Have you decided to get real life-changing experience and adopt a dog? Then, probably you have a number of questions on how to pick the right dog for your family. Fortunately, there are several essential tips that can you should consider before when adopting a dog. They are able to make your time at the shelter much easier.

1.      Ask for the assessment of a dog’s health and behavior.

Indeed, each reputable shelter that is considered to be at the forefront of dog rescue has to provide a full list of behavioral and health assessments. Shelters are responsible for analyzing a dog’s personality as well as various important health indicators.

2.      Consider a dog’s energy level.

It is a well-known fact that some breeds may be more active than in comparison to others. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the energy level of a dog and time you are able to devote to your new family member before making an important decision. A dog’s energy level should match that of your own.

3.      Get all the necessary information about a dog’s history.

The fact is that the knowledge of a dog’s history may give you insights into your future four-legged friend’s behavior. For instance, there is a shortlist of important questions you should ask at the shelter before adopting a dog. How long has the dog been there? How did the dog arrive there? Why a dog’s previous owner surrender it?

4.      Realize how a dog responds to food

 Your new pet may feel very protective of its food. Such behavior is called food guarding. In most cases, food guarding is a normal dog’s behavior. However, when a dog starts to respond to food extremely aggressively, it may be dangerous for you and for people from your household. Thus, talking to a dog shelter about a new four-legged friend’s behavior is essential.

5.      Find out how a dog socializes with people and other dogs.

Indeed, one is able to learn a lot from the first impression. When you are at the dog shelter, note how a dog reacts to you. It’s also important to find out how your potential pet interacts with other dogs. The fact is that well-socialized dogs are friendly both to humans and animals. What is more, they feel more comfortable in unfamiliar situations.

6.      Test a dog’s intelligence and level of training.

There are several quick tests that are able to access how well-trained a dog is. For instance, call a dog’s name to see if it comes to you. Try some basic commands like sit or stay. Dogs can be trained to perform a number of different behaviors.

Finally, figure out if you are ready for a new four-legged friend. Make sure you have enough money and free time to look after a pet. If you want to adopt a furry friend, you have to be in an ideal situation for a dog.

My bio: Robb Matox is a young entrepreneur and a big dog lover who always promotes a healthy lifestyle, practices yoga, and enjoys writing. Also, he is a pet blogger for a website where people can buy custom essays online.