“Adopting a rescue or shelter dog is a great idea!”
By Julie Bjelland
Lokhandwala
There
are so many great reasons to adopt a rescue/shelter adult dog. Millions of dogs are killed every year in
shelters simply because there are not enough homes for them. Most of these dogs were given up because
there was a mismatch in personality with the previous owner, not because there
is something wrong with the dog.
Shelters
offer a wide variety of dogs, both mixed and purebred and even puppies. If you really want to adopt a particular
breed there are also many rescue organizations that specialize in particular
breeds.
Shelters
and rescue organizations want to make the best matches possible and will work
with you to find your ideal match. They
have spent time with the dogs and have gotten to know their needs and what kind
of owner would best match those needs.
What a great way to find a dog that will fit in with your
lifestyle! They are also always
receiving new dogs every day so if you don’t find what you are looking for on
your first attempt, don’t be discouraged, you can be put on a waiting list for
the kind of dog that may match you the best.
Shelter/Rescue
dogs will generally be a lot less expensive to buy than purchasing from a
breeder, plus this should include things like: spaying/neutering, shots,
deworming, vaccinations, etc.
Benefits of adopting an
adult dog:
- What you see is what you get. Unlike puppies, you know how big your
dog ended up.
- You can match their personality to your
lifestyle-and make the best match!
With puppies, it can be hard to determine what kind of adult dog
they will be.
- They are housebroken. Puppies are a lot of work!
You need to let them eliminate about every 2 hours and they do not
do well alone for long periods of time like an adult dog can.
- Your adult dog has passed the “chew everything”
phase that puppies have.
- You’ll sleep better at night with an adult dog. Puppies are very demanding at night!
- Puppies need a lot of trips to the Vet for
vaccinations, neutering/spaying, etc.
Your adult dog should be all set up!
- With an adult dog you can begin going out right
away with your new dog, exploring the world together! With puppies you have to wait until
they are all up to date on shots, etc.
- If the dog is a mixed breed you can have
advantages to the best of two or more breeds, plus they are generally
healthier and less prone to genetic problems.
Knowing
you can offer a good home to a dog in need is a great feeling. Make sure you also put the effort into
teaching your dog obedience. A
well-trained dog with good behavior is happier and gets to spend more time with
the family!
--Julie Bjelland Lokhandwala's interactive Dog Training Web site: www.webdogtrainer.com/, teaches you how to train your own dog as well as receive professional coaching, advice and tips through email consultations about your own dog! Julie formerly trained Guide Dogs for the Blind and has been running her own successful obedience training/behavior modification business for several years. She is known for her talent in helping you communicate more effectively with your dog. Julie's positive methods of training are friendly, encouraging and motivating. She has a personal mission to help more dogs get adopted and stay adopted and donates a portion of her proceeds to the cause. Julie shares her home with her own rescued German Shepherd, Fax.