Things to Consider Before Adopting...
PHYSICAL CONSIDERATIONS:
Gender? Do you want a male, a femal, or doesn't it matter?
Age? Is a very young puppy that needs a lot of time, training, and attention a good idea for your family? Puppies not only must have someone home to let them outside every few hours until their bodies are developed old enough to “hold it’ for longer periods of time, but they also require a huge time commitment by their owners to teach them structure and routine. Leaving a young puppy crated or unattended for hours on end will not offer them the love, attention, socialization, exercise, or training that they will need to become the adult dogs you want them to be for their lifetime - and your lifetime too.
Do you want a younger adult dog that has a lot of energy? They may not need as much of a time commitment as a young puppy, but younger adult dogs will still require a good deal of exercise and attention in order for them to be happy and well-adjusted members of the family.
Or might an older dog that has mellowed with experience be a good fit? (Click here for 10 Reasons to consider an older dog.)
Coat? All dogs require basic grooming. A dog with a long coat or a lot of fur will require quite a bit more time and attention. Some will even need professionally groomed (in addition to daily care) to keep their coat from getting matted and out of control. Short-haired breeds may not need combed or brushed regularly, but they do still shed.
Health issues? Are there health issues you would be willing or unwilling to work with?
CAN I PROVIDE FOR MY NEW PET FINANCIALLY?
Rose's Rescue dogs are all fully vetted at the time of adoption, but will still need annual veterinary care. Are you able to afford the yearly booster shots, heartworm testing, continuous heartworm preventative, and any other medications or regular healthcare costs that your new dog will require? What about unforeseen expenses should your pet require surgery or other unanticipated medical care?
TEMPERAMENT AND LIFESTYLE CONSIDERATIONS:
Energy level? Ask yourself, what is my energy level? Your dog will need exercise every day. Do you want a dog who will run with you for hours or one who will lie on the couch most of the day with only short walks for exercise?
Playfulness? How playful do you want your dog to be?
Independence? How long will the dog need to be alone each day? Do you want a dog that wants to cuddle and be close to you?
Strong-willed? Can you handle a dog that is very strong-willed? The way to answer this question is to ask yourself, “How strong-willed am I?” And how much experience with dogs do I and other members of my household have? All dogs require consistent leadership. A gentle owner will do better adopting a dog with a gentle, submissive temperament.
Level of training/trainability? Rose's Rescue dogs arrive with many different levels of training. Most dogs that require extra training go into the cell dog program; some may receive training from one of our experienced foster moms or volunteers, and/or may be need to be adopted by dog-savvy new owners. How willing and able are you to provide training for my new dog?
Children? Are there children in my home? What is their level of experience with dogs? Are they rough or gentle when they play?
Other pets? Does the new dog need to be good with other dogs? Is there is another dog or dogs in your home? If so, what type of new dog (age, energy level, etc) would be best suited to him or her? Does your new dog need to be able to live peacefully with cats in your household?
Exercise and safety? Dogs need boundaries when outdoors. Can you provide your new dog with a fenced-in yard to run in? And/or am I willing to leash walk my new dog several times a day? Do you live on a street with lots of traffic? Are there young children in the home who might open an outside door and accidentally allow a dog to go out? Can you provide safe containment for a dog that might wander or do you need a dog that is happy to learn the boundaries of its yard?