Before You Adopt
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Are you ready for a new member of the family? |
Are you ready for a new family member?
Here are some things to consider:
Dogs and cats can live up to 20 years. This is a long time and a big commitment.
The best pet is a family member. Are you willing to make your pet part of the family?
Using dogs as security guards and alarm systems is never a good idea. Keeping a dog tied up in your yard or trying to make your dog "aggressive" is cruel. Invest in a good burglar alarm instead.
Pets need attention. Can you really be there for them? Many behavioral problems start when the cat or dog doesn’t get enough attention.
What is your living situation? Do you have a small apartment, a fenced yard, or a big family? Are you working 10-12 hours a day? You will want to think about which kind of pet first your lifestyle.
Getting a pet for your child's birthday or as a "surprise" for a loved one is a bad idea. Although it seems as though it would bring love and joy to your child or spouse, a pet needs lots of attention! Many dogs and cats that are brought to animal shelters were once a gift!
Remember, over 30,000 dogs and cats have to be killed ("put to sleep") every day in the United States. These are pets who, for various reasons, become unwanted. Making a hasty or incorrect decision about adoption is usually the first step in this terrible, tragic process, so please think about the dog or cat and its needs before adopting!
Dogs: breed, temperament, and disposition-- yours and his!
Issues to consider:
-You should consider the breed of the dog. Maybe you always wanted a Husky or maybe you like the way a German Shepherd looks. These ideas seem good right now, but you must think about the specific needs of these dogs. Some breeds need lots of aerobic exercise, or they will exercise inappropriately in your house! Some breeds may be dominant and you need to develop a special relationship with them that works for all of you. Some breeds need lots of grooming. Others shed. Some breeds are prone to have genetic health problems that can last a lifetime. If you have your heart set on a particular breed, go to the library or bookstore and find out all you can about the pro's and con's of the particular breed.
-Don't overlook the mutts! Mixed breed dogs often prove to be the healthiest and have the best dispositions because there aren't generations of inbreeding that can lead to physical and mental problems.
-Common questions that come up when adopting shelter animals are "What will they be like?" and "How do I know what I am getting?" Well, you don't know exactly, but you don't know what you are getting no matter when and where you get a dog. Be sure to take the dog into the bonding room and look at how s/he interacts with you and family members. Remember that many dogs are not really "themselves" in the chaotic atmosphere of the shelter. What matters the MOST is that you put the time and effort into building a solid relationship with the dog AFTER you bring him/her home. This means allowing the dog to be part of your day, let him sleep in your bedroom, take him for walks, and give him positive training.
-Whatever the breed, temperament, or disposition, invest in positive obedience training. You won't be sorry! Positive obedience training brings you closer to your dog. It gives you more control over your dog and puts your dog at ease because he can more easily follow your directions. Remember that dogs will behave properly if they are told what to do in ways that they understand. Building a relationship takes time, so you must be prepared to invest time, energy, and caring each day. You will be rewarded with your dog's love and respect for many years.
-What if I have the dog for weeks and weeks and he's still barking/snapping/jumping up on me? There is something that you are doing wrong or something you aren't doing at all. It is advisable at this point to check first with your veterinarian about behavioral problems. Health problems or dietary changes may be in order. Also, if you haven't already done so, take the dog for basic positive obedience training and do it now. If problems persist, consult a dog trainer or an animal behaviorist. You will be surprised at what miracles can be accomplished!
-There are different philosophies and methods of training. Not all trainers are alike. Don't trust trainers who will tell you everything can be done in one hour or less. Positive training is the most effective way of training your dog for the following reasons:
Negative approaches to training, including punishment, tend to suppress behavior rather than eliminate it. Instead of doing the behavior when you are present (and risk punishment), the dog will do the behavior when you aren't home. For instance, if you punish your dog for chewing furniture in your presence, most likely he will chew the furniture when you aren't home. Your dog may work harder at not getting caught, but he won't stop doing what you punish him for doing.
Negative approaches to training, including punishment, can often lead to aggression.
Negative training, if not timed correctly, is abuse.
