Do you want a get a new dog? Consider saving a dog's life in the process. Adoption is a wonderful alternative to purchasing a dog from a pet store and is often much cheaper than getting a dog from a breeder.
Steps
Find the price range you are in and if you can even handle a dog.
Go to your local Humane Society or League of Animal Welfare. Most have dogs that come in all sizes.
Please research the type of dog you are interested in. Make sure that their activity levels and temperament are suitable for your lifestyle. It is often that dogs simply do not fit into the lifestyle of humans that they end up in the pound.
Find the breed of dog you are looking for at the pound. You will have choices to make. Puppies are cute and young however, they take a lot of time to train and house break. Adult dogs have a less likely chance of becoming adopted. It is often thought that you can not train an old dog. However, an adult dog will most likely be easily trained with the right guidance and will become house broken a lot faster than a puppy. There are many good reasons to adopt an older dog if you do not have a lot of time to spend following around a puppy! Keep in mind, adult dogs have a need for homes, not just the puppies.
Most importantly, see if the dog interacts well with you and your family. Many places have fenced in areas or rooms to bring other family pets to make sure they will get along. Spend a while with the dog and see if it is a suitable match for you.
Tips
Look at your budget. Make sure you have the money to provide for unexpected vet bills, treatments and food before adopting the pet.
Can you fit an hour walk into your schedule with the dog every night? It can be a new family activity that will help your dog to ajust and exercise. This also limits tention and chewing habits.
Training your dog can be a great way to bond as well as eliminating bad behaviors.
Warnings
Rescue puppies may require a lot more work than a puppy purchased from a responsible breeder. A rescued dog may not be as socialized and might be aggressive or wary of people. Food aggression towards other dogs is likely, and proper intervention may be necessary!
