Today I had the pleasure of being interviewed by a journalist with the Newfoundland Herald. During the interview, one of the questions he asked was
“Do you have any tips for new dog owners or those looking to get a dog?”
In the nine years that I have been doing this, I have been interviewed on numerous occasions and that is one question that always seems to pop up. So I decided to sit down tonight and do a write up on the same.
This list is not meant to be all inclusive. Any of these points can have their own individual articles. I will link to a number of articles that I have written over the years along with the corresponding points. Feel free to check those out as well.
So, here it is…my recommendation on tips for owning a dog…
1. Before you get a dog, critically analyze yourself, your abilities and your family’s abilities. Think critcally about your reasons for getting a dog and analyze your ability to raise a dog. Ensure you are getting a dog for the right reasons and ensure you currently have, and will (for the next 10-15 plus years) have the ability to look after your dog. Think about veterinary expenses, obedience training, destroyed furniture and shoes, cost of quality dog food, daily walks (letting your dog run around in the backyard does not count), cleaning up poop….it is a HUGE commitment. Too many people are well intentioned thinking that they can currently provide a good home for a dog, only to find out a year or two later that they are moving and that they “cannot take the dog with them”. Seriously think about this in the first place. Be honest with yourself and your abilities. Be fair to to dog you are potentially taking into your home. When you decide your are ready…think again. This should NEVER be an impulse decision.
2. Before deciding on what type of dog you want, do your research. Make a list of your traits and characteristics. Are you a high energy person or a couch potato. Are you a social butterfly or a solitary individual. Match these characteristics to the dog. If you plan to get a dog like a husky that requires extensive rigorous daily exercise and you are the type of person who would sooner have his teeth pulled than walk, you are setting yourself and your new potential dog up for problems. Too often I see ads such as “Free dog to a loving home as I can no longer give him the attention he needs”. You should have thought of that in the first place. It is not your dog’s fault that “circumstances have changed”. Remember, you made the commitment, live up to it.
3. Consider adopting a rescue. There are lots out there that need loving homes. These are great dogs that are just crying for a forever home. In today’s society, if you want a purebred doxie, look at the rescue organizations. You will find hundreds of them up for adoption. Before spending a thousand dollars plus on that pomma-coca-yokie-puggle, realize there are hundreds in shelters all over the world. Take that $1500, spend it on a trip to a shelter and get one if there is not one available locally.
Ok, so you have done your research, you are committed to owning a dog for the next 10-20 years and know all the responsibility that comes with the same…what next???
1. Research and choose a good and trusted vet and clinic. They are your first defence against anything going on and can save you a lot of sleepless nights and headaches. If you do not know of a good one…ask around.
2. Provide your dog with early, proper and extensive socialization. This is going to be your best line of defence against behavioural issues. Early, proper and extensive exposure to; people of all kinds of ages, shapes and sizes; noises and sounds; activities; other dogs; smells…is like making consistent deposits in the bank. The account quickly adds up and pays dividends over time.
3. Find a good quality trainer and training facility. Given my background…this point is a no brainer. A good trainer is like a good vet. They can help you when times are tough, provide you with support when you are ready to strangle your dog and help you celebrate when goals and milestones are met. If you are in doubt, again do your research, ask questions and search until you find what you are looking for.
4. Provide your dog with daily physical and mental stimulation. Daily walks, games, classes, activities…are all good for a dog’s body and mind. It will help improve the communication between you and your dog and will create a loving and lasting beautiful bond.
5. Set proper and fair rules, structure and guidelines for you dog that are clearly defined, understood and consistent among all family members. If you cannot achieve this, do not blame the dog for misbehaving, blame the family members for not being consistent with the dog.
6. Give your dogs lots of love. If you want your dog to sleep on the bed and cuddle with you….let him. If you want to have a game of tug….do so. If you are doing number 5 correctly, there will be no issues with number 6. When things are going wrong, refer to numbers 1 through to 5, make the changes needed and get back to number 6.
In the end, I consistently say, raising a dog is a lot like raising a child. It is a huge commitment, requires a lot of work, time, effort, patience and love. It will make you want to tear your hair out at times yet at others, you look at your dog and wonder what in the world you did to deserve such unconditional love. Failure and giving up are not options. The benefits you get are huge and eventually you will realize you will learn so much more from your dog than they ever could from you. Dogs are God’s examples to humans of unconditional love and loyalty on this planet. Recognize this for the gift that it is and act accordingly.