Find the Best Shelter Dog for Your Family by Following This Advice!

Are you ready to bring a new pet into your family? If so, you may find yourself walking through your local shelter or browsing the available dogs online, unsure of where to start. How do you find the best shelter dog for your family?

It’s a question that many have asked before you, and you definitely won’t be the last!

There are millions of dogs across the country and around the globe just waiting for their perfect forever family to come along…

How can you possibly know which one would be the ‘right fit’ for your home?

Before we get started, however, there is an important question that you need to ask yourself!

Is a Dog the Right Pet for You?

Adopting a dog is a MAJOR commitment, one that you need to be sure that you are prepared to make.

They need training, socialization, exercise, and affection.

Don’t forget the financial commitment, it certainly doesn’t end with the adoption fee! The cost of food, veterinary costs, licensing fees… it all adds up!

Take a step back and take a hard, honest look at your lifestyle. Is a dog going to fit into your daily schedule? If not, can you make changes to allow a dog to fit AND are you willing to make (and stick to) those changes?

Do you travel a lot? If so, is your dog coming with you? Are you paying for bordering?

What is your work schedule like? Are you away from the house for long hours each day? If so, what steps are you planning on taking so that your dog can get out to go to the bathroom and stretch its legs?

Are you financially prepared to support a dog if something were to go wrong?

Is there enough space in your home/yard for a dog?

Deciding that a dog is not right for your lifestyle is NOT a reflection of you as a human being in any way.

In fact, I have a high level of respect for those who are able to recognize that it’s not the right time.

It’s also important to note that not being ready right NOW doesn’t mean that you won’t at some point in the future. Situations change…

You’re not making a lifetime decision to never adopt. You’re simply saying that you’re not ready to adopt at this time.

Consider Your Potential Dog’s Life Stage

If you asked yourself all of the questions that I listed above and fully believe that you are ready for a dog, congratulations!

Now it’s time to begin the process of finding the right dog for your and your family.

The first decision that you should consider is the age of dog that would best fit your current lifestyle.

When choosing the right pet for your home, there are a few things to consider:

• How much time do you have to spend on basic obedience training?
• Are you prepared to take on the challenge of housetraining?
• Is your home generally more energetic and active (hiking, running, etc. and planning on bringing your dog along) or are you a quieter home looking for a dog that will curl up with you on the couch for hours?

Puppies are ADORABLE, there’s no denying that. However, they are also a lot of work.

Bringing a puppy into your home will mean dedicating the time to housetraining and basic obedience, puppy proofing your home and accepting that they are likely going to break the rules at least a time or two (accidents in the house, chewed shoes, etc.).

They are often quick to learn, but you have to be willing to put the time and effort in!

Not ready for 3AM bathroom breaks and cleaning accidents off the carpet, but still looking for a dog with lots of energy?

A young adult dog may already know some basic obedience and they often come housetrained.

NOTE: This isn’t to say that there will be no accidents along the way. A new dog will need to be given time to adjust to you, your home and your schedule.

While these pups are a little older and more mature, they are generally still playful and full of energy.

If you’re looking for a dog that’s past the high-energy playful stage, why not consider opening your home to an older or senior dog.

These dogs are often overlooked in shelters and rescue organizations, but they still have a lot of love to give. Just look into those sweet eyes for a moment and you will see what I mean.

Related: ‘How to Puppy Proof Your Home: What You Need to Know‘

Take Time to Research Breeds

After you have decided on the age range that would best fit your family and your lifestyle, it’s time to consider the many, many breeds available.

There are a few factors to consider when first deciding which breed(s) is right for you, including:

• Average size
• Typical temperament
• Grooming requirements
• Energy levels/Exercise needs
• Common health complications

This means looking past ‘that’s a cute puppy’ or ‘that looks like the dog from my favourite movie’ and actually digging into whether or not that breed of dog is suited for your home.

If you’re going to find the best shelter dog for your family, you need to really dig into the pros and cons of each breed with your home specifically in mind.

Have you ever noticed the large number of German Shepherds that find their way into shelters and rescues around the globe?

The breed is incredibly popular due to its prevalence on the screen and with law enforcement, however, they are a highlight intelligent breed that requires both a high level of physical and mental exercise to avoid becoming bored and destructive.

It’s a bigger commitment than many new owners are prepared for, leading to the dog being surrendered.

 In these cases, it’s not the dog’s fault! It’s a lack of preparation and research on the part of potential adopters, leading to an uninformed decision (I’m obviously not anti-German Shepherd if you’ve seen my pretty girl Daviana).

We have a wealth of information at our fingertips with the Internet, so dig into it!

The American Kennel Club offers an incredible dog breed guide full of valuable information about every dog breed officially recognized by the AKC.

Can’t find the answer to a specific question or concern online?

Why not locate a reputable breeder that specializes in the breed you are interested and pick their brain?

Any breeder that is genuinely in the industry for the animals and the well-being of the breed that they are most passionate about will be more than willing to discuss details with a potential new dog owner.

Locate a Trustworthy Shelter or Rescue Organization

The harsh reality is that not all shelters and rescue organizations are created equally.

Most are truly in it for the well being of the animals in their care, however, you need to do your due diligence.

A reputable shelter will have processes and measures in place to assist you in finding the right fit, while also assessing whether you’re the right fit for the dog in question.

Look for a registered not-for-profit or charitable organization as this will show that they have their finances in order.

A trustworthy organization will be transparent with you about their policies, their organizational structure and the requirements that you must meet in order to adopt.

