Every day people see stray dogs on the streets, roaming neighborhoods and going door-to-door begging for food. Fortunately, there are good-hearted people who choose to adopt them, bring them into their families, and give them a chance at a good life.

If you’re considering adopting a stray dog, know that there are challenges and rewards. Since you will be bringing the dog into your home and family, it is important to weigh both sides before making a final decision.

challenges

One of the biggest challenges in adopting a homeless dog is not knowing their background. The dog could have been exposed to just about anything, and you have no way of knowing before you adopt him. This may mean that the dog has serious health problems and you won’t know until you take him to the vet for an exam. Be sure to get the dog to the vet’s office right away and continue regular checkups to keep it healthy.

Another big challenge is their behavior. After living on the streets, many dogs revert to more feral behavior, doing everything they can to survive. This means that they may be suspicious of humans, defensive, and unaware of “proper” behavior in a familiar setting. When you adopt a stray dog, you have to work on being nicer to him while teaching him how to socialize with humans (and other animals).

Discipline goes hand in hand with behavioral problems that a stray dog ​​may have. Depending on how long the dog has been alone, he may not have discipline and may not know what is proper behavior. While you are gentle, you should also be firm with the dog and keep up the training, even if it is difficult. If the dog is an adult, it can be even more difficult to train, but patience, gentleness, and love will help.

rewards

Despite the challenges that come with adopting a stray dog, there are also great rewards. One of the most important is the opportunity to give a dog a chance at a good life. And for many dogs, that second chance literally means the difference between life and death. Saving a stray dog’s life is quite a reward!

Another reward for adopting a stray dog ​​is the love and companionship of the pet. One of the main reasons people adopt dogs is for companionship and love. No matter what a dog’s origin is, if you continue to love him and be kind to him, the dog will eventually show you love and affection as well.

By adopting a stray dog, you also help reduce the number of strays in the United States. Thousands upon thousands of puppies are born to stray dogs every year. By adopting a stray dog ​​(and spaying or neutering it), you reduce the number of dogs that will eventually end up strays.

Adopting a stray dog ​​can be a very rewarding experience, but it does come with its challenges. If you are considering adopting a stray dog, make sure you fully understand all that is involved. Adopting any dog ​​can be challenging enough, but adopting a stray dog ​​can have additional complications. However, the rewards are worth it, and the love you’ll get from your rescue dog will help you forget all the challenges along the way.