Five questions to ask when getting a dog from a shelter

Getting a dog from a shelter is a great practice, as there are many dogs out there that are without and in need of a loving, good home. By getting your dog from a shelter, you are essentially saving the life of your possible best friend! Not only are you getting a dog, you are rescuing them from an untimely death. However, asking the right questions at the shelter will help get you your perfect dog!

Here are five questions you should ask when getting a dog from the shelter:

1. &ldquo-What medical treatment has this dog had since coming to the shelter?”

If there&rsquo-s a particular dog you&rsquo-re interested in, it&rsquo-s important for you to find out their medical history. Some things you should definitely find out are what vaccines it&rsquo-s received as well as if it&rsquo-s been tested for parasites, like heart worms. Also, what its current and/or any known medical conditions are important to know.

2. &ldquo-How long has the dog been in the shelter?”

Generally, the shorter time it&rsquo-s been in there, the easier it will be for the canine to adjust to life in a new home (yours). As one can imagine, shelters are chaotic, noisy places that can traumatize even the strongest of dogs.

3. &ldquo-Was the dog a stray or a surrender?”

It&rsquo-s tough to really get the whole picture of a dog&rsquo-s past, but every bit of information is helpful. Most dogs get surrendered because of a move, death in the family, allergies, birth of a child and more.

4. &ldquo-How would you describe the dog&rsquo-s personality?”

Knowing what a dog&rsquo-s personality is like will give you an idea of what it will be like in your household. Shelter workers should be able to note which dogs are child friendly enough to adopt.

5. &ldquo-Has the dog interacted with other animals?

Many shelters are able to have dogs socialize with other dogs to test their interaction skills. It&rsquo-s a good indication of how a new dog will react to you and your new home.