact that they cannot be left alone as long as an older dog. If you spend longer than 2 hours away from home per day, then you should probably consider an older dog that can tolerate longer periods alone.
ADULTS!
Adult dogs can be an excellent choice. An adult might be a better choice if you want to have a good idea of the true energy level, attitude, and temperament of your new dog. Just because the dog is an adult does not mean he is trained, so you should still expect some degree of dedicated training at first. Fortunately, many adult dogs have been trained and socialized to some degree and can easily adjust to their new lives in their forever homes.
SENIORS
We LOVE our senior friends! Senior dogs are beautiful….they typically are lower energy and just enjoying spending time lounging around the house and spending time with their humans. Some seniors may need more medical care, however this is something we can discuss. Senior dog rescue is something Addicus has always been committed to and we have SO many heartwarming adoptions in our history.
Breed
We can NOT guarantee the breeds of our rescue dogs.
In general, most of our dogs are mixed breed, however on occasion we rescue a dog that looks like it might be pure bred.
We find that mixed breed “mutts” make for wonderful pets.
They often avoid many of the health and behavior issues that some “designer” dogs may possess.