Dog Adoption Guides & FAQ

First of all, congratulations! Nearly 3.3 million dogs end up in shelters each year with almost 20% of them euthanized, so your decision to adopt is saving a life and supporting a wonderful organization.

We cover everything you need to know in our pre-adoption guide: 27 Things To Consider Before Adopting A Dog. Here are some important highlights.

1. Before you sign any paperwork and bring a dog home, really consider the type of dog that's best for you, your family, and your lifestyle. Many shelter dogs have behavioral problems that require special attention or living environments, and you want to be fair to everyone involved, including the dog.

2. Dogs require a lot of attention, especially young dogs from high-energy breeds. If you get a high-energy breed, make sure you have time for 1-2 hours of playtime and exercise every day (or more) as well as somewhere to run.

3. Dogs get expensive, especially medium and large breeds. Check out our guide to 14 Expenses Dog Owners Face for more information.

4. Your dog is going to need a lot of time and space to decompress and settle in when you first get home. Our guide to 9 Crucial Dog Adoption Milestones explains what to look for from Minute 1 to Year 1.

5. Training is vitally important for every dog. Many shelter dogs failed to receive proper training and act like brats (especially on leash).

Above all else, know that you're doing a great thing by adopting an animal in need. Be patient with them and shower them with love, but remember that you're in charge. You're the alpha. Dogs respond well to structure and leadership, so be the leader your shelter dog needs you to be.

Somewhere between 15-40% of all shelter dogs are Pit Bulls. There are several reasons, but here are the two big ones:

1. Pit Bulls have a reputation as fighting dogs and are the victims of out-of-control, unregulated backyard breeding. They often end up as strays, breeding even more, and then make their way to shelters as homeless, unloved animals.

2. Their fighting reputation makes them less desirable, which means Pit Bulls are surrendered to shelters more frequently and take longer to adopt out to loving homes.

Pit Bull PSA: Their reputation is undeserved. In actuality, Pit Bulls are loyal companions with tons of personality who love to cuddle and are great with children. Their "impure" bloodlines also make them genetically diverse and less prone to many of the common congenital health problems of more desirable breeds, like hip dysplasia in Golden Retrievers. Pit Bulls aren't for everyone (many landlords, cities, counties, etc. flat-out ban them) but they're amazing dogs worthy of a second chance at life.

The first few days in their new home are overwhelming for your lucky pup. The 3-3-3 Rule helps set expectations for their first three days, weeks, and months:

3 Days: Compared to the shelter, your home is Disney World. Your dog is amped up on all the new sights, scents, and space and has no idea what to do with any of it. There's probably a lot of excitement, a lot of energy, and a lot of unpredictability.

3 Weeks: Your dog is starting to understand your routine and get more comfortable in their new home. Their personality will start to shine through, and you'll begin to identify any behavior problems that need to be corrected.

3 Months: Your dog knows that your home is their home. Shelter dogs with behavior problems, especially over 1 year old, may still need time and training to ensure a successful transition to their new life.

Our guide to 9 Crucial Milestones For Your Adopted Dog's Transition goes into way more detail starting from Minute 1: when they first walk through your front door. (Or side door. I don't know your house's layout.)

Yes. When crate trained properly (not used as a punishment) your dog will actually like being in their crate. It's a safe, cozy environment all to them.

Puppies can't be left in their crates as long as adult dogs because their bladders are underdeveloped. A good rule of thumb is not to leave your puppy in their crate for more hours than they are months old (so a 3-month-old puppy can be in their crate for up to 3 hours).

The longest you should leave your dog in their crate is 4 hours (especially high-energy breeds), so you shouldn't stick them in there while you're at work all day. At the most extreme, your dog can be in their crate all night and half of their waking hours, but less than that is ideal.

Separation anxiety is one of the most common problems plaguing shelter dogs. A dog with separation anxiety will follow you everywhere and show signs of extreme distress when you're gone: pacing, panting, barking, whining, loss of bowel control or urination, and/or destructive chewing.

The key to treating separation anxiety is gradual desensitization to being left alone. If your dog can't be alone for even a second, start small by being on the other side of a baby gate while they can see you. Rewarding them with high-value treats when you come back to their side. Over weeks or months you can work up to a few minutes or hours being apart and out of sight. But don't rush progress! Go very slow and read your dog's body language to know when things need to slow down.

