How to Pick a Pound Puppy

You've been thinking of getting a puppy and want to rescue one from the pound or your local animal shelter. The animal shelter will be eager to help you succeed in taking a dog home with you but they can't pick the right puppy for you.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 

   Find out where the various animal shelters, rescue centers or dog pounds are located in your area. You may want to visit more than one. Getting a look around at a couple of different ones will be insightful. If you have children, it is a good idea to take them with you when you go to pick out a puppy but don't let your child be the one who makes the final decision.

2. 

   Look to see how clean a shelter is, how well cared for the animals are and how helpful the shelter workers are. Take your time and look at all the puppies. Some may appeal to you because of coloring, breed, etc.

3. 

   Once you have seen a few animals you are interested in, ask a worker if you can take the puppy out into a play area or an area where you can interact with the puppy. If you aren't allowed to do that, you should find another shelter or pound.

4. 

   Sit on the floor for about ten minutes in a small area with the puppy and observe it. Pet it and just watch it and how it responds to you and your children or other family members. Even if you like the first puppy you choose to interact with, you should go through the same process with the several choices you picked out.

5. 

   Though it sounds simple, just spending ten minutes interacting with a puppy you are thinking about purchasing and giving a home is extremely important. All puppies are cute. But they also all have distinct personalities. Spending ten minutes with several will help you determine which puppy will be the best fit for your family.

[Meri]

on 7/28/2008 I have surfed to your article twice now...it must be really good!

[momofour]

on 7/25/2008 Excellent article! Pound pups and strays have been the best dogs I have ever had. It's like they know you saved them and are determined to repay your kindness.

[vikki9]

on 7/12/2008 This is a very helpful article for anyone considering an adorable pound puppy! Cute, cute, cute photos!

[Meri]

on 7/8/2008 Your article is well written and full of great advice. [My little dog is a shelter rescue!]

[Psalmist4M]

on 7/8/2008 We've adopted from a shelter in the past and they were very helpful. Thanks for the tips. cherylgoff.com