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With their wagging tails and comforting presence, adopting a dog can add a unique touch to your life. It’s a heartwarming accomplishment that will bring you joy and a furry best friend who loves you unconditionally.
Whether you want a cuddly lap dog to snuggle on the sofa or an energetic companion to join you on your adventures, there’s a dog that matches your preferences somewhere waiting to be adopted.
While getting a puppy from a breeder is common, choosing to adopt is a rewarding experience with its own set of benefits. Our article will list ten benefits of adopting a dog. Read to the end to know how adopting a dog can change your life for the better.
1. Adopting a Dog Is Rewarding
There is nothing quite like providing a dog in need of a loving home. From the moment you bring home a dog from the shelter, you’ll witness their transformation and how they blossom under your love and care. The dog you adopt will return the favor by being a loyal, lifelong companion who stands by your side no matter what.
There’s nothing wrong with getting a puppy from a responsible breeder, but knowing you opened your home to a homeless dog will warm everyone’s heart. This rewarding experience can go as far as changing your outlook on life and motivating you to do more good.
2. You Get a Loving Companion
There are countless shelter dogs out there that have gone through challenging times and experienced being left alone by their previous owners. With your care and understanding, you’ll realize dogs have endless love to give once you rebuild their trust in humans.
Although winning a dog’s trust may take time, especially if they’ve gone through troubling times, the reward is immeasurable. In the end, you’ll find yourself with a loving companion who knows no limits to cuddles and kisses.
3. Boosts Mental Health
Having a pet, be it a dog or any other animal, is known to have mental health benefits. However, it isn’t only the companionship of a furry friend that will boost your mood when adopting a dog. Knowing you helped a dog needing a home enhances self-esteem and gives a sense of fulfillment.
By adopting a dog, you’ll add on top of the mental health benefits of having a dog. Furthermore, individuals with a mental health condition can find comfort in having a pet. If this is the case for you, consider looking into the process of getting an ESA letter for your newly adopted dog.
4. Adopting Is Less Expensive
Buying a dog from a breeder can run you thousands of dollars, depending on the breed. The cost of adoption at shelters and rescue organizations is much more affordable. Even if the shelter or the rescue has higher adoption fees for puppies or younger dogs, it will be much less than what you would pay a breeder.
Besides, most rescues and shelters include vaccinations, microchips, or even spaying/neutering costs in the adoption fees. This can save you a considerable amount, which you can spend on buying other essentials or leisurely activities with your newly adopted dog instead.
5. Adopting a Dog Gives Life More Meaning
Another benefit of adopting a dog is that it gives you a meaningful purpose. Now that you have a furry friend, you will be responsible for their feeding schedule, walking, grooming, and other needs. Your responsibility as a dog owner to cover their needs makes life more meaningful.
Adopting a dog also forces you to establish a routine. It has numerous health benefits, including reduced stress and better sleep. Although the first days may be difficult for a novice dog owner, you’ll find meaning in everything you do for your dog.
6. Easier to Find a Suitable Companion
The dogs waiting for a forever home in shelters are numerous. They come in various breeds, sizes, ages, and personalities. From playful puppies to calm senior dogs, you’ll find a suitable companion through adoption.
If you have a specific breed in mind, contact the animal shelters in your area. Even if the shelter doesn’t have your desired breed available immediately, they will happily add your name to their waitlist. Additionally, breed-specific rescues can help, though a successful adoption may take time.
7. You Save a Life
When you adopt a dog, you do more than provide a home to an animal in need – you save a life. While this is rewarding on its own, seeing your newly adopted pet showing gratitude can’t be described with words. It’s a unique, heartwarming experience that will bring a smile to your face.
Moreover, adopting a dog has a ripple effect. Since shelters can have limited capacity, your decision helps another dog that needs a place in the shelter. By adopting a dog, you’ll not only provide a home to a dog in need but also open space in the shelter for another, essentially saving more than one life.
8. Provides Socialization Opportunities
Having a dog is an instant conversation starter that encourages people to break the ice. It makes you more social, where you’ll meet new people in dog parks and greet passersby that compliment your dog.
The social benefits of having a dog aren’t limited to these. There’s always a community event that revolves around dogs. Whether it’s a breed-specific gathering or an adoption event, you can participate in dog-centric events to meet adorable dogs and get to know new people.
9. Improves Physical Health
In today’s digital world, many of us live sedentary lifestyles involuntarily. Adopting a dog will encourage you to get off your chair and spend more time outdoors. After all, dogs can’t go for walks by themselves. As you take your dog for walks, you’ll have plenty of time to appreciate nature and enjoy the outdoors.
Playing fetch or running with your dog are also excellent ways to stay fit and energized. The physical health benefits aside, meaningful walks and activities with a dog are an instant mood booster. It will make you happier, healthier, and you’ll have an excellent start to your day.
