Endless Bliss | Happy Lifestyle Blog: Adopting a Rescue Dog.

Adopting a Rescue Dog.

Whether you're adopting a dog from a shelter, a breeder or a friend, you shouldn't take the task lightly. I know people that just want to get a dog to get a dog. They just think they're cute or want a cuddle buddy. Adopting a dog is a huge responsibility, and there's a ton of things you should consider before bringing one into your home. 
BEFORE ADOPTION
ONE // ANALYZE YOUR FINANCES
Adopting a dog isn't cheap. On top of the adoption fees, you have vet check-ups, dog food and treats, toys, bowls, cage, bed, leash, etc. There are a ton of things you have to purchase in order to fully welcome your dog into your home. If you don't think you'll be able to support a dog financially, then you should either reanalyze your decision or start budgeting to be financially ready for a dog in the future.
TWO // DO YOUR RESEARCH
There are several things you need to know before adopting a dog. For instance, most people know that dogs can't eat chocolate, but did you know that onions are also bad for them? You also need to think about what kind of dog food you give your dog. Changing a dog off of their regular food is a process. Some people don't know that you can't just feed a dog whatever they want. Dogs require a lot of training, including bowl training and leash training, teaching your dog not to jump on the furniture or growl or bite people. 
THREE // LEARN THE HISTORY OF YOUR DOG
Just like you have a past, so does your dog. The shelter may know a few things about the dog you're interested in adopting, but they may not. When I adopted my dog, all they knew about her was that her owner died in a tragic accident. She had been at the shelter for the last two years. They said that any training she had would most likely be out the window. I went in knowing that I would have to put a lot of work into making my dog comfortable. You also need to collect their shot records. Come prepared with questions. Just like you should do research about dogs in general, you should also learn as much as you can about your dog's past. 
AFTER ADOPTION
THREE // BE PATIENT
Not all dogs will love you immediately. It took my dog a few weeks before she let me pick her up without growling. If you're serious about getting a dog, you need to make sure that you have the patience for them to fall in love with you. You may be ready to love your dog with all of your heart, but it may take a little while for your dog to put all of their trust into you. They have to get used to a completely different environment with strangers. If your new ball of fur doesn't take to you immediately, don't get discouraged. Just be patient.
FOUR // START TRAINING
Establish rules and boundaries from your very first day. Show your dog where they'll be sleeping. Take them for a walk to show them where they'll be using the bathroom. Show them where their food and water bowl will be. If you think moving into a new place is stressful, it's even more so for your dog. 
FIVE // FIND A GOOD VET
You should start researching veterinarians before you bring your dog home. Once you've found the perfect one, bring your dog to their new vet for a check-up and to catch them up on shots. It's not going to be cheap, so make sure you're ready for the investment.
SIX // JUST LOVE
Your new pup will require a lot of love and attention, not just in the beginning, but forever. I just adopted my dog in January, and I can't imagine life without her. Don't settle for just any dog. Find the perfect match for both of you!

Have you adopted a shelter dog before? Are you a dog owner?
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31 comments :

  1. If we're being honest, I was definitely looking for a cuddle buddy when I adopted Jessie. But I was ready for all of the responsibility that came with it. I didn't know Molly had been there for two years, she must be so happy to have a real home! Did you ever have any luck with toys?

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  2. One my god, I'm also working on a post like this but "tips for being an animal foster parent." I've been fostering dogs for two summers now (I foster each dog for about 2 weeks than get a new dog) and I think people need to be more aware that fostering is an option! Loved this post, adopting is so amazing <3 What a cute dog!

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  3. So Sweet. I love dogs and I just want to love and adopt all of them but these are very important things to remember! Great post!

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  4. Not a dog owner but am a dog lover. I think it's so noble when folks adopt pets. Takes a special heart.

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  5. I love this post. If we ever get a dog we are for sure adopting one. Your doggie is a cutie.

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  6. We adopted our beagle from the SPCA almost 3 years ago. I haven't regretted the decision once. :-)

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  7. Your little guy is so cute! We desperately want a dog, but can't commit due to crazy schedules right now. For now I have to settle for wasting hours looking at pictures of cute animals online.

    The biggest tip I've heard for adopting an animal is to let them choose you, not the other way around. -- Alex from ThriftyBelow.com

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  8. Molly is so adorable. I have taken many dogs off the street.

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  9. My family has always rescued dogs, so when I decided to get a dog of my own, I didn't see any other option. Visiting the shelter was so heartbreaking; I wanted to take all of the dogs home! There are so many dogs that need homes. I would never buy from a breeder.

