Next, you need check the fence or wall thoroughly. Are there any holes in the fence? Is the wall high enough to keep in the dog you have in mind. Remember, some dogs are good jumpers and others are expert scramblers. Openwork bricks and even sturdy chain link present only a challenge to an enterprising escapee. If your gate is made of wrought-iron, make sure that your dog cannot escape through the gaps between the uprights. Cover the lower portion of the gate with wire mesh. You can also cover openwork bricks with mesh to prevent a pup or small dog squeezing through. Don’t forget to check where drains run under perimeter walls. You might need to put mesh there, too.

If the dog is to live mainly outside, make sure that there is a safe and comfortable place for him to sleep and shelter from the weather. If there is a kennel, it should be large enough for the dog to stand and move around. It should be raised well off the ground, properly roofed and solid enough to provide shelter from the elements. The door or gate must be left open, so that the dog can get in and out at will, except for rare occasions when he needs to be confined for short periods.

Everything in order? Now you can adopt a dog, bring him home and keep him there.