You’re ready to add another member to your nest, but you better know how to proceed. There are multiple considerations to work through, one being “How old should he be?” Adopting a puppy too early is a problem; in cases, adopting later can be a problem, too. Have a question? Get an answer from a Vet now!

Ideal Age

The best time to adopt a puppy is usually between 8 and 16 weeks. This is an ideal time to introduce him to new places and people. That is, unless you have small children. Then you may want to wait until the pooch is around 5 months old.

Why Not Sooner?

When a puppy is part of a litter, he learns all sorts of valuable lessons. This is the time to learn important life skills from his mother, such as eating and grooming. His littermates will help teach him socialization. If he’s taken from his mother too early, he will be robbed of these valuable lessons and may not thrive or socialize well with others. Also, the first month he will be on a milk-only diet. At 3 to 4 weeks, he starts to be weaned from his mother and by 8 weeks he will be completely weaned, eating just puppy food. You don’t want an young, unweaned puppy as he’s harder to feed and care for.

Why Not Later?

There are lots of joys in watching a puppy go through his growing stages, figuring life out as he goes along. Getting him young means that this little guy will be part of your family for a long time: The average dog has a lifespan of 10 to 15 years.

Dogs that are adopted after 16 weeks may have a harder time adjusting and socializing to a new home, as they may have habits they’ve become accustomed to that may be hard to break. He might be slower to warm up to new homes and family members, too.

Considerations

Before taking the plunge, consider a few things. An 8- to 16-week-old puppy needs lots of attention. You can’t just lock him in a crate or small apartment all day and expect him to be happy and thrive. This is the time when he becomes house-trained and learns other household etiquette. At this age, he has a smaller bladder and needs regular potty breaks, so make sure you have time for that.

An 8- to 16-week-old puppy has a smaller stomach, so he needs to be fed more frequently than an adult dog. Puppies are usually full of energy, and they need time and space to run around to get that energy out.

When you choose a dog, make sure your home is big enough for the breed. He may start gnawing on your favorite shoes or get into the trash can when you’re not looking, so you’ll have to puppy-proof your home. Don’t forget about the midnight whimpering, potty accidents on the new rug and tipped-over flowerpots that come with puppyhood.

If you’re considering adopting a four-legged best friend, you have a few options. Adopting a dog form a shelter or rescue center will save a dog’s life, and be much less costly than purchasing from a breeder or pet store. Approximately 7 million animals arrive in shelters per year; up to 4 million never find homes and are euthanized, according to the ASPCA. Have a question? Get an answer from a Vet now!

1Decide which breed and personality will best fit your lifestyle and if you’d prefer a puppy or more mature dog. Dogs have different temperaments, and certain breeds require more upkeep and attention than others. Visit animal shelters, parks with dog runs and animal rescue groups to learn which breed you feel most compatible with. Research dog breeds on interactive websites, such as those of The American Kennel Club and Animal Planet, which offer personality profiles, temperament and other behavioral information to help you make the best decision.

2Check animal rescue centers and shelters in your area. Shelters usually have a large selection of puppies and adult dogs, which have been screened for good behavior and health. Meet with the animal shelter staff who handle the dogs on a daily basis and ask for their input on the dogs’ temperament and behavior, and learn which are their favorites. Search the databases on the websites of The Humane Society of the United States, ASPCA and The Shelter Pet Project to locate shelters and rescue groups that may have the pooch you’re looking for.

3Research nonprofit organizations that take some of the dogs off the hands of shelters and rescue centers to relieve overcrowding, and work to find them good homes. Rescue Me! Animal Project acts as a middlemen to find loving families for dogs through websites, like Petfinder. The adoption fee often is higher than those of shelters, which covers spaying or neutering, vaccinations, a microchip and initial pet supplies. Use the Petfinder database to help locate the dog who will steal your heart.

4Call vets in your area for a local breeder recommendation if you’re searching for a purebred to adopt. Don’t rule out adopting a purebred from a shelter, as 25 percent of purebred dogs can be found in animal shelters and rescue groups, according to the ASPCA. Type the breed into a search engine, such as Google, along with the words “breeder” or “rescue” to locate a purebred pup for adoption. You also can check the database on the website of The American Kennel Club, which will help you find a breeder.

Dog experts are torn on whether or not adopting two dogs at once is a good idea. According to “The Whole Dog Journal,” adopting two dogs at the same time is a terrible idea. As a future dog owner, it’s important that you hear both sides of the story before making your decision. While some may not love the idea of adopting two dogs at once, it may be the right decision for you and your family, but you must understand what to expect. Have a question? Get an answer from a Vet now!

