So you have decided that you want a mutt of your own. Now, how do you go about getting one?
First of all, make sure that you are ready for the commitment of owning a dog. Owning a dog requires money, time, and patience. Dogs can live for up to 20+ years and need regualar veterinary care and high quality food if they are to be happy and healthy. They need to be exercised, trained and groomed also. The rewards of these requirements are plenty, but make sure that you are prepared for the requirements of owning a dog.
Next step, everyones favorite thing, reasearch. You will need to know what type of dog will fit into your life and with your personality the best. Size, temperment, age, energy level and grooming requirements will have to be decided on. Go to your local library, most have books that help people find the type of dog for them. After reasearching and compiling a list of breeds that will work the best with you, you are ready for the next step.
Prepare for a dog. Since you should be adopting a mutt (from shelter, rescue or friend) there usually isn't much time to buy supplies for the dog after deciding on what mutt to adopt. If you have done your research you should know the approximite size and needs of your future dog. You should buy the basics before bringing your dog home so everything will be ready. Basic needs are bed (fit for size of dog) food and water bowls, collar and leash with I.D. tag with your address on it, the food you have decided on, and a couple of toys suitable for size and age of dog. You will also have to decide on where you want to go for veterinary treatment, because you will want to get your new dog a check up and shots before introducing him to new places, people, and pets.
Time to take a trip to your local animal shelter, and find your future mutt. 75% of the dogs in shelters are mixed breeds or mutts. Find a shelter worker and ask them for help with your decision. These workers work with the dogs day in and day out. They know the personalities of the dogs, and can be your best resource when looking for your new mutt. Tell them about the family, your normal routine, temperment you are looking for, and the breeds you think will work the best as far as size and grooming. Most likely the shelter worker will have choices for you (# of choices based on your demands and size of shelter). Spend time with each dog to test out personality. Usually you will feel a connection with your soon to be dog.
Decide on what dog. With some it might be love at first sight, with others you might not find one the first trip to the shelter. Find your perfect new best friends and bring him or her home to a great new home.
Now that your new dog is at home with you, spend time with him/her. The new dog needs to get to know you and you need to get to know them. Try to keep your house quiet for the first couple of days to reduce the stress on your new dog. If you adopted a puppy, make sure that you are properly socailizing it, older dogs need socialization too. Socialization is introducing your dog to new enviroments, people and dogs. All dogs need to be socialized to be happy and mentally healthy. They will be much more comfortable in strange surroundings if intorduced to them regularly. Training is also important. Most mutts are very smart and willing to please. Make sure that your dog knows the basics: sit, lay down, stay, come, and heel. Now you can call yourself a proud owner of a All American Mutt |
