| Adopting a shelter dog is one of the kindest things | | | | part of Saturday morning at the dog park. |
| you can do, and it is also one of the best things you | | | | If you have the fenced area, adding a doggie door |
| can do for yourself -- if your home is ready. Here are | | | | can be a huge relief for your dog. Most people go to |
| a few things to consider before you adopt a shelter | | | | work during the day, and even an adult dog can not |
| dog, and some tips for picking a dog that will be the | | | | be expected to "hold it" more than six hours. Puppies |
| best possible companion for you. | | | | under four months can not "hold it" more than an |
| You should be emotionally prepared before you go | | | | hour -- their bladder control muscles are not |
| to a shelter, especially if you are going to go with | | | | developed enough. So you will need to figure out |
| children. It is no secret what happens to some | | | | whether a doggie door, or papers, or a daily visit |
| shelter dogs, and some of us can get very emotional | | | | from a dog walker is going to work for you and your |
| over having to pick out just one dog. As you filter | | | | dog. |
| out the dogs you do not want so much, you will | | | | Finally, you should be prepared for how much a dog |
| inevitably come down to two or three dogs that you | | | | costs. Vet bills for puppies in the first six months will |
| already care quite deeply for. If you can only take | | | | be around $300. After that is dog food, which is |
| one home, that means you'll be leaving one behind. | | | | $30-$60 a month. You will also need to get leashes, a |
| Figure out how you are going to handle this situation | | | | dog bowl, a dog collar, dog treats and at least one |
| with your children, or even with your partner if the | | | | dog toy. That is how your "free" shelter dog ends up |
| two of you are getting a dog together. When my | | | | costing you $500 in the first month, plus the adoption |
| boyfriend and I went to pick our dog, we ended up | | | | fees you'll pay. |
| bringing home neither of our first choices... we picked | | | | How to Pick a Dog That is Right for You |
| the dog that was the best overall compromise. That | | | | Are you a high-energy person? Then get a |
| dog has been one of the biggest joys of our life | | | | high-energy dog. If you are low-energy, or "quiet" as |
| ever since. | | | | some people call it, you'll probably be happier with a |
| Is Your Home Dog-Friendly? | | | | mellower dog. Size matters, too. People who weigh |
| Unless you live in an apartment, your home is going | | | | less than 140 pounds may have trouble managing |
| to need a fence or a good place to tie up your dog | | | | really big dogs. And if you have never had a dog, or |
| while it is outside. Having the fence is vastly | | | | never trained a dog yourself, you may want to get a |
| preferable... it is hard for a dog to run and play with a | | | | grown dog instead of a puppy so you can make the |
| long, heavy rope attached. Many shelters actually will | | | | most of the dog's earlier obedience training. Not |
| not let you adopt a dog unless you have a fenced | | | | everybody is cut out to do puppy potty training. The |
| area. If possible, the fenced area should be large | | | | secret is that you do not ever have to bother with |
| enough to at least toss a ball, but an enclosed patio | | | | that if you get an older dog who is housebroken. |
| is better than nothing. Just be prepared to spend | | | | |