When getting a dog, you should always consider checking out your local animal shelters to adopt your newest family member. Every year, 3.9 million dogs enter animal shelters, and about 1.2 million of those dogs are euthanized because they haven’t been adopted.

There are tons of lovable, adoptable dogs waiting to go home with you right now. But many people brush off shelter dogs because there are too many unfortunate misconceptions about them. With your help, we can increase shelter adoption numbers.

Let’s Correct These Misconceptions

Misconception #1: Shelter dogs are damaged goods

This is the saddest misconception about shelter dogs because it is largely untrue.

While some dogs end up in shelters due to health or behavioral issues, many of them are given up because their previous human got sick, had to move, passed away, or was simply unable to care for the dog properly.

There are amazing dogs in shelters who are ready to meet you and show you just how lovable they are.

Misconception #2: I can’t rescue a dog because I want a puppy

There are plenty of puppies available in shelters. The average age of an animal entering a shelter is 18 months, which is practically still a puppy. Keep in mind that puppies aren’t puppies forever, requiring special care. The first thing you’ll have to do if you get a puppy is deal with housebreaking.

Puppies are a lot of work, which is exactly why dogs are often surrendered to shelters before their second birthday. You could easily get a wonderful adult or senior dog at a shelter already trained and ready to go. In fact, for many first-time Pack Leaders, this is a good choice.

Misconception #3: Shelter dogs won’t be loyal or obedient to me

This misconception is just silly. All dogs are loyal. If you bring a dog home and show him unconditional love, you’ll have a faithful companion for life.

As for obedience, with a bit of patience, training, and consistency, your new dog will obey your commands in no time. Many shelter dogs are already trained in basic obedience so that you can start ahead of the curve.

Misconception #4: Rescuing dogs is nice… but I want a purebred dog

Shelters have purebred dogs, so you can’t use that as an excuse! But what about considering a unique, one-of-a-kind mutt or mixed-breed dog? It will be a dog unlike any other and less likely to suffer from the various genetic defects that purebreds are prone to.

You should keep your mind wide open to all of the dog possibilities. You want to make sure you and your dog are compatible when it comes down to it. If you’re only looking for one specific type of dog, you could miss out on another awesome dog.

Misconception #5: I will never love a rescue dog like I love the dog I’ve had since he was a puppy

Of course, you can love a rescue dog! And you will. Once the dog is yours and you bring her home with you, it won’t matter where or how you got it, and you will love her with all of your heart. As long as you give your new best friend plenty of love, cuddles, and treats — after exercise and discipline, of course — your dog will love you back with all of her heart too.

Getting a dog is a big responsibility, but since you’re going to do it anyway, why not adopt a shelter dog and save a furry life in the process? There are millions of shelter dogs patiently wagging their tails right now, just waiting for you to rescue them and take them to their forever home.

Misconception #6: Shelters are dirty, so the dogs must be

Shelters are often a non-profit organization that heavily relies on their volunteers to help run the facility and keep it clean. Whenever you have a big group of animals together in one space, there are bound to be messes. Even if the shelter has limited resources, they provide a clean and safe place for dogs to call home temporarily.

Some pups indeed come to the shelter dirt, unkempt and needing some attention. With a bit of time, effort, and grooming, the four-legged friend is transformed into an adorable pet anyone would be lucky to have. Does your local shelter look dirty and need maintenance repairs? The appearance is most likely because they don’t have enough volunteers. Why not donate some of your time and talent to make things better?

Misconception #7: A shelter won’t allow me to get to know the dog before adopting

The end goal of shelters is to match a dog that will blend in with the family. Volunteers desire for there to be compatibility between the rescue dog and the family who plan to adopt. Many shelters require a certain amount of time spent with the dog before the adoption is official. Ask your local shelter if they offer a fostering program that allows you to take a dog home as part of a trial period to ensure it’s a good fit for everyone.

Misconception #8: The shelter staff are untrained and unprofessional

Being a lover of animals is a number one requirement to work at a rescue shelter, and most times, the paid staff are compensated so little for all their hard work and dedication to our four-legged friends.

The staff comprises vets, vet techs, trainers, and others who have a deep passion for the welfare of animals. They all have a general knowledge of animals and how to care for them, and their desire is the best possible outcome for both the pup and the potential adopted family.

