Blog  >  Shelter Dog Myths: Don’t Let Them Keep You From Adopting

Shelter Dog Myths: Don’t Let Them Keep You From Adopting

September 16, 2011 • Rescue • by Guest Writer

This year, National Dog Week takes place September 19 – 25. The week of awareness was created not only to celebrate man's best friend, but to educate dog owners, and would-be dog owners on the benefits of having a dog as a pet, and how to properly care for them. What better time to adopt a shelter dog? Maybe you've been thinking about getting a dog, but have discounted adopting one because you thought a shelter dog wouldn’t make a good pet. Shelter dogs sometimes get a bad rap, and people avoid adopting them because of several shelter dog myths floating around. Before you buy another dog, read about why these misconceptions aren't true, and what a great pet a shelter dog can make.

Shelter Dogs Are Not Healthy

Admittedly, because many dogs who end up in shelters were strays, they're not in perfect health. They probably weren't eating well, they most likely have fleas and ticks, and they may have been injured while they were on their own, either by another animal, a person, or if they were hit by a car. Shelter dogs may also have other, more serious conditions like heartworm, because they weren't receiving preventive care. None of this should stop you from adopting a shelter dog. Responsible shelters will not put any ill or injured animals up for adoption. They treat them, and place them in foster care, if possible, until they've recovered completely.

But this is not to say your adopted dog will never become ill. Just like people, animals sometimes become ill with minor conditions like respiratory infections, or with major ones like cancer. There is no way to predict whether the dog you adopt will develop any conditions in the future. But that's part of the commitment of getting a pet—any pet, even one you buy at a store or from a breeder. And yes, vet bills can be expensive. The best way to counter these kinds of expenses is to take good care of your dog. You can also start a savings account just for veterinary costs, or buy a pet insurance policy. For the day-to-day preventive care and prescriptions, try an online discount provider like 1800 pet meds, or PetCareRx. Add a PetcareRX coupon code to your purchase, and you can save even more.

Shelters Are Full of Mutts, And I Want a Specific Breed
It's true, shelters and rescues are filled with all kinds of mixed-breed dogs. Sometimes, when dogs have been stray for a while, or if their owners allow them to roam free and have not spayed or neutered their dogs, they will simply follow their instincts and breed with the first dog who comes along at the right time. But it may surprise you to know that animal shelters and rescues often have purebred dogs available for adoption.

This occurs for several reasons. Someone had a purebred dog and surrendered it because they could no longer care for it. The dog escaped his home, and was found wandering the streets. Or, sadly, the person who owned the dog abused it, and was made to surrender it, or the dogs were rescued from a puppy mill that produced the purebred puppies you see in the pet stores. In addition to local shelters, rescues are set up across the nation that only deal with specific breeds. A quick search on the Internet will reveal rescues for nearly every breed of dog. You probably won't be able to get papers for the dog, but you can adopt the breed you're interested in, and for much less than you'd spend if you bought it from a pet store or breeder.

A Shelter Dog Will Be Too Wild
Most of the dogs you'll find at shelters belonged to someone else at one time. Even if they were picked up as strays, it's often because they ran away and weren't claimed by their owners, or because the people who owned them decided they didn't want them anymore and just turned them loose, or dumped them somewhere far from home. It happens more often than you might think. Some people think dogs will be able to fend for themselves, but the truth is, a dog that has lived in someone's home, been fed on regular basis, and maybe even been part of a family does not have the skills to live on its own. They don't suddenly revert and become wolves. A domesticated dog set "free" is terrified and doesn't understand why it's been rejected by its "pack." Some of them starve because they can't find food, or they're hit by cars. Most strays are simply looking for their home, or for a new pack to accept them.


Many other dogs at rescues and shelters are there because they were removed from abusive homes, or because the people who owned them simply couldn't—or didn't want to—care for them anymore. The point is, they're not feral, wild animals that will need taming if you adopt them. They may even already be housebroken or trained to a degree. It will take some time for them to become accustomed to their new surroundings, and to learn the rules in your home, and there may be a few accidents at first. But a rescued dog is eager to please, and will do his best to become a good addition to the family. All it takes is time, patience, training, and lots of love.

If Someone Gave The Dog Up, The Dog Must Be Bad
While it's true that some people do surrender their dogs to shelters because of "bad" behavior, it's important to keep something in mind—you don't know the dog's side of the story. It could be the dog was left alone for hours and hours, and didn't have any appropriate toys to keep his mind occupied, so he got bored and chewed up the carpet. Or it could be that the person who owned the dog didn't take the time to properly train and discipline the dog, so he never learned the difference between good and bad behavior. Dogs, just like children, must be taught right from wrong. They don't automatically know they can't get up on the couch, or that your DVDs are not chew toys.

With enough attention, a lot of patience, and the right training, any dog can learn how to behave in your home, even a dog who was "bad," and ended up at the shelter because his previous owner just didn't take the time to teach him properly. If you're unsure how to properly train your adopted pet, take him to obedience classes. Not only will your dog learn proper behaviors, you'll learn how to reinforce what he learns so he can continue to be a good pet away from class. When you plan to be gone for an extended period of time, make sure your dog has plenty of toys to keep him occupied, and not just any toys, but toys created to keep your dog engaged and mentally stimulated. Any pet supply store such as Petsmart of Petco will carry these kinds of toys. You can save money on them, and on a lot of other supplies for your new pet, by using Petco coupon codes. No dog is a mind reader, or is born knowing that shoes are not for chewing. When you adopt a dog, just take a bit of time to teach and train him, and you'll be rewarded with an obedient, well-behaved pet.

Next time you consider adding a furry, four-legged member to your family, consider a shelter or rescue dog. Make some time to visit your local shelter, and meet some of the dogs there. Give them a chance. You'll be happy with a new addition to your household, and you'll save two lives—that of the dog you adopt, and that of another dog who can take that spot at the shelter until someone else like you comes along to give him a forever home.

Caroline Ruddy is a freelance writer pursuing her dream of being published. When not working on a manuscript, she loves reading books and watching movies, especially when they include a furry friend napping on her lap. If you’d like to contact Caroline, please send her an e-mail at mscaroliner@gmail.com

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