Adopting a Dog - Pointers on Choosing Your Shelter Dog

Encouragement is all over the place for adopting aalready. "Maybe love will change him over time..."
dog, especially a rescued dog who needs aTo avoid the heartache of having to return a dog
second chance. I am the proud owner of aand/or the stress of several years spent dealing
rescued dog, and it warms my heart to see howwith a rescued dog's bad dog behavior, do your
wonderfully he has filled out, his shiny coat, andhomework. Study the key signs in dog body
most of all, his obedient, loving, loyal personality.language that reveal dog dominance, dog
Still, that took much time, skill, and effort. I haveaggression, obsessive dog behavior, dog chewing,
had the opposite experience myself two otherand other unwanted dog behaviors.
shelter dogs, and seen too many mistakes to playIf you want a quiet dog, do not choose the one
Holly-go-lightly. This is a very serious undertaking,who is about to leap through the cage to say "hi"
and not to be engaged by the unknowing.to you. Pick the one who sniffs you slightly and
The problem is that many shelter dogs offeredstands or sits with her ears slightly back. Wiggling
for adoption have serious psychological or otheris fine, too. A sweet little wiggle is just too cute!
bad dog behavior problems, and even medicalBefore you adopt a dog, insist on taking the one
problems, which the frequently scanty screeningyou are considering on a walk. Make sure you can
methods did not detect or report. The reality issee firsthand how this dog is going to handle
that a lot of those dogs were abandoned becauseeveryday situations. Be sure the walk is proper.
the owners could not handle them. Most peopleThe dog needs to see you as a leader right away.
who bring these dogs into their homes have littleWalk her behind you for at least 20 to 30
to no knowledge of dog body language and theminutes. Be sure she is well exercised before you
silent symptoms of trouble that should bebring her home.
discerned in the first encounter.If the shelter staff protests, stand your ground
Many of these shelter dogs have been abandonedand invite one of the employees to come with
for one reason or another. Some were neglected,you. You have a right to see how the shelter dog
some unwanted, some were pups of accidentresponds to all types of situations and how the
litters ... Others were abused in horrific ways anddog will surrender to your individual touch prior to
are still emotionally scarred even though theircommitment. If you cannot see the dog's
physical bodies are healed. You need to ascertainbehavior in the outside world, don't take it!
the emotional scars to know what you areSo adopt a rescued dog if you like. But if you are
getting into.set on a certain breed or color, wait until you are
Well-intentioned people often say: "Oh, I will pickabsolutely sure this dog is the right one. Don't
the black one over there," then sign the paperscave in to appearances. You want to avoid the
and take him straight home. It was all because ofheartache of bad dog behavior or dog
the way he looked, be it sad, needy, pleading,psychological problems you are not equipped to
sweet, eager, playful, whatever. They did not seehandle. If you do not know how to read the
the symptoms behind that look.subtle signals of dog body language, take a
A few days later, the black dog is back at theprofessional with you to evaluate the dog. A
shelter because the adopter could not handle hisshelter dog can be a wonderful pet, just as my
problems. Sometimes, people keep the rescuedobedient Gatsby, but it all starts with choosing
dogs with these severe issues because they feelwisely.
the animal has been through enough trauma