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.
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!
There is so much that goes into owning a dog, and you have asked all the right questions when it comes to deciding if its the right thing to do! This is such an informative post for new potential dog owners – there are somethings I never really thought about – like some of the red flags you should be aware of.
We’ve rescued all our animals and we’ve been involved in rescue at various levels for years. That being said, I am still VERY careful which rescues I will trust to adopt from. It’s all about doing your research as well as trusting your gut!
Great tips! We’ve decided that Penny will be our last puppy. However, since she’s never been an only dog and Allie is 10, we may have to find her a new sibling in a few years. Puppies do take a lot of work, and labs seem to chew forever. An older dog would be perfect for us at that point.
When we rescued Indiana, we knew that we weren’t in a position to give the time necessary to a puppy. I was working outside of the home still. We were firm on adopting a young adult, and he was 1 1/2 years old. That being said, he was young enough that we still have him for most of his life!
This is awesome Info! I love how you point out that realizing that a dog isn’t right for you right now is totally fine. There are too many dogs in shelters whose owners should’ve come to that conclusion!
Exactly! I feel like people start the process and then start to have doubts, but they feel like they have to keep moving forward simply because changing their mind would be ‘failing’. However, I have MUCH more respect for someone that recognizes that they aren’t ready than I do for someone that adopts and then abandons the dog that trusted them.
I am very much for finding my dog at a dog rescue shelter and am really open-minded about the dog’s age as we don’t have too much time to properly get involved with puppy training at this stage. The idea of researching breeds that have the characteristics suited to our home is one I would like to look into further, as my partner and I both love dogs. The commitment to dog ownership is a serious and important one and we both want to ensure we make the right choice for the sake of the dog as well as ourselves.
The most interesting part is navigating the differences between your ideal dog and your partner’s. We have 2 dogs in our house right now and they are so polar opposite on many levels, but that’s due to the fact that she’s my ideal dog and Indy was adopted more to be a daddy’s boy. However, they are alike in the things that are important to our lifestyle. For example, we are big campers and hikers, and they are both on board with travelling around and exploring with us.
Great tips! I think finding a pet for you in a shelter is the best decision ever but it is so easy to mess up
I always encourage people to consider rescuing when they talk about getting a new pet. I’m not anti breeders, they have their purpose in the pet world, but you can even find purebred dogs in the shelters if you’re looking! Unless you have intentions to get into a career such as working the dog show circuit, I see no reason not to rescue!
This was such a great read ! We recently adopted a puppy from our local shelter and as adorable and fun as she is, it’s also so much work but very rewarding!
Puppies are definitely a lot of work. It’s like having a little toddler running around your house, wanting to get into everything and relying on you for everything they need to survive. However, I’ve yet to find anything about having a pet that isn’t worth the unconditional love that they give!
This is so informative. We love dogs but my partner is allergic (such a tragedy) so I don’t think we’ll ever be able to get one. I would try a hypo-allergenic dog but I would hate to have to give it back if Josh suffered in any way! So we are making the decision just to keep cats and other small pets 🙂
Has he ever looked into the allergy shots? I know of a few people that have seen GREAT results from them.
This is such a great post! Shelter dogs are the best! And I love being able to rescue them and bring them into a loving home environment. Thanks for sharing this!
All of our pets are rescues and I honestly wouldn’t have it any other way! I am a HUGE rescue advocate.
Love this post! These are some excellent tips that will be incredibly helpful for anyone considering adopting a dog. You’ve given a lot of great points to consider. Our first dog was a stray I found on the street. When we were ready to adopt a friend for him, I found our second dog on Petfinder.com (love that site!). She was about a year old when we adopted her and not potty-trained yet. There were some definite growing pains in the beginning. But we’ve had her for nearly 10 years now, and she has become the best dog! We couldn’t imagine our lives without her. I’m a HUGE advocate for adopting dogs. But they are a big commitment that deserve a good amount of thought and consideration upfront. Great post!
Rescue dogs have SO much love to give, don’t they? There are often growing pains when adding a dog to the family, but it’s worth the effort, in my opinion. Our boy Indy was a pretty skittish dog when we brought him home and as a result, he had a submissive urination issue. The smallest noise could scare him and cause him to pee. It took time to help him build his confidence and overcome that.
We got a dog from a well known shelter when I was in primary school, mixed breed of course. I wouldn’t have a dog know though, due to my anxiety issues in well aware that I wouldn’t pick up after it in public, and if I’m not going to do that then I shouldn’t have a dog
I have so much respect for someone that is able to recognize that having a dog in their life right now isn’t the right choice, honestly. If you’re interested in spending time with dogs, you may be able to volunteer at a local shelter (if your anxiety will allow for it). I know that many allow people to literally come in to play with the dogs and give them the affection that they need.
My husband lives with anxiety, so I have seen how challenging that can be.
This sounds a lot like the research I did when I first got a bunny, there is always a lot to know about animals.
There definitely is a lot to know but taking the time to figure it all out can make or break the experience long term for all involved (including the pet).
There is so much useful information in this post. We recently adopted a puppy from a shelter we support, and it completely changed our lives (for the better). Going online and waiting for the right down at the right time made a big difference because now we have one who always sleeps next to our cat and is so gentle with our kids. He’s also very high energy like we are which was important since we hike a lot and take him to the dog park several times a week.
