Questions to ask yourself before adopting a dog from a shelter

Discover the right questions to ask yourself before adopting a dog from a shelter for a successful meeting

Adopting a dog from a shelter is a great thing. You are saving a life and preventing another dog from being euthanized by giving him a place in the shelter. When you go to a shelter, you will probably want to save all the dogs. They will all make you sad and you would like to take them all home. However, not all dogs are going to be a good fit for you and to avoid disappointment on both sides, it is important to clearly identify the one that will come to accompany you in your life. In this article, we will help you ask the right questions that will help you make your choice.

What is this dog's history? Do we know his past, his previous behavior, any traumas or medical history?

His story is essential, in fact, a dog that has been beaten by a man will not have the same need for support as a dog whose owner has unfortunately died. A dog that has been abandoned because it had a chronic illness will not react in the same way as a beaten dog. In the first case, it may be very mentally balanced and will only require basic treatment, whereas in the second case, it will require time and trust. It is the role of the association to guide you as much as possible based on the elements that it has been able to collect. Sometimes, associations do not have data and you learn on the job. We had taken in a dog, Youki, an abused border collie who lived in unsanitary housing where people heated themselves by burning wood in a barrel... apart from that, we had no more information and it was tough. He fought for everything, sleeping, eating. Tense as never before. But it lasted 3 days… To tell you how much dogs do not speak but they understand everything, they analyze their environment and Youki quickly understood that he was safe, that he had his own bed, his own bowl. By being patient, the dog changes in no time.

How old is he? Does an old dog cost more to maintain than a young dog?

These questions are obvious but they are important. Depending on the age of the dog, you will have to prepare yourself for a different "mission". A young dog will need time for education and learning canine codes. Often more spirited, it will require patience and kindness. An older dog may already know the basic orders but may have problems with fear of abandonment, for example. An elderly dog ​​will have to go to the vet more regularly, even for a simple check-up. Be careful, some young dogs often end up at the vet because they tend to eat anything and everything, explore unexplored areas where they will hurt themselves, ... This is what happened to Seven our Golden Retriever, a trash can on legs, we even thought of taking out a VIP subscription for him. So, a young dog does not necessarily cost less at the vet than an older dog.

What is his temperament? Is he suited to a home with children, other pets, or seniors? Or does he have any known behavioral issues, such as separation anxiety or fear of humans?

Knowing the dog's temperament is essential. You want a dog to fill a home and not make it unlivable. So, if you have children, cats, another dog or other pets, make sure that your new dog already accepts the environment in place. Even if dogs have a rather good ability to adapt, it can sometimes take a long time or even years to get a cat to accept a dog who does not like cats. You might as well save yourself time and energy. The question will be even more central if you have children.

Is he spayed/neutered and up to date on his vaccinations? What are his specific care, feeding or health needs?

Normally and systematically, shelter dogs will be neutered or spayed. The association or shelter will take care of it but sometimes, in the urgency of the rescue, the dog will end up at your home before being spayed or neutered. The association will ask you to take care of it even if it is, in most cases, the one that bears the costs. Sometimes small associations do not have the means to do it. If you think that it is also too great a financial burden for you to sterilize a dog, then we advise you not to have a dog at all. A dog is not what we call a model of economic profitability: it will give you a lot of love but in return, you have to take care of it and that also means giving it the necessary care, buying it the right kibble, buying it its accessories , its toys, etc.

What is his energy level? Does he need a lot of exercise or is he more calm? Is he used to living indoors or outdoors?

Adapt your choice to your lifestyle. If you are sporty, take advantage of it and get an energetic dog like a shepherd, mountain or hunting dog. He will be delighted and you too, you will have an adventure companion who will be able to follow you wherever you go. If you are more of a homebody or if you are a city dweller, choose a dog of the same type but above all do not choose a dog for its appearance! For example, an Australian shepherd has no place with you if you live in 30m2 in the city and you never go out. It goes without saying and yet, many dogs rescued by associations lived on balconies or in rooms without ever seeing the light of day.

Is he used to being alone at home? How does he react when his owners are not around?

Same as the previous point, this question is extremely important. Many rescued dogs can react badly and cope badly when you leave for work, especially those who have already experienced painful separations. Don't panic, it can be worked on, get closer to a competent trainer to work on loneliness and prevent him from turning your house upside down. On the other hand, if you leave from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. leaving the dog at home, it is of no interest. A dog is not a flower pot, it is a sensitive living being, who needs to be with his family, to participate in the life of the household. He has physiological needs, such as walking, playing, ... It is not his fault if he makes damage because he is bored all day long. It is yours. Think about it, if you meet his needs, your dog will be well in his head and in his body, life will become easy for you. For example, we had rescued a shelter dog, Neptune, who had been in a cage for 6 years and who could not stand being alone, even for 15 minutes. It was therefore impossible to go shopping, for example, without him damaging the walls, scratching until he hurt himself. It took a long time to make him understand that when you are away, you always come back.

What is his experience with leash walks and basic training?

This point is of interest depending on the breed of dog you are taking. Indeed, if your 45kg Beauceron does not know how to walk on a leash and you weigh barely more than him, then this may pose a problem, he may carry you away with each temptation during walks and you may eat dirt or worse, not controlling your dog, accidents can happen. I weigh about 80kg and our dog Ares of 40kg made me fall several times during the training phase, as much to tell you that you have to be realistic and you must be able to hold your dog in all situations

Are there any restrictions or special conditions for its adoption?

Serious associations will ask you for information before entrusting you with a dog. What accommodation you live in, whether there is land or not, your job, the time you can devote to the dog, if there are other animals, etc. This is normal, they want to make sure that it is a match between you and the dog. Some even come to your home to make sure that the environment is right. Don't take it the wrong way, it's a good sign, it's synonymous with an association committed to the end of the process.

Is there any post-adoption follow-up or assistance available if problems arise?

There are several scenarios. Some associations entrust the dog to you and you are the new owner. In this case, the dog is entirely your responsibility. On the other hand, the association can allow you to benefit from its network and preferential prices if it is a local association and you live in its area of ​​influence.

We have also worked with associations that, once the dog is saved and even placed, remain the property of the association. These associations act in this way because they prefer to always keep an eye on the placed animal. Do not worry, the dog is yours and you educate it and travel as you wish with it. It is simply a guarantee for the well-being of the dog. This guarantee is also valid for the expenses. Associations acting in this way, often, will leave you to pay for food but when it comes to veterinary expenses, they support you and participate as much as possible. It is therefore reassuring for you too.

Regarding post-adoption monitoring, many associations do it, that is to say that about once a year, they call you or come to your home to check on your pet, find out if everything is going well, if you have any unresolved issues or other special requests... Unfortunately, due to lack of time or volunteers, sometimes the follow-ups are only done once every 2/3 years. Do not hesitate to send photos and news, the associations will always be delighted to see that your dog is doing well.

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