| Are you thinking of buying a dog or puppy? | | | | or puppy home, when you will learn the best way |
| Before going to a dog breeder or pet shop, | | | | to settle your dog or puppy in the first few days |
| consider adopting a rescue dog from a pet charity | | | | with his new family. Be patient, even if you think |
| or animal shelter. There are thousands of | | | | you know all about dogs. There is always |
| abandoned dogs and puppies waiting for a loving | | | | something new to learn .... you may even get a |
| home and sadly many are put to sleep because | | | | goodie bag at the end of the session. |
| they cannot find a new owner. | | | | The dogs at an animal shelter are not always |
| By adopting a dog or puppy you could save a life, | | | | strays or abandoned dogs: many are handed in by |
| and bring valuable income to the animal shelter, | | | | the dog's owners, for many reasons. This is |
| which they use to help feed and care for other | | | | beneficial for the dog's new owner as they have |
| dogs. The average cost of adopting a dog or | | | | more information about its history, whereas stray |
| puppy is around $150, much less than you will pay | | | | dogs have no history. |
| for a pedigree puppy. Animal shelters are mainly | | | | When you begin Dog Training, the objective is |
| funded by charitable donations from the public. | | | | teach your dog that your are his new leader and |
| Adopting a dog not only saves the life of your | | | | he is a member of your 'pack'. This is best for |
| new dog, but also allows the shelter to accept | | | | your dog's wellbeing and helps him lead a healthy |
| another dog, potentially saving another dog's life in | | | | and happy life following you. This is particularly |
| the future. | | | | important for an older dog if it has learned bad |
| When you adopt a dog or puppy from a shelter it | | | | habits. On a happier note, an older dog whose |
| should have had the necessary injections, and be | | | | owner could no longer care for him is likely to be |
| checked for diseases, parasites and minor | | | | fully house trained and can settle with a new |
| ailments. Any urgent medical treatment will have | | | | family very quickly. One word of warning before |
| been carried out including neutering if necessary. | | | | you go to the animal shelter: be clear in your mind |
| Its temperament and behaviour should have been | | | | about how many dogs you want! It is all too easy |
| assessed while it is at the shelter. New owners | | | | to see a pair of dogs, or even three, from the |
| should be informed of the dog's temperament | | | | same home and be tempted to take them all. If |
| and behavior with children, whether it is a noisy | | | | you have children, set out the ground rules with |
| dog, and also whether or not the dog needs | | | | them before you visit the animal shelter. Enjoy |
| training. | | | | your adopted dog and look forward to many |
| The best animal shelters will give you a detailed | | | | happy years with your new best friend. |
| training session when you arrive to take your dog | | | | |