No Products in the Cart
Written by: Sarah Seward-Langdon
Published on: 06/15/2023
Congratulations! If you’re thinking about adopting a dog, you’re making an incredibly exciting and important decision…
Depending on what stage of the decision-making process you’re in, we get that you may be thinking about thousands of different factors. Dogs are long-term commitments, and it’s good that you’re doing the research and making sure you have all the facts before you bring your furry friend!
We’re here to help answer your questions and feel more confident as a soon-to-be fur parent.
In this guide on adopting a dog, we’ll talk about a variety of considerations, including the benefits of adopting, what you need to consider before making a final decision, comparing puppies to adult or senior dogs, and much more.
We hope this quick read gives you all the info you need!
There are some pretty shocking stats about dogs (and pets generally) in shelters.
According to the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, approximately 100,000 cats and dogs enter Canadian animal shelters each year. These numbers don’t even include the pets being taken care of in foster care [1].
And in the U.S., these numbers skyrockets… The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) estimates that 3.1 million dogs enter US animal shelters each year [2].
By adopting a dog from a rescue or shelter, you’ll be saving an animal in need—a huge benefit, in our humble opinion.
Here are some other reasons you should adopt a dog:
You're saving a life: Not only are you saving your new family member, but you’re also opening up a spot in the shelter for other animals in need!
It's more affordable: Adopting a dog is typically less expensive than purchasing one from a breeder.
It promotes responsible pet ownership: Adopting a dog promotes responsible pet ownership, as you're giving a home to an animal in need instead of contributing to overbreeding.
Dogs are often already trained: Many dogs available for adoption are already trained and socialized, saving you time and effort on training.
Mixed breeds found in shelters can be healthier: Most mutts are healthier than dogs you buy from breeders, especially if you accidentally buy from a backyard or irresponsible breeder.
We understand… That cute furry face can grab you! But adopting a dog is a big decision that requires careful consideration.
Take some time to think through crucial factors before making a commitment. Here are some of the top things you need to consider before adopting a dog:
Dogs require a significant amount of time and attention. Think about whether you have the time to properly care for your new loyal companion.
What should you think about? Whether you work in the office a lot or travel frequently because of your job. There’s also your social life—it’s okay if you decide you want to be able to go out and see friends and family (close or far). It’s just important to consider how a dog will fit in with this lifestyle!
The most essential thing is to determine whether you can realistically give a dog the time and attention it needs.
Before adopting a dog, it's important to consider whether your living situation is suitable for a pet as well.
This factor isn’t about your lifestyle or time commitments; instead, we’re talking more about your environment. There are questions you should ask yourself before adoption…
Do you have enough space for a dog to live and play? Is your home safe and secure for a dog? Do you have any roommates or family members who are allergic to dogs?
Based on how you answer consideration 1 and 2, you need to consider what type of dog you get. What I mean by this is that different dog breeds have different characteristics and needs.
If you’re adopting, you’re less likely to find purebred dogs. However, that doesn’t mean you can do some research! Mixed breeds will usually take after a combination of characteristics from their parents’ breeds.
For example, if you’re looking at a German Shepherd mix, your new dog may need lots of exercise and will require more training than other breeds. In contrast, if you’ve fallen in love with a Great Dane mix, Great Danes are often a little more lazy and won’t need as much physical activity as some other large breeds!
Dogs can be expensive, so it's important to consider the financial commitment involved in caring for a pet. This includes the cost of food, supplies, vet visits, and unexpected medical expenses.
As we mentioned before, dogs from shelters can come home with some training; however, that doesn’t mean you should completely ignore the possibility of this cost either.
Whether or not your new family member is trained, you’ll need to be committed to continuing their training and socialization. This could be putting in more of your personal time, or it could become more financial if you need to hire a professional trainer.
This one may not apply to you… but if you do have other pets in your home, it's crucial to consider whether a new dog will be compatible with them.
This includes considering whether your current pets are friendly with other animals, and whether they’ll be able to tolerate a new addition to the family.
We know that puppies are often the most popular choice when welcoming a new family member. But, sometimes a puppy isn’t actually the best choice!
Remember some of the things we asked you to think about before adopting—depending on your answers, your life or situation could be more suitable to adopting an adult or senior dog.
Let us present some of the advantages and disadvantages of each lifestage…
Pros
Cute and cuddly
Easier to train
Can grow and bond with your family from an early age
Cons
Require a lot of attention and training
Can be destructive and require a lot of supervision
May not be suitable for households with young children or elderly individuals
Need help with feeding your puppy? Learn more with our in-depth guide about feeding puppies!
