Adopting from the Shelter
Adopting from the shelter can be a wonderful experience.  These animals desperately need homes before they are put to sleep.  They gaze out from behind the bars with big, sad eyes, each one cuter than the last, each one silently begging, “Take me home.” So how do you choose that one perfect dog to rescue from the animal shelter? Here are some pointers:

• Take a look at your own lifestyle.  Are you active?  Are you home a lot or do you work all day?  Is anyone in your household afraid of dogs?  Once you get these answers, it's easier to choose the right dog.

• Talk to a kennel worker!  They are professionals. They deal with these dogs day and night and know about the dogs. Tell them about your family, get their input.

• Allow the dog to get to know you first.  Spend a few minutes letting the dog check you out. Then touch him all over very gently while holding the leash.

Also, it's important to know what you are getting and if it matches what you are looking for.

• Teenage dogs (6 months - 1 1/2 years old) are more active, jump a lot and can be "mouthy."  But they are also less shy and sometimes adapt easier to new environments.  They might be too rambunctious for some families, but with proper training, they can be educated to be great dogs.

• If you don't want to spend a lot of time training a dog, get a dog that is 2 years old or older. 

• If you have an active family and rambunctious children, stay away from a dog that is too shy.  However, if you want a dog that will sit placidly at your feet, a shy one is your match.

• Puppies are cute, but require a lot of patience and training.  Consider the breed and whether it will be the right size when it becomes an adult.  Do research on the breed to determine if it's the right dog for you (for instance, Pit Bulls make great family dogs but Jack Russell Terriers can be controlling and snappy).  You might be surprised at what you discover!