Adopting a pet is a big decision. Dogs require lots of time, money, and commitment—over 15 years' worth in many cases. Pet ownership can be rewarding, but only if you think through your decision before you adopt a companion.The fact that you're thinking about adopting from an animal shelter or rescue means you're a responsible and caring person. But before you make that decision to bring a furry friend into your life, take a moment to think over these questions:

• Why do you want a pet? It's amazing how many people fail to ask themselves this simple question before they get a pet. Adopting a pet just because it's "the thing to do" or because the kids have been pining for a puppy usually ends up being a big mistake. Don't forget that pets may be with you 10, 15, even 20 years.

• Do you have time for a pet? Dogs, cats, and other animal companions cannot be ignored just because you're tired or busy. They require food, water, exercise, care, and companionship every day of every year. Many animals in the shelter are there because their owners didn't realize how much time it took to care for them.

• Can you afford a pet? The costs of pet ownership can be quite high. Licenses, training classes, spaying and neutering, veterinary care, grooming, toys, food, and other expenses add up quickly.

• Are you prepared to deal with special problems that a pet can cause? Flea infestations, accidents from animals who aren't yet housetrained, and unexpected medical emergencies are unfortunate but common aspects of pet ownership.

• Can you have a pet where you live? Many rental communities don't allow pets, and most of the rest have restrictions. Make sure you know what they are before you decide to bring a companion animal home.

• Is it a good time for you to adopt a pet? Take our Dog Test to see if this is a good time for you to adopt.

• Are your living arrangements suitable for the animal you have in mind? Animal size is not the only variable to think about here. For example, some small dogs such as terriers are very active—they require a great deal of exercise to be calm, and they often bark at any noise. On the other hand, some big dogs are laid back and quite content to lie on a couch all day. Before adopting a pet, do some research. That way, you'll ensure you choose an animal who will fit into your lifestyle and your living arrangements.

• Do you know who will care for your pet while you're away on vacation? You'll need either reliable friends and neighbors or money to pay for a boarding kennel or pet-sitting service.

• Will you be a responsible pet owner? Having your pet spayed or neutered, obeying community leash and licensing laws, and keeping identification tags on your pets are all part of being a responsible owner. Of course, giving your pet love, companionship, exercise, a healthy diet, and regular veterinary care are other essentials.

• Finally, are you prepared to keep and care for the pet for his or her entire lifetime? When you adopt a pet, you are making a commitment to care for the animal for his or her lifetime.

• All Grown Up: The Unique Joys of Mature Pets - Adopting an Adult Dog
  
  
• Selecting the Right Pet for Your Family and Making the Introduction
  

Be A Responsible Pet Owner!

Examine Yourself

Choosing the right dog generally means identifying the type of animal who matches your lifestyle and wants. If you live alone in a small, third-floor apartment, for instance, adopting a large, active retriever-mix might not be the best choice. Conversely, if you have a family of four and are looking for a companion to match your active lifestyle, such an animal may be perfect. A dog's size, exercise requirements, friendliness, assertiveness, and compatibility with children should all figure into your decision.

Keep your dog healthy - physically and mentally.

You need to provide food, water, shelter, exercise, training, and vet care. But, dogs aren't called housepets for nothing; inside the house is where they belong. Dogs should never be left for long periods of time - they crave companionship and should stay in the house with the family whenever possible. This is the nature of dogs.

A one-time surgery, A lifetime benefit

Spaying or neutering your dog is the single most important step you can take to be a responsible pet owner. The result is that your dog will no longer be able to bring more homeless animals into the world. Spaying and neutering reduces or eliminates the possibility of several cancers and prostate disorders - spayed and neutered dogs live longer, healthier lives and make better, more affectionate companions.

Obey the law, Protect your dog

No matter how careful you are, there's always the chance that you'll lose your dog. License and put an ID tag on your dog before a problem occurs.

Exercise Restraint

An essential rule is: Off property, On leash. When not confined to your property, your dog MUST be under control.

A lifetime commitment

Dogs tied or kenneled out in the backyard for long periods of time, crated inside all day or exercised only at their owners' convenience are neglected dogs that are likely to develop serious behavioral problems. It's up to you to provide your dog a "lifetime guarantee" for love, attention and care.

Microchip Program

A microchip can aid in the quick recovery of your pet should its collar ID be lost.  The chip is smaller than a grain of rice, and inserted permanently in the scruff of a dogs' neck.  It is injected by needle, is relatively painless, and takes only a few minutes of time to complete.  Most veterinarians have the chips available.  The cost of the microchip placement is about $35.00.

Next, you mail the accompanying paperwork to register the microchip to the AKC.  Your dog does not have to be AKC registered to participate in the  program.  Lifetime registration is $12.00.  Whenever you move, you will need to update your contact information with the AKC.

Crate Training
Using the Dog's Natural Denning Instinct

"First, let's look at dog behavior in the wild. Wild adult dogs will naturally find a den or safe area to sleep. When the dam whelps the pups in the wild she sets up a den and keeps it clean until the pups are old enough to go outside on their own. She teaches them it is not okay to potty in the place where they sleep. Domestic dogs will also naturally den. You will often see a dog sleeping under a table or desk or next to a piece of furniture if no other area is provided for them to den. It is not cruel to develop this habit from the time you bring the puppy home. In fact, it is cruel not to give the pup or dog a safe area they can call their own."   - P. Kalbaugh

Many people feel it is cruel to crate a puppy or a dog. I was under that impression myself also, when we adopted Tucker, my first dog since childhood, from Pups 2 Luv.  It seemed wrong to put him in a "cage".  We learned to rename his "crate", to his "house". We will say "in your house" whenever he is extra nutty, and he immediately complies with our wishes. In just a few minutes he will be settled down.His "house" was an invaluable aid in housebreaking Tucker as a puppy.  Puppies learn from their mother that they shouldn't soil their sleeping area. When they are still in the whelping box, the puppies will crawl away from their sleeping area to an area they chose as the potty area, and eliminate there. They are already innately trained not to soil the area where they sleep. Tucker is now 2 years old, and is lying in his "house" as I type this page.  The door is open, and he goes in and out as he wishes throughout the day.  When we have a crowded house of visiting people and kids, Tucker will retreat to his "den" to separate himself from the mayhem.

A crate keeps the puppy safe from chewing things like electrical cords and your new shoes when you cannot be around to supervise. In this regard, it will prevent him from chewing your new Stuart Weitzman shoes, and having you get angry with him, which is a perfectly natural owner response, and one he would like to avoid.