10. Fewer Training Needs
Depending on the age of the dog you’re adopting, you may not need to invest as much resources in training compared to a puppy from a breeder. Many dogs in shelters are already house-trained and might even know impressive tricks. This means you’ll spend less time cleaning up accidents, and training will be a breeze.
However, it will be entirely different with dogs coming from troubling backgrounds. Dogs that have experienced neglect or abuse may exhibit behavioral issues. The silver lining is that these dogs can become well-behaved pups with your love, patience, and guidance from a trainer.
How to Adopt a Dog
Now that you’ve caught up with the benefits of adopting a dog, it’s time to start the process and get yourself a new furry friend. There are several ways to adopt a dog. The easiest is contacting your local animal shelter. You can also check their website to see if they list available dogs. Doing this can save you time finding an appropriate dog.
Another way to adopt a dog is through rescue organizations. There are countless animal rescues that can help you find your new furry best friend. If you have a particular breed in mind, consider contacting breed-specific rescue organizations to adopt a dog.
Lastly, you can adopt a dog through individuals and families that want to rehome their dogs. Due to life events, many dog owners are forced to find new homes for their dogs that will love them just as much.
Check Facebook groups and ads in your local area to find an owner wanting to rehome their dog. Before meeting, ask lots of questions, such as why they are rehoming their dogs to determine whether it would be a wise choice to adopt. It could be due to severe behavioral issues that novice owners may not be able to handle, for example.
Prepare to Bring Home Your New Furry Friend
Before bringing home your new dog, you’ll need some preparation to help your new furry friend transition. Here are some tips on helping a dog adapt to their new life.
Dog Proof Your Home
If it’s your first time adopting a dog, make sure to dog-proof your home. Remove hazardous chemicals, secure trash cans, hide electronics cables, and keep dangerous chewables out of reach.
Get ready for accidents if you’re adopting a puppy. Purchase puppy training pads and create a designated potty spot dog-proofing your yard. Before letting your dog run around in the yard, make sure it’s secured properly. Look for any gaps under the fence they can dig to get out and remove toxic plants.
Arrange a Cozy Living Area
Arrange a cozy area for your dog to spend their time. A soft bed, with some toys and a comfy blanket, is all you need to make them pleased. Alternatively, you can install a crate. Using a crate also comes in handy when house training a puppy. It will also support your newly adopted dog to overcome separation anxiety.
Your dog’s area should be a safe space. When using a crate or bed, teach your newly adopted pet ‘place’ and use praise and tasty treats to encourage them to stay in their designated area. This will help them associate their designated area positively and make them feel secure.
Establish a Routine
Dogs thrive on routines. Keep a consistent schedule for feeding, potty breaks, and daily walks. With each passing day, your dog will get accustomed to their schedule and know when it is time to eat, potty, and exercise.
Routines are essential to make a newly adopted dog feel comfortable, but life can get busy, and you may not be able to keep up with a routine. However, it’s critical to maintain everything consistent for at least the first few weeks to help your dog transition.
Engage in Bonding Activities
Engage in activities that will strengthen the bond with your newly adopted pet. Games of fetch, calming walks, cuddling up on the couch, and indoor puzzles are some of the best ways to bond with a dog.
One particular activity that makes dogs surprisingly happy is training. Teaching your dog new tricks and rules for them to live by is an excellent bonding activity. You’ll have an obedient furry friend, and they will find meaning – or a tasty treat as a reward – in every command.
Give Your Dog Time
Before rushing into various fun activities and training, try seeing the world from your dog’s perspective. While you may seek to be the best dog parent ever, you’re a stranger (for now) who took them from a place they at least relatively knew. It can take time for a newly adopted dog to transition into their new life and show their true personality.
Give your dog as much time as they need, and avoid rushing things. Take everything one step at a time. Your patience will be worth it once they open up and get zoomies around you.
Embrace the Journey of Adopting a Dog
Adopting a dog has numerous benefits both for adopters and the millions of dogs waiting to be adopted. However, adopting a dog can be quite a rollercoaster. Depending on their backgrounds, dogs may take time to adapt to their new life.
Some may even exhibit behavioral issues that can be challenging to overcome. Embrace this journey with its ups and downs, and give all the understanding you have to help your newly adopted dog transition to their new life.
During the adoption process, look for potential red flags, such as downplaying behavioral issues and being pressured into adopting, to know you’re dealing with a responsible organization.
While there are bound to be difficult days, from pre-adoption to finally bringing your new furry friend home, the benefits of adopting a dog outweigh the cons. Knowing you’ve saved a life and witnessing their transformation under your wings is something that words can’t describe.