You can also try tiring your dog out and giving them mentally-stimulating puzzle toys while you're away. We've even tried music therapy with some success. In extreme cases, medication may be required. We touch on separation anxiety in our guide to 8 Common Shelter Dog Behavioral Problems. Every situation is unique, so talk to your vet or behaviorist to create a specific treatment plan for your dog.

Generalized anxiety is treated in much the same way as separation anxiety, discussed in the FAQ above: gradual desensitization and repeated positive experiences.

If your dog flees at the sight of turkeys in your backyard (and I wouldn't blame them, those suckers are massive here in New England) start by watching them from the window with treats in hand. Work up to watching them from your deck before ultimately hunting them down for Thanksgiving dinner.

In extreme cases, medication can help an anxious dog calm down enough to practice exposure therapy. Make sure you talk to your vet or behaviorist if you have questions about your dog's treatment plan.

Poor leash manners is a common problem among shelter dogs, because they usually haven't been taught basic obedience. It's easier to mold puppies than older dogs (over 1 year) but it's a problem than can be corrected.

First, make sure you have the right gear. A front-clip harness is essential to correct pulling behavior because the front attachment point combats your dog's innate desire to oppose any pressure they feel (that's why sled dog harnesses attach on the top and back).

Second, make training the focal point of your walks. Hold the leash in such a manner as to keep your dog at your side, even with your body or behind you. When they pull, you stop. Wait until they stop and make eye contact, then reward them with a high-value treat and continue until they pull again. Over time, your dog will learn that the only way to get where they want to go is at your pace, and that eye contact gets them treats and attention.

Don't let your dog be a brat, regardless of their size.

Your dog doesn't have to be big, scary, or mean to look like a rabid animal.

Barking and lunging on walks is called leash reactivity and it's a real pain to correct. Generally, it's your dog's reaction to something new that scares them, be it a jogger, cyclist, car, or another dog. Off leash, your dog would either confront the stimulus or run away. On leash, they're contained, so the other half of their natural fight-or-flight reflex kicks in and your dog hulks out.

Like anxiety, correcting leash reactivity is about gradual desensitization to the things that trigger your dog. If other dogs set your adorable pup off, find the edge of their comfort zone where the sight of a dog doesn't incite a reaction. Give your dog plenty of love and treats for being the goodest boy (or girl) and then work on moving a little closer. The goal is to help your dog grow progressively more comfortable with being near their triggers without reacting.

But go slowly! Seriously, don't rush progress. Extreme cases can take months or years to correct and may require medication. Talk to your vet or behaviorist about the best ways to treat your dog's leash reactivity.

This is a personal decision, but I recommend it. Let me tell you a story about my friend Chris and his 8-month-old dog Lab/Pit Bull mix (go Pit Bulls!) named Bailey.

One of the first nights they had Bailey, she ate a huge piece of towel. They had to take her to an emergency vet to make sure there wasn't a blockage. Surgery was on the table, but Bailey ended up passing the towel naturally. The bill? $1,300 with a $7,000 estimate if surgery was needed.

Yes, insurance companies make money by charging you more than they pay out in claims. You could always stash the $35-$100 premium each month and be your own insurance company, but it would have taken Chris 70 months to have saved enough for Bailey's emergency surgery.

In addition to emergency expenses, some pet insurance plans cover your annual vet visit plus your dog's flea, tick, and heartworm prevention medications. That, plus peace of mind in the event something catastrophic happens makes pet insurance a worthwhile investment in my book.

You know you can provide a lucky dog with a loving home, but you keep getting rejected. Sometimes this happens! Many animal shelters and humane societies have rules in place to make sure their dogs go to homes that give them the best chance of thriving. Common reasons applications are rejected include renting, not having a yard (fencing often required), or not having someone to look after the dog during the day.

The best advice I can give if you're constantly denied is to (1) look introspectively and decide whether you really are ready to adopt, (2) look for other animal shelters that have looser requirements, and (3) work toward meeting the requirements laid out by the shelter you wish to adopt from.

Worst case, you can always volunteer at the shelter until you're approved and still make a huge difference in the lives of animals who need you.