13 Things Shelter Dogs Wish You Knew

When you make the decision to adopt a shelter dog, it’s hard to contain your excitement. You’re anxious to visit the shelter, scoop up your new pup, and smother him with all the love and attention he deserves. That shelter dog also longs to be in a forever home with you, but it’s not always quite that simple. Embarking on this second chance of rehoming may be more of a process for your new pet than you realize. Here’s what shelter dogs want you to know (with a little help from some canine experts).

I might be super excited to see you

Keep in mind that I may have been in a kennel for a long time, and anything that I see or experience is going to be new and exciting! Hey, did I mention that I’m excited?!

While some dogs may be timid when you visit the shelter, others may jump up on you or bark a lot. But don’t let a dog’s unbridled enthusiasm scare you off. Derek Panfil, Senior Vice President of Merchandising at Pet Supplies Plus, which also supports the efforts of its local stores with adoption programs, says it usually takes at least two weeks for a dog to decompress and get accustomed to a new home. After that, pet parents can slowly incorporate new lessons and further teach expected behavior. “With proper positive training and a little time and patience, dogs can learn to remain calm in exciting situations,” says Panfil. No pet lover will want to miss these before-and-after dog-adoption photos that will melt your heart.

I might be a little scared

Adoption events can be chaotic in general, so think about how loud and scary it can be for dogs like me.

That little cutie cowering in the corner of his crate wants a forever home, but he’s too scared to show you. Just like people, it can take a little time for dogs to warm up. “It doesn’t mean the dog isn’t social or that it wouldn’t make a great family dog,” says Panfil. If possible, get away from the commotion and find a quiet area to spend time with the dog, or take him on a short walk. Keep in mind that it may take more than one meet and greet for the dog to feel safe and secure with you. Panfil says sometimes that means taking the dog home with you and giving him a few weeks to adjust. Despite this, dogs are brave–these pups even saved their owners’ lives.

ⓘ

We want to stay with our pet siblings

The shelter has kept us together because it’s all we have left of our previous life.

People tend to surrender dogs and their “siblings” to shelters for a few common reasons. They include unexpected circumstances like the death of a pet parent, a loss of income, or not being able to find a home that allowed dogs. You might not have planned to adopt two dogs, but you may want to consider opening your home to a bonded pair. This special situation also offers some wonderful advantages. “You’re not only preventing the dogs from losing another family member—you’re also getting two dogs who already get along and can help each other ease the transition to a new home,” says Lindsay Hamrick, the Companion Animals Public Policy Director for the Humane Society of the United States.

The shelter might not know my breed

I’m an individual, no matter what breed or mixed breed I am.

Some animal shelters label dogs, but it’s only an educated guess. Even veterinarians can guess the wrong breed. “Another issue is that ‘pit bull’ is not actually a breed and has become a shelter catchall for many dogs,” says Bernice Clifford, Director of Behavior and Training at the Animal Farm Foundation. Remember that a dog’s personality is more important than a label. To figure that out, spend time with the dog and include all the family members before making a decision. If the previous family surrendered the dog, ask questions about his behavior and lifestyle. “A great predictor of future behavior is previous behavior in a similar situation,” says Clifford. All dogs, just like all people, are individuals. Don’t miss these pit bull “facts” that are totally wrong.

I might need time to adjust to your cat or kids

Just because I’ve never been around kids or other pets, it doesn’t mean that I won’t love them—in time.

When an animal’s history is known, the shelter will clearly state whether that dog would prefer to be the only pet or live without young children. For the times when past experiences aren’t known, bring the whole family for a visit, if possible. While this doesn’t guarantee behavior once you get home, it does give you an opportunity to observe how the dog and kids interact with one another.

And once your new dog is home, take it slow. “Teach children how to interact and be respectful of their new pet while everyone gets comfortable with each other,” says Clifford. “Set up baby gates and use a crate in the beginning when your new family member cannot be supervised.” Do the same with furry siblings. “Existing pets and new pets need time to adjust to each other,” explains Clifford. “When not supervising, separate the pets until everyone is comfortable with each other.”