Training

One huge advantage to adopting two dogs at once is you’re able to train two dogs at once. If you plan to eventually have two dogs, it’s best to adopt them both at once for easier training. You can work on housebreaking, crate training, and other basic training at one time. This can be much more beneficial than adopting dogs separately because it will greatly reduce the time spent. There are also cons to training two dogs at once. When you come home, you may have no idea which dog peed on the floor or destroyed your shoe. Another con is trying to wrangle two dogs who are misbehaving.

Companionship

Adopting two dogs at once ensures that your new dogs always have someone to play with. If you work outside the home, your dog will be less likely to experience separation anxiety, because he has someone to play with. You must remember, though, that dogs will establish a pack. Good owners are always seen as the alpha in the pack, but the dogs will then choose who is next in command, and may fight until they establish the order.

Stress

Adopting two dogs at the same time can also be stressful for both you and the dogs. First of all, the dogs may not get along and may try to exert dominance over each other. Another problem arises if you try to house both dogs in the same crate. This can create anxiety in the dogs as they fight for their own space. Dogs can also experience separation anxiety if they become close and one passes away.

Expenses

Adopting two dogs at once can also be very expensive. Not only will you have the adoption cost, but you will need to buy two of everything all at once. This means two collars and leashes, two crates and enough bedding for two crates, two food bowls and two water bowls. When you adopt pets separately, you’re better able to handle the costs. Never underestimate the costs of raising a pet. Even if you save money adopting, purchasing all the supplies will be costly, especially if you’re buying for two. Veterinarian costs can also add up.

 

Adding a pet to a family is an important decision. Most people obtain pets by purchasing them from pet stores or adopting them through animal shelters or rescue agencies. Each method has advantages and disadvantages. Have a question? Get an answer from a Vet now!

Adoption Advantages

People can adopt pets from animal shelters and rescue organizations. Both offer extensive pre- and post- adoption counseling and education, charge lower fees than pet stores, and often include extras like free neutering, de-worming, vaccinations and a post-adoption physical from a veterinarian.

Pet Store Advantages

It’s quicker and easier to obtain a pet from a store because you will not need to be screened or evaluated. Young animals, designer pets and purebreds are readily available at pet stores. The store can give you information and paperwork to register your pet. Some stores have health guarantees and pet-return policies.

Adoption Issues

Your pet choice is limited to the shelter’s current inventory, which may not include young animals or purebreds. You may need to pass an evaluation and counselor interview. A pet’s unknown parentage and past environment may lead to genetic or personality problems later.

Pet Store Issues

Most stores obtain pets from high-volume commercial breeders who provide inadequate exercise, nutrition and health care for their pets. Animals raised in these conditions often develop physical, mental and behavioral problems. Pets at stores can be expensive; their fee does not include vaccinations, de-worming or a post-purchase veterinarian visit.

Do Your Homework

Investigate before visiting a pet store or shelter. Online search engines like Petfinder.com will help you locate shelters and available pets. Ask for references from friends and family who own pets. Get recommendations from a trusted veterinarian. Find out about a store or shelter by checking with the Better Business Bureau and state licensing agency.

 

People put their pets up for adoption for any number of reasons. It’s easy to assume these reasons are selfish, but sadly some are forced to re-home their four-legged friends because they’ve lost their jobs and homes, or because disability renders them unable to care for their animals. It’s never an easy decision to surrender a pet, but sometimes it’s the right thing to do. Have a question? Get an answer from a Vet now!

A Tough Call

Having a dog is a great responsibility. Dogs rely on their owners for more than just playing fetch and affection. They need shelter, food and veterinary care. When owners are scrambling to provide their dogs with the basics and find themselves slipping on annual vaccinations, it’s time for them to consider making a difficult choice. Re-homing your best friend may be the most difficult thing you have to do, but you will ultimately be fulfilling your promise to ensure his safety and well-being.

Time Is of the Essence

Regardless of the reason, those looking to put their dogs up for adoption must leave themselves plenty of time to take the necessary steps to ensure their pets end up in safe, loving homes. Re-homing a pet requires more than just a few days, a couple of weeks and even a month. Time is needed not only to find someone willing to take in a new dog, but also to check that person’s background and references. Give yourself at least two months.

Rescue Organizations

The first thing to do is check out local rescue organizations. Even if they are overwhelmed and cannot immediately take your pooch and put him in a foster home, they might be able to help spread the word about your situation. Of course you can advertise your dog online without any help, but rescues can save you time in dealing with respondents. They have experience weeding out puppy mill owners and others whose intentions for adoptable dogs may be less than stellar.

No-Kill Shelters

People who are trying to re-home their dog should also check out no-kill shelters, even if they aren’t nearby. Shelters are usually overwhelmed, but may still be able to help. If a no-kill shelter is far away, there are transportation services available. Rescue organizations or sites like the Shelter Exchange, a nonprofit organization that provides a free Web service that helps connect dogs with adopters, should be able to suggest safe and reputable transportation companies or volunteers.