Misconception #9 The adoption fees for a shelter dog are too expensive

It’s common for people to assume that shelters should be willing to give away all their rescue dogs for free, but the money you give is well spent and can be thousands of dollars cheaper than if you went directly to a breeder. These fees include services that the shelter has provided the pup, such as vaccinations, a microchip, spay/neuter surgery, flea and tick preventative, and many other benefits. The fee does not always include these medical services when you buy through a breeder.

Adoption fees also serve other essential services. One main benefit is that the money collected from adoptions helps keep the shelter open to rescue more animals. Another added benefit to charging is it prevents people from getting dogs for fighting or flipping.

Check Out a Local Rescue Shelter

Instead of listening to these misconceptions, make a date to check out your local shelter. Meet the volunteers and staff, and see what animals seek a forever home. You never know, you could meet the newest member of your family.

Is your dog a rescue? Tell us your love story.

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Common Myths that are Portrayed on Shelter Dogs

So, next time you want to add a dog to your family or your pack, adopt don’t shop — you’ll save a life and find a faithful friend at the same time.

What is your favorite dog rescue organization in your area and why?

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If you’re thinking of adopting a dog, there are quite a few things you need to consider when adopting a dog, and some of them will no doubt surprise you—at least a little. To guide you through the process, we’ve assembled a panel of experts—William Berloni, director of dog training at The Humane Society of New York; Sirius XM radio’s It’s a Dog’s Life host Greg Kleva; Barbara Lathrop, who’s on the board of directors of Associated Humane Societies in Newark, NJ, and of course, Cesar himself.

Here’s their 26-point tip list….

Assess Adopting a Dog Realistically

“Know what type of dog you and your family can handle before you go in,” advises the Humane Society’s Berloni. Cesar also suggests, “Bring along a dog trainer or other professional who can advise you about a dog’s energy.”

Black Dogs are the New Black

They’re routinely overlooked for the ones with lighter, flashier coats. Please don’t ignore the dark dogs—one just might steal your heart. And they go with almost any outfit!

Consult the Real Experts of Dog Adoption

Make a point of meeting with animal shelter workers and asking them which dogs are their favorites. Shelter staffers are an adopter’s secret weapon: they handle the dogs day in and day out, so they really know which ones are super active and which ones are more mellow—and they’re happy to tell you everything they know.

Disaster Victims Need Your Help

“Disaster areas experience higher-than-average rates of dog abandonment, and you can arrange for a professional transport service to ship your dog to his new home,” says Berloni.

Eye Contact With the Dogs

“When looking through the kennels, don’t make sustained eye contact with the dogs,” Berloni advises. Cesar agrees: “Save the eye contact for when you really know each other better.”

Factor in Family in Adopting a Dog

Everyone at home should be on board with the idea of getting a new dog. Take the family along when you go to the shelter—and that includes your current dog. Cesar, however, cautions: “Observe the new guy with other dogs before you bring him home. If he doesn’t get along with the dogs at the shelter, he may not get along with your dogs, either.”

Go for a Walk With a Few Dogs

Narrow your choice of dogs down to two or three, advises Cesar. Then ask if you can take each one for a short leash walk. You can learn a great deal about a dog’s energy and personality during a 10-minute walk.

Hands-free Handling with New Dogs

When you meet a shelter dog for the first time, remember Cesar’s no-touch, no-talk, no-eye-contact rule. “Ignore the dog,” he says, “but stand or sit close to him, so he can get used to your presence [and scent].”

Insider Tip for Animal Shelters

Try to avoid rush hour at the shelter. Weekends and afternoons are likely to be crowded, which can excite or agitate the animals. Instead, go in the middle of the week when it’s a bit slower and you can spend as much time as you need to make sure the dog you’re considering is a good fit for you.

Just Do it…When You’re Ready!

“If you have the opportunity,” advises Cesar, “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 is serious business.” But once you’ve done all your prep work, says 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.”

Kill Shelters

Dogs at kill shelters are at a much higher risk of being destroyed, sometimes within a matter of days or hours. The reasons vary—from local policy to overcrowding—but it’s crucial to remember there’s nothing wrong with those dogs. Don’t hesitate to visit high kill shelters first when you’re looking for your next pet; you could save a dog’s life.

