Adopting a dog is a big deal. It’s a huge responsibility for both yourself and your family. As you are looking at different dogs in your area that are available for adoption, you need to take into consideration every aspect of your new dog to make sure that you are finding the perfect fit. You’ll probably fall in love with almost every dog you see. But, here are seven things to consider before making that final choice.




1. Temperament




Every dog has their own personality just like people do. Some are more independent than others and some just want affection all of the time. While dogs will be nervous and easily excited when they are awaiting adoption, some behaviors could be signs of problems that you could have trouble dealing with.




Overly shy


Overly shy: If the dog is afraid of you and you aren’t able to coax them into coming to you or smelling your hand, it’s possible that the dog has been abused. It’s all too common, especially with dogs in shelters. They won’t let you pet them because they are afraid of you. Sometimes, the abuse may have been so severe that they are never able to trust humans again.




Possessive


Possessive: If they won’t let you touch their toys or bedding without growling at you, it could also be a sign that they may have been abused. The growling could turn into biting, especially with strangers who aren’t aware of the dog’s possessive nature.


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