Congratulations on planning to adopt a dog! Adopting a dog can be an extremely rewarding experience. You will be saving a dog’s life and providing a safe, new home to your furry friend. Since this will hopefully be at least a 10-12 year commitment, you want to make sure you choose the right dog for your situation. These questions to ask when adopting a dog will help you make the right choice on your new family member.
One of the first steps in finding a rescue dog is looking for places to adopt from. This may include a local humane society, animal shelter, or private dog rescue group. Many facilities have a social media page or website which will provide all the necessary information to find out how to adopt from their group. Many reputable groups have you complete an application in order to adopt one of the dogs. This will typically include your contact information, personal and veterinarian references, and general information such as how long you are typically away from home and if your yard is fenced. The application helps the rescue groups find appropriate homes. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get approved for the first dog you apply for, as it just may not have been the right fit. Keep trying until the right dog comes along.
When looking for the right dog, answering these questions will help you make an informed decision and ensure that your new dog is the right fit for your family and lifestyle.
1. What is the Dog’s History?
Try to get as much info as the rescue can provide about the dog’s history. They might not know much depending on how the dog got there, but see what they can tell you. This includes how the dog ended up there, was it surrendered, found as a stray, or rescued from a poor environment? Find out how old the dog is, which they should be able to at least give an estimated guess. Learning about the dog’s history will help you later understand any issues the dog has such as anxiety or fear. This may also help you learn about the dog’s training level so far.
Knowing the dog’s history will help you decide on the correct dog for your household and lifestyle.
2. What is the Dog’s Personality Like?
Although the rescue may not know everything about the dog, they should have an idea what the temperament is based on their interactions with the dog. It’s important to find a dog that has a personality suited to your lifestyle. Inquire how the dog has been around people and other dogs and what its energy level seems to be like. They may be able to tell you about any specific fears or triggers they have picked up on, such as being afraid of men, other dogs, or children. A shy, reserved dog may do best in a quiet, single dog household, whereas an energetic, friendly dog may be better suited in a faster paced environment.
Every dog comes with its own personality, which is important to find out so you can make the best choice for your household.
3. Is the Dog Good with Other Pets?
This is essential if you already have other pets and are planning to introduce a new dog into the household. See if the rescue knows if the dog has been around other animals and how they behaved. They may be fine around other dogs, but may not be able to be adopted into a household with cats. Or they may have a high prey drive and may not be suited for a farm with chickens and ducks. If you have other dogs, the rescue may require a “meet and greet” for your existing dog to meet a potential adoptee. No matter how much you might want a new rescue dog, if they don’t get along with existing pets in the home, it will not be fair to anyone involved.
Compatibility with other pets will ensure a peaceful household and smooth adjustment period.
4. What is the Dog’s Health History?
It is important to know any health issues the dog has, as these can lead to costly vet visits and medications. You want to know up front if the dog has preexisting conditions that you would need to budget for. Check to see if the dog has been examined by a vet, which most rescues will do. See if it is up to date on vaccines and preventative care such as flea/tick treatment and heartworm prevention. Another important health factor is whether or not the dog is spayed or neutered yet, as this can be a costly procedure to have done and may even require a few days off work to care for the dog afterwards. Some rescues may offer to bring the dog back to their vet for low-cost spay/neuter, but oftentimes this will become the responsibility of the adopter and is usually part of an adoption contract.
Knowing the dog’s health history ahead of time will help keep you from having unexpected costs following the adoption.
5. What is the Dog’s Exercise and Activity Level?
Different breeds will have different exercise and activity requirements. While the rescue might not know the exact breed make up, they usually have an idea what breed it might be and how active it will need to be. You’ll want to decide what activity level you’re comfortable with, as the last thing you want is a high activity dog that becomes destructive without proper exercise if that is not your lifestyle. While all dogs require some amount of exercise, there are certain breeds that require much more than others. Do breed research to determine which breeds might not be the right fit for you. If the rescue doesn’t know the breed, they should at least be able to let you know how energic the dog has been since being there.
Different dogs have different activity levels, so it’s important to know how much exercise your potential dog will require. Understanding this will help you gauge how much time you’ll need to dedicate to physical activity.
6. Is the Dog House-Trained?
Knowing whether the dog is already house and crate-trained will save you time and effort as you adjust to life together. Depending where the dog came from, it may already be completely house and crate trained, but not all rescue dogs may be trained. Consider if you have the time and knowledge to properly train a dog. If not, look for an adult dog that is already trained. This will be easier than adopting a puppy or previously stray dog without any training. You may be able to pay for a trainer to help with training if you are set on a dog with little or no training.
(Read more on how to crate train a puppy on our blog post here!)
Being aware of the dog’s training level will help you decide on the most appropriate dog for your situation and avoid training frustrations.
7. Has the Dog Had Any Obedience Training?
Obedience training can make a big difference in how well your dog adapts to your home and interacts with you and others. This may be difficult for the rescue to know, but they should at least be able to tell if the dog listens to basic commands such as come, stay, and sit. While not a deal breaker, consider the additional time and cost of training a rescue dog with minimal training.
If the dog you’re considering hasn’t had formal training, be prepared to put in the time, effort, and potential costs of training.
8. What is the Dog’s Eating and Grooming Routine?
Knowing how to care for your dog’s nutritional and grooming needs is essential for maintaining their health. Learn which food the dog is currently on and how often it is being fed. See if the dog has any dietary restrictions or allergies or if it has to be on any supplements. This will help you decide if you have the budget to care for the dog properly. A large dog will require significantly more food daily than a smaller dog. This can add up quickly depending how many cups of food per day the dog needs fed. You can roughly figure out how many cups of food per bag and then determine how much you would need to budget for dog food monthly.
In addition to dietary needs, ask about the grooming requirements, especially for long haired breeds. It may be necessary to take certain dogs to the groomer every month or two in order to keep their coat healthy. This can be an added cost that you might not have factored in.
Understanding the dog’s eating and grooming requirements will help you establish a healthy routine for your dog.
9. Does the Dog Have Any Behavioral Issues?
Every dog has quirks, but it’s important to be aware of any behavioral issues that may need attention. Ask if the dog has exhibited any major behavioral issues such as biting or excessive barking. Another factor to consider is if the dog exhibits signs of separation anxiety, as this can be difficult to overcome. Unfortunately, you may not discover some of these traits until after the adoption, so prepare to have a training plan in mind. Depending on the behavioral issue, this may even require extra vet trips for medications or a behavioral consultation with a specialist.
Learn as much about the dog’s behavioral patterns as you can to ensure a smoother transition for you and your dog.
10. What is the Adoption Process and Fees?
Before committing to an adoption, it’s important to know what the process entails and any associated costs. You may be able to find out this information on the rescue’s social media page or website. If submitting an application, they will usually include much of this information on the application itself as well including any requirements. Ask ahead about fees to avoid unexpected costs. See if the fees include vaccines and microchipping. Know the rules for rehoming if something doesn’t work out. Many rescues will require you to return the dog to them if you cannot keep it anymore.
Familiarize yourself with the adoption process and fees to avoid surprises.
Adopting a dog is a huge time and financial commitment, so it is important to make an informed decision before signing the paperwork. This will ensure you and your new furry friend start off on the right foot. By asking the right questions, you will be able to choose the perfect dog to cherish for many years to come! Take the time to consider these questions to ask when adopting a dog and trust your instincts.
Have you recently adopted a dog or are you considering adoption? Share your experience in the comments below. Stay connected for more helpful dog care tips and advice!
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