Every year, thousands of dogs are turned over to animal shelters because they were given as a gift without first consulting the gift recipient, or families discover they brought home a biter, barker, digger, or jumper. When pets are given away, the pets, their owners, and children all suffer. So before selecting a dog, do your homework. With a little pre-planning, you can find the dog that most closely fits your family’s lifestyle:
Variety of dogs,
variety of nuisances
Dogs can create many nuisances, some of which are more common in particular breeds:
Barking: A barking dog helps protect against intruders. But excessive barking can become a problem. Some breeds known for their barking include the Alaskan malamute, American water spaniel, bassett hound, Finnish spitz, fox and other terriers, Great Pyrenees, and miniature schnauzer.
Hyperactivity: A playful, energetic puppy can make a great playmate for your child. But as your puppy grows, that hyperactivity could become overwhelming. High-strung dogs often jump on people and tear through the house. Certain breeds tend to maintain that high energy level well into their adult-size bodies. Such breeds include Airedale terriers, boxer, Brittany, cocker spaniel, Dalmatian, golden retriever, Irish setter, Jack Russell terrier, Labrador retriever, pointer, and schnauzer.
Digging: Dogs dig for many reasons — to bury a bone, to escape from a fenced yard, to keep cool, or out of boredom. A torn-up yard can be the last straw for many dog owners. Diggers include fox and Norwich terriers, and Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen.
Aggression: Dogs can be aggressive for a variety of reasons. Poor breeding, physical abuse, and even disease can cause aggression in a dog. And certain dominant breeds can tend toward aggressiveness if not handled properly. These dogs should be chosen with caution and the understanding they require strong leadership: Akita, American pit bull terrier, bulldog, bullmastiff, chow chow, Doberman pinscher, German shepherd, Rottweiler, schnauzer, Shih Tzu, Siberian husky, and Weimaraner.
Grooming: While it may sound painless, the upkeep of certain breeds can be overwhelming. In addition to keeping claws trimmed and an occasional bath, some dogs require lengthy daily brushing to remove tangles or trapped fur in double coats. High maintenance breeds include the American Eskimo, cocker spaniel, collie, Great Pyrenees, Lhasa apso, Old English sheepdog, poodle, schnauzer, and terriers.
Traits to look for in a family dog
Finding a dog that will be easy for your child to handle and assist in training will reduce many unforeseen problems. Easy trainers include American water spaniel, Australian shepherd, Bichon Frise, cocker spaniel, Irish setter, Italian greyhound, Maltese, and Shetland sheepdog.
Calm, gentle breeds are important for families with small children. Keep in mind that size doesn’t dictate these traits. Gentle breeds you might consider are bassett hound, beagle, bearded collie, Chinese crested, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Newfoundland, and mastiff.
Playful and energetic puppies work well for older children who won’t feel threatened by the dog’s full-grown size. These breeds include American Eskimo, bloodhound, Brittany, Dalmatian, golden retriever, Irish wolfhound, Labrador retriever, pointer, poodle, Saint Bernard, and schnauzer.
There are many other traits to consider in choosing a new dog. Before bringing home your puppy, read a book or articles about the breed that interests you to determine if he’ll fit your family’s lifestyle. For personalized assistance in choosing a breed, go to http://www.selectsmart.com/DOG/ or one of the many other breed selection sites. You’ll be guided through a series of questions and receive a free personalized list of matches.
Special considerations
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 800,000 people, mostly children, are bitten annually severely enough to require medical attention. Infants and small children shouldn’t be left alone with a dog. It may be difficult to picture your lovable Fido as capable of hurting your child; however, even the gentlest dogs have been known to bite.
Little ones sometimes get too close to a dog while he’s eating or chewing a bone, or startle a dog while she’s sleeping. Sometimes, small children hang on dogs, pull their tails, or threaten a dog’s safety.
In addition, dogs view their family as part of its pack. A properly trained dog should view adults and older children as alpha (top dog). However, a dog isn’t likely to view a small child in this light and may wield his authority when no one’s around.
Apartment living is another consideration. The size dog you choose is important to both your dog’s well-being and to maintaining your sanity. High energy and medium to large breeds generally need large areas to romp. Without it, your apartment could become a round-the-clock racetrack. Planning regular walks for these dogs may not be sufficient. You’ll tire long before your dog, and there will be occasions when you just won’t be able to accommodate your puppy’s need to exercise.