Dogs acquired from an animal shelter, rescue organization or private party can provide you with years of enjoyable companionship, but any new dog can present some initial challenges. Be prepared for Fido to experience some behavior problems, such as temporary anxieties or relapses in house-training, after you bring him home. Have a question? Get an answer from a Vet now!

Manage Expectations

Your adopted dog may have previous house-training, or he may never have been taught the rules of living in a house or apartment. Regardless of training history, all shelter dogs endure a certain amount of stress from being displaced, from being around barking dogs, and from experiences they may have had in the street. Even a previously well-trained dog may revert to inappropriate soiling when he arrives in the new home.

Start at the Beginning

For the first few weeks, proceed as though Fido isn’t house-trained, and take necessary precautions to prevent accidents. Limit the dog’s access to your home until he or she is reliable. Use a crate, baby gate or leash to confine Fido when you can’t supervise his actions. If he was once house-trained, the re-training process should progress quickly; some dogs catch on after just a few days of instruction.

House-training Basics

“House-training your dog or puppy requires far more than a few stacks of old newspapers — it calls for vigilance, patience, plenty of commitment and above all, consistency,” says the Humane Society of the United States on its website. House-training is best when the dog owner helps the dog be successful. The owner watches the dog and looks for signs that needs to go out, such as sniffing and circling. Take Fido outside and reward him for good behavior when he performs the task. HSUS provides instructions for accomplishing house-training goals on its website.

Special Problems

House-training should go smoothly if you follow a solid plan. New dog owners should invest in a dog training class, which is likely to cover house-training topics. However, physical or emotional issues can cause elimination problems. Check with your veterinarian or an animal behaviorist if you encounter prolonged training problems. Although house-training can be frustrating and unpleasant, never take your frustrations out on Fido, or you could make the problem much worse. Kathy Salzberg stress the importance of remaining calm on NetPlaces.com. “Never scream angrily at your dog or hit it with your hand or a newspaper if it has an accident. Rubbing its nose in it doesn’t work either. The dog will become afraid and confused, and it will learn to distrust you as well,” she says in an article about house-training problems.

Chances are you’ve considered adoption as a way to bring a new dog into your home. While you understand the importance of adoptions, you may not know of all the benefits of adopting a rescue dog. Whether you’re looking to do a great thing for animals or you want to make sure you find the best pet, adoption is a great option. That’s just the beginning, though. You’ll be amazed at how beneficial adopting a rescue dog can be. Have a question? Get an answer from a Vet now!

You’ll Save a Life

Most dog shelters euthanize dogs. When you adopt a rescue dog, you’re saving that dog’s life. This is an incredibly rewarding experience.

The Shelter Will Have Room for Another Dog

Not only are you giving a home to one dog, but you may save the life of another by making room in the shelter. Shelters that don’t euthanize can only help so many dogs before they fill up. When you adopt, they have room for one more.

The Dog Will Be Heathier

Dogs in shelters have usually been checked out by the vet, fixed and are up-to-date on shots. This means that you’re adopting a dog you know is healthy. If there are any issues, the shelter will be upfront with you so there are no surprises.

You’ll Save Money

Adopting a dog is much more affordable than buying a dog from a pet store or breeder. While price varies from shelter to shelter, you will save money not only on the cost of the dog, but on vet care. Most rescue dogs have already been fixed, which can save hundreds.

You Won’t Support Puppy Mills

You never know what conditions a pet store dog was raised in, which means you may be supporting puppy mills. When you adopt, you’re putting one less sale into the pockets of irresponsible breeders.

You’ll Sleep Better

It feels good knowing that the pet you just brought into your life is a dog that you saved. You won’t have to question your decision the way you would if had you bought a dog. You’ll know you did the right thing.

You’ll Help Reduce the Pet Population Problem

When you buy from a pet store, you create a demand for more puppies. This means breeders will continue to breed their dogs to make more sales. When you adopt, you’re giving a home to an abandoned dog and preventing the need for additional breeding.

Many Rescued Dogs are Already Trained

Some shelters raise dogs in foster homes, which means the dog has already been exposed to house training. Dogs that have been abandoned by their owners may also be trained to live indoors. This can make owning a pet even more enjoyable.

You Can Find Puppies and Purebreds

Dog shelters have pure bred dogs and puppies. If you absolutely must have either, visit the shelters in your area and see what your options are.

Shelters Can Help You Find the Right Dog

You have no idea what the temperament of a puppy is when you’re shopping at pet stores. Pet shelters know the temperament of the dogs in the shelter and can help you find the right dog for you. This helps prevent the need to give the dog up in the future.