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"How much is that doggy in the window, the one with the waggly tail...?" Familiar words to an old tune suggest that many people at one time or another consider having a dog as a pet. They might have fond memories of the old Boxer or Cairn terrier that they grew up with. Maybe it was a good-natured mutt or even a neighbor’s well-behaved German Shepherd. Some folks imagine owning a beautiful and heroic dog such as "Lassie" of book and screen fame. Often, the reality is that many pups purchased on impulse wind up in shelters or banned to a chain in the back yard because they didn’t measure up to the dream. This is written to help you consider the answers to the questions you should ask before buying that cute little puppy. Are you ready for a life long commitment to responsible dog ownership? Let’s think through and visualize what dog ownership is really like. It is fun to imagine walking an obedient dog on a beautiful fall day, but remember, the same dog will need walking when its hot, cold, raining or icy out. The "Obedient" part will take time and effort. In deciding whether a dog will fit into your lifestyle, the biggest consideration in the long run will be "Do you have the TIME it takes to own a dog? Some dogs need more than others do, but every dog requires time for daily interaction beyond just meeting its basic needs. Consider your lifestyle and personality when deciding if a dog would fit into the picture. Why do you want a dog? How active and busy are you? What do you do with the dog when you travel or are on vacation? Do you have young children? Do you have a fenced yard? How big is it? How long at a time will the dog be alone in the home? Does anyone have allergies? (Easier to find this out visiting someone else’s dog first) Would you have the time to start with an untrained puppy or would you be willing to re-train an older dog? What kind of fur and how much grooming/shedding are involved? What size would fit in? Purebred? Mixed? Male? Female? Large? Small? Puppies and adult dogs have daily needs. The basics are shelter, food and water, grooming, health care, training, exercise and social interaction. The earlier in life you start teaching a pup what is expected of it the better, but the more it has to learn. With an older dog, there may be some bad habits they’ll have to ‘unlearn’. Early social experiences set the tone for a dog’s development into a dependable companion or a destructive nuisance. Kindergarten Puppy Training (9-18 wks.) helps mold the pup during its most impressionable period and helps provide an environment for learning positive associations with new people, places, experiences and other dogs. Patterns are set for life in these formative weeks. Besides training, there are other expenses incurred with dog ownership. After the initial purchase, the biggest portion will go toward veterinary and feeding bills. A high quality food costs more ‘per bag’ but is very cost effective in terms of better health and food efficiency (you feed less). Veterinary start-up costs, including immunizations and worming now runs in the three digit figures. Neutering and spaying usually takes place around 6 months. Semi-annual vet visits, heartworm testing and preventative medications, unexpected illnesses or accidents all add up! Then there is the control of internal and external parasites to consider (worms, fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and mites etc.). Grooming requires the proper tools to care for coat, ears, teeth, and nails. (For some breeds, there is the additional expense of a professional groomer 8-9 times a year.) Many towns, counties etc. require licensing and many dog owners also tattoo and/or microchip their dogs for more permanent identification. Basic supplies include sturdy food and water bowls, leash and collar, bedding, cage, chew toys, food treats, indoor gates, outdoor fencing, kennels and housing. Etc. $, etc. $ Although lovable, puppies and dogs will create additional cleaning work around the home. (Accidents: stool, urine, vomit), shedding hair, muddy paws, drool, nose prints on windows etc.) Responsible dog ownership dictates cleaning up dog yard waste, keeping dogs reasonably quiet and confined to their own property. Dogs are known for destructive chewing and digging holes. These problems can only be successfully dealt with through supervision and confinement and early puppy training (starting at two months.) So, why on earth would anyone want a dog with all the work, time and expense of owning one? For many reasons, but the biggest one for most people is that they enjoy the loyalty and companionship of a dog. Dogs like to play. Folks like the way they interact in the family, the way that the dog looks and the home security a properly trained dog can add. If you are willing to make a time commitment for the next 8-10 years (the average life span of a dog); knowing the responsibility and expense of owning a dog and fully aware of the likely negative elements involved, then, the next step would be to decide what kind of dog best fits into your lifestyle. Do not make the drastic mistake of choosing a breed solely on its ‘looks’. Although this is one consideration, the temperament, size, activity level and coat care are even more important considerations. Unfortunately a pup is sometimes chosen impulsively because it looked like a ‘cute little teddy bear’ and then the teddy grows up to me more like a ‘grizzly’ because the