Do you really, really want a dog?
Do you want a dog? Do you really want a dog? Do you want to wake up early on a cozy Sunday morning, and take him out in the rain? After all, he needs his exercise. Are you ready to spend as much time as you can with him?
Are you prepared for the lifestyle impact, the financial impact, and grooming considerations? Are you up for cleaning up various messes? Getting up in the middle of the night with a sick dog?
Whether it's a puppy, adult, or senior dog you're considering adopting, the newness soon wears off, and then you're left with a loving companion for, hopefully, many years to come.
PEDIGREE® Brand supports shelter dog adoption
The overwhelming majority of dogs adopted from shelters aren't puppies. In fact, most are 2-3 years and older. So in this section we'll concentrate primarily on adult to older dogs, and their particular needs.
However, if you're looking to adopt a puppy from a shelter, much of this information will still be beneficial.
Anywhere you go, you'll find lots of shelter dogs in need of a good home. There are other benefits to adopting from a shelter. With a shelter adoption, you're saving more than one life - you're making room for another dog, or allowing another dog to be kept at a shelter for a longer period of time, giving them a better chance of being adopted, too.
Another rewarding aspect of shelter adoption is the special bond many owners develop with their rescued dog. Opening up your heart and home to an "orphan" usually results in an extremely strong relationship. That can mean a loyal, affectionate, and attentive dog for life.
Read on to check that your decision to adopt is a solid one.
Why do you want a dog?
In deciding what type of dog you should get, consider what you're looking for in your future pet. Is he going to be a fun playmate for the children, or is his main job going to be to accompany an older person on quiet walks? Do you want him to go jogging with you, or is he going to be guarding the house? Loving him, and living with him should be rewarding for you and your newly adopted dog.
What kind of dog do you want?
So what kind of dog do you want? You can definitely still consider particular breeds of dogs when you're thinking of adopting from a shelter. Many shelter dogs are not purebred, but mutts. But the shelter workers can take very educated guesses at their lineage.
Let's say you've always wanted a Lab. It's a good bet you'll find an adorable Lab-Poodle cross who'll display the physical and temperamental characteristics of both breeds. Or you might be looking for a "working" dog, but not in the market for a "hound" dog. The biggest trick is to be filled to the brim with knowledge before you hit the shelters - and before you fall in love with a gorgeous sweetie who just isn't right for you.
Time of your life
For a dog waiting for his "forever" home, it's always a good time to be adopted. But don't let him down by bringing him home, and then deciding that it's simply not the right time for you. Dogs take lots of care and attention - and that means time - especially when they first come home.
Is this the right time in your life to take on this huge commitment? Does your lifestyle allow for the flexibility it takes to acclimate your new dog into your life? Are your current commitments overwhelming, or very manageable?
An ongoing financial commitment
Are you financially in a place where you can afford the care and upkeep of a dog? Because it can really add up. Besides the cost of quality food, treats, and snacks, there are toys, doggie beds, and blankets; vet, training, and grooming costs; medical emergencies; and more.
Location, location, location
Do you live in a house or apartment? The city, the suburbs, or somewhere rural? Let us be the first to dispel the myth that you can't raise a large dog in an apartment. It's nonsense. It doesn't really matter how big or small your apartment (or even your house) is - what matters is that you give your new dog the daily exercise his particular breed requires to stay healthy and happy.
Almost every book on dog breeds will give an indication of exercise requirements. As long as you hit the pavement and the park enough, your big dog will likely be happy lounging around your home. In fact, many small breeds (for example, Jack Russell Terriers) require more activity than large breeds.
It's all about activity needs
As long as you take care of his exercise needs, the size of your home really doesn't matter - whether you're a city, suburb, or country-dweller. Of course, an off leash park in a city is always great no matter where you reside. Areas designated for off-leash dogs give your dog the chance to romp around as much as he likes, play with other dogs, and fetch toys like Frisbees, Kongs, and tennis balls. Of course, these parks are only for trained, socialized, friendly dogs.
Additionally, dogs don't need a yard to thrive. In fact, they may soon get bored hanging out in the backyard. Yards smell the same every day and there aren't any new and stimulating experiences. It's much more fun and interesting to dogs to go out for walks (especially if you change your routes), or to dog parks, with you. This way they'll meet other people and dogs, and be excited by new environments.
