Adopting a dog from an animal shelter can be a bit of a crap shoot. A lot of dogs come through the shelter doors with little to no history, and that can make it hard to pick a dog that will fit in well with your family. By asking the right questions, and really listening to the answers, both you and the shelter workers will be able to make the best possible match for your family (even if your family is just "you").
Know What Kind of Dog You are Looking For
Large or small, a jogging partner or fellow couch potato, puppy or adult dog, or a mix of specific dog breeds ... it really helps if you walk through an animal shelter with some idea of the kind of dog you are looking for. If it's a dog that joins you for a mile-long run every day, the shelter workers will do their best to match you up with a dog that has the energy level to keep up with you. Likewise, if you know you don't like dogs that need a lot of brushing to stay neat, then you'll want to avoid dogs with long fur. Increased popularity in several breeds has resulted in a substantial increase of purebred dogs in shelters too, so you aren't limited to mixed breed dogs.
Describe Your Home Life Honestly
When talking to the shelter workers, be sure to be as honest as you can. List your children, their ages and whether or not they are familiar with animals, and have learned to (or will be taught) to respect them. You may be asked questions about your living arrangements: whether you rent or own your home; if you have a yard, and is it fenced; what other pets are in your home, and how are their temperaments; are your other pets neutered; and does everyone in the home agree with the decision to adopt a dog?
Listen to the Shelter Worker's Advice
Please remember that the people that work with the dogs in the shelter know them best. Most of the dogs will have had some sort of temperament evaluation done, such as compatibility with other dogs and animals, tolerance for children, and possibly checked for anxiety issues. If a dog you are looking at has issues that may make him an unsuitable match for your home, you really need to take that into consideration. For example, a food protective dog can cause big problems in a home with small children and other dogs.
Abide by the Shelter's Dog Adoption Regulations
Most animal shelters have a set of adoption guidelines in place: regulations about what kind of home some or all dogs are allowed to be adopted into, and rules that must be followed after the adoption has taken place. These rules are in place to protect the dog, not for the convenience of the adopting home. Before you set your heart on a particular dog, make sure you go over what is expected from you (the adopting family), and what restrictions will be placed that may limit your choice of dog.
Take a Shelter Dog for a Test Drive First
If you are hesitant about how well your new dog will fit into your home, or get along with your other animals, ask about fostering your chosen dog for a few days, or even a couple of weeks. Almost all animal shelters have dog fostering programs, and it's far better for both you and the dog if you are given some time to get used to each other before making the big commitment.
Sources: The Original Dog Bible: The Definitive Source to All Things Dog by Kristin Mehus-Roe
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting and Owning a Dog by Ph.D., Sheila Webster Boneham
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