Q&A for How to Adopt a Rescued Dog

Being a strong, consistent leader is really the best way to acclimate a previously-abused dog. So, if you were to adopt a child that had rough upbringing, you wouldn't let them do whatever they wanted. You wouldn't let them stay up as late as they want, or wander around with no supervision. It's the same thing with a rescue dog. You need to enforce strong boundaries and be really consistent with your training so your pup learns how things are done.

Most of the well-known shelters do charge an adoption fee, which goes towards running costs and also helps deter people from adopting on impulse. Some small, privately-run shelters may have their own policies, which don't involve an adoption fee.

This very much depends on the individual dog and how confident they are, along with how you help them adjust. Most dogs do settle in quickly, within a week or so, but an anxious or nervous dog may take several months to gain their confidence.

The shelter will charge an adoption fee, which is typically between around $30-200 depending on the organization. However, there are all the ongoing costs to factor in, such as food, vaccinations, deworming, and healthcare. Anyone that struggles to find the adoption fee should think carefully about if they can provide for all the dog's needs should they be ill or have an accident.

Many shelters insist on a home visit prior to homing the pet to check that the animal is entering an appropriate environment. Depending on how busy the shelter is, this may take a week or so to arrange. Also, most shelters will want to desex the pet before they go to a new home, so this can also cause a short delay.

Rottweilers are gentle with children and sturdy enough that small children won't crush him. However, note that each dog is an individual and I cannot speak for every dog. Some will be nice, some will be mean, but all in all a rottweiler is a good dog.