Thinking of adopting a dog?
Ask yourself the right questions before adopting a dog
A puppy or an adult dog?
If you have young children, it might be better to adopt a puppy that will grow with them. The dog will get used to the sounds and noises of the house. Unlike an older dog, a puppy won’t have to adapt to a different environment. However, current statistics show that for every four puppies that are adopted every year, at least three are relocated. Their new “parents” don’t want them anymore, or they weren’t prepared for the work. They were misinformed. Will that be you?
We repeat, before adopting a puppy (or adult dog), you should consult a professional, like a vet. Eventually, the vet will be able to recommend the appropriate resources because they will know and appreciate the credibility and professionalism of experts in animal behaviour, for example.
If you’re thinking of adopting an adult dog, “it’s a really nice thing to do,” says Dr. Mireault. And if you know a thing or two and have a bit of experience, it’s actually preferable to adopt an adult dog: “Unlike a puppy, an adult dog is already “fully formed”. You already know the dog’s personality, and it’s not going to suddenly change. When you adopt, you already know what the dog’s needs will be and what kind of challenges there are ahead in order to integrate with a new family.”
An adult dog was probably trained a little differently than what you would have done with a puppy. Your house rules might not be the same as what the dog was used to in their previous home. For example, maybe the dog was allowed up on the sofa in their old home but that’s not something you want. Your dog will have to “unlearn” some old rules that were learnt when they were young. This re-education may be difficult for you.
Dog size
Some dogs are huge; others aren’t any bigger than a rabbit. Is your house (or your car) big enough for a Saint Bernard? Do you live in the country? Genetically, some dogs need to run every day. If you keep them in a small space or studio apartment downtown, for instance, they might become unhappy and that distress will manifest in their behaviour. “One of my clients,” says Dr. Mireault, “had three Great Danes, but a small car. It was impossible to have an appointment with all three dogs at the same time!”
How much will all this cost?
In general, there are fewer costs associated with an adult dog, since all the expenses associated with a puppy have already been taken care of. And because the dog has stopped growing, it won’t be necessary to buy numerous harnesses or leashes, or to modify their diet. It’s quite simple. However, like humans, an adult dog is more mature and therefore, not as excitable as a younger dog. “Childhood” is over.
In the U.K., pets can be found in about 80% of households. In the U.S., that figure is more like 10%, and in Québec, the percentage is even lower. However, insurance can be very advantageous for dog owners. Accident? Disease? Simply setting aside a fixed monthly amount can provide enormous peace of mind. Of course, you also have to budget for food, accessories, grooming, boarding, permits, etc.
On the AMVQ site, in the Public section, at the bottom on the home page, you’ll find different charts showing the maintenance costs for dogs, cats and other types of pets. Visit the website.