Oftentimes, stray dogs are generalized as worse than pure breeds or dogs from a shelter. If you have the same thought, think back, and regard street dogs are just as good as other dogs.
Reasons to Adopt a Stray Dog
Consider adopting a stray dog if you run into one on the street. After all, these dogs don’t have a home of their own anymore and they all need a new family. Here are few reasons why you should.
Give a Dog Another Chance
Some of these strays lived a while on the streets and others may have been abandoned by their owners. If you adopt a stray dog, you are given him or her a second chance to have a loving life. This means you could literally save a stray dog from a life filled with sadness and pain.
Save Some Money
You save some money in adopting strays. If you go to a breeder, you will have to spend hundreds of dollars to get the specific breed you want.
Make Things Easier for Others
In a way, adopting a street dog means helping the animal shelter as well. Remember that they need to care for various dogs and they have limited space. You will have this special part in rescuing more dogs.
How to Care for a Stray Dog
There will be some precautions before taking in a stray dog since it has previous experiences you need to consider.
Take Precautions First
Do not assume a dog is homeless or abandoned if it’s alone and has no collar or tag. Check with the local shelter first for missing dog reports. They can also scan the dog if it’s microchipped and verify if it is just lost or a runaway. You can also post the dog on social media, perhaps, the owner can see it online. Lastly, do not take in a dog if it shows feral behavior, report the aggressive dog instead.
Proper Physical Treatment
You won’t have medical records of the street dog, therefore, you need to go to the vet so your dog can get the proper shots and medication. This should also include dog flea treatment since strays usually have fleas that will cause discomfort, pain, and sickness. Laura Ortega at The Pampered Pup can help guide you through the leading flea treatments available in the market today.
Consider Past Experiences
Remember that your stray may have faced traumatizing experiences in the past and even abuse from previous owners. The poor dog may be afraid of certain situations or objects due to previous trauma. Observe the dog to keep it happy and make it feel secure.
Train Your Dog
Some strays are previous house dogs. There’s a likelihood they are behaved and well trained already. If that is not the case, you will need to take some time to teach your dog to use the bathroom outside or on dog pads. If you are not sure about the size of pads and what type of pads should apply to your dog, you can have an idea by going to Pet Parents® store. You may also need to train it to not destroy your furniture and anything else that would cause you problems.
Keep The Dog Active
The best aspect of dogs from the street is being energetic. They are super friendly and active that you have to keep pace with their energy. Keep them busy and exercise with them to get their energy out.
Be Patient
Remember that strays have street behaviors, so your new dog will be used to certain things. It will take some time for your new family member to adjust and feel secure, you need to be patient.