When someone decides they would like a dog, they typically choose whether they want a puppy or an older pooch, and whether they will adopt or buy.
Buying a dog can often be the first idea – especially if you have got a specific breed in mind. But, with so many dogs available to adopt in shelters across the country, there is plenty of choice in terms of breed, age and gender.
A lot of people are put off by the idea of adopting a dog from a rescue. But we are here to debunk some of the myths, so that adoption becomes more appealing.
Rescue dogs often have health issues…
While health issues can be a reason dogs end up in a shelter, most furry pals are there for other reasons. When a dog arrives at a rescue, they will receive a full health check to see if there are any short term and long-term conditions.
More often than not, if a dog arrives with an illness, this will be all cleared up before they are even put up for adoption, so not to pass on the treatment costs to the new family.
If you are really worried about what conditions a rescue dog may have, or might develop in the future, speak to a friendly vet like the guys over at kellycrossinganimalhospital.com. They will be able to answer any questions you have, as well as provide flea treatments and other preventative prescriptions if they do suspect an issue.
…Or behavioral issues
Again, some dogs do end up in shelters because their previous owner thinks they have behavioral issues. Some dogs will have behavioral issues, but it is usually more the case that owners have been impatient or unwilling to train them.
A shelter can be an incredibly stressful place for any pet, so even those animals that are surrendered due to ‘behavioral issues’ may be the perfect lovable pooch you are looking for when they finally have access to a safe and loving home.
Some dogs that do have behavioral issues will first go into foster homes while the rescue finds them their forever home. This gives them the chance to build trust and learn better habits – meaning a lot of the hard work will already be done for you when you arrive to adopt them.
Older rescue dogs are untrainable
Sure, old habits die hard. But older dogs are not untrainable. Those shopping for a dog may be given the impression that their new furry friend is fully trained, only to find the complete opposite when they get them home. But whether you choose a puppy or older pooch, no dog is untrainable.
With a little patience, and some delicious treat incentives, you and your dog can enjoy the training period as a great time to bond and learn about each other.
Adopting rather than buying a dog can be incredibly rewarding. More often than not, the rescue will help you with the settling in process. Dogs that arrive at a shelter are still very much deserving of love, and you could be the one to provide it.