Improve Your Life - Celebrate Adopt a Dog Month!

Oct. 10, 2010 - PRLog -- Washington County Fl, October 2010 – If you are looking for unconditional love, an exercise buddy, a best friend, a sport partner, a walking companion or simply a happy face to greet you at the front door after a hard day at work, then adopt a dog!  Your local shelter is the perfect place to find dogs of every type, size, age and personality -- all waiting for a loving home.  Even pure-bred dogs and cats.  Or, if you are looking for a particular breed that you don’t see at your local shelter, find a breed-specific rescue group on the internet.  They need adopters too.
Niki Tudge, founder of The DogSmith national dog training and pet care franchise, says “animals from shelters make excellent pets, but they may have some easily fixed behaviors so choosing the right dog and finding the right training is important.”  In fact, a recent study conducted by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy found that a majority of dogs are surrendered to shelters for behavior problems that are easily corrected or the dog didn’t fit into the lifestyle of the owner.

The study can be seen at The ASPCA's web site

Tudge said, “By adopting a shelter animal, not only do you end up with a well behaved, wonderful family member but the training you go through with your dog will be fun and helps establish a fantastic bond between you and your pet.  We have special programs for dogs adopted from shelters and we offer free puppy classes.  All of our training is very easy, even the youngest family members can control the family dog.”
According to The ASPCA, people bringing a companion animal into their lives need to review thoroughly their lifestyle and their level of commitment to the animal's care.  The ASPCA advises people to ask themselves the following five questions before adopting a dog:

1. Am I ready to make a long-term commitment?  Adopting a pet means being responsible for its health and happiness for the rest of his or her life, this could be up to 15 years for dogs.
2. Is the animal right for my household?  A strong, active pet may be too much for a young child or elderly person to handle.  Small pets may be too delicate for rough play with children.  Always make sure that everyone in the household agrees to the adoption.
3. Who will be the primary caretaker for the animal?  One adult in the home should be designated as the primary caretaker so that the pet's needs do not become lost in the shuffle of busy schedules.
4. Can I afford the animal?  The cost of a pet is more than just the purchase price or adoption fee; remember to include the cost of food, pet supplies, veterinarian bills and training.
5. Am I ready to commit to making this dog a good canine citizen?  A well-trained dog is a pleasure and is welcome in public parks, on walks, and as a visitor.  Research shows that people who take the time to train their dogs are more likely to keep them longer than people who don’t.  

If you are looking to add a dog to your family then consider adopting from a shelter or rescue group! For more information on The DogSmith’s free puppy classes, their Canine Rescue Resource Program or if you’d like help choosing a dog appropriate to your lifestyle visit www.DogSmith.com.

# # #

The DogSmith Franchise Services Inc. is a Florida based company whose mission is to enhance the lives of pets and their owners by improving their relationship, and the quality of the life they share, through providing professional support and training to pet dog owners, supporting and assisting animal shelters and rescue organizations to minimize the number of unwanted animals and offering affordable and professional care to family pets so that pet ownership is never a burden. To learn more about The DogSmith or to become a DogSmith Dog Trainer, visit www.DogSmith.com or call 1-888-364-7648.