Adopting a Dog Can Be Very Rewarding

There are three basic elements youll need to be able to provide when adopting a dog. Those are food/water, exercise and love. Although that sounds obvious it is important that you create warm and caring atmosphere for your newly adopted dog. Youre taking them from familiar surroundings to a new home full of different smells, sounds and sights. Its a lot for anyone to take in let alone a pup.

As you prepare to adopt a dog, consider your environment. Living in a house with a backyard versus an apartment should determine the size and type of dog you plan to adopt. For apartment dwellers, smaller dogs might be easier to manage. You also want to make sure that your apartment building accepts pets before you set out to adopt one. If you live in a house with a backyard, make sure you have a secure fence surrounding your property. Although youll be providing a safe home for your dog, that doesnt mean they wont wander off.

Another key consideration when adopting a dog is how this will impact on your own schedule. A dog needs exercise. Merely putting them in a backyard while youre at work isnt enough. They should be walked at least twice a day, if not more. Its important for dogs to get out and become familiar with their surroundings. Not only will they be satisfied to leave their own marks but theyll be able to sniff out the neighborhood. This provides them with a strong sense of belonging to a specific place. If you live along and work long hours and cant always walk your dog, there are plenty of dog walkers in every neighborhood. Youll become more aware of them with your new pet. For a small fee these walkers will make sure your pooch is given a good workout. And yes, when walking your dog, youre going to have to clean up their mess. If this is something you dont want to do, then adopting a dog might not be for you.

The other major decision on adopting a dog is whether youll be getting a puppy or an older house trained dog. Adopting a puppy will definitely give you plenty of cuteness but it can also be very stressful training a dog to do their business outdoors. A dog that is a year old or older most likely has already been house trained. That doesnt mean there wont be the potential for accidents but youll be amazed at how easily an adopted dog can adapt to a new home and routines.

There will also be a period of adjustment for your adopted dogs diet. Some dogs will gulp down anything that is put in front of them. Others are a bit more finicky. Ask what type of food the dog has been fed and start them with that. If you want to change their diet, introduce the new food a little bit at a time until they become adjusted.

There are many resources and books that go into depth with regard to how to train a dog. Mostly it is you who needs to have the training! Adopting a dog can provide companionship, fun and unconditional love. Who wouldnt want that in their lives?