Some red flags to watch out for include:

• A rescue that has ONLY puppies available and no older dogs, as this is a sign of a puppy mill in disguise
• Unwillingness to be upfront with adoption fees/requirements
• Lack of adoption requirements (applications, home visits, veterinary references, etc.)
• Standoffish response to questions
• Lack of information about the dogs in their care (either available openly on their website/socials or available when you ask about a specific dog)
• No trial period or policy in regard to addressing a situation in which an adoption doesn’t work
• Lack of information regarding vaccinations or whether animals will be spayed/neutered prior to adoption
• Poor conditions in a shelter
• Inability to provide a veterinary reference (a reputable shelter should be able to provide a reference to a veterinarian that they have worked with to confirm that pets are receiving adequate medical care)
• All dog bios say the exact same information (meaning they don’t actually know the details of the individual dogs)

Look Beyond the Breed at Individual Personality

Once you have narrowed down your list of potential shelters or rescues to a few that you trust, it’s time to start looking into the dogs that they currently have available for adoption.

This is where you apply the decisions that you made above regarding life stage and breeds.

That being said, don’t take your research regarding breeds as the be all and end all! Why? Every animal has its own unique personality.

If you want to find the best shelter dog for your family, you need to dig deeper.

If you see a dog that catches your attention, read their bio carefully.

Most organizations will include key information about an adoptable dog’s temperament as well as any recommended restrictions or considerations including statements like ‘not good with children or cats’ or ‘will require obedience training’.

Pay careful attention to any warnings that the rescue has listed!

They aren’t saying that a dog should go to a child-free home because they judge families with children… It’s nothing personal.

However, they have noticed something in regard to that dog’s behaviour that says that it would be a bad situation for the dog, the child or both.

These warnings are in place to protect everyone involved. Not only do they want to help you find the best shelter dog for your family, they want to find the best family for the dog too! This means avoiding putting them in a situation that they know could go bad.

Related: ‘14 Ways to Help Your Local Shelter or Rescue Organization Without Adopting‘

Arrange a Visit for a Meet and Greet (or Two)

There is only so much that you can learn about an available dog online. It’s time to get out there and see the dog face to face!

Don’t just assume the dog of interest will be available to visit in the shelter as many are placed in foster homes. Contact the shelter to arrange a meet and greet.

This will allow them to make arrangements with the foster parent, if necessary.

NOTE: There are some exceptions in which this isn’t possible. For example, if you find yourself adopting from a distance. These situations will involve open communication with the shelter to ensure that you are aware of the details of this dog and whether it will be a good fit.

I am NOT judging anyone that chooses to go this route! We took a road trip to pick Indy up in Ohio (we live in Canada) and met him for the first time on the day we brought him home.

The meet and greet is the perfect opportunity for you to address how the dog will fit with your family. This includes children and other dogs.

However, it is important to recognize that some dogs will act differently in a shelter setting.

If you notice that the dog is shying away from you and your family members, that could just be a response to the high anxiety situation.

This is why it’s important to continue asking questions throughout the process.

Trust your gut!

If there is something telling you that it’s not going to work out, you don’t need to have a concrete reason.

Sometimes, we just know, and that’s okay!

Be honest with yourself and remember, you aren’t a bad person for recognizing a dog won’t be a good fit for your family.

You’re doing what’s best both for your family AND for the dog. Their perfect family is out there somewhere!

Consider Taking Your Search to Find the Best Shelter Dog Online

Living in the ‘modern age’, technology dominates every area of our lives from education to healthcare. Why not leverage that opportunity to assist with your search?

Most shelters and rescue organizations have an online presence of some form which may include a website and/or social media platforms.

This is a great way for you to see the dogs that are available from the comfort of your home.

Petfinder is an online resource designed to bring adoptable pets across Canada, the United States and Mexico together in one place.

This is a great opportunity to discover rescues in your area as well as to search based on the decisions you’ve made, making it easier to find the best shelter dog for your family.

Unsure about what exactly you’re looking for? Petfinder has a ‘Dog Quiz’ that will help you to narrow down the options available and which are more likely to fit your lifestyle.

Another great online option worth consideration is the PawsLikeMe website.

The website will have you complete their ‘smart survey’ which focuses on assessing your home situation, lifestyle, and personality.

Using this information, you will then be matched up with a list of adoptable pets that they believe will be your ‘ideal pet’.

Remember: These online resources are just a tool to assist in your search. Make sure that you still do your research and don’t rely on them entirely!

Be Prepared for the Adjustment Phase

Finally, I can’t share advice to find the best shelter dog without addressing the next stage of the process – the initial adjustment phase.

 Try to be patient with your dog in the beginning.

Remember, this is a BIG adjustment. This dog is coming into an unfamiliar setting with unfamiliar people.

Each dog will respond to this time in his or her own way. Some will shy away, taking time to warm up to their new family while others may act out or misbehave.

Adjusting to your new schedule, your dog may have ‘accidents’ in the house.

If, at any time, you are worried about whether or not this adoption will work out for all involved (including the best interests of the dog), reach out to the shelter or rescue.

A reputable organization will work with you to assist during this phase with suggestions and advice.

There ARE situations where an adoption simply doesn’t work out. This is NOT necessarily a reflection on you or whether you would be a good dog parent.

Sometimes a dog can look like the perfect match on paper only to discover it isn’t quite right. Your best match is out there (just as there is a family out there looking for the dog that wasn’t right for you).

For more information about bringing a new pet into the home, check out my ‘New Pet’ page!

This includes a free downloadable New Puppy Checklist as well as links to other articles that will assist in your transition as a new pet parent.

Are you currently on the quest to find the best shelter dog for your family? Have you recently adopted?

I’d love to hear all about your journey!