Adopt a Puppy

Adopting a puppy can be exciting. You are choosing a new companion for many years to come. Before adopting a puppy, pick a breed or type of dog that works for your lifestyle. Then, visit a variety of shelters to find a reputable shelter in your price range. After you've completed the adoption, you can bring your new companion home.

Steps

Choosing the Right Puppy

1. Think about your household members. If you have small kids in your house, you need to take this into consideration when selecting a puppy. If you don't have kids, think about yourself and other housemates and your activity level and schedule. Some dog breeds require less time and attention than others.
   • Children under the age of 7 generally don't do well with puppies under 5 months. This is because children of this age do not understand boundaries and may handle a puppy aggressively, causing biting. Puppies, especially smaller puppies, can also be harmed if a child handles them too roughly.
   • Think about who will primarily take care of the dog. Make sure that person is willing and able to care for a puppy. If you're caring for the puppy yourself, make sure you have the time and energy for training. If a spouse, child, or other household member will be taking care of the puppy, make sure they are ready for the time commitment.
2. Research a variety of dog breeds. If you're adopting from a shelter, you may not get much of a choice in regards to breed. However, you can search for mixed breeds of dogs you would prefer. Make sure you select a breed that's the right size, temperament, and energy level for your house. Remember, a puppy will eventually grow into a dog. You want to make sure you commit to a type of dog you can conceivably care for.
   • The American Kennel Club and other organizations provide online assessment tools you can use to figure out appropriate dog breeds for your lifestyle. You fill out a questionnaire and will then be matched with a variety of dogs.
   • You can also talk to a vet or ask at a local shelter. Some shelters are happy to help pair individuals or families with the right dog breed.
3. Find a dog that will fit your lifestyle. Keep your lifestyle in mind when selecting a puppy. You should make sure you have enough time to train a puppy, as puppies require housebreaking, leash training, and other basic skills. However, you should also keep things in mind like breed and size. Make sure a dog works for your lifestyle.
   • Think about your activity level. Larger dogs may require more activity, while a smaller dog may be able to get enough exercise running around the house. Some breeds also simply require more physical activity than others.
   • A dog's size is not the only thing that will determine its activity level. Some small dogs, such as terriers, tend to be more active.
4. Make sure you have the proper home to accommodate your puppy. Not all dogs will work in all homes. While researching breeds, look into what types of homes are suitable for a variety of types of dogs.
   • Many people assume a small home is suitable for a small dog. However, it depends on breed. Terriers are very active and can be loud. If you're living in a small apartment, having a puppy that barks at any small noise can pose a problem. Do not assume a small puppy will be fine in a small place.
   • Big dogs do not always require a large home, especially if you live in an area where it's pedestrian friendly and you can walk your dog regularly. Some big dogs tend to be couch potatoes when left home alone.

Completing the Adoption Process

1. Find a shelter in your price range. Shelters typically have adoption fees. These vary by shelter. Browse the local shelters in your area and look at the price ranges. Try to figure out how much you can reasonably spend on a puppy.
   • In addition to the adoption price, keep other fees in mind. You will have to purchase supplies for your puppy such as food and toys.
   • Not all puppies coming out of a shelter are spayed or neutered. You will have to pay for this surgery, which can be pricey, to spay or neuter a puppy. Paying a slightly higher adoption fee for a puppy that's been fixed may be worth the added cost.
   • Keep in mind, some shelters have adoption events where fees are reduced. Keep an eye out for such events if price is an issue.
2. Pay a visit to a variety of shelters. You want to make sure you're adopting from a quality shelter. You should visit a variety of shelters and look for signs they're reputable organizations. You're more likely to get a healthy and well behaved puppy from a quality shelter.
   • A reputable shelter does not operate for profit and will therefore be a registered charity. You can check websites like charitynavigator.org and GreatNonProfits.org to make sure the shelter is a charity.
   • Workers at the shelter should be able to answer all questions you have about how they operate, how many animals they have, and other questions and concerns.
   • The facilities should be clean and the animals should look healthy and well-groomed.
3. Interact with each puppy, following shelter guidelines. This means petting and playing with the puppy, usually in an area closed off from other dogs. If you see a puppy you like, ask to interact with it. Make sure to keep the type of dog you want in mind. If you're looking for a smaller dog, for example, look at the smaller puppies at the shelter.
   • Make sure to follow any guidelines outlined by the shelter. Some shelters may have rules about holding or feeding the puppies.
   • Some shelters may also require you to interact with a puppy for a set period of time, like half an hour, before deciding to adopt it.
   • Ask how the puppy is with children, other dogs, cats, and people. Also, watch how the puppy interacts with those around him to ensure that he's not too anxious or aggressive.
4. Make sure that a dog is healthy. Before you adopt the dog, see if it is healthy or not. You do not want to take a sick puppy home, especially if you have other pets. Diseases may be more common in shelters, as dogs live in close quarters and infections can spread.
   • Check its eyes for any discharge. Check the nose to make sure it's clean and not runny.
   • Ask if you can see some of the puppy's poop as well to ensure that it is not runny and he does not have diarrhea.
   • Ask questions if the puppy appears ill. In some cases, the shelter may know the puppies have contracted a cold or infection from other dogs. This may be easy to clear with antibiotics, which the shelter should provide. The shelter may also be willing to hold a puppy for you until the sickness has passed.
5. Select your puppy. After interacting with a variety of puppies, pick the one you like. Remember to pick a puppy that's healthy and works with your activity level, schedule, and household.
   • You may not always know the exact breed when adopting a puppy. However, the shelter should have some idea of what breed the puppies may be. This should give you a sense of how big you can expect the dog to grow and the kind of temperament it may have.
   • If the puppies have been in the shelter awhile, the workers may know a bit about their personalities. Do not hesitate to ask.
6. Follow all the adoption guidelines outlined by the shelter. Adoption guidelines very widely between shelters. Make sure you sit down with a worker and discuss the steps you need to take to adopt your new pet.
   • Usually, you have to fill out an adoption application. This will verify that you're responsible enough to care for a puppy. You may have to provide references, depending on the shelter.
   • Some shelters may have an age requirement. You may, for example, have to be over 18 before you can adopt a dog.
   • You may have to talk to a worker about proper care prior to adopting a puppy.
7. Pay any required fees. Fees will vary by shelter. There is usually an adoption fee, which ranges greatly. There may be extra fees if a puppy has recently been spayed or neutered or received basic vaccinations.

