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Am I Ready for a Dog?
Picking A Winner!
Pia Silvani, Director of Dog Training and Behavior
How do you know if your ready to take on the responsibility of joining the millions of dog owners who can't imagine living without a canine companion? And where do you begin? First of all, don't rush. Careful planning, research, and an honest assessment of your lifestyle and motivations are the keys to finding the "right" dog that will truly become your new best friend.
Before plunging into pet ownership, ask yourself WHY you wish to get a dog. Is it because...
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Your child wants a dog and he/she will be the primary caretaker.
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Your dog appears to be lonely and needs canine company.
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You simply can't resist the adorable doggie in the window.
If you answered "yes" to any of the above, avoid getting a dog. Here's why:
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It is unrealistic to expect your child to take full responsibility for a dog.
While it is wonderful to involve children in caring for a pet, it is unlikely and unfair to expect a child to make such a commitment. Once the novelty wears off, the responsibility will be put on the adults.
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Dogs don't "need" another canine companion.
While most dogs enjoy the companionship of other dogs, they don't require it. And, if you don't have enough time for one dog, you won't have time for two! There is also no guarantee that they WILL get along.
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Getting a dog on impulse is risky.
If you feel sorry for the dog, didn't plan on stopping at the pet store or simply couldn't resist, you may be off to a bad start. Make your decision carefully, as a dog is a commitment that lasts a lifetime.
If you answered "no" to the previous questions, than consider the following. Give yourself a few weeks to think what your life will be like with a new dog in your home. Your freedom WILL be restricted..
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Dogs do not come housetrained. Housetraining a dog can take anywhere from 2-4 months. This means purchasing a crate or two, security gates, getting up in the middle of the night for puppies, taking the dog out to relieve himself on a cold, rainy morning, cleaning up the yard, and much more.
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Dogs require constructive exercise. Dogs do not self-exercise. They don't wear heart monitors and decide how much exercise is enough for that day. Many people think their dog is getting sufficient exercise when he 'runs around the yard.' He probably is not. Your dog is simply getting rid of pent-up energy. This does not fall into the category of 'constructive exercise and play.'
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Dogs require socialization. If your dog spends most of his time in your home and yard, he will not fare well with strangers or other dogs. This means daily walks and trips into public places for the life of your dog (not just the first year or two) so he can develop good long-lasting social skills.
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Dogs require interactive play sessions and attention. Playing helps develop a strong bond and gives your dog an opportunity to learn rules, self-control and make new friends. Playing by himself or with the resident dog will not aid in the dog's socialization.
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Dogs require good diets, routine health care and regular grooming. Poor diets can result in overweight, unhealthy dogs. It also has an effect on his coat, teeth, digestive system and behavior. Brushing and checking your dog over for parasites should be done daily. If you plan on using a groomer, this might mean a trip to the groomer every 4-6 weeks. Annual check-ups with your veterinarian are mandatory to ensure longevity and health.
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Dogs require training. To live happily in today's society, dogs need to learn to accept humans as their leaders and have good manners. This doesn't occur without training.
All of these responsibilities should not discourage you from getting a dog - as long as your are ready to make the commitment. I believe the benefits of dog ownership make the commitment worthwhile.
STARTING YOUR SEARCH
First you need to decide whether you want a puppy, an adult, a purebred or a
mixed breed. puppies will take up more of your time, yet an adult dog may
come with a few old behaviors that you don't like. On the other hand, some
adult dogs have had training, but there is always a period of adjustment
(typically about 4 months). Therefore, both require training and
management.
Shelter/Rescue Groups
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Don't be afraid to ask questions about the resident dogs. Good shelters and rescue groups, like breeders, will ask you many questions about your family lifestyle. don't feel that you are being interrogated. Adoption counselors are simply making every effort to match you with a dog that will suit your lifestyle and preferences to avoid disappointment and future relinquishment.
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Ask what their criteria are for testing the dog's temperament. There are shelters that do not temperament test dogs before adopting them out. While no temperament test is foolproof, the staff will have a better idea about the dog's temperament to match him with the right family.
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A good rescue/shelter facility hires staff that cares. Not only should the staff treat the dogs with care, but human clients should be treated with compassion and respect as well.
Purebred
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Decide whether you want a pup or an adult. Many rescue groups and shelters have lovely purebred adult dogs in need of good homes.
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If you are unsure of the breed, visit dog shows and talk to breeders. Research is critical. Certain breeds have different traits and you should be aware of them. Avoid getting a dog simply because you like his looks or size. Talk to other pet owners who own the breed or call your local breed clubs for advice.
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Get several recommendations before choosing a breeder. A reputable breeder breeds for good conformation, temperament, and both sire and dam have been certified for clean hips (elbows for large breeds), eyes, heart and thyroid. Having "papers" for your dog simply means that the dog's parents were both purebred dogs and nothing more. A breeder is aware of the critical socialization stages and what to do to insure that the pups end up having good behavioral health. Professional breeders rarely advertise in the newspaper.
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Breeders should be proud to show off their sires or dams. Be cautious if a breeder will not permit you to interact with the litter or dam. Insist upon meeting the dam and visiting the site where the pups were raised. If they were raised in isolation, the pups can develop abnormally, develop lifelong deficits and dysfunctional behaviors. A well-tempered dam will protect her pups for the first 2-3 weeks and thereafter permit people to handle the pups.
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Familiarize yourself with what your dog was initially bred to do and consider your home environment and lifestyle. A Border Collie, for example, is a lovely dog but typically doesn't make a good pet for an inactive family with a busy lifestyle since the breed requires plenty of stimulation and exercise. They were not bred as working dogs to herd sheep not to lounge on the couch. Small dogs are not always the best apartment dogs. A Jack Russell is small, yet extremely active, yet Greyhounds and Newfoundlands can be wonderful couch potatoes.
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When selecting a puppy, ask for the breeder's advice. A feisty pup may not always be suitable for a family with four children. Neither would a timid one. Avoid selecting the quiet one in the corner. Pups, like children, should be playful, silly, cuddly and make you giggle.
Picking A Winner!
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Choose a friendly, lovable, active, social dog. You should look for a puppy or dog that likes people, is affectionate, seeks attention and enjoys being held and touched. A timid, fearful, quivering pup or dog hiding in the corner or under a table may turn around with extra behavior training, but you should expect to invest more time for training and socialization.
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The pup/dog should easily come to you and enjoy human contact. You should be able to touch him when he is eating and take a bone or toy away without issue.
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Watch for signs of excessive barking, lunging or growling at other people or dogs. If he growls or lunges at anyone, say "no thank you."
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If you have children, make sure the dog enjoys their company. If you have any doubt, say "no thank you."
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Be aware that dogs that constantly bark, pace and whine and avoid making eye contact with you. If he eventually calms down, he may have been excited to be removed from his pen. However, it shouldn't take more than a few minutes before he is happily greeting you.
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Ask questions. What does he do when you clip his nails? How is he around other dogs? Did the dog ever bite anyone? Has he exhibited fear during thunderstorms? Use this information to make a wise decision.
Spend time together, enjoy each
other and you will see why so many of us continue to live with dogs!