SolveYourProblem.com Article Series: Dog Care
Dog Care Tips
What
To Expect When Adopting A Dog
When considering the birth rates among animals,
it’s not hard to understand why animal shelters are always
filled with animals waiting to be adopted. Shockingly, it has
been calculated that over a seven year period, one female cat
and her offspring will produce approximately 420,000 kittens.
Likewise, one female dog and her offspring will produce 67,000
puppies during a six year period. Since there are more animals
looking for homes than there are people who want to adopt them,
some 6.5 million animals are euthanized each year.
Given the statistics cited above, adopting
an animal can be a kind and loving thing to do. However, before making the final
decision to adopt, there are a number of things to consider.
Many
of the animals awaiting adoption 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 long periods and some were never
properly potty trained. In short, when adopting an animal you
must be prepared to work with them. They may come to you cowed
or with feelings of trepidation and may be overly sensitive
to your tone of voice or to any commands you might give them.
You will need to be patient and by all means, loving. When
they finally realize that they can trust you they will reward
you with more affection and loyalty than you can imagine.
Adopting
a dog as a means of entertaining 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 understand “animal
etiquette”. In other words, animals are not to be hit, dragged,
ridden or teased. They should understand that being overly
aggressive with a new dog, especially one recently adopted,
could cause the dog to react 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 failure.
Many adopted
dogs will come to the new surroundings filled
with fears based upon earlier mistreatment or the harsh rules
of their previous owners. Some dogs will be reluctant to go
from one room to another, will shy away when corrected and
hide upon hearing a loud noise. New owners must be patient
with them and speak to them softly and affectionately. Dogs
are not stupid and they will gradually come to understand their
new environment and show their appreciation for your loving
care.
When contemplating adoption, prospective new owners should
be prepared to deal with the fact that their new adoptee may
not be completely housebroken. Previous owners may have been
irresponsible in their approach to this training; furthermore,
when the dog was placed in the shelter it continued to do its
“business” right in its pen. Housebreaking is not a complex
chore and should not deter someone from adopting a pet. Some
owners will use a cage to assist in this training, while others
will just take the dog out for a walk several times a day.
Fenced yards and doggie doors are minimal expenses that pay
extra dividends on cold or rainy days.
Adopted dogs are subject to all of the behavioral problems
commonly associated to dogs in general. These would include
digging, jumping up on people, jumping fences, barking and
nipping. There are proven solutions to all of these “offenses.”
If your dog is prone to digging, and always digs in one area,
there are a number of effective repellent sprays that work
well. If he digs under your fence, a little buried chicken
wire works wonders in breaking that habit. Spray bottles filled
with water should be kept at hand to break a dog from jumping
up and to combat incessant barking. A quick spritz in the face
immediately following, or during, the offensive behavior will
usually bring about a quick behavior modification.
Visiting an animal shelter 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; however, just be sure that
prior to adoption you consider all of the ramifications. And
remember, your best friend is waiting for you at your local
animal shelter.
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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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