You want to adopt a dog?

Not every dog will get along with everyone. This is why it's very important to obtain advice and information before adopting a dog.

We recommend a consultation with a veterinarian as soon as you decide to adopt a dog. The veterinarian will provide valuable information that will help you decide on a certain breed, whether to adopt a puppy or an adult dog, etc.

The next step will be for you to evaluate the following aspects in detail:

• The environment your dog will be living in (available space, access to a backyard, country or town living, presence of children or not, etc.);
• The ailments that people who will cohabit with him have if any (allergies, weak immune system, etc.);
• Your lifestyle (activities, frequent trips, weekends at the cottage, hiking, etc.);
• The budget that you have foreseen (food, veterinary fees, health insurance for animals, grooming if needed, etc.).

Finally, you can choose which breed of dog that would be ideal for you based on the elements above mentioned along with the size, temperament, type of fur, and maintenance and genetic health issues affecting the chosen breed.

To make your search easier, you can visit our website to get information concerning many different breeds. There are also numerous books out there that you can consult.

There are many places from which people can adopt animals such as shelters, pet stores, individual sellers or breeders, etc.

From a breeder

Adopting from a breeder is a good option if you want a pure breed dog. However, not all breeders are conscientious. This is why we advise you to pay attention to the following criteria if you are considering a breeder over other options :

• Has the breeder been recommended to you by someone?
• Is the breeder reputed and does he or she possess a permit from MAPAQ?
• How many breeds does the breeder possess? 2 breeds is the maximum recommended number.
• Does the breeder offer a guaranty? Ideally, this guaranty should include the first 2 weeks after adoption for infectious diseases and last for at least 1 year for hereditary/congenital (present from birth) health issues.
• Does the breeder let the future buyers see the parents, their registration and the location where the animals are being housed?
• Does the breeder test his reproduction animals for genetic health issues for the breed or breeds he raises? Can he give you the documents that exclude any health issues?

From a shelter

In animal shelters, the animals for adoption have usually either been abandoned or they are strays. Also, they are often mixed breeds.

An animal shelter is a good choice if you want to rescue an animal that is at risk of euthanasia. Shelter animals are generally sold for an affordable price.

From a pet store

Pet stores are also an option to consider for adoption. Animals sold at a pet store can be pure breeds or mixed breeds. These animals are usually sold vaccinated, dewormed and sterilized (neutered or spayed).

From an individual seller

Finally, adopting an animal from an acquaintance or from the internet is another possible option. We advise a future buyer to be on guard when adopting a dog from the internet because it is frequently used by people who run puppy mills. It's always prudent to be suspicious of a vender that wants to give you an animal in a store parking lot. These venders usually proceed in this fashion as they don't want the buyer to see where the dogs are being housed.

Regardless of where the animal comes from, we recommend that all puppies and adult dogs be sold already vaccinated and dewormed. This information needs to be written in the animal's health booklet, which should also be provided to the buyer/adopter.

We also recommend that the person makes sure the animal has been seen by a veterinarian and is not separated from its mother too soon. Ideally, puppies should stay with their mother and the rest of the pups for at least the first 3 months of their life. This is important for their socialization and learning of normal behavior. Frequent contact with humans is also as important for the same reason.

There are a lot of things to consider in preparation for the arrival of your new animal at home, especially if there are other animals and children. Preparation starts the moment the adoption becomes official, before the animal even leaves the place he was living in and continues up until it arrives at your home.

Plan the opportune moment to pick up your dog

• Plan a pick up time where you are not pressed for time.
• It's very important to be calm when you get the dog to avoid scaring him.
• Avoid rush hour traffic because the stress that it creates for you can also be felt by the dog. This can make him associate trips in the car as bad moments.

Planning the trip home in the car

• There are pheromone sprays (ex. Adaptil®) that you can apply in the car 15 minutes before the animal enters it. These pheromones will help reassure him during the ride home.
• You can also distract him by offering treats, a toy or affection.
• Security is very important and should come above everything else. So, to insure your new companion is safe, put him in a cage or make him wear a harness that can be attached to the seatbelt of the car.
• Place a blanket or peepee pad in the cage or on the car seat in case he pees or passes stools during transport.

At home 

• Let the dog explore his new environment. At first, leave all the bedroom doors closed and then open them one after another. Eventually, he will voluntarily come seek human contact even if he was "shy" at first.

If there is already a dog in your home :

• Have the two dogs meet outside your home. Be sure that each dog is attached to a leash that is being held loosely. Be sure to remain ready to react in case something happens.
• Each person needs to bring the dog back to them by gently pulling the leash. This keeps the dog aware of his environment and allows him to be able to respond to commands even if he becomes very excited while the meeting takes place.

If there is already a cat in your home :

• Prevent the dog from getting access to the cat litter or the cat food by using a baby gate. The cat can pass under it or jump over it if he wants to escape the dog.

If there are children in the family :

• Explain to the children that they should not approach the dog when it is eating, sleeping or simply resting or playing in his bed or in his cage because they risk getting bitten. Indeed, the dog's bed and cage serve as a shelter when he wants to be alone and should not be invaded.
• Explain also that they should not touch the dog's water and food bowls to avoid catching parasites, in any, from the dog. It is also important to instruct them to wash their hands every time they pet or play with the dog.

Make an appointment with a veterinarian after adoption

We recommend that the animal gets examined by a veterinarian at the latest 2 days after being adopted because :

• The physical exam may reveal congenital health issues (ex. patellar luxation , heart murmur, etc.). So, if the animal is still covered by a health guaranty (if there is one), you then have the option to decide to return the animal (or not!) to the breeder before you get (too) attached to it, if the exam is scheduled quickly.
• This exam also allows the veterinarian to prepare a preventive health plan for the animal (ex. vaccines, deworming, sterilization, nutrition, etc.) that will serve the needs of the animal and yours.
• During this occasion, we also talk to you about caring for the dog in regards to, for example, ear and teeth cleaning, nail clipping, etc. Furthermore, we can give you cues to help you teach good behavior to your new companion.

In sum, adopting a dog is a great adventure, but preparation is needed to make sure the adventure remains enjoyable for a long time for all parties involved. That is why it is very important to start on the right foot with your new companion!  

 Texte créé en janvier 2019