5 Things to Know When Adopting a Dog
While adopting a new pup can be incredibly exciting, it can be equally overwhelming! There are hundreds of thousands of pages of information out there that, while helpful, can be intimidating and almost impossible to digest.
I’ve been there. Before adopting my first dog, I had done what most pet parents do and took to the internet for any and all advice I could find. Almost immediately, I was so overwhelmed with not only the amount of information I was getting, but that much of it was conflicting information - I didn’t know what to trust! I wound up spending hundreds of dollars on an unnecessary amount of supplies and countless hours researching how to make my (and my pup’s) transition to our new life together perfect, when I could’ve really benefited from one, centralized “library” of information that would condense all of this information for me. So (spoiler alert!) that is what I have done here, just for you!
In this blog post, I’m sharing the 5 most important things to know when adopting a dog. I’ll be covering:
How to find an adoptable dog
How to find the right dog for you
Financial costs associated with adopting a dog
How to “pup-proof" your home
Supplies to get before bringing home your new dog
Adopting a dog can be one of the most exciting, rewarding decisions to make, and doesn’t have to feel as overwhelming and complicated as it can online! So if you’re struggling to pare down the seemingly endless amounts of information on dog adoption, you’re in the right place! Read on to simplify your journey of finding your new furry friend.
Step 1: How to find an adoptable dog
Working in the veterinary field, I have always been drawn to rescue dogs. I have a rescue pup of my own, Lu, who came from dangerous and unhealthy conditions. While adopting a rescue pup was extremely rewarding for me, this is not the only adoption route to take - there are all sorts of options when looking for a pup of your own! These can range from pure-bred puppies directly from private breeders, all the way to low-cost rescue pups! Determining which route is best for you is the first step in finding your new furry family member.
There are 2 main sources available when looking to adopt a puppy: shelters / rescue groups and private breeders. Depending on your budget and pup-preferences, one source may work better than the other. Most animal shelters and rescue organizations in the United States are often at or over capacity, meaning they have plenty of options when looking for a pup who needs a forever home. A common misconception about shelter animals is that they are there for reasons of their own doing (bad behavior, unhealthy, etc.) - this couldn’t be further from the truth! Most dogs that wind up in a shelter or rescue organization are there because of reasons beyond their control; often these dogs have been abandoned, neglected, or abused and have been rescued by these organizations in order to find them a better life.
While shelters and rescue organizations typically have much lower adoption costs than breeders, it is important to note that they often require some sort of adoption fee in order to a) maintain the integrity of the adoption (making sure the pup is going to a home that is willing to spend even a small amount of money upfront to take them home), b) cover the cost of any services already performed (vaccines, spay/neuter surgeries, etc.) and c) fund the continued rescue efforts of the organization.
Breeders, however, are for-profit business owners, meaning they make a profit off of the pups their dogs have. While this is not inherently a bad thing, making sure you find a reputable and ethical breeder is critical, as not all breeders are created equal. The main advantage to adopting through a reputable, private breeder is that you will a) be adopting a pure-bred dog who may have more predictable qualities than a rescue pup (for example, a breed-specific temperament) and b) the pup will have been with the breeder since birth. This is a notable advantage when adopting a new pup, because all of this information will help you have have a better understanding of your pup's parents behaviors and health conditions, as well as the environment in which they were raised. Because of these factors, the cost of a pup through a private breeder will typically be far greater than that of shelters and rescue organizations.
It is important to remember that, regardless of the adoption source you choose, a dog is not an object… it is a living, breathing member of your family that will come with its own unique personality! You may be able to prepare and control almost every variable possible before bringing them home, but at the end of the day, no pup will be “perfect” - and that's a good thing! Even if you weren’t expecting your pup to have a fascination with socks or a sneaky talent in finding crumbs even in the tightest of spaces, these personality traits are what makes your dog yours.
Once you have determined which adoption source you’d like to pursue, you’re ready for Step 2: finding which dog breed is right for you!
How to determine the right dog for you
In the United States alone, the AKC’s (American Kennel Club’s) dog breed list currently includes 195 dog breeds. Worldwide, the FCI (the largest international federation of national kennel clubs) lists 360 officially recognized breeds. That’s a lot of options! Knowing your dog’s breed (or mix of breeds) can be helpful in predicting temperament, coat-type, financial costs, potential breed-specific health conditions, and more.
Depending on your preferences, breed may be of top importance to you, or no importance at all. If you are looking to adopt a specific breed, finding a reputable, responsible breeder should be your first step. If you are not set on a specific breed, looking for an adoptable pup through your local shelters or rescue groups is also a great option. Even there, you may be able to find a specific breed you’re interested in!
Regardless of which adoption source you choose to pursue, there are many helpful factors to consider when determining which dog will be right for you. Size, temperament, common health conditions, and activity requirements are all important factors to consider when adopting a dog, whether they’re from a private breeder or a non-profit rescue organization.
