What to Do If Your Shelter Dog Is Not Eligible
We all know the mantra “Take, don’t buy.” While many sheltered dogs are amazing, loving and happy pets, you may end up choosing a dog that is not the right fit for what you are looking for – and you may not realize it until you sign the adoption papers. We’ve all witnessed Lena Dunham ‘s regrettable discrepancy with the dog she took, Lambi. Here’s what to do if you find yourself in a similar situation.
If you haven’t adopted a dog yet, many shelters and adoption organizations conduct behavioral tests that can help you select dogs that match what you are looking for. Ask shelter staff or volunteers if their organization is conducting a behavior analysis or categorizing their dogs into those that do not need special training and those that might need to be worked with on their behavior. Inga Frike, Director of Pet Retention Programs at the United States Animal Welfare Society, explains why it’s worth talking to staff and volunteers:
These are people who are not only interested in helping you find the best pet for your family, they have spent a lot of time with each individual dog and have a good understanding of its personality, needs and behavior. Let them lead you to a dog that you may have overlooked in the first place solely due to appearance, size, age, or other factors, but can be the perfect addition to your home.
By finding an organization that does this sorting for you, it will probably be easier for you to get a dog that suits your lifestyle and training ability.
Working with the shelter
Some shelters offer short-term acceptance programs where you can take your dog home without formally accepting it to see if you get along well with your dog and if he is good with you.
If you’ve already adopted a dog, Frike recommends using the shelter or adoption organization where you adopted the dog as a resource. They can help you think about all the possible solutions to the problems you are having with your dog and teach you training lessons. At the very least, they can work with you to make sure you find a pet that suits your lifestyle better and that the dog you bring in finds a better home.
Avoid re-returning to the starting position yourself
If you have tried exercising, visiting a vet (sometimes behavioral problems can be caused by medical problems), and working with your shelter, but your dog is still not working, do not try to find a new home for him at your shelter. its. Frike mentions that many organizations require you to return the dog to them. If you know someone who you think would be a good owner for the dog, you can report it to the shelter and they can assess if the match is reliable.
If the dog isn’t right for you, try to work with the adoption organization to make sure they find a loving home. The return of a pet can be a wake-up call, and if you do it multiple times it could result in you not being allowed to adopt more animals from this organization. This means that before you get a pet, it’s important to take the time and effort to figure out which animal (if any) is right for you and which animal suits your lifestyle.
Prepare well next time
If you just haven’t done proper research before adopting a dog and it turns out that it is not the right fit for you, do your due diligence before considering another pet. Frike recommends asking yourself the following questions:
- Is a dog even what you need? As much as you want, a dog may not be the best pet for you. Being honest with yourself will lead you to find a pet that will enrich your life.
- Which is better: a puppy or an older dog? Puppies are adorable but require a lot of work and attention. Older dogs have often gone through the destructive chewing phase and are likely already broken. They are also more predictable in size and temperament.
- What level of activity are you looking for? The appropriate level of activity between the dog and the owner (s) is one of the key indicators of a successful adoption. If you like to chill out after a long day, ask for a little potato puppy to hang out with. If you enjoy running, walking, or cycling, a more active dog might keep up with you.
- How much time can you devote to exercise, body care, etc.? You may like the way long-haired breeds look, but if you are not prepared to spend time grooming your coat, you should consider other options.
- What is your experience with owning pets? If this is your first pet, or you haven’t cared much about past pets, staff can find a dog that matches your comfort level and experience.
If you share the above information with the shelter staff, it will be easier for them to become a matchmaker between you and a potential dog.