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  10. When I initially started looking into getting a dog, the main reason I wanted one was so I wouldn't miss Jon so much! Haha. Sad, I know. I was surprised that Molly had been there for so long because she's just so cute! I figured someone would have snatched her up already. She's definitely so much happier now! Still no luck with toys, sadly. When Jon moves in, he's bringing his dog, and she likes to play with toys, so I'm hoping that if she's see another dog playing with them, she'll want to join in.

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  11. Great minds think alike! I have a friend that is fostering a dog, and when it came time for him to give her to a home, he wasn't comfortable with those people, so he still has her. I don't think many people are aware that fostering animals is an option. I wasn't before I did research on the shelter that I adopted Molly from.

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  12. It breaks my heart seeing animals at the animal shelter. I want to take them all home too! Thanks for reading!

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  13. It does! A lot of people don't have the patience. They just want the dog to love them immediately, but that's not always the case. The people at the shelter were hesitant for me to adopt my dog because they were afraid that she was so accustomed to shelter life. It all worked out though, and we adore each other!

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  14. Thank you! Adopting from the shelter is definitely the way to go. There are so many dogs that need homes. The shelter I adopted from was a no-kill shelter, but that's not always the case. I think my dog's a cutie too! I knew she would be perfect for me!

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  15. Yay! I'm glad! My family has always adopted dogs from the shelter, so I knew that when I wanted to adopted a dog, it would be from a shelter too. Best decision I've ever made!

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  16. It's so important to have enough time to spend with your dog. I know people who adopted a dog and then went to work all day and went out at night, and they really spent very little time with their dog. It's such a shame. Dogs need love and attention. I always think about my dog before I go do anything. I hate leaving her alone for too long, and a lot of it has to do with letting her outside. That saying is so true! When I want to adopt Molly, they let her sniff me, and she nuzzled my hand to get her to pet her. They told me that she had never done that to anyone else and usually growled when people tried to pet her.

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  17. Thank you! My boyfriend's dog was found on the street. Stray dogs definitely need homes too!

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  18. Great advise! We do have a German Shepherd, but we bought him from a great breeder that truly loves his dogs. We've had several cats that just wandered up and never left. :)

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  19. Cats tend to do that, don't they? I'm not a cat person at all, but I love dogs so much! Growing up, we always got dogs from the shelter, so I knew that when I was going to get a dog of my own, I would be adopting it from a shelter too.

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  20. these are all great tips. we adopted hazel the wonder poodle from the humane society--she is a great dog, but training her has been an adventure, lol. i especially agree with the tip to be patient. some things, like "sit," she knew when we got her, and she's always been especially loving, but we're still working on "basic" dog behavior like being completely housetrained, being in the car without stressing out, and not jumping all over people a year and a half later.

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  21. Thanks for this post, I'd definitely like to rescue someday. I just want to make sure my first dog it a puppy! :)

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  22. Great post! I am slightly more of a cat person myself (I love both though) but I think a lot of these tips are helpful either way!

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  23. oooh! i love these tips. pinning :)

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  24. It definitely takes a lot of patient. I love poodles! It takes time, but it's so worth it in the end!

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  25. Puppies are so cute! They just take a lot of extra work. They definitely can't be left alone for several hours at a time. I'm sure you're going to make an awesome dog mom one day!

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  26. Thank you! I'm not much of a cat person. I'm definitely team dog all the way. Glad you found the post helpful! I'm sure things go a little differently with cats.

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  27. Caroline {Virginia Sweet}May 23, 2014 at 3:38 PM

    omg I could not agree with you more or love this post any more! I love love love my rescue dog Sampson and highly recommend using a no kill shelter to find the love of your life!

    Check out my little boo's story!

    http://www.virginiasweet.com/2013/08/oh-sampson-you-little-boo-you.html

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  28. Awww! Thank you so much! Rescue dogs are definitely the way to do it, and I'm so glad that you found happiness with your rescue puppy!

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  29. Great post. Adopt, don't shop!

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  30. I haven't heard that phrase before. I love it!

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  31. Great post! Totally inspiring :))
    I used to be in volunteer groups for rescuing stray animals in Bulgaria - it was an amazing experience. I'm a cat person, but I'm totally against buying pets from breeders, when they are so many who needs to be adopted and rehomed.
    Great to know you're on the same page too!

    Lu, www.balgarka.co.uk

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