Bringing Your Puppy Home

1. Do a scent handshake. To help the puppy adjust to his new home before you take him home, it is helpful to do a scent handshake. This involves giving the puppy a t-shirt that you have worn so that he can sniff it and become familiar with your smell. Give this to the puppy a day or two before you bring him home.
   • If you have other pets in your home, rub the t-shirt on them as well to give the puppy a scent introduction to the other members of your household.
2. Make your home puppy proof. Before you bring your puppy home, make sure everything is safe for your puppy. Go through and do some basic puppy proofing.
   • Make sure to keep plants out of reach of your puppy. If you have any plants that are toxic to dogs, get rid of them.
   • Block off drowning hazards, like full sinks, toilet bowls, and tubs.
   • Place hazardous materials, like cleaning supplies, in high cupboards.
   • Keep electric cords out of reach, as puppies may chew these.
3. Buy supplies. You need a variety of supplies ready before bringing your puppy home. Stop by a local pet store and stock up. You will likely need a leash, poop-bags, food bowls, a bed, crate, and collar or harness.
   • Depending on how you want to handle housebreaking, you may also need housebreaking pads.
4. Care for your puppy during its first night home. The puppy's first night home may be rough. Puppies may be frightened to be in a new place, so have some patience. You may be woken by barking, crying, or howling several times during the night.
   • It's a good idea to let your puppy sleep in your bedroom. This will keep help your puppy feel safe.
5. Rearrange your schedule for your puppy's needs. When you first adopt a puppy, you will need to tweak your schedule. You want to have adequate time to bond with your puppy through playing and petting. You also want to make sure you're vigilant about letting your puppy outside, as this will help with housebreaking.
   • You may have to drop certain obligations for the first week with your puppy to make sure it gets the added care it needs.
6. Take your puppy in for necessary vet visits. You should find a vet in your area if you don't already have one. Your puppy will need frequent vet visits early on, as puppies need extra care to make sure they're healthy.
   • When you adopt a newborn puppy, getting it vaccinated is important. Puppies usually need frequent vaccinations during their first year.
   • It is important to neuter or spay your dog. If your puppy has not been spayed or neutered, you will need to make an appointment to get this done.

Warnings

• If you go to the pet shop, be aware that the dogs there have a chance of originating from puppy mills. Dogs from puppy mills are prone to a variety of health problems. If you want a specific breed, go through a breeder over a puppy mill.

Related Articles

• House Train a Puppy
• Buy a Puppy
• Crate Train Your Dog or Puppy
• Name Your New Puppy or Dog
• Choose a Pet

Quick Summary

Template:Summary:Adopt-a-Puppy

See also

• Adopt a Purebred Dog
• Find and Adopt a Healthy and Happy Shelter Dog
• Persuade Your Parents to Get a Dog
• Choose a German Shepherd Puppy
• Choose a Jack Russell Puppy
• Select a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• Choose a Shiba Inu Puppy
• Check a Dog's Pedigree
• Choose a Good Hiking Dog
• Understand and Help Prevent Black Dog Syndrome

Read more ...

What links here

• Choose a Dog
• Identify Your Adopted Mutt
• Help a Dog with Separation Anxiety
• Pick Up a Puppy
• Raise a Balanced Puppy
• Raise a Cat
• Start a Non Profit Animal Rescue
• Train Your Dog from Running out of Your House
• Use Puppy Pads and Outdoor Potty Training Together
• Wean Puppies

Read more ...