-Positive training requires you to take on a leadership role with your dog, although you don't have to act macho or wolf-like. Dogs are pack animals, and look for leadership. It's not wise to let your dog do whatever he wants. The lack of leadership on your part can lead to unsuitable behavior--they become uncontrollable and often dangerous. The best way to establish leadership is through positive reinforcement:
You are in control of your dog's world. You need to know what is important to your dog and use these things to reward him for good behavior and for paying attention to you.
Good rewards for most dogs include food, play, toys, walks, other dogs, other people, car rides, swimming, back rubs, physical affection, kind and enthusiastic words, etc.
Begin with rewards for looking at you. Eye contact is crucial for effective positive training. In a short time, using rewards that you would give your dog anyway, you can establish yourself as a true leader who has his/her dog's best interest at heart.
Adopt the attitude that nothing in life is free. For instance, if your dog wants to go outside, then first he has to sit. "Sit" and "down" (or "lie down") are easy commands for your dog to master.
Your dog's learning process also involves your own learning process. Training your dog also means training you. Your dog learns to perform certain behaviors on signal, while you learn to give those signals and their reinforcements at the appropriate time.
Good trainers have good timing, are generous with reinforcements, use many different types of reinforcements, and vary when and how much they reinforce.
Cats: issues to consider
-Keep your cat indoors-- recent studies show that cats who are indoors live much longer than cats who are allowed outside-- the life span of outdoor cats is an average of 4 years only!
-Two of the biggest problems people have with cats are with scratching and litter box training. Declawing cats is inhumane and advisable only as a desperate measure and last resort. Pet supply stores carry cat nail trimmers which keep the damage under control. Clipping nails often will get the cat used to this behavior.
-You must also remember that cats need to scratch, this is normal behavior for them. Keep scratching pads around the house, particularly in areas where cats may be tempted to scratch the furniture. Declawed cats, because they can't scratch, often develop behavioral problems, such as failing to use the litterbox, mostly because scratching is so important to cats.
-Litterbox training is a fairly easy task for all involved. For cats and kittens, you need to catch the cat as s/he begins to urinate and place him/her in the litterbox. Cats are quick to learn when to use the litterbox. Litterboxes should be kept clean and should be in a part of the house that allows for some privacy. If you have more than one cat, you will need to clean the box more often and you may want to consider having more than one box available.
-When cats do not use the litterbox, they are trying to tell you something. They may be physically ill, with a urinary tract infection and they may need immediate veterinary care. Cats will intentionally "miss" the litterbox if you have failed to keep the area clean, or if the box is too small. Some cats do not like the covered litterboxes and will not use them. Some cats will "mark" territory because of behavioral or adjustment issues; you will want to consult a veterinarian or an animal behaviorist if these problems persist.
-Some cats will "mark" territory in the house by urinating on the carpet, furniture, or household items. If your cat is doing this, you should spay or neuter the cat if you have not already done so; intact cats tend to spray more often. Cats will not urinate in an area where they eat or play; if your cat is marking a particular spot, turn the area into an eating or playing area to discourage this behavior. It is also important to get rid of the smell completely with a cleaner that actually breaks down the urine enzymatically (Nature's Miracle is one brand name available at Pet Supply stores), cleaning agents that simply mask the smell will not work. If the problem of inappropriate urination persists and you have tried everything else, consult your veterinarian or animal behaviorist.
-More than one cat sometimes presents problems, as cats can be territorial. Remember that cats are truly creatures of habit, they don't like their lifestyles dramatically altered and remember that cats take lots of time before getting used to a new living situation. Be aware of this and help your cat through any adjustments by giving him/her extra treats or playtime.
-You should also be aware that cats are susceptible to infectious diseases, such as Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. These diseases, especially Feline Leukemia, can be fatal. These are diseases cats can pick up from other cats outside, or the diseases can be transmitted from the mother cat to kittens. There are quick and reliable tests for these diseases and there are vaccines for these diseases; you will want to have your cat tested for these diseases and you will want to keep your cat indoors, so s/he won't catch these diseases.
Resources for Training, Pet Supplies, Other Shelters and Rescue Organizations:
Go to Links & Resources page.