Questions to Ask Before You Adopt A Dog

Thinking about adopting a shelter or rescue dog?  Congratulations!  Your decision to Adopt a Pup will save a life.  Actually, it will save two lives.  You'll be saving the dog you adopt, and by getting one dog out of the shelter you've made room for another pup that needs to be saved as well!

Before you bring your new best friend home though, you'll want to find out as much as you can about the shelter dog, or rescue dog, you'll be adopting.  Here's a list of 9 Important Questions to Ask Before You Adopt A Dog or Puppy.

When you go to a shelter and see all those cute adoptable puppies and dogs, you can't help but want to save them all!  You can't take them all home, but here are the questions you should ask to help you make the best decision on which dog is right for YOU. 

It's important to ensure the dog you adopt is the right fit for you and your family

HOW BIG WILL THIS DOG GET?

As an Adoption Counselor at an animal shelter, one of the first things people often ask is "How Big will this dog get?"  It's an important question.  Considering the breed/mix and current age and size of the dog, shelter staff can estimate fairly well how big a dog will be when full grown. If the dog is a young puppy, it's not as easy. Sometimes you can only guess how big they'll get.  

Most dogs will be full grown by the age of 18 months.  Giant breeds such as Great Danes can continue growing for 2 years.  It's important to know how large a dog could get in case there are size restrictions for dogs in the apartment or the HOA (Home Owners Association) where you live.  

If you have small children it could be a concern that a large dog could jump on the kids and knock them over.  It may not ever become a concern, but it's something you should be prepared for.  You may need some additional training to Prevent your Dog from Jumping up on people.

WHAT BREED OR BREED MIX IS HE?

Ask about the attributes of the breed(s) so you know what to expect.  Energy level and tendencies of the dog's breed are import. If you’re looking for a hiking or running companion then a high energy dog like a Siberian Husky or Border Collie might be a great companion for you.  If you prefer a mellow dog that doesn't need much exercise, a Husky or Border collie may not be a great fit! A dog with a less intense energy level like a Shih Tzu, Boston Terrier, or Basset Hound  may be a better fit for your lifestyle.

WILL SHE SHED A LOT?

Will a dog that sheds a lot be an issue for you?  Just because a dog has a smooth coat or very thin hair that doesn't mean she won’t shed.  My sister has a Pug and the shedding drives her crazy!  

If your tolerance for shedding is low, look for non-shedding breeds or dogs that are mixed with a non shedding breed such as the Poodle, Maltese, Shih Tzu, Goldendoodle, or Bichon Frise.   By all means DON'T get a Siberian Husky!  It "snows" indoors at least twice a year! LOL!!

If shedding is a concern for you, look for a dog that is a non-shedding breed or mixed with non-shedding breeds.

IS HE PEOPLE FRIENDLY AND DOG FRIENDLY?

It's important to find out if a dog is friendly.  Not just friendly towards people but friendly towards other dogs as well, or at least not aggressive towards other dogs. Shelter staff and volunteers don't always know for sure, but at most shelters and rescues they behavior test them to tell if a dog likes people and other dogs. They assess the dog upon intake and they interact with him on a regular basis. If they have play groups for the dogs they’ll be able to tell if he’s dog friendly or if he dislikes being around other dogs. 

I HAVE A DOG AT HOME, CAN I BRING HIM IN TO MEET THIS DOG?

Sometimes people who already have a dog(s) worry about bringing another dog into their home.  Ask the shelter to arrange a meeting with your current dog and the one you want to adopt to see if they get along. If they can’t accommodate a meeting, make sure you can bring the dog back if he doesn't get along with your current dog(s).  Ask for guidance on how to properly introduce the dog to your current pets.  Set the dogs up for success, don't just throw them together and hope it works out!

I wasn't sure how Icy and Phoebe would get along, but with the right introduction they became close sisters!

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE ADOPTION FEE?

