Adopting A Shelter Dog? What You Need to Know

By Jane Farrell

It’s easy for inexperienced dog owners to make mistakes with their new pooch that can become permanent. Here, from the pet experts at Ask.Vet, a site that you can use to chat directly with vets, is the best advice you can have for bringing home a dog from an animal shelter:

1. DO PUT YOURSELF IN YOUR DOG’S PAWS

You might think you dog-proofed your home—but if you didn’t actually crawl around on the ground, you’re missing key hazards like stray electrical cords, slippery rugs, or dangerous chemicals.

2. DON’T GIVE YOUR DOG DIARRHEA

Avoid the temptation to spoil your pooch with primo food off the bat, but don’t switch away from the food he was fed at the shelter too soon—or Fido’s upset stomach will lead to problems all over the rug you didn’t bother to move.

3. DON’T FORCE YOUR LOVE

It’s a no-brainer that you’ll want to smother Fido with cuddles when you first pick him up. But he just moved to a completely new environment and can get a little nervous—so if he’s acting a bit shy, let him come to you.

4. DO MONITOR YOUR DOG’S POTTY HABITS

It’s sad but true—dogs have to go to the bathroom several times a day, and more when they move to a new environment. If you don’t write down when Fido needs to go, Fido will go all over your floors. So familiarize yourself with when you need to take him outside!

5. DON’T GIVE IN TO FIDO’S PUPPY EYES

No matter how cute Fido appears, you need to establish rules and break his bad habits as soon as he comes home. This is especially true if you have other dogs—don’t let Fido start a doggy revolt!