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Dog Adoption
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When considering the birth rates among animals, it's not difficult to appreciate why dog rescue and adoption shelters are always filled with animals waiting to be adopted. Shockingly, it has been calculated that over a seven year interval, one female cat and her offspring will produce around 420,000 kittens. Similarly, one female dog and her offspring will generate 67,000 puppies during a six year period.
Since there are more dogs looking for homes than there are individuals who want to adopt a dog, some 6.5 million animals are euthanized each year.
Given the statistics cited above, to adopt a dog can be a kind and loving thing to do. Nevertheless, before making the final decision on dog adoption, there are a number of things to consider.
If you wish to adopt a dog, bear in mind animals in shelters have had very rough beginnings. Some were abused, some abandoned and some were "turned in" because the owners didn't have time for them. Many were left alone for extensive periods and some were never correctly potty trained. In short, if you want to adopt a dog you should be ready to work with them.
They may come to you cowed or with feelings of trepidation and may be very sensitive to your tone of voice or to any commands you may give them. You will need to be patient and by all means, loving. When they eventually realize that they can trust you they will reward you with more affection and faithfulness than you can envisage.
Dog adoption, as a means of amusing a small child is not recommended. A dog is not a toy and should not be treated as one. Small children should be trained to appreciate "animal etiquette". In other words, animals are not to be hit, dragged, ridden or teased. They should know that being overly aggressive with a new dog, especially one recently adopted, could cause the dog to reciprocate by biting or running away.
If feeding and exercising the dog is to be the responsibility of a child, an adult should follow up to be sure these things are getting done. It isn't the dog's fault if a child fails to meet his or her obligations and the dog shouldn't have to suffer for the child's neglect.
Many a dog up for adoption will come to the new surroundings filled with fears based upon earlier abuse or the harsh rules of their former owners. Some dogs will be unwilling to go from one room to another, will shy away when corrected and hide upon hearing a loud noise.
New owners should be patient with them and speak to them softly and affectionately. Dogs are not stupid and they will gradually come to recognize their new surroundings and show their gratitude for your loving care.
When contemplating dog adoption, prospective new owners should be ready to deal with the fact that their new adoptee may not be fully housebroken. Previous owners may have been irresponsible in their approach to this training; furthermore, when the dog was placed in the dog adoption center it continued to do its "business" right in its pen.
Housebreaking is not a complex chore and should not discourage someone from dog adoption. Some owners will use a cage to assist in this training, while others will just take the dog out for a walk a few times a day. Fenced yards and doggie doors are minimal expenses that pay added dividends on cold or rainy days.
If he digs beneath your fence, a little buried chicken wire works wonders in breaking that practice. Spray bottles filled with water should be kept at hand to stop a dog from jumping up and to combat incessant barking. A brisk spritz in the face directly following, or during, the offensive behavior will generally bring about a swift behavior modification.
Visiting a dog rescue shelter for dog adoption can be an emotional experience for an animal lover. It's difficult to see all the animals in their pens and not want to take them all home. Such feelings are understandable and commendable; but, just be certain that if you decide to adopt a dog, you contemplate all of the ramifications. And bear in mind, your best friend is waiting for you at your local dog adoption center.
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