What You Should Know About Dog Adoption

Do you ever feel like you know just enough about dog adoption to be dangerous? Let's see if we can fill in some of the gaps with the latest info from dog adoption experts.

When considering the birth rates among animals, it's not hard to understand why animal shelters are always filled with animals waiting to be adopted. Shockingly, it has been calculated that over a seven year period, one female cat and her offspring will produce approximately 420,000 kittens. Likewise, one female dog and her offspring will produce 67,000 puppies during a six year period. Since there are more animals looking for homes than there are people who want to adopt them, some 6.5 million animals are euthanized each year.

Given the statistics cited above, adopting an animal can be a kind and loving thing to do. However, before making the final decision to adopt, there are a number of things to consider.

Many of the animals awaiting adoption in shelters have had very rough beginnings. Some were abused, some abandoned and some were "turned in" because the owners didn't have time for them. Many were left alone for long periods and some were never properly potty trained. In short, when adopting an animal you must be prepared to work with them. They may come to you cowed or with feelings of trepidation and may be overly sensitive to your tone of voice or to any commands you might give them. You will need to be patient and by all means, loving. When they finally realize that they can trust you they will reward you with more affection and loyalty than you can imagine.

Adopting a dog as a means of entertaining a small child is not recommended. A dog is not a toy and should not be treated as one. Small children should be trained to understand "animal etiquette". In other words, animals are not to be hit, dragged, ridden or teased. They should understand that being overly aggressive with a new dog, especially one recently adopted, could cause the dog to react by biting or running away. If feeding and exercising the dog is to be the responsibility of a child, an adult should follow up to be sure these things are getting done. It isn't the dog's fault if a child fails to meet his or her obligations and the dog shouldn't have to suffer for the child's failure.

If you base what you do on inaccurate information, you might be unpleasantly surprised by the consequences. Make sure you get the whole dog adoption story from informed sources.

Many adopted dogs will come to the new surroundings filled with fears based upon earlier mistreatment or the harsh rules of their previous owners. Some dogs will be reluctant to go from one room to another, will shy away when corrected and hide upon hearing a loud noise. New owners must be patient with them and speak to them softly and affectionately. Dogs are not stupid and they will gradually come to understand their new environment and show their appreciation for your loving care.

When contemplating adoption, prospective new owners should be prepared to deal with the fact that their new adoptee may not be completely housebroken. Previous owners may have been irresponsible in their approach to this training; furthermore, when the dog was placed in the shelter it continued to do its "business" right in its pen. Housebreaking is not a complex chore and should not deter someone from adopting a pet. Some owners will use a cage to assist in this training, while others will just take the dog out for a walk several times a day. Fenced yards and doggie doors are minimal expenses that pay extra dividends on cold or rainy days.

Adopted dogs are subject to all of the behavioral problems commonly associated to dogs in general. These would include digging, jumping up on people, jumping fences, barking and nipping. There are proven solutions to all of these "offenses." If your dog is prone to digging, and always digs in one area, there are a number of effective repellent sprays that work well. If he digs under your fence, a little buried chicken wire works wonders in breaking that habit. Spray bottles filled with water should be kept at hand to break a dog from jumping up and to combat incessant barking. A quick spritz in the face immediately following, or during, the offensive behavior will usually bring about a quick behavior modification.

Visiting an animal shelter can be an emotional experience for an animal lover. It's difficult to see all the animals in their pens and not want to take them all home. Such feelings are understandable and commendable; however, just be sure that prior to adoption you consider all of the ramifications. And remember, your best friend is waiting for you at your local animal shelter.

Is there really any information about dog adoption that is nonessential? We all see things from different angles, so something relatively insignificant to one may be crucial to another.

Listed below are more articles related to the above article from the "Dogs" article category.

People interested in the above article "What You Should Know About Dog Adoption" are also interested in the related articles listed below:

 

Designer Dog Beds

We all know that you love your pooch, there's no question about it. The two of you have been together for years and have an incredibly special bond. Every morning as the sun comes up; your pet is there to greet you, eagerly waiting for a pat on the head. Doesn’t your dog deserve the best? After all he is part of your family. Give your favorite pet a comfortable place to rest—how about designer dog beds!

Effective Ways To Stop Puppy Biting

When your four legged bundle of joy is starting to see your hands or clothes as his favorite chew toys, you obviously need to find effective ways on how to stop puppy biting. But one cannot completely eradicate the behavior without understanding why puppies tend to bite.

Tips on Training Your Puppy Not to Bite

Let's say you brought your puppy outside to help him potty. The dog suddenly nips you at the ankles. You try to bring him back inside for some quiet time and to make him rethink what he did. When you pet him, his teeth clamp on your fingers. What is going on? The first fact you need to know is that your dog will keep on acting this way until he is taught that biting hurts.

Leptospirosis In Dogs - Symptoms and Treatment

Leptospirosis is a potentially fatal disease that can attack your dog in any stage of his life. The symptoms of the disease are depression, fever, dehydration, jaundice and abdominal pain. The disease damages your dogs liver and kidneys, sometimes resulting in renal failure and death.

House Training your Dogs and Baby Puppies

Young puppies aged three months and below do not yet have much bladder control and reflexes. It all gets interesting since the poor things usually know they need to go pee or potty only at the moment they really have to! It is the extreme and rare occasion that a puppy can will learn and actually tell its owner beforehand.

Housebreaking Aids for the New Puppy

Housebreaking training is an activity that needs plenty of effort and patience. It begins the moment the puppy arrives home. Those responsible for training the newcomer will notice that it relieves itself close to some six times a day. A good time to bring the dog outside is after promptly after each meal, given that a full stomach applies pressure on the colon and bladder.

The Canine Distemper Disease and How to Prevent It

I am sure we all want to protect our pets from disease and one common disease, called Canine Distemper is a worldwide problem and young puppies, in particular are the most susceptible and the most likely to die from the disease.