So You Want to Adopt a Dog? Read This First!

Adding a dog to your home is a wonderful experience.
Before you do though, there are a few things to consider
to ensure you’re making the best choice
for you and your new forever dog.

It’s true; dogs offer us unconditional love and companionship. But they also come with added responsibility and commitment. Whichever dog you decide to adopt (a puppy or a senior, large or small); you will also be accepting the responsibility to provide them with the best quality of life through their entire life. So before you give in to those magical puppy eyes or sweet puppy breath, keep reading to make sure you’re prepared for the long-term commitment of dog ownership!

1)  What’s the Perfect Size for YOU?

Unlike many other pets (cats, fish, hamsters, etc.), the size of a dog is an issue that cannot be overlooked. If you’re adopting a puppy, consider their full-grown size. Are you looking for a lap mate? A Great Dane might be more than you bargained for.

Do you live in a spacious home, apartment or even a studio? K9 size will definitely make a difference.

Along with considering size, also give some thought about the specific breed you’re considering. Each breed comes with their own characteristics, good and bad. What are you prepared to deal with? Whatever characteristics are important to you, there’s a breed for that! (When you’ve narrowed down the breeds you are interested in, spend some time on the AKC website and learn about the characteristics of each breed, activity level, coat type, barking level and even trainability at: www.akc.org/dog-breeds/.)

2)  Let’s Talk Lifestyle … Yours

Again, unlike many other pets, dogs need exercise; some more than others. Are you a couch potato or a weekend warrior? Do you work long hours? All these things will affect your dog, their quality of life and potential behavioral issues. Be honest and choose a dog that fits into your current lifestyle. If you love binge-watching Netflix, don’t adopt a sporting or working dog with high energy levels.

Consider your future lifestyle too.   What are your goals in the next 10 years you may have this dog?  Will you get married, have children, travel more?

3)  Got Allergies?

While more people are allergic to cats than dogs, many do have an allergic reaction to dog dander (dead skin) and saliva. Sadly, some dogs will pay the price when allergies become an unavoidable issue. If you suffer from allergies to dogs and still want to adopt a dog, consider breeds that have a non-shedding coat. (You can find a list here: www.akc.org/dog-breeds/hypoallergenic-dogs/.)

4)  A Puppy or a Senior K9?

Puppies traditionally get the most attention when it comes to adopting a new dog. But don’t count the older dogs out! Older and senior dogs will usually be housebroken, have some basic training and be a lot calmer. If you don’t have the patience of a saint, an older dog may be a better choice for you. (Especially for you Netflix binge-watchers!) Even better, you’ll be giving an older dog a new chance at life.

If you’re up for the challenge of a non-stop puppy that will get into everything every minute of every day, step right up! But again, make sure your current lifestyle will accommodate the constant needs of a puppy.

5)  Always Consider Adoption

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), there are approximately 3.3 million homeless dogs in the United States. You can make a difference by adopting your next dog from one of the many shelters, rescues and animal welfare organizations in your area.

Remember, most homeless dogs are not bad dogs; they are just dogs with bad luck. Like the puppy who got “too big” or the child who got bored with taking care of that-once-cute puppy. It’s even worse for senior dogs when their human owners pass away or are forced into assisted-living facilities or hospice care that won’t allow pets.
So give a homeless dog a second chance and visit your local Humane Society, shelter or rescue organization. Remember, when you adopt a homeless dog, you save that dog and the one who takes his place.

If you’re looking to adopt a dog in Colorado, check the following:

• No Kill Animal Shelters: https://www.nokillnetwork.org/d/Colorado/
• Shelters and Rescues: https://www.dogloversdigest.com/colorado-rescue-shelters-and-organizations/.

Or just Google, “Adopt a Dog near Me,” “Adopt a Dog in My Area” or “Adopt a Dog (add your city/state).”

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Once you’ve adopted that new dog, give us a call about training to build a strong bond with your new best friend.
And remember too, we offer dog walking, house sitting and dog grooming!

Additional Reading:

1. 26-Step Checklist for Adopting a New Adult Dog or Puppy
topdogtips.com/adopting-a-new-dog/

2. Adopting a New Dog
www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/11_4/features/Older-Dog-Adoption_16019-1.html

3. 5 Common Mistakes Adopters Make When Bringing Home a New Dog
www.localbark.com/bark-all-about-it/2015/01/5-common-mistakes-adopters-make-when-bringing-home-new-dog/

4. Adoption Tips
www.aspca.org/adopt-pet/adoption-tips

5. Top Tips for Adopting a Shelter Dog
www.cbsnews.com/news/top-tips-for-adopting-a-shelter-dog/

Health Check & Baseline Bloodwork

This can be a great inside look into your newly adopted adult pet.  Bloodwork can show potential issues before symptoms even start to show.  If everything is normal with your pet’s bloodwork that is reason to celebrate!   These values can also help to give your veterinarian invaluable information in the future if problems arise.

