Adoption Options

A pooch with a pedigree can be much more expensive than a Heinz-57 mixed-breed. One way to get that cocker spaniel you’ve been dreaming of—but can’t afford to buy—is to adopt a pet from a breed rescue group. Dog rescue groups match adult purebreds with loving families.

No matter where you live, in a rural town or a big, cramped metropolis, there’s a place that has the dog who is perfect for you. That dog may not have been perfect for the people who gave him up, but that could be just your luck, and the dog’s. Always think locally first: homelessness is best solved if we look at our own communities and reach out a helping hand to an individual who’s fallen on hard times.

Dog adoption expert Dennis Owens offers simple, safe pointers for a successful close encounter with the adorable, eligible adoptables at your local animal shelter

In the best of all possible worlds, you live in a house with a fenced yard. Not every dog, however, needs a picket fence and a large, grassy backyard to be happy. Just keep these issues in mind as you pick your perfect pup.

Native New Yorker Dennis Owens has developed a reputation as one of his home city’s most in-demand professional dog trainers, renowned for his integrity and genuine concern for dogs and people. Whether instilled in puppyhood or adulthood, his "Positive, Proactive" reward-based training approach helps keep dogs on their best behavior for life.

Service dogs are trained to serve physically or mentally challenged people, and these dogs can make excellent pets after they retire. And sometimes after extensive training, a dog doesn’t quite make the cut to be a service dog. He can still make a lovable home pet. Keep in mind that because these dogs are generally intelligent, friendly, and well-trained, waiting lists to adopt them can be very long.

You’ve finally caved to your kids’ nonstop begging for a dog and now are wondering how to find the perfect pet—one that won’t mind being rolled on, dressed up, or climbed over.

Now that you’re ready to find your new puppy, you need to decide whether to buy from a breeder or pet store or adopt a dog from a shelter, breed rescue group, or Good Samaritan. The decision to bring a dog into your heart and home is a huge one, and you shouldn’t take your role as a pet parent lightly. You’re responsible for the welfare of a living, breathing creature. Know what you’re getting into—and what impact you can make.

Some dogs can practically take a nap in a teacup, while others may crowd you out of your king-sized bed. And while dogs of every size make wonderful, lovable pets, large and small dogs do have different needs and personalities. Here’s what you need to know:

If you spend quality time with your adopted dog every single day—and that includes games of fetch, snuggle sessions on the living room floor, and even training sessions—your dog will learn to enjoy and anticipate your company and to trust you. 

Anyone who has adopted a dog wonders about their new pet’s mysterious past. Dogs from animal shelters were often picked up wandering, with no one to tell the shelter workers the dog’s name, age, breed, or how it ended up on this country road or that busy intersection. Dogs from rescue groups may come with a more intact history, but the people who give them up may not provide a complete, or entirely accurate, history.

Why do you want a dog? This is the most important question you can ask yourself before you bring home a four-legged companion. By clearly expressing your expectations and doing careful research, you can make an informed decision you won’t regret.

Just because you adopt a dog that used to be somebody else’s pet doesn’t mean you are adopting trouble. Sometimes, perfectly nice, even virtually perfect dogs are turned in to animal shelters and rescue groups. Some of the most common reasons why people abandon or relinquish their pets include:

Many dogs require attentive daily grooming to keep their cover-pet looks. Instead of falling in love at first sight, find out how much maintenance your dog needs to look and feel her best, and make sure you can devote the grooming time she needs.

Dog people love photographs of their best friends, but it’s not easy capturing camera-shy canines, even with a fast-acting digital camera. Too often, one winds up with an album full of out-of-focus tail shots.

All dogs need care, attention, and love, but some require more of your time than others. These questions can help you decide if you have time for a dog—and what kind of pooch will best suit your lifestyle.

It’s hard to resist a puppy’s cute baby face and wiggling body, but will a puppy best meet your expectations for pet parenthood? Before you get your heart set on that pup, consider these facts about puppies and adult dogs:

The last thing you want is your fuzzy "first-born" trying to rake her claws across your new puppy’s nose. So plan ahead, and do some homework so you have a better idea about how your current pet will react to the newcomer.

Your new dog will want to explore his new home, so make sure he can nose around safely.

Do you mind if your new four-legged family member puts a dent in your nest egg? Even if you pick a free, mixed-breed dog instead of paying $200 or more for a purebred pup, your new dog will make some substantial demands on your wallet. Here’s what you need to know:

What’s the single most important thing you can do for your adopted dog beyond fulfilling his basic needs for food, water, and shelter? What is even more important than obedience training your dog, even more important than pampering your pet or giving him cool toys or a luxurious dog bed or gourmet pet treats?  What will be most likely to keep him from going back to the animal shelter, from being euthanized, or abused, or the cause of legal action against you?

Anyone who has parented a teenager—in fact, anyone who remembers being a teen, has witnessed firsthand the extreme appetite, the extreme sleep needs, the extreme sense of rebellion, the extreme hormonal surges, the extreme…well, the very extreme nature of the entire process. 

As soon as you enter an animal shelter, the temptation to adopt a dog will be very great. That’s why it’s so important to consider whether bringing an animal into your life is right for you before any adorable faces find their way into your heart.

It’s easy to lose your heart at an animal shelter. There are so many adorable animals vying for your attention that you may find yourself wanting to take them all home. Of course, all the animals deserve good homes. But how do you find that special companion animal that’s the best fit for you?