How to Bring a Dog Home From the Pound

Adopting a dog is a serious undertaking and requires a lot of forethought. If you are considering adopting a dog from the pound you will need extra planning. Dogs from the pound may have histories that are unknown to the pound staff and will, as a result, be unknown to you. You will need to learn how to choose the right dog for you and your family and be prepared to properly care for it. You should explore some basic guidelines to get your family and house ready for the dog as well.

Things You'll Need

  • Leash
  • Collar
  • Water and food bowls
  • Dog food
  • Chew toy
  • Bedding
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place a soft blanket or a store-bought dog bed in the area where you want your future dog to sleep. Also place a food bowl and water bowl where you want him to eat. Fill the bowls with food and water. Preparing your home this way will make your dog feel more welcome and also give you more social time with him when you first come home.

    • 2

      Visit your local dog pound and view the dogs that are available for adoption. Bring a leash and collar with you.

    • 3

      Interact with each dog to decide which dog's personality will work best for you. If you have other people in your household, introduce them to the dog at the pound before you bring it home.

    • 4

      Ask the pound employees about any information they have about the dog's medical and aggression history. It may not be available, but it would be useful information for you and the dog's future veterinarian.

    • 5

      Take the dog home with you and set up an appointment with a veterinarian in your area for a checkup and routine vaccinations.

    • 6

      Practice walking your dog on the leash. If the dog has had leash training already, it should be less difficult to walk it, but if you find that it pulls on the lead or will not walk in the direction you want to go, work with it regularly to get the dog used to the leash and you.

    • 7

      Invite guests over to your home to gauge the dog's ability to socialize with strangers. Leash the dog before they arrive, and release it from the leash after you are sure it is safe to do so.

    • 8

      Secure your yard, or take your dog out on a leash when it needs to potty. This dog, after all, did come from the pound, which means it could have the tendency to run from the area rather than stay in the yard.

    • 9

      Introduce your existing pets, if any, slowly and carefully. Without knowledge of the dog's history with other animals, assuming that the dog will get along with other animals in the home can be disastrous. Leash or crate the dog while you interact with the other pets in clear view and look for any signs of distress, such as aggressive or overly excited behaviors.

    • 10

      Potty train your dog as you would a new puppy. Even if the dog has had previous training, the stress of moving from the pound to your home can be stressful and can cause nervous accidents to occur. Take the dog out frequently and reward it for going potty outdoors.