Questions to Ask When Adopting

Adopting a dog can be an exciting time, but that doesn't mean it comes without questions! It's very important to make sure you ask the right questions when making the decision to adopt a dog. Here are some questions you should be prepared to ask the shelter when finding your forever friend.

 Why is this dog here?

This is an important question to ask! Finding out whether your future pup came from another family, another shelter, or found on the streets can help you prepare for their needs.

Is there any history of abuse?

If your pup has experienced the horrors of animal abuse, you'll want to know this. Your amazing new pup might take a little more time to warm up to you and other people because of their history. Knowing this ahead of time can help you make sure they're happy and healthy with you.

How are the dog's health and health history?

It's important to know whether the pup you want has had any major illnesses like heartworm or Lyme Disease. Lyme Disease is something that might have recurrent symptoms, so it's helpful to know ahead of time whether they've had it or not. 

Does the dog require any dietary needs?

Believe it or not, dogs can have allergies, too! Make sure you know what type of food the dog has been fed at the shelter and if they need a certain type of meat or have a need for a certain type of food. 

How is the dog on a leash?

If your future pup isn't already leash-trained, you'll want to know! Leash training can take some extra work and often requires the purchase of a harness to help get your dog in control. 

Is the dog housebroken?

No matter what type of housetraining the pup has had, you might have to put in some work in the beginning to get them used to your house. However, if the pup you're looking at has no housetraining, it might take a little more time and effort to get them to go outside.

Does this dog get along with cats/dogs/kids?

Before you take your pup home, make sure you know how they behave with other dogs, cats, and kids. Depending on who resides in your household, you might not care if they don't get along with cats or dogs, but it is important to know for when your dog is out in the public.