Introduction

If you are considering adding a dog to your household, stop and take a few minutes to consider if you are really ready for the responsibility having a dog will entail. And if you are thinking of adding a puppy, you really need to consider if you, your family and your current lifestyle can accommodate a new puppy and if you are ready to expend the time and money needed to properly raise one.

Step One: Evaluate Your Lifestyle

Are you at home enough for a puppy? Or is your work close enough to your home for you to come home several times a day and let the puppy out or walk him? If the answer to either is yes, then great. You are a good candidate for owning a puppy. Puppies need a consistent schedule with plenty of opportunities to eliminate, where you want them to. Their bladders and bowels are small and they cannot ?hold it? until you get home.

Chewing: Puppies teethe just like human babies and chew while their new little dog teeth emerge. Items of clothing, shoes, belts, electrical cords (which are potentially very dangerous to your puppy) and other household items will full of puppy tooth marks while your new dog breaks in his new teeth.

Sleep: If you are someone who needs 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night, then a puppy is not for you. Your new puppy will be very demanding. For one, he will miss his litter mates. Ticking clocks, hot water bottles and plush toys will not be an adequate substitute and will not be able to make a puppy ball with your new family member. If you have had children, owning a new puppy will be a lot like having a newborn human baby.

Exercise: Puppies love to play. If you or other members of your family have time and energy to play with your new dog, then great, you are in for a real treat. Puppies love to play.

Step 2: What Size And Type Of Dog Do You Want?

Size: The space you have available for a dog will be a prime driver in the size of dog you adopt. If you adopt a puppy, you may not know how big the dog will ultimately grow to be. If you have a single family home with a good-sized yard, the size of the dog will matter less. If you live in an apartment of a high-rise building, the size of the dog will matter more. On the other hand, if you adopt an adult dog, there will be no mystery about what the ultimate size of the dog will be.

Do I Need An Instant Friend? With an older dog, you automatically have a buddy that can go anywhere and everything with you right now.

Bond: Rescued dogs will quickly bond with their new family. Dogs who have been uprooted from their homes or had a tough start in life are more likely to bond with their new people. Those dogs who have lost their families because of death, divorce, or other upheaval go through a terrible grieving process. But once attached to a new family they will be anxious to please. They know too well what losing a family is like, and they will not be interested in going through that again, ever. A rescue dog knows what it is like to be loose and without a permanent home. He or she will appreciate you that much more. Most rescue dogs will make exceptionally affectionate and attentive pets who will make a wonderful lifetime companion.

Dog & Your Home Checklist

Take this quick test to determine the type of dog that best suits you and your family?s lifestyle.

1.I have the time to walk and train a new puppy several times a day.
yes no.
If yes, one point for a puppy. If no, add a point for an older dog.

2.I do not mind too much if some of my property gets chewed by a playful puppy.
yes no.
If you do not mind, score one point for a puppy. If you do mind, score one point for an older dog.

3.A good night?s sleep is not as important for me because I can nap or I do not require as much sleep as other people.
Sleep not important Sleep at night is important. If you can manage without a full night?s sleep, score a point for a new puppy. If you need your sleep, score a point for an older dog.

4.I have the time and inclination to spend time playing with a new dog.
yes, I have time no, my time is limited.
If your answer is yes, then score a point for owning a puppy. If you answered no, score a point for an older dog.

5.The ultimate size of the dog does not matter much because I have plenty of space.
size does not matter, I have room my space is very limited.
If the ultimate size of the dog is not an issue for you, score a point for adopting a puppy. On the other hand if the space you have is constrained, score a point for the known quantity of an older dog.

6.Having a good idea of the dog?s personality is important because I need the dog to be a good match for me and my family.
If the personality is less important, score a point for a puppy.
I need to know the temperament of the dog when I adopt, score a point for an older dog.

Score Your Results
If you scored any of the questions for an older dog, you should seriously consider adopting an older one only. While all puppies are adorable, cuteness is not the best reason for adopting a dog. So many people think that dogs in a shelter are somehow inferior. But it is not uncommon for a very expensive, purebed dog to end up in a shelter because people send their dogs to a shelter for lots of reasons, most of which have nothing to do with the dog. The original owner may not have had the money or the time to adequately care for the dog. Often times, divorce, illness or death are why the dog ends up in the shelter. Good rescue shelters will evaluate both the dog and the prospective owner before they are matched.

Conclusion
Choosing a rescue dog over a purchased pup is a decision only you and your family can make. The information presented here is designed to help you make an informed decision. Adopting a rescue dog will help give a potentially wonderful pet a second chance at life, so adopting a rescue will give him a second chance at life.