Look at Dog Energy Levels and Your Own

This is the single most important thing to consider when adopting a dog, notes Cesar. “Your goal as a successful dog owner is to find a dog with a lower energy level, or the same energy level, that you and your family [including any current dogs or pets] might possess. Compatible energy is more important than breed.”

Mutts

Mixed-breed dogs often make the best pets because they carry the great traits of both (or all!) of the breeds in their make-up. It is also widely believed that mixed breeds will be healthier than purebreds, due to their decreased risk of passing along recessive genes. And, there’s also a theory (mostly espoused by mutt owners) that mixed-breed dogs are smarter than purebreds.

No-no

Do not buy from that pet store in the mall. The puppies may be adorable, but they’re most likely the products of puppy mills, born to overbred and abused mothers who are often discarded when they can no longer produce litters. Remember: You don’t know where they came from, and you don’t know what genetic weaknesses they have. And by supporting those stores, you’re helping perpetuate a legacy of animal abuse.

Older Dogs

Divorce or death can leave a middle-aged or senior dog without a home. “These,” says Associated Humane Societies’ Barbara Lathrop, “are the pets that melt my heart. Generally, they’re well housebroken. They don’t find joy in dragging towels and clothing around the house or ripping up a newspaper. They’ve trained at least one human; they tend to be more settled and calm, and are usually easy to take for walks or a ride in the car.”

Pit Bulls are Great Dogs — Don’t Overlook Them!

They take up as much as 90 percent of cage space at animal shelters across the country, so please be open to the Pit possibility. “The No. 1 trait in Pit Bulls is loyalty to their guardians,” says Berloni. “These great dogs deserve to have devoted, caring owners who are worthy of that intense loyalty.” No argument from Cesar. “Pit Bulls,” he says, “get a bad rap because of irresponsible owners.”

Quietness is Overrated

Animal shelters are not quiet places; loud barking is common, and it spreads. If a dog barks as you pass his cage, realize he’s not barking at you- He’s just responding to the call of the other dogs, or answering a dog in a neighboring cage. “Don’t judge a dog by his behavior in the kennel, “Berloni says. “When you take him out, you might find he’s very quiet and calm.”

Rescuing Purebreds

Know exactly which breed you want, but can’t find it at your local shelter? Type the breed name and the word “rescue” into your Internet search engine; you’ll find a wealth of rescue groups around the country—from Keeshonds in Kansas (keeshondlovers.com) to Rottweilers in Rhode Island (rottrescue.org).

Smiling Faces

Some dogs will actually smile because they’re happy to see you. Among adoption experts, these friendly overtures are known as “submissive grins,” and considered a sure sign of a sweet dog. But sadly, those bared teeth are often misinterpreted as menacing—especially when they belong to, say, a grinning Pit Bull. Please give a smiling dog a chance!

Timing

If you just lost a beloved dog, and you’re thinking of replacing her immediately—think twice. As Cesar says: “When you bring an animal into a house full of sadness, you introduce her to an environment that is nothing but soft, weak energy. There are no strong leaders in a home in mourning; wait a little after a pet dies before you bring in a new one.”

Use your Instincts

Here’s Greg Kleva’s advice: “You’ll know when you meet the dog who needs you; it’s in the spirit. Does the dog have the energy level it takes to join you hiking and biking for your active lifestyle? Does he seem like he’ll be your sidekick or co-pilot wherever you go? Is there that softness in the eyes of a dog who just wants to be your companion at home?”

Vaccinations

In addition to the basics (distemper, rabies, canine adenovirus-2), the main thing you need to be concerned about when you’re adopting a puppy is the parvovirus. As Cesar says, it’s an extremely contagious organism “that finds a happy home in the intestinal lining of puppies…. Many vets recommend that puppies be kept away from public outdoor areas until their vaccination series is completed at sixteen weeks. They should be kept away from any dogs you don’t know.”

