The Pound Puppy

The amount of pets that are euthanized in our animal shelters is staggering. There are thousands of pets that are craving the ideal home that you can provide. I strongly urge everyone who is looking to find that special companion to visit a shelter to find a new friend. There are a few tidbits of information that you need to know first.

Pets are at the shelter for a variety of reasons. Sometimes the previous owner just could not care for them. Sometimes they have an illness that they could not afford to treat. Some are picked up, lost on the streets. Some have behavioral problems that the old owners were unwilling to fix. It is important to realize that in most instances the history of the pet will be unknown. You need to be willing to put the time in to help them become well-adjusted pets, and to aid them medically if they have a problem. It is a commitment you must have before you adopt them, or you will be doing them a disservice.

Behavior: Do not get the cute, sad dog cowering in the corner unless you are willing to do a lot of behavioral work. Do not get the exuberant hyper, jumping in the air types either unless you just love seeing the dog trainer. These dogs will need a lot of specialized training. The best dogs are either young puppies which you can mold into the dog you want, or the dog that comes to the front of the cage, and sits or stands there quietly, wagging its tail and licking your fingers. This is a sign of a good natured, well-adjusted dog that will require training, but not as much as the less well-adjusted types. Most adult dogs, when adopted, will likely have abandonment issues. This is called separation anxiety and is a problem to lengthy to discuss now. These dogs will bark, dig, and destroy your house if it gets severe. It is not their fault; it is a type of anxiety attack. It is important that when you bring a pound pet home, to give them some alone time. Do not have them sleep in your beds until they are fully trained. Do not make a big deal of when you leave the house or come home, as this will make things worse. Train them professionally with a praise based dog trainer and they will be much better pets. Most shelters have a very high population density and infectious diseases are common. Most pets from the shelter come down with kennel cough, a dry hacking cough, intestinal parasites, fleas, and possible serious diseases like Parvo or Distemper. These diseases could show themselves a week or two after you bring them home. If you have an another dog at home, it is important to quarantine the new dog for 1-2 weeks from your other pets in a separate area. Make sure your other pet is current on vaccines.

When you adopt a new pet, bring them to the veterinarian soon, usually on the same day. We will do a complimentary physical examination on all pound adoptees and cane tell you things like their temperament, existing diseases, and signs to watch for. During this exam, it is good to have a fecal sample taken (or for you to bring one from your new pet.) We will recommend flea products, heartworm prevention, diet, training, and vaccines suited to your new pet to help them physically and psychologically. We really want your new pound puppy to be a lasting a cherished part of your family.