Considerations Before Adopting A Dog

Reader Contribution by Bruce Mcelmurray
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 Dogs and philosophers do the greatest good and get the fewest rewards.  Diogenes

        I don’t know many philosophers but I know a lot of dogs and Diogenes certainly had it right when it comes to dogs.  Being a volunteer for the Central Colorado  German Shepherd Rescue I have encountered varied experiences with interviewing applicants who want to adopt a rescue dog.  Those people who are willing to adopt are usually good people  but it is clear during  interviews that not all who apply have the right motives for a rescue dog. Sometimes the environment is not  suitable,  the ability to train and nurture a rescue dog, or the persons individual lifestyle.  Some just want to adopt a dog for wrong reasons.  I would therefore like to offer a non professional check list for anyone who is planning to adopt a dog.  Some things to think through BEFORE you rush down to adopt a dog. I am not saying that those spontaneous wants and desires to adopt do not work out. For the greatest chance of happiness for you and your prospective pet I would submit the following common sense points for consideration. They are in no way complete but provide a good starting point.  

1. Think about why you want to adopt a dog.  Is is because you grew up with a dog in the household and want your children to have the same experience?  Is the entire family on board with this decision?  Are they aware of the long term responsibility?  Are your children already responsible or do you hope a dog will make them responsible?  A little self examination here is the most important step.  Are your motives selfish or are you adopting to provide a previous unwanted dog a future good home.

2. Do you have a good environment for a rescued dog?  A bed or place for the dog to sleep, a fenced yard, so predators (human and animal) could not harm a dog.  Do you have a safe place to walk the dog?  Do your neighbors have dogs?  Do dogs roam your neighborhood?  Is your vehicle safe transport for a dog.  Dogs should never be placed in the bed of a pickup truck.

3.  Are you willing to alter your lifestyle?  That new addition will require play time, exercise, attention, and training.  Are you willing to attend classes with your dog so you can learn how to properly handle and care for a dog?  When asked how much time a day will be devoted to training a dog people will respond with a specific number of  hours, when in fact a dog doesn’t have that long of an attention span.  Training is ongoing and continuous and requires patience. If patience is not one of your attributes then maybe a difficult dog is not for you.

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