Worming

Recommended for your new puppy at three weeks, six weeks, nine weeks, and if needed, 12 weeks.

eXpectations for Your New Dog

(Forgive us; nothing interesting starts with X!) Don’t expect the dog you meet at the shelter to show his or her true colors immediately. The stress of shelter life can cause a dog to generate higher levels of plasma cortisol, which can manifest in fear or hyperactive or aggressive behavior. Ask shelter staff about the dog and whether you can spend some time with her away from all of the commotion.

Young Dogs

“One of the most important things to remember about puppyhood,” says Cesar, “is that it is the shortest state of a dog’s life. A dog is a puppy from birth to eight months, then an adolescent from eight months to three years.” Why is this important? “Both parents and children need to remember that in the blink of an eye, this puppy will physically resemble a grown-up dog…. I advise you not to give in to a whim and bring one home for the novelty of it.” Think long and hard about the kind of dog that will be best for you and your family, then start hitting the shelters.

Zero Tolerance for Dog Bad Behaviors

It’s never too early to start correcting bad behaviors, which can manifest themselves very quickly if dogs don’t get structure and leadership—from you—from the start. Practice obedience training, set rules, and enforce them calmly. Praise your puppy’s good behavior, and you’ll soon have a friend for life.

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As we’ve discussed many times here, there are a lot of misconceptions about shelter dogs, a big one being that they are somehow “damaged” and unadoptable. But, really, most of the time the reasons that a dog winds up in a shelter come down to human failure.

Dogs end up in shelters because we don’t properly train them, or we aren’t prepared ourselves, economically or personally, to take on the responsibility. If any damage has been done to those dogs, it’s been done by people.

Of course, once a dog is in a shelter, its misbehavior can become worse, and it’s a terrible Catch-22: This makes the dog less adoptable, so the dog is treated as such, which makes him even less adoptable, etc. But what is the ultimate cause of this vicious cycle?

Dog’s Develop Trust Issues

It is a loss of trust. If the dog has been given up by her family, she has already learned to be leery of humans. Her own pack betrayed her and dumped her. Loss of true socialization opportunities in a shelter can also make this mistrust worse, especially if the staff is overworked and don’t have proper time to spend with each dog.

I want you to think of a time when you lost trust in a friend or loved one. Chances are that it happened because they either didn’t fulfill an obligation or they lied to you. Whether emotionally or physically, they abandoned you. In short, when they were supposed to be there for you, they weren’t.

Fortunately, as intellectual beings, we can understand mitigating circumstances, so if a friend stands you up for a lunch date you’re not going to completely lose trust if it happened because their car broke down or because they honestly forgot. But if they make dates and break them without any discernable reason and it becomes a pattern, then it’s hard to maintain trust.

Sound Familiar When it Comes to Our Dogs?

It may seem different on the surface because you can’t actually tell your dog, “We have a play date at 2 p.m. tomorrow,” and have it mean anything to him. Dogs don’t have a sense of future time and commitment like that. But what they do have is a sense of routine, along with certain very real physical needs, and when you’re inconsistent in keeping that routine and fulfilling those needs, then you are making and breaking dates with your dog.

Now think about how you’ve dealt with humans who’ve lost your trust in the past. Maybe you tried to talk the situation out and give them another chance. That’s certainly understandable if it’s someone you really care about. There’s something worth saving there. But maybe it got to a point beyond saving, in which case you probably walked away.

In your dog’s case, it’s going to take an awful lot to make them walk away from their pack leader, so they’re going to keep giving you another chance and, as some humans in unhealthy relationships do, they may even blame themselves, in a sense, for what you are doing wrong. A dog won’t do that intellectually, but they can certainly feel as if you’re treating them the way you are because they failed you.

Make a Promise When You Adopt

When we adopt a dog, we make a promise to fulfill her needs and create consistency and balance for the rest of her life. This means that we need to exercise her, teach her the rules and enforce them consistently, and provide food, water, shelter, and medical care. Beyond that, we need to provide ourselves — our time and attention.

If having a dog sounds a little like a human relationship, guess what? It is. It can be the most fulfilling one you’ll ever have, but it takes just as much effort. The difference is that a dog will never intentionally do anything to lose your trust. And if a dog does get to that point, it’s at the tail end of a lot of things that you have done wrong.