It is SO important to find the right fit! Our dogs are our hiking and camping companions. They travel with us wherever we go. At the same time, however, they are calm and gentle with our cats and our nieces/nephews. My girl is a little more energetic which is great, because I am as well. Meanwhile, Indy is calmer and quite happy to curl up with my husband on the couch when he just wants to watch tv or play his video games lol
So much invaluable information here. This really is a guide from start to finish. I love how you listed the warning signs when considering a shelter, as it’s really important not to support a puppy mill in disguise. Personally, I am not ready to adopt a pet, but if I ever do, I would probably go for an older animal. You are right that they are often overlooked and it would be nice to give them a new home.
It’s disgusting the number of puppy mills that try to pose as a rescue to bring in more money. They clearly aren’t in it for the best interests of the dogs!
There is definitely a lot to consider when thinking about getting a dog. This is a very helpful post to anyone considering it.
Thank you!
Such a useful post, Britt. I feel shelter is the way to go if someone is looking for a pet. I’ve been thinking of a pet for a while now but with extensive travelling, it’s not seeming feasible for me right now. Hopefully soon, saving your post for then!
I am a HUGE supporter of rescue. All 4 of our pets are rescues and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Getting a dog is like adopting a kid. There is a lot of things that you have to consider and it is a complicated process but so worthwhile. Thank you for these tips and info! 😀
This is so true! Dogs are like having toddlers running around your house – getting into everything, but they don’t totally grow out of it lol
This is so informative. I am pinning it for future use. Thank you.
Thank you!
A friend adopted a shelter dog about a year ago, and the difference is insane! The friend’s daughter posted pictures when the dog was in the shelter and again after being home with them for a couple of days, and the difference was astounding. The dog’s personality really came out, and his eyes were brighter. I love that the dog was given a home to thrive in, as well as deal with some issues and learn to trust again. My friend said the dog was super skittish around men, and even my friend for a while. My only problem is the whole process, applications, approvals, inspections. For me personally, I’ve not made the decision to adopt an animal flippantly or on a whim. It is very much a commitment, and to find the perfect furry friend to join my family, only to be denied or possibly rejected for someone else is nerve wracking and heart breaking. I know most shelters have the animal’s best interest at heart, as they should. But the process just feels tedious, especially with the possibility of rejection.
Unfortunately, they have to deal with the ‘bad apples’, the people who apply and would only put these already vulnerable babies through even more pain. If the reason for rejection is something small and fixable, or if it’s related to the unique needs of a specific pet, a rescue organization will discuss that with you to let you know. For example, the one rescue that we’ve fostered with doesn’t allow for unfenced yards due to the risk of a dog getting away and the fact that many dogs coming into the rescue have lived their life tied up, so to do so again would mentally and emotionally harmful for the dog. If a dog were to get loose here in town, there’s a high risk it will wind up on a busy road, and the highway is SO close. That being said, if someone went out and had their yard fenced, they would definitely reconsider their application. In fact, showing they were willing to go to that extent would reflect really well on a potential adopter!
We cannot have pets due to allergies within the home, but I am sure that this will be helpful to those that can
Thank you!
My son just adopted his first dog after someone left the box of puppies abandoned in a parking lot! The dog is most likely a PB Terrior mix, but she’s the sweetest, most gentle dog I’ve ever known! These are great tips lots of things to think about for sure!
Congratulations to your son! The start of an amazing journey as a dog owner!
Great post! It’s refreshing to see a pet blogger also mentioning reputable breeders, and writing about how not all rescues are created equal. I’ve totally had puppy fever lately, and would so love to adopt another dog. I already have two dogs though, who I absolutely adore, and after putting a lot of thought into it I decided that two is the perfect number for me.
While I am personally 110% pro rescue, there are always those bad apples… pet rescues are no exception. I’ve seen some pretty questionable rescues go under over the years. Luckily I noticed the red flags early on and just watched it play out from a distance rather than getting involved with them in any way.
This is great advice for finding a rescue dog. I would just add to be patient. It’s worth the wait to find the right dog for you. It took about 4 months to find the perfect rescue dog for us.
It is definitely worth the wait when you finally find that right match!
You offer such great advice for adding a new puppy or dog to your family. I really appreciate your nonjudgemental and reasonable tone as well. Finding the right pup for your family is a huge undertaking that requires the humans to consider their needs and the needs of the dog, especially if there are special circumstances for the dog. People shouldn’t feel like they’re being judged when they’re thinking about what dog would be a good fit for them and their lifestyle. And dogs deserve people who take their needs into account too.
Definitely! It was a lesson that I was lucky to learn early from my parents. When I was a child, we adopted a puppy only to find out that she had epilepsy. Our high-energy home with 3 young kids and activities all the time was NOT the best fit for her. So while we loved Angel already (I still remember her name) it was decided that it would be better to find her a quieter home with someone that had experience with an epileptic dog. The lessons I took from that experience have stayed with me to this day.
Great post and everyone that wants to rescue should read before doing it. Mine was an online love affair and the best in the world
We fell in love with Indy online too! I started emailing with his foster mom, we determined between us that it would be a good fit and we drove from Ontario to Ohio to pick him up!
Spectacular article. You hit all the consideration points. I like the fact that you included the tips for finding a good rescue. And you’re right, sometimes a breeder is the right answer for very legitimate reasons.
Definitely, there are specific reasons where a breeder is going to be your best option. That being said, for most situations a rescue dog is definitely my first recommendation!