I Want A Dog!

My cousin took care her friend’s small dog for a week and decided she wants a small “lap dog” too. She emailed me to ask about what age and breed to get, and how to introduce the dog to her cats. I wrote the following in response, which she suggested I publish, so here it is…

I don’t want to talk you out of getting a dog! God knows the right dog makes your life way better… at least mine does for me.

But it’s a big decision, almost like adopting a child, so be sure you really want to have a four-legged kid for the next 10-15 years. Dogs are, or should be, a huge commitment. They are, or should be, time consuming. They need interaction, exercise and training everyday; and they can be very expensive. You have to consider a lot of things like, which Vet to take him to (some are very good, some may kill your dog). Vet bills can be amazingly costly, so keep that in mind too. Even healthy dogs should see a good vet every year, but not for shots! That’s a whole other and very important topic we’ll have to discuss once you get a dog.

Also think about, what and how much to feed him (another big topic of discussion), how much exercise will you be able to provide him, what will you do with the dog when you travel, or go away for more than 8 hours… that’s as long as any dog should be asked to hold their bladders. For some that’s too long. You’ll want to get him treats (for training), chews, beds, toys, collars, leashes, etc. The list goes on and on…

Most of all, unless you adopt an already well trained and well socialized dog, or that one in a billion ‘perfect dog,’ you’ll want to hire a professional, positive reinforcement, trainer to help you and your dog learn to communicate, give him the proper tools to use in your household, and make the transition with the cats easier too. It may seem like a silly extra expense, but a good trainer can save you a lot of money, and stress, in the long run. Consider the cost of torn up furniture, shoes, rugs, walls, yards, etc., which are common dog behaviors, verses hiring a good trainer :)

OK, if I haven’t scared you away from getting a dog… DO NOT BUY A DOG FROM A PET STORE!!! 99% of puppy stores get the puppies from mills. They usually poorly bred and raised, and they’re often unhealthy. Many of my clients are puppy store dogs with major house training issues, not to mention serious behavioral issues like extreme fear, biting, etc. Besides, every time someone buys a puppy mill store puppy, it just makes room for another one.

About Age: Puppies are so cute! I love puppies, love to train them, love to hold them, love to smell them. Love to give them back to their owners! A puppy is a baby, and like our babies they need a lot of supervision, management, training and socialization to grow into well-behaved adults. House training is like potty training a child, you have to be on it at all times and you should be willing to get up at 3-4 in the morning to take the baby out for a couple or more weeks. At first you many need to take the puppy out every 1-2 hours, and then totally manage him in between times, or you will have potty issues for a long time. Of course, if you’re diligent, your puppy will probably be house trained within a few weeks. Then there’s teething, nipping, chewing, digging, and all the other things puppies and some adult dogs do. See above about the trainer :) That having been said, there’s nothing like raising a puppy into a wonderfully well behaved dog, with whom you have that special bond of a lifelong trusting and loving relationship.

If you don’t want to spend a year + raising a four-legged child, consider adopting an adult dog… over one year. However, be careful about where you adopt him/her. Make sure they’re a good rescue/shelter. The good ones want to make forever homes for their pets, so they’re honest about the age (as close as possible), health, temperament, etc.

About Breeds: My dog is a Shih Tzu; he's small, 14 pounds and definitely a lap dog. He doesn't bark often and usually only while playing or interacting with other animals. But that's not true of all Shih Tzus, or of any other breed. While it's important to do your research into the different breeds before you make a choice, you also have to know that every dog is unique. I've known some Shihs that were crazy barkers and very anxious, while Jesse is Mr. Calm. That has more to do with the fact that he was well bred, and then well socialized and trained, than because of his breed. Any physically and mentally healthy dog can learn to be a good dog, if properly trained and socialized.

When choosing a dog think about things like grooming, many breeds have hair, instead of fur. Poodles, Shih Tzus, Yorkies, and Bichons, are among some breeds that will need a lot of grooming. Their hair grows and grows, so unless you want to spend hours brushing and combing, you’ll want to keep the dog clipped. That means a haircut every 4-8 weeks, which can be costly. Even when you keep them clipped, you still have to comb them regularly. I try to comb Jesse every other day, so he doesn’t get a chance to mat. The advantage of these dogs is that they are often less allergenic and don’t shed as much. Other dogs have long, thick fur, which also needs a lot of brushing and combing.

Consider your lifestyle; are you really active? If so, an energetic dog would be great. However that same dog would drive you crazy if you were more of a couch potato, because he’ll be bouncing off the walls, getting into things/trouble to release his access energy. That having been said, all dogs need exercise daily. For some a couple good walks per day is fine, others need to run and chase things for a long time. Of course, no matter what the dog’s energy level, training is paramount to having a calm, well-behaved dog. It’s important to know what the dog was bred to do, that tells you a lot about how much exercise he will need. Terriers, herding breed, sporting breeds and many of the working breeds can be very high energy. Size doesn’t matter, many toy or small dogs were bred to hunt, herd, guard, etc. and they tend to do the things they were bred to do, unless you give them other things to do… See trainer above :)

Plus, look into the health issues that often accompany a breed and, if you choose to buy one from a breeder, be sure he/she has bred for good genetics and not for the money. Like I said, I own a well-bred, healthy dog, but pure bred doesn’t necessarily mean well bred! A good breeder can give you records of tests done on both parents and their parents for at least three generations.

Finally, “mutts” are great dogs, and sometimes the best ones. You often get the best qualities of the breeds, but not always, and they tend to be somewhat healthier. It’s not just about nature; it’s also about nurture… see trainer above :)

About the cats: It will take a lot of time! Be sure to find a dog who is cat friendly. Give the cats their own space where the dog can’t go, so they feel they have a safe zone and let the cats decide when they want to interact with the dog. Also don’t let the dog chase them… See trainer above :)

So now that I’ve totally confused you, LOL, think about what you really want in a dog. Make a list and be specific. Go online and do a search on breeds that fit your requirements. Then be open minded, objective, and well informed when you choose the dog to bring into your home. Take your time to find the right dog, use your head, as well as your heart, and you will find a dog that is the right fit for you and your family.

Hope this helped…