Adopting shelter puppies is less expensive than getting one from breeders. Hence, it is one good way of bringing home a fur baby.
But, there are some things you ought to know before getting one. Here are some of these things.
How Do Shelter Puppies End Up There?
Shelter puppies are not composed of strays or abandoned animals only.
Some of these puppies end up at the shelter for other reasons. Others are born there by shelter dogs who were never adopted. Some were left there by those who could no longer take care of their pets. Hence, they become shelter pets.
Is It Better To Adopt From A Shelter Or Rescue?
Yes, adopting shelter puppies is OK. Taking home a shelter pet would be advantageous to all parties. Getting your pet from the shelter costs less than getting one from a breeder.
You help the shelter with their finances. You give the puppy a better chance of living in a more comfortable environment — your home. And you give him a family to belong to!
Animal shelters attach great importance to providing their dogs with a permanent home. They check the living conditions of potential adoptive parents very carefully, thus, please answer their questions openly. That will help you and your little one!
Formative Phases In The Animal Shelter
Already at an early age, puppies undergo important formative phases. In the 4th to 7th week of life, your young dog gets to know his social partners and his environment. It is the time when his personality and his temperament are shaped.
Weeks 8 to 12 are the socialization phase. Now the little quadruped learns to place himself in the rank of his (dogs and humans!) family.
If he is born in an animal shelter, he spends this time with his mother there and the shelter staff. Which means that he is not exposed to the normal domestic elements.
The sounds, smells, and sensations are very different in the shelter compared to in a family home. The contact with people is much more limited. He is mostly surrounded by other shelter animals. Hence, he mostly interacts with them.
Fortunately, a puppy usually finds it easy to adapt to a new home at the tender age of 12 weeks, so this should not be an obstacle to adopting a puppy at the shelter. Every change takes a little time.
Eventually, when he comes home with you from the shelter, your puppy will miss his old surroundings a little. The more time you can spend with your new addition to the family, the faster he will learn to love his new home.
Father: Unknown…How Big Will My Shelter Puppy Be?
Paw size, mother’s size, and breed characteristics will help you estimate how big your shelter puppy will be. But this would only be an estimate. It is impossible to predict exactly.
Even puppies from the same litter can grow up very differently. It depends on the genetic mix of father and mother!
Breed-conditioned characteristics are often just as pronounced in mixed-breed dogs as in pure-bred dogs, so it is also essential for the shelter puppy to have the right living conditions (run, other pets, time to spend with the dog, etc).
You can always ask the shelter for information on the dog’s breed and parents if known. Visit your puppy at the shelter before bringing him home. This will enable both of you to establish a bond. And it will help you make sure that he will be happy with you and you with him!
Good luck with your new darling. And thank you for adopting!