Thinking about adopting a dog? Before you fall in love with the first pair of brown eyes staring at you from a kennel, there are a few questions worth asking yourself. Adoption should certainly involve the heart. But a little thinking beforehand can help you choose a dog who will be happy in your home — and make you happier with your decision, too.
1. How much time do I really have for a dog?
Not how much time you wish you had. How much time do you actually have? Dogs need companionship, exercise, training, play, and attention. If you routinely leave home at 7 a.m. and return at 7 p.m., think about how a dog will fit into that schedule. Are you willing to come home at lunch to let your dog out? Will you need a pet sitter or dog walker? Is doggie daycare in your budget? These are much easier questions to answer before you adopt than afterward.
2. How active am I?
Be truthful. If your favorite form of exercise is walking from the couch to the refrigerator, don’t adopt a high-energy dog because you think he will inspire you to start jogging. Choose a dog who fits the life you already live. That might mean an older dog who is perfectly happy with a leisurely walk followed by an evening on the couch. If you hike five miles every weekend, on the other hand, you may want a companion who can happily keep up.
3. What kind of dog can I realistically handle?
Size isn’t the only consideration. Age, energy level, temperament, and training all matter. A 15-pound dog can be a handful, while a 70-pound senior may be perfectly content snoozing beside you most of the day. (I personally favor large dogs. I love their presence, and I especially love the more relaxed energy many of them have as they get older.) The point isn’t to choose the dog someone else thinks you should have. It’s to know what energy level and personality will work for you.
4. Can I afford a dog?
The adoption fee is just the beginning. There is food, veterinary care, vaccinations, parasite prevention, grooming, training, toys, supplies, and perhaps boarding or pet-sitting when you travel. There may also be an unexpected illness or injury that requires veterinary care. You don’t have to be wealthy to have a dog, but you do need to be prepared for the ongoing cost of caring for one throughout his life.
5. Is everyone in my household ready for a dog?
A dog shouldn’t arrive home as a surprise for an unwilling spouse, roommate, or parent. Everyone who lives in the home should be on board. Talk beforehand about who will feed and walk the dog, who will handle training, and who will clean up the occasional mess. Children can certainly help care for a pet, but an adult ultimately needs to be responsible for making sure the dog’s needs are met.
6. What do I expect this dog to be like?
This is a big one. Do you expect a dog who loves children? Gets along with cats? Enjoys other dogs? Travels well? Lies quietly at your feet while you work? Make a list of what truly matters in your household and share it with shelter or rescue staff. They may know a dog who is a much better match for you than the one who first caught your eye.
7. Am I willing to train the dog I adopt?
Dogs don’t arrive knowing our household rules. Even an adult dog who has lived in a home before has to learn how things work in your home. Training doesn’t have to mean setting aside one formal 15-minute session every day, although short training sessions are wonderful when you’re teaching a new skill. Think of training as something that happens throughout the day. Keep treats handy. Mark and reward the behaviors you want to see again — sitting quietly, coming when called, walking nicely, settling on a bed or choosing not to jump on someone. That kind of mental work is good for dogs, too. Asking them to think, learn, and solve little problems exercises their brains and can leave them pleasantly tired, just as physical exercise does.
8. Can I give a new dog time to adjust?
Your new dog may not eat normally, sleep through the night, or show his true personality immediately. He may have accidents. He may follow you everywhere — or want very little to do with you at first.
You may hear shelters refer to the 3-3-3 rule: roughly three days for a dog to decompress, three weeks to begin settling into a routine, and three months to feel more comfortable and at home. It’s a helpful reminder, not a timetable every dog follows. Some dogs adjust quickly; others need considerably longer.
The important thing is not to judge your new relationship based on the first few days. Everything in that dog’s world has just changed. Give him time to learn that he is safe and that this is home.
9. What will happen when my life changes?
People move, change jobs, have babies, get divorced, develop health problems, and face financial challenges (Check with nonprofits to find resources in your community.) No one can predict everything that will happen over the next 10 or 15 years, but you can anticipate some of it. I’ve moved more than 21 times with pets in tow. To me, they’re family, so when we move, they move. That isn’t always easy, but committing to that before you adopt changes how you approach life’s inevitable disruptions. Ask yourself whether you’re prepared to make your dog part of those changes rather than assuming the dog will have to go when life becomes complicated.
10. What does this particular dog need from me?
This may be the most important question of all. We often begin adoption thinking about what we want: a running partner, a companion for the kids, a lap dog, or a buddy for another dog. But adoption is a relationship. So when you meet a dog you’re considering, don’t just ask, “Is this the dog I want?” Ask, “Can I give this dog the life he needs?” Shelter and rescue staff can help you answer that question. They may know how the dog behaves around children or other animals, how much activity he needs, what makes him nervous, and what helps him feel comfortable.
And when the answer to both questions — Is this the dog I want? and Can I give this dog what he needs? — is yes, you may have found your perfect match.
Originally appeared on CathyRosenthal.com | 10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Adopting a Dog
Cathy M. Rosenthal is a seasoned animal advocate, author, and syndicated pet columnist with over 35 years of experience in the animal welfare field. To learn more, visit CathyRosenthal.com, or connect directly through Spay Neuter Network by sending your pet questions to her at Cathy@spayneuternet.org.