Knowing the history and personality of your newly adopted dog can be the determining factor to successful integration into your family and lifestyle. There are infinite possibilities to why your dog found himself in a shelter or rescue group. To name a few; neglect, abuse, hoarding or just simply being born on the streets.

Rescuing a dog does not stop the moment you bring him/her into your home and deposit them inside the door. They will not automatically know all the rules or be the perfect obedient dog. Training starts not only for you but everyone in your family. Obedience classes are readily available in your community but if you find you don't have the time to go to a weekly class or cannot commit the extra finances at this time there are plenty of free tips and resources by doing an internet search. Please make use of them as they will make for a happier home for everyone.

Once you and your family decide to adopt a dog one of the first things you should do is schedule a meet and greet with your shelter or rescue group. Better yet, foster the dog in your home for a week or two before you make a final decision. This will allow you enough time to discover if this particular dog fits in with your personality and lifestyle. As much as you need to learn and understand about your new family member he/she needs to learn about you. Earn their trust and they will be your loyal and loving companion for a lifetime. Patience and compassion is the key.

If you have children I think you will understand when I say "congratulations on your new child." Bringing a dog into your home is much like bringing home an infant. They will need constant supervision until they learn their boundaries and you will need to child proof your home. Puppies and young dogs without a doubt will chew anything and everything they can sink their teeth into. It isn't because they are bad dogs, much like a baby getting its first teeth; chewing helps relieve the pain and promotes healthy growth of the teeth. Expect this for the first two years of a dog's life, but don't despair, with proper training and positive reinforcement your favorite household items will be safe.

Gentle correction and offering your puppy an alternative such as a Nylabone or any type of Kong, a chew toy you fill with snacks, which will keep your puppy busy for hours and divert his attention away from your favorite pair of shoes or chair legs. Remember, discipline does not have to be harsh or a negative experience for your dog but you need to set boundaries from the very beginning to eliminate your frustration and your dog's stress levels. Be calm but assert your authority, if you are angry or frustrated your dog will sense that and become frustrated as well.

Along with your new family member comes some trying times, some frustration and yes maybe some tears. They may even be a time when you ask yourself, "Why did I get this dog?" an easy answer is that you saved, not only this dog's life, but the life of the dog it made room for in the shelter or rescue group. The rewards you get far outweigh any shoe chewed to pieces or a little 'accident' on your floor. Like a child this dog depends on you for its very survival and the commitment you made is for a lifetime.

More often than a shelter or rescue group would like to see, some dogs are returned. Before you make your final decision check out, Reasons Dogs End Up in Shelters, and set down with your family to discuss all of your options before making that very rewarding lifetime commitment.