Just like with human relationships, maintaining trust requires communication and commitment. When it comes to dogs, yours are one hundred percent committed to you, and they are also the most honest communicators you’ll ever meet. We owe it to them to return the favor.

You would never want to lose the trust of a person you loved, right? Then take care to never do anything to lose that of your dog, who loves you as much as humanly possible.

Stay calm, and be trustworthy!

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Refugees have been all over the news recently — whether it’s Syrian refugees in Europe, or tens of thousands of refugee children from Central America crossing the border into the U.S. via Mexico. These are stories I can relate to, because I once made that journey myself, although at least I wasn’t fleeing a situation where my life was in danger.

Now, while some people want to welcome them and others don’t, I haven’t heard anyone seriously suggesting that we should just shoot these people, especially women and children, because there are too many of them and they don’t have homes. That would be a ridiculous, inhumane, and insane suggestion.

But, for another group of refugees, it’s often the first option, and it needs to stop.

Unwanted and Abandoned Dogs

Those refugees are the six hundred million unwanted, homeless, and abandoned dogs all around the world and, in far too many places, rounding them up and killing them is exactly what happens. Even in places like the U.S., where we like to think that we treat animals humanely, we still kill them in shelters, by the tens of thousands every single day.

International Homeless Animals Day is celebrated every third Saturday of August to raise awareness about the pet overpopulation epidemic, but we should do that every day. Every day that we reduce the number of unwanted, homeless animals is a day that we allow more of them to live longer, happier lives. Everything that we do to reduce the number of homeless animals ensures that there will be far fewer unwanted animals in the next generation.

I was very encouraged to learn the other day that, in Los Angeles at least, we have made great strides in reducing the number of dogs killed in shelters every year. According to a story in the LA Daily News, in the fiscal year ending on June 30, animal shelters here had reduced the number of dogs and cats killed by almost 35% over the year previous.

That is a very significant reduction, and it’s also very encouraging. But there’s something else behind it. It isn’t just that shelters have decided to kill fewer animals. They’ve also been taking in fewer unwanted animals — more than eight percent fewer than in the year previous.

How You Can Help

Every one of us can help to keep reducing the number of dogs killed in shelters, and here are some steps we can take to do it.

Spay and Neuter

This is probably the single most important thing we can do. Not only does spaying and neutering our pets reduce the number of unwanted animals, it can also reduce aggression, and help our dogs live longer, healthier lives by preventing health issues later, like certain types of cancer.

Adopt, Don’t Shop

Shelters are full of wonderful dogs available for low-cost adoption, and every shelter dog that we rescue is one less dog that may be killed tomorrow. We need to stop seeing dogs as breed first and deciding that we have to have a certain kind of dog. Not only are mixed breed dogs much healthier than puppies produced in mills, they also tend to be much more stable. Something I remind people of a lot is this: You don’t always get the dog you want, but you always get the dog you need. Rescue dogs are our opportunity to get in touch with Nature by honoring the animal, not the breed.

Don’t Overlook the “Unadoptable”

Far too often, certain dogs are passed over in shelters because people are just looking for puppies. But that thinking is backwards, especially if you have a busy life. If you don’t have a lot of time, then a puppy is not the right choice for you, because adopting and training a puppy is a full time job. But… adopting an adult dog is a lot easier, and adopting a senior dog is fantastic if you have a low-energy lifestyle.

And definitely do not overlook handicapped dogs. Is that dog at the shelter blind, or deaf, or missing a limb? Well, that dog doesn’t care, because it will be just as loving and enthusiastic a pack member if you take it home. Dogs do not dwell on what they cannot physically do. They ignore their limitations and do what they can. In this, they can teach us a lot.

Don’t Forget Fostering

If you can’t commit to being a long-term dog owner, you can help out by fostering dogs that are waiting to be adopted but which haven’t been chosen yet. This entails a shorter time commitment, and the option to return the dog without worrying about it being killed. It also allows you to hone your Pack Leader skills with different dogs, and learn that breed doesn’t really matter.

My dream is that, one day, there will be no unwanted animals and every dog will have a loving home with a balanced pack. Raising awareness of the issue is the goal of the Cesar Millan Foundation. Working together, we can achieve that dream.

Stay calm and save lives!

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