You should not adopt a rescue dog because of its history of trauma and abuse. This history can cause the dog to become aggressive and display destructive tendencies.

Adopting a rescue dog makes you feel good, and everyone cheers you on because you must have spared a life, right? You have, in fact, but how will it turn out? Adopting a dog is a good thing, but like everything else, it’s not always the best option for every family or individual.

When dog owners adopt a dog hoping to get something different, sometimes those dogs are returned, abandoned, given away, or even abused. Before adopting a dog, you must be ready and informed on what to anticipate.

The list below is not intended to discourage pet owners from adopting rescue dogs but rather to discuss what to expect when you adopt a rescue dog and when rescue may not be for you.

Approximately 6% of shelter dogs are returned, not including those who are rehomed or, worse, abandoned. According to the ASPC, approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter shelters in the United States annually.

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While it would be wonderful if all of those animals could find permanent homes, there are several reasons why a rescue dog may not be the best option for your family. So, before you adopt a dog, you should be aware of the drawbacks.

Here are some possible difficulties you might encounter when adopting a dog:

  1. You may have to wait for some time before approval.
  2. Possessive Behaviour
  3. You’ll have to answer several questions.
  4. You might not find a dog that fits your lifestyle.
  5. Animal relationships are difficult for rescue dogs.
  6. Most rescue dogs are older than you’d like.
  7. Rescue dogs often come with their problems.
  8. Limited options.
  9. Unclear Breed
  10. Loneliness

Table of Contents

Reason Why You Should Not Adopt A Rescue Dog

1. You may have to wait for some time before approval.

A rescue centre may have a long waiting list for adoption, but this is usually not the case at a high-kill city pound. Adopting from a rescue shelter usually involves a lengthy application that is verified, a home visit, and a trial period. This can be a problem if you need your new dog by a specific date.

2. Possessive Behaviour

Developing possessive habits with food or toys is simple when you share your food and living space with a pack of other dogs. For around the first week, after they get home from the shelter, adopted dogs sometimes eat food and scraps left on the floor as their lives depend on it.

Fortunately, if they are not reinforced, habits fade away. The best action is to wait until your dog understands he will always have access to food and toys. If he exhibits any aggressive behaviour, consult a trained professional about the situation.

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It would be best to refrain from using punishment techniques (at least until you speak with a professional), as you have no way of knowing if they will be triggers for your dog.

3. You’ll have to answer several questions and do a lot of paperwork.

Understandably, you are adopting a conscious, living being. However, not everyone is as open and transparent. Adopting a rescue dog is not for you if you are a private person. Before approving you, some private rescues will even visit your home.

They don’t merely ask questions out of curiosity; every inquiry is almost like an opportunity to refuse approval for the desired pet. You might be rejected for living in an apartment that is not up to standard, having a roommate, or even having many children.

4. You might not find a dog that fits your lifestyle.

Some breeds are energetic, while others are lazy; some are big, others are small; some are independent, and others are clingy. Some people would prefer to get a purebred dog for various reasons. You can expect some traits of a purebred dog’s typical behaviour.

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Pure-breed dogs often end up in shelters but are rarely available because they get adopted much quicker than the other dogs.

5. Animal relationships are difficult for rescue dogs.

Getting a dog to be a friend to your other dog may not work out as you planned. Not only might they not get along, but they might also physically fight and harbour hate for one another.

Before letting you adopt, most shelters and rescue groups would require a meet-and-greet between the two dogs. Even though everything might appear to be going well at first, once you bring the new dog home, things could start to go south.

6. Most rescue dogs are older than you’d like.

Most adopted dogs typically have passed the puppy stage. When a dog is adopted, its age is determined by examining its teeth. These tests might not be accurate, particularly if the dog is a stray.

Estimating a dog’s age after a year is essentially just a guess. If you have children, you will want to adopt a dog that they can keep for a while, but you might end up with one that dies after only a year.

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7. Rescue dogs often come with their problems.

Most rescue organizations bring in a vet to examine the dog, administer shots, and “fix” them, but this process is not always thorough. The animal shelter usually doesn’t have much money, and the vet occasionally donates their services.

8. Limited options May Affect Your Decision If You Wan To Adopt A Rescue Dog

You may have a limited option, or you may struggle to find the breed you desire (if you are looking for a specific breed or type). Suppose you need a particular breed or pet and are sure you want to adopt.

In that case, you may have to wait patiently for your ideal pet to need adoption- this means that if you’re looking for immediate adoption, you may not be able to get the exact animal you’re looking for.

9. Unclear Breed

Rarely do purebred dogs wind up in shelters, and if they do, they stand a better chance of finding a family than other puppies.

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Most of the dogs up for adoption are mixed, making it nearly impossible to identify the original breeds, even though the shelter’s volunteers promise they are aware of the genetic makeup of each dog.

Be advised that adopting might not be the best action if appearance is important to you. Nobody likes someone who only visits the shelter and requests to see purebred animals.

10. Loneliness

Any dog may find it challenging to transition from living with a pack to living alone. Even worse, some shelter dogs had been abandoned by their original families. Use regular routines and rewards to teach your dog that you will return at all times.

Dogs in shelters typically share a small space and even sleep next to one another or in the same cage in some shelters.

You might as well be ready for some anxiety from your new dog when he learns he is on his own if you don’t already have another dog and don’t intend to get one. You can enrol in group training, which will strengthen your relationship with your new dog and allow you to socialize with other pet owners.

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Conclusion

This article is not attempting to dissuade you from adopting rescue dogs. Simply put, I think it’s crucial to know what to anticipate if you decide to adopt a rescue dog. I am an advocate for adopting dogs.

Although there is a need for people to adopt dogs, in my opinion, not everyone should make this decision. Therefore, it’s great if you’re ready for the adoption process, the occasionally unknown, and the potential waiting period.

We’ve reached the end of the article that talks about Adopt A rescue Dog. Stay tuned for more articles related to the topic; Adopt A rescue Dog. You might find the article  The most Abandoned dogs interesting.

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