Bringing a new dog home is a time of great excitement.  But along with the excitement comes responsibility, and when you are bringing home an adult dog rather than a puppy you should consider a number of issues. Be sure to listen carefully to the rescue organisations suggestions on training and handling - they are very experienced when it comes to ensuring a happy match and successful settling in period.

Part of the bargain
Many prospective owners choose to adopt an unwanted dog from animal shelters, which usually request a donation towards the costs of caring for the animals they have taken in. Since animal welfare is of paramount importance, most centres like to neuter, vaccinate and microchip dogs for identification before they are made available. If not, they will generally require you to undertake to do so as a condition of the adoption. Make sure you are clear on what you are expected to do before you make the final decision.

Behavioural and emotional needs
Unless dogs are taken in as strays, most rescue centres will have a fairly good idea of their nature, either from information from previous owners and/or their own internal assessment programme. As social animals, dogs may need time - sometimes several months - to adjust to their new social group before showing their true colours.

A place to call home
Changing homes can be a traumatic experience for adult dogs. They lose their companions and familiar surroundings, so make sure you have prepared a sleeping area where the new arrival can feel safe, equipped with a blanket or cushion as well as water and food bowl. This provides a 'time out' place for the dog to escape to.

Introductions all round
If you're introducing an adopted dog to another adult dog, don't assume they'll get along immediately. Let them get to know each other gradually, always giving the resident dog plenty of attention so the new companion isn't seen as a threat. And remember that dogs that haven't been spayed or neutered are more prone to fighting. When it comes to meeting a resident cat, the road to social harmony often takes a little longer, but it is achievable in most circumstances.

Training
An adult dog may come with a great deal of training, or with very little.  Again, you are best guided by the rescue organisation on how to proceed, but not surprisingly you may have to put in some extra time and effort to teach your old dog new tricks.

Feeding
To ease the transition to a new home, it's best to stick with the food that the dog was fed before arriving - it's just one less new thing to cope with. 

If you do decide to change brands, try to make the transition as smooth as possible, as dogs can often be sensitive to changes in their diet. Start by mixing the new food with the previous brand, then gradually increase the proportion over one week to 10 days, until your dog is only eating the new food. Don't be surprised if your dog has an upset tummy to begin with. This is quite normal.