Are You Ready to Adopt a Shelter Dog

October is National Adopt a Shelter Dog month.  There are some things that a person needs to consider before adopting a shelter dog, or any other dog for that matter.  Especially if it's a puppy.

Q: HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU’RE READY TO ADOPT A DOG? 

• You need to ask yourself a few really important questions:
  
  • Do I have enough time?
    
    • Dogs, especially puppies, take time to do basic training, potty training.
  • Is your home dog-friendly?
    
    • If you’re renting, does your landlord allow dogs? Do you have space for the dog to be active?
  • Can you afford a dog?
    
    • Between food and vet bills, dogs can cost a few thousand dollars a year.
  • Is everyone in the house on board with a new dog?
  • What is the best breed and energy level for our family?

And having your home ready is a real deal.  When our dog was a puppy he gnawed on EVERYTHING!  We got some chew toys for teething, but wow... was no match for our puppy at the time.  Eventually he did grow out of that phase, but for about a year he was really a handful.  He's only 10 pounds, and he would still try and drag shoes, boots, sandals, etc around the house.  Nothing was safe.  Everyone had to either put shoes in a closet or up on a chair or stool or suffer the consequences.  Fun times.

In the end it's definitely worth it, but it's going to be work with any dog.

There are also some misconceptions about adopting from a shelter or rescue:

Q: WHAT MISCONCEPTIONS DO PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT ADOPTING FROM A SHELTER OR RESCUE?

• That all the dogs are mutts. We have a lot of purebred dogs that need a home.
• We also have every age -- puppies, young adults, adults and older dogs.
• People also assume something is wrong with a rescue dog -- most of the dogs we get at Secondhand Hounds were surrendered because of other life circumstances -- family move or an illness. But these dogs have already been trained, socialized around kids and other dogs, and they just need a good home

So, if you are thinking about adopting a new fur baby... consider some of these things, and check out the Tri-County Humane Society.  You can adopt, donate and/or volunteer.