Vaccinations

We recommend that needed vaccinations are up to date.   Most shelter or adoptive dogs will have received their required vaccinations.  We recommend that your pet be 100% healthy and a strong immune system is established before future vaccinations are given.

Bordetella (kennel cough), Leptospirosis, Canine Flu vaccine & other optional vaccines should be researched based on lifestyle & location.

Can too many vaccines be a bad thing?

Vaccinosis can be a real danger to pets. Dr. Richard Pitcairn defines vaccinosis this way: “Vaccinosis is to be understood as the disturbance of the vital force by vaccination that results in mental, emotional, and a physical change that can, in some cases, be a permanent condition.”  We do see recently vaccinated dogs that have become ultra-reactive shortly after vaccines and there are long-term symptoms & diseases that can be linked back to vaccines in the veterinary holistic arena.  We are seeing way too many immune-related diseases, allergies, and cancers and the forecast is that this will only continue to worsen.

What can you do?

We recommend that you become your own pet’s advocate.  Research side effects and consider titer testing.  Titer testing tests the levels of antibodies in your pet’s system to see if they have built up an appropriate resistance or have been exposed to the disease in the past.

Spaying & Neutering

Most adopted pets will already have had this surgery before adoption.

There are studies showing an increase in hip dysplasia in male larger, breeds that are neutered before 12 months of age.  Negative behaviors can arise from unaltered pets and certain cancers are eliminated with spaying & neutering.  We recommend you ask the professionals in your life, such as your veterinarian, trainer, and do your own research.

Nutrition Matters!

Nutrition can play a role in your pet’s entire health including mental & emotional well-being.  When we are working with dogs, we like to look at the entire dog’s system.  80-90% of your dog’s immune system is regulated by their gut.  A healthy gut microbiome will support their entire health system including allergies, anxieties, immunity and prevention of disease.

What Breed Are You & Does It Matter?

Are you just curious or is there a bigger reason to consider DNA testing?  Dog DNA testing can help you identify possible predisposition to diseases, personalities and behaviors.  Two of our favorites are Embark Pet & Wisdom Health.

Resources & Additional Reading

https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/the-simple-guide-to-titer-testing-dogs/

https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/08/20/pets-over-vaccination-disease.aspx

http://www.akcchf.org/news-events/news/health-implications-in-early.html

https://www.caninejournal.com/dna-testing-for-dogs/

https://www.petmd.com/dog/nutrition/evr_dg_the_benefits_of_proper_nutrition

Perfect Pace Head Training Collar

Do you dread taking your dog for walks?  Do you feel guilty because it isn’t enjoyable?  Do you avoid it at all costs?

The fact is if your dog is a leash-puller, lunges or is leash reactive, they do not get walked as often.  This is a tragedy!  An enjoyable dog walk is great for you and your dog and there are easier ways to solve this problem!

 

The Perfect Pace is a simple no-pull training tool offering effective and gentle control to instantly stop your dog’s bad habits. Walk in Perfect Pace with your dog.

Our Goal Is For Your Dog To Get Out and About but Stay Safe too!

The Perfect Pace No-Pull Dog Halter is an effective tool in helping to teach dogs not to pull and lunge.  This will keep your pet and you, as their handler in control, and safer.   It’s super easy to put on and adjust to your pet.  It doesn’t create pulling from the muzzle which can create injuries to the neck.  We like to use this as an alternative to the Gentle Leader which requires adjustments and doesn’t fit as well to all dogs.

The sizes of the Perfect Pace come in Small, Medium, Large and X-Large.  They are used with your own training lead. It also comes with a safety cord that attaches to your pet’s collar to prevent them from becoming loose if the pet gets out of it. (Our Tip: We recommend that you order the halter only, not the one that comes with the incorporated lead.  It’s not the most comfortable to hold onto.)

A Guide on sizing is that the small/medium is for dogs that are 20-60 pounds with approximate neck size of 14-inch neck and breeds such as a Corgie, Border Collie and small Retrievers.  Large sizes are for dogs 60-100 pounds with an 18-inch neck for Shepherds, Rottweilers and most Retrievers.  X-Large sizes are for 100-140 pounds, up to a 22-inch neck such as Danes and Mastiffs.  The Perfect Pace is not recommended for dogs under 20 pounds or for short, flat muzzles such as Pugs and Bulldogs.

Training tools like these are not meant to be used without your supervision. This halter is not a muzzle, dogs can pant, eat treats, drink and pick up toys while wearing

How Do I Get My Dog Used to It?