Pros
Often already trained and socialized
More settled and calmer than puppies
May already be housebroken
Cons
May have unknown health or behavioral issues
May have a harder time adjusting to a new home and family
May not be suitable for households with young children or elderly individuals
Pros
Often already trained and well-behaved
May be less active and require less exercise
Can be a great companion for individuals who want a more low-key pet
Cons
May have health issues that require ongoing care and attention
May have a shorter lifespan than a younger dog
May not be suitable for households with young children or very active individuals
At the end of the day, the decision between adopting a puppy, adult dog, or senior dog depends on your lifestyle, preferences, and ability to care for a dog at each stage of life.
Puppies may be cute and cuddly, but they require a lot of attention and training. And adult dogs and senior dogs may require less work, but may also come with unknown health or behavioral issues.
It's important to carefully consider all factors before making a decision so that you can choose a dog that’s a good fit for your lifestyle and family.
✅ Single ingredient, 100% pure Camelina Oil.
✅ Non-GMO
✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
✅ Canadian produced and operated.
✅ Single ingredient, 100% pure Camelina Oil.
✅ Non-GMO
✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
✅ Canadian produced and operated.
So, now you know more about adoption considerations and how to figure out which dog to match yourself with. But how do you make sure you’re adopting from a reputable shelter?
Here are some things to find out how the shelter before adopting:
Facility should be clean and well-maintained, with a good ventilation system and odor control.
The shelter should provide necessary medical care for all the animals, including vaccinations, spaying/neutering, and any necessary treatments for illnesses or injuries.
The staff at the shelter should be knowledgeable about the animals in their care, and able to answer any questions you may have about the adoption process, the specific dog you are interested in, and more.
All dogs should require behavior assessments before they’re put up for adoption, to ensure that they’re a good fit for a home environment.
A reputable shelter should have a thorough adoption process, including an application, home visit, and follow-up support. This helps ensure that the dog is going to a good home where they’ll be well-cared for.
The shelter should be transparent about the dog's history and any known issues or concerns, so you can make an informed decision about whether they’re a good fit for your home and lifestyle.
Yay! It’s almost time to bring home your new friend. You don’t want to be unprepared.
So, start early and get ready for your new dog's arrival. Here’s some quick things you can do as soon as possible:
Create a safe space
Stock up on supplies
Puppy-proof your home
Establish a routine:
Find a vet
Get the family involved
Now this is a very brief list and we didn’t include many details. If you’re at this stage of the process, you need a lot more! In that case, read our more in-depth guide about preparing your home and life for your incoming pup.
It's important to introduce your new dog to their new surroundings and family members slowly and in a controlled manner.
Give your dog time to explore their new environment on their own terms, and introduce family members and other pets one at a time in a controlled environment. Take it slow and don’t force interactions! You don’t want them to be overwhelmed or anxious.
Did you know dogs tend to thrive on routine? One of the best things you can do for your new dog is to establish a regular routine so they know what to expect!
Being consistent about feeding, exercise, and playtime can help your new dog feel more secure and comfortable in their new home. Remember, use positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior.
We suggested setting up a designated safe space.
Make sure that they know where it is and understand that this is where they can retreat when they feel anxious or overwhelmed. It can help them feel more secure in their new environment.
Make sure the space is comfortable and includes their bed or crate. Again, using positive reinforcement and encouragement will help them love their safe space.
One of the most important things you can do for your new furry friend is to start them on a good diet from the very beginning. This will set them up for long-term health and happiness right from the get go!
There’s lots of things to consider when it comes to doggy diets: quality, type of food (wet, dry, raw etc.), and specific nutritional needs. Remember, that depending on the age and health of your new family member, they may need specific food.
You can also help your new dog by thinking about adding supplements to their meals, such as camelina oil or probiotics. Remember, their diet and supplements are a good thing to talk to your vet about.
With all this useful information in our easy-to-read guide, we hope that you feel more confident about becoming a dog parent. Good luck and enjoy the euphoria of having a new furry friend.
✅ Single ingredient, 100% pure Camelina Oil.
✅ Non-GMO
✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
✅ Canadian produced and operated.
✅ Single ingredient, 100% pure Camelina Oil.
✅ Non-GMO
✅ Ideal balance of Omega-3 compared to other products, like soybean oil.
✅ Canadian produced and operated.
Sarah is a marketing specialist with a passion for anything creative! Her openness to working across industries and job opportunities has allowed her to gain enormous amounts of experience in graphic design, video production, and written content creation. Animals have a special place in her heart as she grew up with cats and now owns her own Alaskan Malamute. She has spent the last couple of years in Vancouver working with different companies within the pet industry and gained valuable knowledge about the ins and outs of the (alternative) pet food industry, supplementation, and various training methods. When she’s not digitally creating content for pet lovers to consume, she’s out eating great food, dancing at drop-in classes, or exploring the beautiful Canadian scenery with her fur-child Miso.