Finally, consider your lifestyle; are you an active person or more laid-back? Do you have children or plan to have children? How much time do you have to socialize and train a new dog? It is important to answer these questions before adopting a dog, as some may be better suited for your lifestyle than others.
While I found Lu, my pup, purely by happy-accident through the veterinary clinic I was working for, I have placed many pups in forever homes with close family and friends using the guidelines above to help us decide if the adoptable pup we were looking at was a good fit for them. While no method is fool-proof, answering these questions may help you better find a dog that will fit right in with your needs and lifestyle!
Financial Costs Associated with a New Dog
While the initial adoption fee is an important consideration when bringing home a new pup, there are additional costs to consider that come before and after adoption. One of the primary additional costs is veterinary care; once you bring your furry friend home, you will want to establish a veterinarian who will be able to evaluate your pup’s health and potential needs.
A young puppy may need more vaccines and initial health care than say, an adult dog who just needs his routine check-up. I go into even more veterinary information in my post “The 3 Most Important Things to Talk to Your Vet About After Adopting a Dog” for healthcare your pup may need after adoption, and throughout their life with you!
Last, but certainly not least, food and supplies are important costs to consider when bringing home your new pup, as items such as leashes, crates and age-specific toys will help your new friend adjust as they get to know their forever home. This is where I was most overwhelmed once I had decided to adopt Lu, so I have linked all of my favorite supplies below to help you find the items that are perfect for you and your new pup!
How to “Pup-Proof” Your Home
One of the things I completely forgot to do before bringing Lu home was to pup-proof (safety-proof) my home for her. While I had many brief interactions with her before officially bringing her home, she was in recovery after a leg amputation surgery, so she wasn’t very playful or curious quite yet. Spoiler alert: this all changed once I got her home and she was feeling better! Soon I was chasing after her, pulling random house items out of her mouth and making sure she hadn’t gotten into the trash (again!). While not all dogs are as mischievous, most will have at least some general curiosity once they arrive at their new home, so make sure yours is ready!
A few key things to add to your To-Do list before bringing your pup home:
Put up baby gates / pet gates in any areas you want your pup to stay out of, at least while they're getting used to their new surroundings. This may include high traffic areas like your front hallway (where the front door may be opening often, tempting a freedom-run) areas for young children, and places with lots to get into - like your kitchen or basement. Speaking of your kitchen…
Make sure your trashcan and other food items are high up and/or behind closed cabinets so your new pup can’t explore (and probably snack!) in your pantry or trash.
Make sure to also clean up and securely store any potential hazards that your pup may mistake for a chew toy. This includes loose electrical cords, shoes, bags/purses, medications, batteries, cleaning supplies and house plants. Of course, this is not an all-inclusive list, so make sure to do a full sweep of your home before inviting your new pup in!
If you have a yard or outdoor area for your new friend to explore, make sure it is fully enclosed with no missing fencing or holes they could wander out of; this is also true for balconies and patios - make sure there is a sturdy and reliable barrier between your pup and any possible escape routes!
Lastly, whether your house is a sprawling mansion or a 1 bedroom apartment, it’s all new to your little one and can be very overwhelming. To help them feel safe and settled, make sure to dedicate an area of your house just for them, where their bed, crate, food, and toys can also be stored… after all, it’s their home now, too!
Supplies to Get Before Bringing Home Your New Dog
Disclaimer: I spend way too much money on my dog! She is practically an extension of me, with a closet of clothes, leashes and accessories to boot. While this is absolutely not necessary in order to have a happy and healthy pup, knowing where to find all of this gear (and much more) is crucial when first adopting your new furry family member.
Petco quickly became my go-to source for all my pet gear - from training leashes to crates and beds, they truly have it all! I have listed all of my favorite gear below, almost all of which I still have, and would recommend all of it to any new pet parent. While these costs can add up quick, remember not every item is necessary right off the bat and you can buy more (or less!) gear as you get to know your pup. I have listed only “essentials” that I felt helped Lu transition more easily into a new home, and gave me more peace of mind knowing she had what she needed to be comfortable and safe.
Crate
Crate bed
Lounger
Pet blanket
Collar
Leash / poop bags
Harness
Bowls
So if you’re feeling like I was when first adopting a pup, overwhelmed and on information-overload, do not worry! In this blog, I have broken down everything you may need to know about adopting a dog, whether they’re your first or your fifth. This post contains all of the initial information you may need when adopting, but there is much more you can (and should!) learn as you care for your pup over their lifetime - this is all included here, on the LulaBean blog, for you to become a more confident and knowledgable pet parent.
And remember, regardless of the amount of money you spend or research you gather, what matters most is that you respect, love and care for your dog - they deserve it!
