Ecko, my canine baby :)
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Adopting a mature dog is one of the most rewarding experiences that ananimal lover can have, and with so many homeless pets in need of forever homes, it is a positive alternative to purchasing a puppy from a breeder. I adopted a six year old lab mix two years ago, and it has been one of the best experiences of my life. Whether you are adopting from a shelter, directly from a family in need (which is what I did), or are taking in a stray or abandoned dog, the relationship that develops between you and your new family member will be incredibly special. While adopting an older dog is something I would encourage all dog lovers to do at some point in there lives, many individuals jump into adoption without being fully prepared for the experience. There are many important factors to consider before choosing to adopt, and many things that you need to be prepared for once you have found your new family member. This article will briefly outline a few of these important considerations.
Before You Adopt: Things to Consider
Finances
Owning a dog is a serious investment. While shelters attempt to reduce adoption fees as much as possible to make adoption an affordable option (and families in need often give their dogs away 'free to a good home') there are many costs associated with owning a dog. Yearly physicals, regular bloodwork, vaccinations, heartworm and flea checks (and possible deworming) and medications are just a few of the regular medical costs. You also have to be sure that you will be able to afford medical fees should unexpected emergencies or health issues arise; which is more likely to occur when adopting an older dog, where you may not know very much about their past medical history. There is also the cost of food, supplies (a dog bed, a crate if you decide to crate train, toys, leash and harness, ect.), and dog walking or dog sitting if you will require those services. It is important before adopting a dog to seriously consider if you can make the financial commitment, so that you do not end up in a difficult situation later on, should unexpected costs arise.
Lifestyle
It is important before adopting to consider if dog ownership suits your current lifestyle. If you are single, and work long hours, it is likely you will not have time to give a dog the attention that it needs. If you are married with young children, you may not want to adopt a large breed older dog, that could have behavioural issues you aren't aware of or could pose a potential threat to your children. If you rent and do not own a house, it is important to make sure that adopting a dog will not affect your housing status (though it is important to note in most areas it is illegal to discriminate against a tenant due to pet ownership, unless the dog is disturbing other tenants).
Knowledge
It is important to do extensive research before adopting a dog, so that you are aware of all that is necessary to provide suitable care for your new family member. It is important that you are fully informed about health care, grooming, feeding, and exercise requirements, for the specific breed that you choose to adopt. Researching training techniques for older dogs, as well as methods of dealing with problem behaviour are also a must. It is important that you are extremely familiar with the personality of the dog you are adopting, so that you can predict problematic behaviours (such as aggression, separation anxiety, and destructiveness) and plan coping strategies. If possible, go to visit your potential adoptee multiple times prior to adoption, and take the dog to play or on a few walks, to get to know them a bit better. [Some useful links to both websites and literature on dog behavioural problems and management techniques are located below .]
It is important that you research different dog breeds, and select a breed that will best suit your preferences and lifestyle. If you are a person with a relatively busy lifestyle, for example, it would be better to adopt a small breed dog that can get much of its exercise playing indoors. If you enjoy jogging or hiking, a large breed dog that could accompany you on runs or walks in the park would be ideal. Make sure that you choose your new pet carefully; this will require some patience, until a suitable match is found, but it is important not to rush into adopting a breed that will not be a good fit for you.
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After You Adopt: What To Expect
The Transition Period
The transition period as your dog adjusts to their new environment may have some challenging moments. A dog coming from a shelter may not have received very much socialization in a home environment, and so you may have issues with things like barking, hyperactivity and destructiveness in the house, and accidents. Dogs coming from home environments may be depressed at leaving their previous families, and may suffer from separation anxiety as a result, being extremely agitated and possibly destructive when left alone (crate training is one solution to this problem, and there is a source below explaining this in further detail). Many adopted dogs, whether from shelters or home environments, have abandonment issues, which could translate into separation anxiety, depression, lethargy, or -in the worst case scenario - aggression. Whatever your dog's behavioural issues, it is important to be patient. Every dog can overcome their behavioural problems with the help of a patient and dedicated owner working with them daily. It is important to spend a lot of time with your dog during this early transition period, as the bonding that you will experience is extremely important in building the trust necessary to overcome these issues.
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Happily Ever After...
Once your new family member has been successfully integrated into your household, you will find that your sense of accomplishment and the relationship that you have developed with your new pet is unlike anything you have experienced. An adopted dog is a grateful dog, and a happy dog. Though the process may be a difficult one, the experience of adoption is far worth the effort.
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