###

To learn more about the plight of adult dogs who need a home, visit http://www.gettingluckythedog.com. To contact the author, call Harold Nicoll at 989-839-8293 or via email at hgnicoll@sbcglobal.net.

Sometimes circumstances in life are such that we have to give up our dogs. Some of those can include the death of the owner, illness, severe disability, loss of a job or other financial setbacks. Other reasons people have for giving up their pet are less grave. Some are even downright frivolous.

Our dogs rely on us for everything. Unlike people, dogs cannot make choices; they rely on us to choose for them. Before you decide to send your dog to the pound or shelter, please read this and make a more informed decision.

The Truth About Shelters

There are many no kill shelters that will not put any animal down. The pet can stay at the shelter until a home can be found. But do not assume that all shelters are this way. If you must give up your animal find out what the shelters policy is before you take your pet to one.

Why Shelters Were Created

Shelters and humane societies were created to care for stray and/or abused animals. They were not meant to be a drop off place for people who do not want their pets any more. When an owner turns their dog into a shelter, depending on how full the shelter is, the dog may be killed that day. Owner turn ins have far fewer rights than stray dogs. In most places stray dogs are kept at least seven days in case the owner shows up to claim it. Dogs turned in by their owners do not have to be kept for any amount of time and many more are never even put up for adoption. While shelter operators do not necessarily want to kill these dogs, they may have little choice. Space at animal shelters is always limited, so many perfectly adoptable dogs will die. So sending your dog to a shelter in hopes that someone else will adopt him is nave, wishful thinking. It is far more likely that you are just sending your dog to be executed.

How Do I Prevent My Dog From Being Euthanized?

If your life circumstances are such that you must give up your dog, the best chance your dog has for avoiding an untimely death is for you to take a proactive approach.

1.Contact a qualified dog trainer in your area. A dog trainer will be able to tell you better what your other options are for your dog. Further, if a dog requires some instruction a trainer can help you. A trained dog is more valued, more fun to have around and will get into trouble far less than dogs that are not trained. Having your dog trained will open up more possibilities for him to live a long and happy life, no matter what happens to you.

2.Contact a leader dog organization. Maybe after your dog leaves your home, he can get a job. He may not qualify to be a leader dog for a blind person, but there are lots of other jobs dogs can get with police, fire, or even search and rescue organizations. Some organizations also use dogs for pet therapy. Do your homework and maybe your dog can help someone else.

3.Consider a breed rescue. While no kill shelters are hard to find, many breeds have their own rescue for their particular breed. Individuals from their homes operate most breed rescue services. Like traditional rescue services, space is very limited while demand is high. But a breed rescue service can help you place your dog with a new owner by providing referrals to persons who may be interested in adopting your dog. You will have the most success if you follow the services advise and as much of the leg work yourself in finding a new home for your dog.

4.Advertise. Use the classified ads to find your dog a home. Done correctly, its the most effective way to reach the largest number of people. Your advertisement should give a short description of your dog, his needs, your requirements for a home, and of course your phone number. The description should include the dogs breed, color, sex, and whether he or she is spayed or neutered. When listing the dogs age, if the dog is more than two years old list him as an adult dog. Here are a few more tips:

-Emphasize your dogs good points. Is he friendly? Housebroken? Love kids? Have any type of special training? Does he know any tricks? Dont keep these things a secret, list all of them.
-Always state that references are required. This tells people you are being very selective and that you are not going to give your dog to just anyone. This statement alone will keep people with bad intentions from calling you.
-Never use the phrase, free to a good home in your ad, even if you are not planning to charge any fee. In fact, do not put any reference to a price at all. The chance at a free dog will bring lots of calls, but most of them will not be from the type of people you are looking for.
-Your ad should read something like this, Mixed breed large dog. Friendly, housebroken, and well behaved. Better with adults or older children because of his size. Fenced yard required. References and interviews prior to acceptance. Call Harold at 989-555-1234.

Give your ad plenty of time to run. It may take four to six weeks for your ad to pay off with a home for your dog. Be patient, it will be worth it.

To contact the author, Harold Nicoll, call 989-839-8293 or email hgnicoll@sbcglobal.net. You can visit our website at http://www.gettingluckythedog.com.

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Introduction

If you are considering adding a dog to your household, stop and take a few minutes to consider if you are really ready for the responsibility having a dog will entail. And if you are thinking of adding a puppy, you really need to consider if you, your family and your current lifestyle can accommodate a new puppy and if you are ready to expend the time and money needed to properly raise one.