Ask what’s included in the adoption fee and what additional costs you might have to pay.  Most shelters and many rescues will have the dog spayed/neutered and include that in the adoption fee.  Vaccinations required up to the dog’s current age, such as Rabies, may also be included.  If you’re adopting a puppy, vaccinations and spay/neuter may need to be done later, at your cost.

DOES SHE HAVE ANY MEDICAL PROBLEMS THAT YOU KNOW OF?

Ask if the dog has been treated for any illness or injury at the shelter, or if they are aware of any medical  issues.  If so, ask about follow-up care, prognosis, and potential costs. Kennel Cough and other respiratory illnesses are common in a shelter environment. I fostered an awesome dog with a terrible case of kennel cough. I had to be careful because I had a dog myself at home and my foster needed to be quarantined in a separate room for a couple of weeks.  

Some shelters will send you home with necessary medications for minor ailments. Ask if the dog's illness is contagious and what precautions may be needed if you have other dogs at home. Ask about known behavioral concerns as well and how best to address them.

WHERE DID THIS DOG COME FROM, HOW LONG HAS HE BEEN HERE?

Ask whether the dog was a stray picked up on the street, an owner surrender, puppy mill or hoarder rescue.  Most will probably be strays with little background information, but ask if there is any information on the dog’s history that might be helpful.

Ask how long the dog has been in the shelter.  Sometimes, long term shelter pets may have become fearful or withdrawn to some degree. They've been living much of their lives in a cage and may need some extra TLC and time to re-adjust to having space and being a pet again!  

I shared a blog post about a beautiful long term shelter dog who had been at the shelter for over 2 years!  I eventually found out she was adopted. I was so happy for her and I'm grateful to whomever adopted her.

If the dog was an owner surrender, ask why the owner gave him up. But be aware that sometimes owners lie. They have been known to say that a dog is a "bad dog" when in reality they just didn't put the time in to train the dog, or had unrealistic expectations. 

My foster dog Rudy was the Best dog!  I wanted to adopt him so badly, but it wasn't the right time for us to add another dog to our family.

WHAT'S THIS DOG'S STORY?

There may be little known about the dog's history, but try to find out whatever you can.  Any information they can provide is helpful. 

Ask if the dog has ever bitten anyone that they know of, or if he displays aggression during feeding or playing with toys.  "Resource Guarding" can be a potentially dangerous behavior if it's not dealt with properly.  This type of behavior should have been detected on intake of the dog, but ask to be sure. 

When shelters say that an adoptable dog "should be the only pet in the home" it usually means they do not get along with other dogs or cats, and they may even be aggressive. Ask the question!

Ask if they know whether or not the dog has any fear of, or issues with; kids, cats or other pets, men, etc.

You can ask if the dog is potty trained. Puppies almost never are, older dogs often are. One good indication that shelter staff and volunteers see is if a dog "holds it in" for a long time, not wanting to soil their kennel, it often means they've been potty trained at some point. They're trying to hold it in until someone takes them outside!  

Dogs who defecate in their kennels, stepping in or laying in their poo, are often not house-broken at all.  They can certainly be trained, it just takes some time.  

Any dog brought into a new home environment needs to be shown when and how they are expected to potty. You can't expect them to figure out where the doors are or when and where they're expected to do their business all on their own!

Asking these questions can help you make the best decision about which dog is right for your family, and will give you an idea of what to expect as you bring your new best friend home. Avoid the heartbreak of finding out that you can't handle the dog you've adopted or that the dog isn't a good fit for you. No one should have to go through the pain of returning their adopted dog to the shelter, especially the dog!

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The Perfect Dog

Life is full of "First's".  The first time you rode a bicycle, your first day of school, your first best friend, and of course your first pet.  The bond we form with our pets as children is a special and unbreakable one.  It stays with you forever, and in many ways it changes us.