We recommend that you put it on your pet when you are hanging out in your home, during feeding or short training sessions.  This way they are able to get used to it when doing simple, daily activities.  As you work with them, we suggest using a high-value training treat when they are walking nicely before taking them to places with high traffic and high distractions.

Training treats that we suggest such as Sojo’s Simply Treats, Small Batch Freeze-Dried Meat Hearts, or Vital Essential’s Treats.  Dogs love them and they don’t have added ingredients that are unnecessary or unhealthy for your dog

The Perfect Pace halter also has a satisfaction guarantee is Made In the USA and they are a Colorado Company!

You can pick up The Perfect Pace training halter or the suggested training treats at The Ken Caryl Pet Spa!

Additional Help

If you would like help with dog leash training, dog leash aggression or other dog training issues, please contact us!

 

Additional Resources

https://boldleaddesigns.com/shop/the-perfect-pace-no-pull-dog-halter/

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Someone once said, “All good things must come to an end.”
But before you give up on your new K9 family member,
there IS help for Creating Your Forever Dog!

It’s really not unusual for canine personalities and temperaments to slowly change and emerge as your new furry friend becomes comfortable in their new home (usually around weeks 3-6). Even humans tend to “push the envelope” once we feel safe and at ease in a new situation.

Adult Dogs & Issues

If you adopted an older dog from a shelter or rescue, you may actually begin to see the problems or issues that actually landed them into the shelter. Always inquire about a rescue dog’s history to understand the challenges you may be taking on when you take Fido home.

In addition, if there was past trauma or negative events in the dog’s past, this may compound and exacerbate new negative behaviors or habits. While behavioral issues can be challenging, most dogs can be rehabilitated with proper and consistent training.

Puppies and Younger Dogs & Issues

When adopting a puppy or younger dog, it’s much easier to head off negative issues by training them early on to be confident, well-socialized and comfortable in all types of situations with all types (and sizes) of pets and people.
Group classes and one-on-one training with a professional dog trainer early on will help build a strong bond with your puppy, reinforce good behaviors and head off potential issues. (Check our training services here.)

What’s Your K9 Issue?

While there’s not a definitive list of negative behaviors, there are some common ones that may manifest once a new dog feels comfortable in his new surroundings. These issues typically include:

• Leash pulling
• Counter surfing
• Jumping fences
• Food aggression
• Separation anxiety
• Destructive chewing
• Accidents in the house
• Phobias and/or anxieties
• Aggression towards other pets
• Negatively reactive to people – or pets – whether on-leash or off-leash

Again, these issues are unwanted and annoying, but they are not a reason to give up on a dog before bringing in some professional training help. Adopting a dog is a lifetime commitment and they deserve some help to adjust into your home and life. The sooner these issues are addressed and replaced with wanted behaviors, the sooner peace and harmony can be restored to your home and life. Professional training will also provide a form of effective communication between you and your new dog and offers your furry friend a real chance to do what you want him to do.

4 Steps When the Honeymoon is Over

1. Remain calm and bring in professional help to properly address any issues! (We can help; click here!)
2. Make sure your dog is getting plenty of daily exercises, both physical and mental.  We recommend activity toys such as the Premier Busy Buddy Twist ‘N Treat, or Interactive Dog Puzzle Toys.
3. Rule out any physical issues with your veterinarian.
4. Establish consistent rules and routines and ensure all family members enforce them.

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Have You Brought a New Dog Into Your Home?

It’s never too early to begin training your new dog or puppy!

Creating Forever Dogs is ready to help you with our professional training services from all thing’s puppy, to seniors by providing one-on-one in-your-home training.
Just call us today at (303) 904-0484 to get started!
And remember, we also offer mid-dog walking, pet sitting and dog grooming!

Schedule Dog Walking or Pet Sitting Sitting Services with Distinctive Pet Care:
(303) 904-0484 or info@DistinctivePetCare.com.

And always keep your dog groomed with The Ken Caryl Pet Spa:
(720) 981-7387 or info@KenCarylPetSpa.com.

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Additional Reading:

1. What to Expect in the First Month with Your Newly Adopted Dog
getyourpet.com/what-to-expect-in-the-first-month-with-your-newly-adopted-dog/

2. How to Help Your Newly Adopted Rescue Dog Settle In
iheartdogs.com/how-to-help-your-newly-adopted-rescue-dog-settle-in/

3. Tips for the First 30 Days of Dog Adoption
www.petfinder.com/dogs/bringing-a-dog-home/tips-for-first-30-days-dog/

4. Puppy Care 101: What to do When You Regret Bringing Home Your New Furry Friend
www.littlethings.com/puppy-blues

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.