Step One: Evaluate Your Lifestyle

Are you at home enough for a puppy? Or is your work close enough to your home for you to come home several times a day and let the puppy out or walk him? If the answer to either is yes, then great. You are a good candidate for owning a puppy. Puppies need a consistent schedule with plenty of opportunities to eliminate, where you want them to. Their bladders and bowels are small and they cannot hold it until you get home.

Chewing: Puppies teethe just like human babies and chew while their new little dog teeth emerge. Items of clothing, shoes, belts, electrical cords (which are potentially very dangerous to your puppy) and other household items will full of puppy tooth marks while your new dog breaks in his new teeth.

Sleep: If you are someone who needs 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night, then a puppy is not for you. Your new puppy will be very demanding. For one, he will miss his litter mates. Ticking clocks, hot water bottles and plush toys will not be an adequate substitute and will not be able to make a puppy ball with your new family member. If you have had children, owning a new puppy will be a lot like having a newborn human baby.

Exercise: Puppies love to play. If you or other members of your family have time and energy to play with your new dog, then great, you are in for a real treat. Puppies love to play.

Step 2: What Size And Type Of Dog Do You Want?

Size: The space you have available for a dog will be a prime driver in the size of dog you adopt. If you adopt a puppy, you may not know how big the dog will ultimately grow to be. If you have a single family home with a good-sized yard, the size of the dog will matter less. If you live in an apartment of a high-rise building, the size of the dog will matter more. On the other hand, if you adopt an adult dog, there will be no mystery about what the ultimate size of the dog will be.

Do I Need An Instant Friend? With an older dog, you automatically have a buddy that can go anywhere and everything with you right now.

Bond: Rescued dogs will quickly bond with their new family. Dogs who have been uprooted from their homes or had a tough start in life are more likely to bond with their new people. Those dogs who have lost their families because of death, divorce, or other upheaval go through a terrible grieving process. But once attached to a new family they will be anxious to please. They know too well what losing a family is like, and they will not be interested in going through that again, ever. A rescue dog knows what it is like to be loose and without a permanent home. He or she will appreciate you that much more. Most rescue dogs will make exceptionally affectionate and attentive pets who will make a wonderful lifetime companion.

Dog & Your Home Checklist

Take this quick test to determine the type of dog that best suits you and your familys lifestyle.

1.I have the time to walk and train a new puppy several times a day.
yes no.
If yes, one point for a puppy. If no, add a point for an older dog.

2.I do not mind too much if some of my property gets chewed by a playful puppy.
yes no.
If you do not mind, score one point for a puppy. If you do mind, score one point for an older dog.

3.A good nights sleep is not as important for me because I can nap or I do not require as much sleep as other people.
Sleep not important Sleep at night is important. If you can manage without a full nights sleep, score a point for a new puppy. If you need your sleep, score a point for an older dog.

4.I have the time and inclination to spend time playing with a new dog.
yes, I have time no, my time is limited.
If your answer is yes, then score a point for owning a puppy. If you answered no, score a point for an older dog.

5.The ultimate size of the dog does not matter much because I have plenty of space.
size does not matter, I have room my space is very limited.
If the ultimate size of the dog is not an issue for you, score a point for adopting a puppy. On the other hand if the space you have is constrained, score a point for the known quantity of an older dog.

6.Having a good idea of the dogs personality is important because I need the dog to be a good match for me and my family.
If the personality is less important, score a point for a puppy.
I need to know the temperament of the dog when I adopt, score a point for an older dog.

Score Your Results
If you scored any of the questions for an older dog, you should seriously consider adopting an older one only. While all puppies are adorable, cuteness is not the best reason for adopting a dog. So many people think that dogs in a shelter are somehow inferior. But it is not uncommon for a very expensive, purebed dog to end up in a shelter because people send their dogs to a shelter for lots of reasons, most of which have nothing to do with the dog. The original owner may not have had the money or the time to adequately care for the dog. Often times, divorce, illness or death are why the dog ends up in the shelter. Good rescue shelters will evaluate both the dog and the prospective owner before they are matched.

Conclusion
Choosing a rescue dog over a purchased pup is a decision only you and your family can make. The information presented here is designed to help you make an informed decision. Adopting a rescue dog will help give a potentially wonderful pet a second chance at life, so adopting a rescue will give him a second chance at life.

###

To learn more about the plight of adult dogs who need a home, visit http://www.gettingluckythedog.com. To contact the author, call Harold Nicoll at 989-839-8293 or via email at hgnicoll@sbcglobal.net.

More articles at article database