Adopt A Rescue Dog

People who consider adopting a rescue dog cannot be praised enough. They are not only rescuing a dog from a life of misery in a cage but probably from a lonely death. However before taking such a noble step, all the implications of introducing such a pet into the family should be weighed up and considered. Most shelters and rescue organizations do temperament testing before they allow adoption. It is truly amazing how adaptable most of the dogs are, accepting their new situation and "pack" and forming a deep bond with you. A few have temperaments that make them not adoptable for most situations and should be left to experts.

Anyone who has ever visited a dog pound knows what a heart rending site it can be, and it takes a very strong and objective character to pass along the rows of cages, looking at these dogs trying to capture your attention who only want to be loved and to give love in return. However it is impossible to take all these dogs home and even one is an investment of time and love.

There are also rescue groups for almost all breeds easily found on the internet. The organizations are run by donation and rescue specific breeds from the shelters. The non-profits get the dogs the medical care they may need and put them into foster homes where they can flourish and perhaps get more socialization while the volunteers find them a new owner.

Many of these shelters contain hundreds of dogs, and there may be little or nothing known about their backgrounds. If it possible to talk with a responsible staff member, explain your intentions, what specific breed of dog you are interested in, and age groups, they may be able to point you in the direction of a particular dog that might suit your requirements.

Even the shortest time under these conditions, the dog may have come into contact with a variety of diseases, not had enough exercise and existed on a starvation diet. All of these factors may well have affected the dog's general health. Please consider if you can see to the dogs needs before you adopt. There are vet's in shelters that do the spay/neutering necessary for adoption and most dogs have been evaluated as healthy enough to adopt, without extensive tests.

Another major factor that may strengthen your decision on a particular dog is if you can gather some information on its background before it arrived at the shelter. Many dogs arrive at these shelters not just as strays, but are sent there by families who can no longer afford to keep them, or who have left the country, the state, or have moved to housing where pets are not allowed. Many of us can not imagine circumstances that would make us leave a family member behind but at least the dogs have a second chance with you.

Initially acclimatizing the dog to its new surroundings may take a lot of time and patience, probably more than with a puppy, the dog will be very confused at the outset and may display some unusual and even aggressive behavior, usually around food and space. While they are making this adjustment, it is important to be especially careful and "baby proof" your home. Don't leave windows on upper floors open that they might leap from, never let them off leash, have a high fence with no gaps to keep them in a safe yard, etc.

Your family and friends should be aware that your dog is getting used to a new routine and home, and should give the dog some distance for as long as it takes. Visits from other dogs should be discouraged for at first on their home turf, as this will be regarded as a major threat. Most dogs will get along well with others in "neutral territory" like a dog park but are nervous if they are still insecure at home with the visitor is on their home turf. A careful eye should always be kept on the dog, which will be in constant need of reassurance and comfort. New owners have to remain totally objective for as long as it takes to help the dog recover form its trauma if it exists, however not on the expense of aggressive or anti-social behavior. There are many wonderful dog trainers that may help you understand and solve these problems or advise you on hard decisions if it is not something they believe can be solved. There are many, many success stories from someone giving a dog a second chance. They are rewarded by the dogs' love and often inspired by the animals' resilience and ability to just take life as it comes without the resentments we might acquire in similar circumstances.

If you are one of the many fortunate ones that succeed in tracking a dog that has been used to living with a family and understands the basics of a domestic life, then you may well have struck gold both for you and for the dog. If not, old dogs do learn new tricks with patience and love and soon adapt to their new life with you.

One thing is for certain, by rescuing a dog from life in a shelter or through a rescue group, you will have earned yourself a warm loving and eternally grateful pet, whilst hopefully encouraging others to follow in your footsteps.