breed is a type bred for high levels of aggression. Or a pup may prove to have an energy level that requires more exercise and attention than can be provided. Research the breeds that appeal to you. Libraries carry breed books and local veterinarians may be able to put you in touch with reputable breeders. Local dog shows allow you to view a variety of purebred dogs. Find out about the positive and the negative traits of each breed you are considering. Ask questions: How big do they get? How much grooming is required? How aggressive are they? How active? How much exercise is required? Are they good with children? Are allergies a consideration? Don’t discount mixed breeds. Although it is more difficult to determine traits in a mixed breed dog, many make fine pets if carefully selected. Gender is a personal preference. If neutered/spayed early, either sex will prefer people to dogs. An altered pet is less likely to wander, be aggressive, develop reproductive cancers or be hormonally ‘preoccupied’ (Marking or mounting behaviors.) You may prefer to start with a young puppy or to acquire an adult. In either case, good temperament and health are the two most important considerations when choosing a pet that, on the average, will spend a decade with you. Once you’ve read, studied and narrowed down your choice to one or two breeds, arrange to visit several breeders of each. Leave your wallet and your heart at home! Even if they don’t have puppies at the time, a reputable breeder will allow you to visit their adult dogs, discuss the pros and cons of their breed and answer your questions. Besides your vet, the American Kennel Club maintains a directory of Breed clubs for each breed of dog that they register. Don’t be in a hurry! Take the time to compare different dogs on different days. Bring your children. Supervise their interactions with puppies and dogs. Help them to be gentle with each other. If you know an experienced dog trainer, bring one along! Be cautious about having a puppy shipped. Unless a breeder comes highly recommended, you are taking some chances buying a dog sight unseen. When you finally select your breed and narrow down to one breeder, you’ll need to make mutually agreeable contractual and financial arrangements. Know what guarantees a breeder has on his dogs. Are the parents certified as to good eyes and bone structure? There are registries for such things and it is the parents generally that are certified. The breeder may require a deposit to hold your puppy until it is old enough to leave the brood bitch. Many require you to obedience train and to alter your pup when old enough as terms of their contracts. Both are excellent ideas. Before pups are brought home, you should have basic supplies on hand: The dog food your breeder recommends, leash and buckle collar (with an ID tag containing your name and phone number), feeding bowls, crate, baby gates (to confine pup to supervised areas), a few safe toys, an outdoor fenced kennel or yard, and the phone numbers of a reputable vet and dog trainer in your area. When you’ve found that breeder, who is willing to ‘mentor’ you through the selection and care of your pup, you may have to wait for that litter to be born or even bred. The optimal age to acquire a pup is between 7 to 12 wks. of age. Before this age pups need to stay with the litter to learn pack social skills. If taken too young, puppies tend to be hard ‘play biters’ and may be aggressive with other dogs when they get older. Pups past 12 wks. might not have had enough socialization with humans and may not adapt as well to new people as they mature. Pups raised in a home generally have a better chance for good social interaction, but conscientious breeders who raise their pups in kennel facilities may take the time to socialize their pups as well. Early experiences that build the pup’s confidence optimize their potential development. When the day comes to bring home your new pal, be sure all is in readiness-supplies on hand etc. If you’re lucky, you’re bringing along an experienced dog friend. Whether the breeder is picking your pup for you or allowing you to choose, be observant. Pups should be reasonably active, have clean coats, bright eyes and no discharges (nose, ears, eyes, rectum.) They should be in a clean environment. It’s very important to check out the mother’s behavior. Is she friendly and relaxed around you? You can never guarantee a pup’s adult behavior, but here are some indication you can use to ‘test’ litters: Friendliness- When you approach, the pups should be curious and
willing to come to you. The pup shouldn’t be overly rambunctious (In your
face, frantic, play biting hard, overly demanding etc.). Neither should it
act frightened or hide in a corner. The ‘middle of the litter’ pups
usually make the best family pets. Extremes in behavior are usually harder
to train and to live with. With proper research and preparation, you’ll increase your chances of finding the right pup for your family. Plan to optimize your pup’s potential by enrolling in a kindergarten class at 9 weeks. These classes cover Management and Relational skills; housebreaking; play-bite inhibition; health care; nutrition; grooming; basic manners and obedience commands and early socialization. A pup started out right will give years of devotion, pleasure and companionship. Investing in responsible, thought out preparation will pay big dividends over the life of your dog.
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