When considering what kind of dog you should adopt, consider the kind of personality you have and how you want to incorporate a dog into the mix. If you’re outdoorsy and love being active, you’ll want a dog that shares that energy. If you’re older and don’t want the commitment of raising a puppy, you may want to consider adopting an older dog from the shelter (they’re often the most overlooked).
While appearance is what most of us consider when visiting the shelter, it’s not the most important physical characteristic that you should consider when adopting a dog. The size and weight of the dog is the most important aspect of the dog to consider, based on your life situation. If you have kids in your house, you will want to get a dog older than five months, and larger than 15 pounds. Conversely, if you are retired and the kids are gone, go for the smaller dog. Smaller dogs make great RV travel-buddies and won’t take up too much space if you’re downgrading.
Make sure you choose a dog with your entire family. When my dad and I wanted to get my mom a dog for Christmas, the helpful staff at the shelter told us not to spring a new dog on mom. Instead of surprising her, tell her and let her be a part of the decision. That was the best advice we listened to. Sit down and discuss the kind of dog you all want, and everyone will be happy. And never succumb to pressure from kids to get a dog. If your kids are responsible and able to help you care for the dog, have a discussion with them about what is expected from each member of the family. If you think you’ll be stuck doing all the work caring for the dog, make sure you are ready, regardless of what your kids want.
Already have a dog? You can still celebrate Adopt-a-Dog Month by giving back in your community. If you are looking to help raise awareness of the importance of adopting shelter dogs, this month there are tons of opportunities for you to help. If you have adopted a shelter dog, share your story on social media using the hashtag #savedogs. If you aren’t looking to adopt but want to help out call your local shelters and let them know you would like to donate money to keep the dogs comfortable while they await adoption. You can also volunteer your time by walking dogs at shelters, to get them exercise they sorely need.
If you’re a new dog owner make sure that the dog is happy and healthy by bringing your new friend to use for a checkup! Book an appointment with us today and we can give you even more advice about the best way to care for your new dog.
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