When adopting, think of this

You may or may not have the opportunity to visit the foster home or kennel with a rescue group. Usually, rescue dogs are available during pet adoption days in local pet supply stores or parks. Make sure that the dog is healthy and happy, instead of looking at his environment. The organization should be up front with you and let you know about any medical or behavioral needs of the dog, even though many dogs come into the rescue groups or shelters injured or malnourished. Contact your local animal control or animal advocacy center, if you see that a shelter that is dirty, there is no ready available water, and there are signs of abuse and neglect. The following are some more things to look for:

--Does the dog seem healthy? Does he look too thin or too fat, and is the coat shiny or dull?
--Are his nose and ears clean and are his eyes clear?
--Do you see signs of discomfort or lameness in the dog?
--Is the dog energetic?
--Does the dog seem friendly? Does he approach you readily or is he wary of you?
--When you pet him, does he lean in for more, or does he get stiff?
--When you are interacting with the dog, does he show discomfort or aggression?
--How does he interact with other animals?

You may fall in love with a dog in a shelter who is not completely healthy. That’s fine. Make sure you know what you are getting into before jumping into a long-term commitment. The dog should see a veterinarian if he seems to be really sick or injured, prior to you making your final decision. He might be really sick and you would have to spend lots of money to treat it, or it may not be treatable.

On the other hand, lots of dogs at the shelter do have internal or external parasites, skin allergies, and dehydration or malnutrition. See a veterinarian before making the final decision, and there is no reason to reject a shelter dog because of minor illnesses.

Sometimes, if a dog is frightened and scared, he may not work in your lifestyle, it depends on what you are looking for. Look for a dog who can adjust to your life easily, if you have kids, or don’t have enough time to train your dog if he has behavioral issues. The ideal dog will be interested in you and he will be friendly. He will interact nicely with your other pets and respond appropriately to your kids. When you interact with him, he will not shrink away from you, or growl at you, or stiffen and show his teeth.

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