The costs of pet ownership should also be weighed out. First, there are the obvious costs such as purchasing pet food and annual vaccinations. Other expenses include licensing, monthly heartworm pills, chew toys, damaged belongings, fencing, training, veterinary expenses, grooming, kenneling, and more.
If your family has members with bad allergies or asthma, check with your doctor before bringing any furred, feathered, or finned pet into your home.
Finally, keep in mind that no matter how sincere your child’s intent to care for his new pet, it’s a big responsibility, and ultimately, parents take the brunt of the work. The holiday season may not be the best time of year to bring home a new puppy, according to Marta Diffen of the Michigan Humane Society. Families are generally too busy during the holidays to give a new pet the attention it needs. Choose a season when you’ll be able to spend plenty of time with your new dog as she adjusts to her new home.
Where to find your dog
The Humane Society, an animal shelter, or an accidental litter of pups is a great place to find your dog at an affordable price. Giving a home to a dog that might otherwise be put to sleep or caged indefinitely and not contributing to the over population of dogs are good reasons to go this route.
Furthermore, you’ll find mixed breeds, which are less likely to inherit the diseases and disabilities often common in pure breeds. Keep in mind, however, sometimes these dogs are strays or weren’t properly cared for by their original owner. If a dog didn’t receive proper vaccinations, it could be at risk for disease. A dog that was abused by its previous owner could also pose risks. Ask the animal shelter what is known about the dog’s history.
Another way to find your new puppy is through a breeder. Taking home a puppy whose history is known and hasn’t been exposed to a poor environment is a plus. However, caution should be used even when buying from a breeder. While most are in the business for their love of the breed, there are exceptions.
Some breeders are only interested in profits and have little knowledge or concern for good breeding and proper caring of pups. This can lead to dogs with poor temperaments, genetic disorders, or disease. Ask plenty of questions, request references, and ask to see the puppies in their normal environment.
According to the American Kennel Club, some things to watch for when selecting your puppy include: a runny nose, watery eyes, fever, or disease in the litter. If any of these conditions are present, look elsewhere.
Avoid a puppy that trembles and is shy or one that shows a bad temper. Furthermore, understand that a kennel designated “AKC Reg.” doesn’t mean it has the American Kennel Club’s stamp of approval. It simply means the dogs have been registered.
Finally, keep in mind that puppies shouldn’t be removed from their litter before 6 weeks of age, and preferably 8.
Training tips
No matter how careful you are in selecting your pet, chances are, your puppy will develop a problem or nuisance behavior. Prevention is the first step. Around 6 months, your puppy will be old enough for an obedience course. Teaching your puppy the basics will make it easier to manage problem behaviors. If you can’t take a class, purchase a dog-training manual and stick with it.
If your dog shows signs of aggression, talk with a professional trainer or your veterinary. Depending on the cause, there may be a simple solution. But if your child’s safety becomes an issue, your only option may be a new home for your pet.
Whether your dog ends up with a new owner or in a shelter, make sure you explain the reason for giving your dog away so it ends up in the proper environment.
For other problem behaviors, there are several good books to help tame your dog. “When Good Dogs Do Bad Things” by Mordecai Siegal and Matthew Margolis offers many helpful techniques. Contrary to popular belief, never hit, kick, or swat a dog with a newspaper. This can lead to aggressiveness or increase already aggressive behavior.
Most importantly, try to understand and accept your pet’s imperfections and adjust your home accordingly to reduce aggravations. In time, your dog will accept the household routine and become a part of it.
Kimberly Blaker is a realtor and an author and freelance writer. Her articles have appeared in more than 200 newspapers, parenting and women’s magazines, and other publications throughout the U.S.
Traveling with a puppy
For some families, going on vacation without puppy is like leaving a family member behind. Therefore, hotels are beginning to accommodate families who travel with pets. Try one of the following that offers pet friendly services at some or most of its locations:
• Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites by Marriott (800) 228-9290
• Best Western (800) 528–1234
• Hilton (800) 445–8667
• Doubletree Hotels (800) 222–8733
• Embassy Suites Hotels (800) 362–2779
• Holiday Inn (800) 465–4329
• Comfort Inn (877) 424–6423
But, traveling with your dog isn’t always feasible. When looking for boarding services ask the following questions, depending on your dog’s needs:
• Are kennels heated and cooled?
• Are they indoor, outdoor, or accessible to both?
• What kind of food is provided?
• Is one-on-one playtime or leashed walks offered?
• What vaccinations are required?
