Adopting an older dog from a shelter can be a rewarding experience for you and the dog involved. You may actually be saving the animal's life in many cases - older dogs are rarely adopted, in comparison to puppies. Most people go out looking for puppies. When you get a dog from a shelter in most states, the dog will be neutered or spayed t the animal's vaccinations will be updated as part of the adoption fee. The fees can range from $30 to $150, depending on location and the animal in question. Many times, this will also include the RFID chip that will be registered to you, to help you get reunited with your dog if you should become separated.
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<br>Dogs have spent many millennia at our sides and most are happy to have a family, but you should think carefully about the animal you decide to adopt. Think carefully about what breeds the dog might be, and look them all up, checking temperament, thinking about size if the dog is immature, exercise or attention requirements, etc. If you live in a high rise apartment you probably don't want to take home a Malamute -they're working dogs that require a lot of exercise for health and happiness, and too big to get much inside an apartment - and a bored Malamute is a force of nature similar to a tornado.
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<br>If you have other animals, the situation becomes even more complex. Is the breed of dog or cat good with other animals? Is the dog breed known for attacking smaller animals (like cats)? Does the particular animal seem calm? If you can, try introducing with the cat inside a cat carrier, not in your arms. If the dog seems oblivious or uninterested, but not conclusive. Many dogs will ignore walking cats, but take off after running ones immediately and with single-minded determination. No matter what, you'll have to be on high alert if you're introducing an adult dog into a home with multiple pets.
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<br>Does the breed have special health requirements? Make sure you're taking the animal's care into account - dogs like Malamutes, Huskies, and Chows need a lot of coat care, or they will end up matted and unhappy, followed by "shaved¡± and unhappy. Some breeds of dog are more prone to congenital degenerative diseases like hip dysplasia - is the animal you're considering adopting a member of such a breed? You should also make certain that you're prepared to housebreak an older dog, in case the animal was kept primarily outside.
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<br>If you have children, make sure the animal's breed is known for being tolerant of children. Test the animal's food response, if possible. With two adults present, one holding the dog's leash, give the animal a treat or bone and bring the child close -not close enough to get bit, though. See if the animal reacts by growling or snapping. It's not uncommon for an otherwise docile animal to bite when they think their food is in danger. If the reaction is mild or nonexistent, you might want to test some more. Remember, you should always be alert and have two adults present, and you should always check this response before letting your new dog and your young child free in the house. Many small children have gotten bit because they played in the dog's food while mom and dad were watching the big game. Even though these bites are usually not very dangerous (being defensive bites, not attacks), it's a sad result for everyone, leading to unpleasant shots for the child and either euthanasia or a return to the shelter for the dog. Otherwise uninterested dogs have been known to attack cats that approached their food bowls too closely, as well.
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<br>About the Author: Bruno is blogging about <a href="http://www.hundefeber.no/forum/pomeranian/" rel="nofollow">Pomeranian</a> and <a href="http://www.hundefeber.no/forum/mops/" rel="nofollow">Mops</a> (pug dogs) at <a href="http://www.hundefeber.no" rel="nofollow">Hundefeber.no</a>.
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