Animal Advocacy
Tips for Adopting a New Rescue Dog
How to make the transition easier for your new friend
I can say without a doubt that the best part of my 2020 was adopting my two rescue dogs, Olive, and then Bailey. I had grown up in a family with dogs, so I assumed I knew what I was doing. It couldn’t be that hard- it’s just a dog! Feed, walk, and pet them- and get them to go to the bathroom outside. About an hour into adopting Olive, I realized just how wrong I was. Many people during COVID have adopted a new canine friend; it is amazing to see so many dogs getting a second chance at a happy life. I hope these tips can make welcoming a new family member easier and less stressful.
#1- Go for the older dogs
While we all love puppies, they can be a handful; training a puppy might as well be a full-time job! I am glad I adopted Olive, five years old, and Bailey, ten years old. I did not have to deal with potty training, leash training, or chewing on/destroying furniture. Even though I was staying at home due to COVID, I still had a busy schedule, so I wanted an older, calmer dog. While older dogs may lack the spunk and activity levels of puppies, they make up for it with wisdom, good behavior, and usually, a love of cuddles. Senior dogs are often the last dogs to be picked at shelters, but involve less commitment, training, and energy. Bailey, at ten years old, is my perfect activity level; he happily goes on two walks a day, but does not require hours of walking, play, or entertainment. Having a more relaxed, senior dog was a great choice, given that I was living in a 900 square feet, one bedroom apartment.
#2 Be careful with special needs dogs, but consider them
As the owner of two animals with special needs, my heart always goes out to this type of dog. Olive has crippling anxiety from a past of abuse, while Bailey lost all his teeth and has eating/food problems. Before adopting them, I asked the shelters and foster parents all types of questions about what owning these animals would mean, i.e. would I need to buy special food or medication? What triggers Olive’s anxiety? What would daily life look like with these animals? I tried to gather all possible information before I made the commitment to care for these dogs. With the knowledge I had, I made the informed choice to adopt them; I decided that I would be able to handle their special requirements. It is better to back out of adopting a dog with special needs beforehand, rather than adopting it, finding the challenge to be too difficult for your current situation, and returning it to the shelter. The method of doing your due diligence and asking questions is also helpful when adopting any dog. Special needs dogs are not necessarily for everyone (and no shame if they are not right for you). They are definitely worth considering and asking questions about. You may be just the right fit for what that dog needs.
#3 Be expansive with your search
Initially, I only looked at dogs on Petfinder that were within a half hour’s drive of my residence. Even though I lived in a large metropolitan area, this was not a wide enough search to find a dog that fit my needs (older and apartment friendly). By looking at dogs that were up to six hours away, I greatly expanded the number of possible adoptable dogs. Ultimately, I drove four hours to adopt Olive and three to adopt Bailey. While it might seem extreme or odd to drive eight hours in one day for a dog, I have no regrets. For me, a wonderful companion was worth two tanks of gas and a Saturday spent on the road.
#4 Give them time to acclimate
I adopted Olive first, and then a few months later, brought Bailey home. In both cases, the first few days were rough: barking, anxiety, and many bathroom accidents inside. They woke me up at all hours of the night, whining for no apparent reason. Even after feeding, peeing, and petting them, they still whined loudly. I felt like I was dealing with a newborn infant! I made many panicked phone calls to my mother, asking what I was doing wrong. She correctly assured me that the dogs were just trying to get used to a new environment. Given Olive’s long duration of time in the shelter and her past abuse, it is not surprising that it took a couple of days for her to stop shaking in the closet and pooping everywhere. I responded to this behavior by giving her space and not forcing her to let me pet her. I took her and Bailey out every hour to avoid accidents. I only left the apartment when absolutely necessary and for as short a time as possible. With both adoptions, within a week, they were doing much better: no accidents, no late night whining, and no more shaking or hiding. While this initial behavior was overwhelming, I am glad I gave it some time and did not rush to give them back to the shelter. Keep your calm and your distance, and they will likely adjust well!
#5 Bring Dog #1 to meet Dog #2
While this might seem obvious, nevertheless, it is crucial. When I went to meet Bailey for the first time, I brought Olive with me. With the help of the adoption coordinator, we had them meet off leash in a neutral location ( a park). We monitored them to see if they could live together without major problems. When they met, they gave each other a sniff or two, and then went “eh, I’m going to go sniff this rock over here.” Olive and Bailey still do not love each other, but they coexist well. Petting one does not cause the other to get jealous, and neither has ever showed any sign of aggression. They even manage to share toys, treats, and a big dog bed. I went into this meeting with a clear expectation; as long as they did not hate or hurt each other, I would adopt Bailey. Before considering adopting a second dog, set your expectations for how you imagine them behaving together. If a particular dog is not a good fit as dog #2, it is perfectly ok to walk away. The right second dog is out there for you.
Deciding what dog to adopt and welcoming it into your home can be overwhelming and difficult, but it is also exciting and wonderful. If these suggestions help a single person navigate this process, I count that as a success! Olive and Bailey are always the highlight of my day; whatever is going on in my life, these two are there with warm noses and soft fur. May everyone find a rescue dog that is the perfect fit!