I will always remember my first dog, Ginny.  She is what people would call my "Heart Dog", the one that grabs hold of your heart and soul and never lets go, never leaves you for the rest of your life.  As the youngest of 5 kids, I literally grew up with Ginny.  I hardly remember a day in my young life without her.

MY HEART DOG  

I was 7 when that fluffy bundle of joy, a Golden Retriever mix, joined our family.  She left us 17 years later when I was in my twenties.  Ginny was everything to me; my best friend, my respite from an otherwise chaotic household, and my protector.  She always "understood" me. She knew when something was wrong and when I needed someone to comfort me.

My childhood dog Ginny, my Heart Dog.  I will love you forever sweet girl.

I have so many wonderful memories of Ginny, she was truly a special dog.  I know we all say that about our childhood pets, but she really was!  She never needed any kind of training, she instantly grasped all the basic commands and never misbehaved.  Wherever you went Ginny always remained at your side.  She was super smart, friendly, always gave kisses in abundance, and was as loyal as any dog could be.  She loved everyone she met and everyone she met loved her!  I was so lucky and so blessed to have Ginny in my life.  To me she was the perfect dog.

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE OF DOGS

When my older brother and I fought she would get in between us and start barking, like a Canine Referee.  We'd have to laugh and stop fighting!

When things got "heavy" at home and I was upset she'd come over and lay her head on my knee or nuzzle me to let me know she was there for me and that it would be OK.  

I was a teenager when an Uncle I loved dearly was in the hospital.  We didn't know if he was going to make it through a complicated surgery (he didn't), and I was left home alone while my parents rushed to the hospital.  I was sitting on a living room chair crying when Ginny came over and placed her head on my knee.  She licked my tears away as I hugged her vigorously.  She always knew when I really needed her.

Oh, how I wish I had a photo of Ginny dressed like Cinderella that Halloween I decided to bring her Trick or Treating with me and my friends!  I remember putting her in a blue Cinderella princess dress from my Halloween costume the year before - Ginny was nothing if not a cooperative dog who only wanted to please her owners.  

The neighbors got a kick out of this beautiful Golden Retriever dog who came to the door dressed as Cinderella.  In those days, we didn't dress our pets up or spoil and pamper them like we do today.  Although, my Mom did make her a bowl of meatballs and spaghetti so she could join in our Italian family dinners on Sundays!  Not giving the dog people food that could be potentially toxic wasn't of particular concern back then either.  My Father declared Ginny "An Italian dog" because of the way she devoured Mom's meatballs - she made the best meatballs!  Living in an Italian household, Ginny probably ingested more garlic than any other dog in the county, never mind that garlic is toxic to dogs!

Ginny loved running free through the woods next door to our house.

Like all our pets, Ginny was a shelter dog, and like many Long Islanders we got her from the Bideawee Home animal shelter.  I remember my Dad loading my brother and I into the car to "go get a dog" at Bideawee.  I remember looking into the cages and seeing a litter of adorable puppies, Ginny among them.  I remember the car ride home and how me and my brother fought to hold our new little golden ball of fur in our laps.  I remember the whole family, my parents and my 4 siblings, gathered around this new puppy in the family room brainstorming to come up with a name for her.  I don't recall who came up with "Ginny" but it was perfect, and to this little girl she was perfect.

PAW PRINTS ON OUR HEARTS

Ginny definitely had us all at "woof".  She captivated our entire family for 17 years.  Decades later I still think of Ginny and what she meant to me.  It's amazing that after so many years, I can still vividly remember the glorious experience of going to adopt my first dog, and so many of the wonderful experiences I had with her.  

I am proof positive that giving a child a pet can be the most wonderful gift of all. Pets can teach a child so much; Responsibility, Kindness, Empathy, and most of all Unconditional Love.  I'm filled with gratitude to Bideawee for giving my family the joy of our lives, a Golden Retriever mix puppy who for us was The Perfect Dog.   

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Do you remember your first pet?  Tell us about it in the comments!