Male or female - does it matter?
Consider whether you want a male or female dog. Males tend to be more dominant and self-confident, whereas females may be more affectionate and loving. But, of course, these are very broad generalizations; every dog is different.
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Puppy Feeding Guidelines
What’s the best food for your puppy? How much and how often? All the breeds are so different, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.Small stomach, big appetitePuppies need to eat a lot of food in relation to their body weight to fuel all that growing they’re doing. But until their stomach grows too, they’ll need to have several small meals a day. The directions on the tin, pouch or bag should help you get the right portion size. (If your puppy’s not finishing their bowl within 20 minutes, you’re probably giving them too much.)Your puppy's condition is the best indicator of whether you’re feeding the correct amount. When the vet checks their weight, they’ll be able to confirm if your puppy’s growing at a healthy rate or whether you need to adjust their diet. What makes a good puppy food?A good puppy food will be specially balanced to meet your puppy’s energy, protein and mineral needs. It should be easy to digest to suit your puppy's immature stomach. So make sure you choose a food that's specially designed to suit puppies, rather than adult or senior dogs.And, of course, it must be tasty enough to enjoy.Are supplements necessary?No. Too much phosphorus or calcium can cause deformities, so don’t use supplements except on your vet’s advice.The danger of overfeedingOverfeeding will put too much stress on your puppy’s rapidly developing bones and joints and could result in permanent damage.Plenty of clean, fresh waterMake sure your puppy always has clean, fresh water available. If you notice that they’re thirsty all the time, consult your vet.
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Weaning Puppies: Puppy to Adult Food
Puppies grow very quickly, so they need specialist puppy food with extra energy, protein, calcium and phosphorus. Switching them to an adult diet too early can result in bone and joint abnormalities.How do you know the right time to switch to adult food? You need to wait until your dog is physically mature. As a rough guide this will be:- 9-12 months for toy, small and medium breeds like Chihuahuas and Springer Spaniels;- 12-15 months for large breeds like Labradors and Retrievers; and- 18-24 months for giant breeds like Great Danes and Newfoundlands.If you’re unsure when to switch your puppy over to adult dog food, you can always check with your vet.Click here to learn more about feeding your puppy.
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Want to try a different puppy food?
It’s always best to start your puppy off on the food they’re used to – after all, their life has already changed a lot in a short time. But if you decide that you’d rather change to another brand, or from wet to dry (or vice versa) what’s the best way to go about it?Dogs are creatures of habit – especially on the inside. Once their digestive system has got used to a particular food, it needs time to adjust to something new. A sudden change can produce vomiting and diarrhoea.But while it’s not sensible to offer your puppy a different food every day, it’s sometimes unavoidable – for example, when they get older, they’ll need to switch onto an adult food. Changing gradually is the key. Each day, mix a little more of the new food into his meals, until, after about a week, the new food has completely replaced the old one.
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Problem-free mealtimes for puppies
Puppies need a consistent feeding routine. You can ensure their mealtimes are problem-free with these tips.Small dogs eat less food than adult dogs but eat more often. Give your puppy the same number of meals each day, as follows:Small puppies: 4 to 5 small meals a day until they’re 10 weeks old. From 10 weeks to 5 months: 3 meals a day.After the 5th or 6th month: 2 meals a day.Your puppy’s internal tummy clock will start their digestive juices going at their usual dinnertime, whether you’ve put out their food or not. Unless you stick to a routine they won’t be hungry when you put their food out. And waiting too long could give your puppy tummy problems.Choose heavy-bottomed ceramic or stainless steel food and water bowls. Plastic bowls will probably end up as chew toys, and the tooth marks could become a haven for bacteria and cause damage to the teeth and gums. A heavy bowl will also be harder for your puppy (and you) to knock over by accident.Make sure your puppy’s not disturbed while eating or they’ll get used to eating in fits and starts, or begin spreading their food around the house.Give them up to 30 minutes to eat their meal. After that, take away any uneaten food and serve fresh food at the next meal. Fresh water must be available all the time.After eating, your puppy may need some peace and quiet or a nap to help them digest their food properly. So plan exercise for before, not after, their mealtime!
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