{"id":6332,"date":"2022-03-17T23:41:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-17T23:41:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hartz-v2.local7\/spring-perfect-time-adopt-dog\/"},"modified":"2025-04-22T18:30:13","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T18:30:13","slug":"spring-perfect-time-adopt-dog","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hartz.com\/en-ca\/spring-perfect-time-adopt-dog\/","title":{"rendered":"Spring is the perfect time to adopt a dog"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When choosing, take time to figure out the type of dog your family can handle.<\/p><\/div>\n

Fortunately, there's a lot of help out there. Dog expert Cesar Milan<\/a> offers guidance on the basics, and\u00a0Petfinder<\/a> takes a \"get down to business\" approach, even offering prospective adoptive pet parents a checklist for getting started.<\/p>\n

Be realistic<\/h3>\n

Assess the process carefully, and figure out the type of dog you and your family can handle. \"Bring along a dog trainer or other professional who can advise you about a dog's energy,\" Milan advised.<\/p>\n

Ask the experts<\/h3>\n

Along the same lines, the group recommended speaking with workers at the animal shelter and asking about the dogs<\/a>. The shelter's employees, said Milan, are an adopter's secret weapon. Since they are with the dogs all the time, they can share a great deal of helpful information about individual dog traits, including who is territorial, who is mellow, and so on.<\/p>\n

Look but don't touch<\/h3>\n

With shelter dogs<\/a>, said Milan, it's a good idea to refrain from touching, talking, and eye contact at first.
\n\"Ignore the dog,\" he said, \"but stand or sit close to him, so he can get used to your presence [and scent].\"<\/p>\n

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A return visit to a shelter can help you determine if there's any variation in a dog's behavior.<\/p><\/div>\n

Just do it<\/h3>\n

\"If you have the opportunity,\" advised Milan, \"return to see the dog on a second day, at a different time of day, to determine if there is a variation in behavior. \"Taking your time in choosing a dog<\/a> is serious business.\"<\/p>\n

Then take action, said Greg Kleva. \"Go to the shelter and 'Just Do It!' Don't risk walking away from the dog who could become your new best friend.\"<\/p>\n

The adoption checklist<\/h3>\n

Below are several questions from the Petfinder checklist<\/a>\u00a0for adopting a dog:<\/p>\n