Adopting a new dog can create a pack of joy or a pack of disaster. Thinking carefully about adding a new dog and choosing one carefully can help you avoid potential problems down the road. Whether you want a purebred or a mix, shelters are full of dogs and other animals that need good homes.

Before even visiting the shelter, you need to think about why you want a dog and if your lifestyle is ready for one. Having a dog is a great deal of work any way you look at it. You’ll need to have time each day to play with and walk the dog and money for food and vet visits.

It’s also important to consider beforehand the type of dog that will fit your lifestyle. Many people buy small dogs thinking that they’ll be less work and then find that they still need to devote a great deal of time to their dog. Here a few things to consider when thinking about the type of dog to get:

§ Energy Level: you should think not only about the energy level of the dog, but also your own. If you like to run, walk, and hike, you’ll probably want a higher energy dog to accompany you. Those who like vegging on the couch will want a lower energy dog.

§ Living Space: consider your living space and the size of the dog that will work in it. Do you have a fenced yard? Live in an apartment? Where will the dog be when you are not at home?

§ Time: what amount of time each day do you have to devote to walking, playing with, and training the dog? How many hours each day will you be home with the dog? To be a pack of joy, you’ll need to have the time to dedicate to your dog.

Many people have a certain breed in mind that they’d like to have. Others fall in love with the appearance of a dog. Before you choose a dog based on these characteristics, you should read up on the breed to understand what the dog is generally like and spend some time getting to know the dog before choosing one based only on appearance.

Shelters are full of dogs whose owners wanted a certain breed or fell in love with the look of a dog but were not prepared for the dog’s personality or characteristics. Having a dog is a commitment and you should make choosing the dog an important task. This doesn’t mean that you can’t love how your dog looks, but just that it shouldn’t be your only consideration.

When you do visit the shelter, talk to the staff members about the dogs you are interested in and tell them about your lifestyle and what you’re looking for in a dog. They’ll be able to give you helpful insight into the dogs’ characteristics and personality to help you choose the right dog for you.

Before bringing a dog home, prepare your living space for the dog and read up on taking care of a dog if you don’t have a lot of experience with them. Look into training classes and check out a few books on the topic. You’ll also want to choose a vet to take your adopted dog to for a health check as soon as you can.

Adopting a dog can be a great experience if you take the time to do it right. You’ll soon be a pack of joy ready to take on the world together.