Is Your Dog in Good Condition?
A successful adoption means adopting a dog that is in excellent condition. It is essential for his health, comfort, and relationship with his new owner.
Asking the breeder for a health certificate is a good start. You also need to know what the health certificate covers. At its best, the dog should have been checked by a veterinarian to ensure his overall good health. He should be free of any illnesses and health conditions. The dog you adopt needs to have the range of immunizations appropriate to his age. The de-worming treatments suitable for his age must be done before you adopt him. All of these factors go into adopting a dog that is in ideal condition.
A good breeder will also provide a written guarantee of the dog’s health and condition when you decide to adopt. Depending upon the particular breeder, this can include an agreement to refund your money or exchange the dog for a different one. These guarantees are usually valid for a specific length of time.
Even if the breeder has given you a health certificate, it is still a good idea to have your new dog checked by your own veterinarian. There are two important reasons for this. First, it will provide you with the peace of mind of knowing that your new pet is completely healthy. Second, it will help you to develop a relationship with the veterinarian.
Choosing a good veterinarian must be on your list of things to do when preparing to adopt a dog. If you do not already have one, you need to find the one who is best suited to you and your new pet. A good veterinarian will not object to you touring his facilities, and will be glad to answer your questions.
As you and your veterinarian will be in each other’s lives for your pet’s sake, a good rapport is not only useful, but essential. As you probably chose a family doctor by selecting the one you were comfortable with, the same is true when choosing a veterinarian for your dog. Interacting with you in a polite, professional manner is a positive sign. Understanding that you have many questions, and is willing to take the time to answer them, is another.
If you have the opportunity to observe the veterinarian and his staff with other animals, it can be very helpful. You can see how they treat the animals, and how they interact with them. The veterinarian and his staff who routinely show kindness and true concern for their patients are the ones you can trust with your new dog. The veterinarian or staff who shows impatience or other lack of interest should be avoided.
The veterinarian you choose should either be available for emergencies, or provide you with the information on another veterinarian to contact. While few are on-call around the clock, you need to know what to do if an emergency occurs after-hours, on weekends, or holidays.
Your veterinarian should provide you with all of the details you need for your dog’s ongoing good health. This includes letting you know when your pet needs to have his immunizations updated, the best way to deal with any health concerns, and how to avoid unnecessary health problems. The veterinarian who shows a sincere interest in your dog is the best choice.
While your dog’s physical health and condition make for a successful adoption, his psychological condition is equally relevant. Although a good breeder keeps his dogs psychologically fit, your new dog may come with attitudes or behavioral problems that you had not considered when you adopted him. This is another reason why visiting your dog before you adopt him is a good idea, if it is possible. If not, you may need to rely on the breeder for complete honesty about these issues.
Even a dog who has been treated well and taken care of properly by his breeder can be difficult. He may be moody, aggressive, aloof, or even depressed. Adopting him and bringing him into a new environment can increase these kinds of problems. When you know about them in advance, it can help you to take his special needs into consideration. You might decide to adopt a different dog entirely, or make adjustments for your new dog to fit better into your home and be more comfortable.
The physical and psychological condition of your new dog can mean the difference between a successful adoption and heartache. You want the best dog you can find, and to be assured that all reasonable precautions have been taken for him to have a long, healthy, happy life. The small amount of time which you invest in being sure he is in good condition will benefit both your dog and yourself for many years to come. Life with your new friend will be the wonderful experience you are looking forward to.
When you researched the breed of dog you have chosen, you may have been surprised to find it to have a long life-expectancy. This is one reason why adopting a dog must never be done on a whim, or without careful planning. Your dog is a long-term investment– with proper care, he will be a part of your life long into the future. The more you plan for this, the better the experience will be for your new dog and for yourself.
The word “investment” may bring to mind financial concerns. While this is far from being the only factor, it is certainly one to think about. Knowing that you are ready for a long-term financial investment is a basic part of adopting a dog. You must consider his day-to-day upkeep, his routine health care, and whether you are prepared for any illnesses or injuries which may occur unexpectedly.
Although dog food and routine veterinarian visits can add up, preparing for the unexpected by purchasing health insurance for your dog is a good investment. You will not need to worry about a sudden illness or accident causing veterinarian bills that you cannot afford, or risk neglecting his health because health care is too expensive.
The long-term investment of a new dog also involves your time. Too many people adopt dogs, only to be disappointed when they realize that they do not have enough time for their new pets. The busiest schedules can accommodate a dog, if you plan for his needs in advance.
One example is the dog who requires a significant amount of time and attention. This may be a puppy, and elderly dog, or a breed which is naturally more demanding than others. You need to know in advance that you can devote enough time to your pet before you bring him home. You also need to decide that giving your time and your attention to the dog will be a positive experience and a pleasure. No one should feel burdened by their pets, as this makes dog ownership negative and stressful for both the owner and the dog.
If your busy schedule includes long work hours or travel, it is necessary to consider how to deal with this before you adopt. The dog who does not receive enough of his owner’s time and attention is not getting what he deserves. He can become difficult, and his health may suffer. The busy person who wants to adopt must consider the amount of time he can regularly offer to his new pet, and decide if he needs to ask another family member or friend for assistance with the dog when he cannot be present himself. A dog can feel neglected even if all of his material needs are provided for, when he does not receive enough time and attention.
Adopting a new dog is also an investment of yourself. When it comes to investing your love, friendship, and companionship, what you can give will show in its results. The best way to ensure a successful adoption is for you and your entire family to be delighted with the prospect of adding a new member to your household, and being consistent with these feelings for as long as your dog lives with you.
The dog that is loved and cherished is the dog that is happiest and content. When you demonstrate joy and good spirits interacting with your pet, it will never go unnoticed. The friendship you extend to him every day will be well-received, and given to you in return. Regardless of a dog’s age or breed, the dog who is loved by his owner is one hundred percent aware of it.
The bottom line in making the long-term investment of adopting a dog is you need to think beyond today. If you have any doubts about your ability to provide for and take care of him for many years to come, now is the time to reassess your decision to adopt. Equally important, if you have any doubts about whether your desire to have a dog may change in the coming years, please do not be too hasty to adopt one. Not only is giving up a dog who has lived with his owner awhile a heartbreaking experience for the owner, it is heartbreaking to the dog as well. It does not take long for a new pet to come to love his owner– so be sure you will not change your mind.
After you have taken the factors of this long- term investment into consideration, you have a basic idea of what owning a dog will involve. When you have made the decision to invest years of your life and yourself in a new pet, you are ready to embark on the amazing experience of owning a dog. It will not be long before you begin to receive all of the rewards of sharing your life with a canine friend.
Originally posted 2022-12-20 14:20:40.
