Note from Con Slobodchikoff: This is a post by guest author Nancy Frensley, CPDT, CAP2, who is Manager of Behavior and Training at the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society in Berkeley, California. She will write periodic posts about the behavioral challenges and joys of shelter dogs.
What is it that makes us to want to get a dog? Most people who get dogs when they are adults have had a beloved family dog as a child. Friends or relatives with dogs might be an influence. Perhaps the thought of a dog as a companion for hikes or as a running partner is appealing. A visit to a dog show or shelter can spark the yearning for a canine friend. For sure, volunteering or being a foster parent at a shelter such as ours, the Berkeley-East Bay Humane Society, will increase your desire to adopt a dog. There is nothing like a dog to add joy and fun to your life. And searching for that special dog has its benefits, too. Getting to know dog enthusiasts is just one of them. They are a great community to join.
When you set out to add a dog to your life for the first time, where do you begin? One of the first things you need to do is create a couple of lists. First, list the pros and cons of including a dog in your life then add a list of characteristics you think the dog should possess in order to be compatible with you. Try to create a vision of what your life with a dog will look like.
Your list of pros and cons might include activities you would like to add to your life as well as some you will have to give up. For instance, do you do well with a strict rule structure or do you like things to be loose and spontaneous? Which of your habits and activities are you willing to change for the right dog? How much room do you have in your house and life? Will your dog meet many people by going places with you or spend long hours alone with you? Factors such as these can not only affect your choice of a dog but are important since you can expect this relationship to last 10 years or more.
Whether you are meeting prospective dogs in shelters or through rescue organizations ask the adoption counselors what information they have collected about the dog. They might not have a lot of history but should have done some level of health and behavior screening. Many shelters offer extensive adoption counseling and will want you and your family members to meet with the dog more than once.
When you meet prospective dogs there are a few observable behaviors that are red flags. Among them are:
· The dog seems to be only tolerating you instead of liking you.
· The dog appears to freeze up when touched in some areas of his or her body. (The most common of these are the neck, shoulders, head and the flank area.)
· The dog shows stiffness in the body as though he or she is walking on tiptoe.
· The dog is openly afraid of or hostile to any member of your family.
Any of these behaviors can predict that the dog may have aggressive tendencies. A dog exhibiting any of those characteristics might be right for someone but will be a major project to take on with no guarantee of success. A relaxed, friendly dog will have a loose, relaxed body most of the time and will usually have an open mouth with the tongue hanging loosely out the side when greeting you. The dog’s overall appearance will be soft, pliable and inviting.
Review the dog’s health records and ask questions. Some dogs need extensive and expensive health care. It is wonderful if you can take on one of these special needs dogs but you must be sure you have the resources to fulfill those needs. Both young and old dogs can be in good overall health which will show up in their shiny full coats, clear eyes, clean teeth and energy level.
You probably will not be able to find a dog that meets every criterion on your lists. You might even choose one that differs significantly from your original vision. It is incredibly important to have defined what you want in a dog as well as being realistic about what you can handle. Nevertheless, the final choice is more often than not a result of that magical chemistry called love. Having that “falling in love” feeling about a dog is the glue that will keep the dog in your home and give you the energy to work through any problems that come up.
There are millions of dogs seeking homes these days. There is a right dog for everyone. Dogs that have failed in one home can be outrageously successful in another. Making a choice can be challenging but well worth the effort.
Great information. I think most of us have made our choice of dog by “That one is CUTE lets take it home”. No forethought of even the basics.
Where is our new dog going to SLEEP?
How much will it EAT?
How much exercise will it need/get?
And WHO is going to CLEAN the yard?
The mention of lifecycle to most is a foreign matter. 10-15-20 YEARS a real commitment not to be taken lightly.
Your list could and should be very detailed.
We love our K9 family members and make several lifestyle choices (travel being just one pet friendly hotels sometimes are not so friendly) to accommodate them.
SmallDogTrainingEtc.com
TopDogTom | Small Dog Training ETC
Posted by: TopDogTom | Small Dog Training ETC | August 28, 2010 at 09:23 AM
My boxer snapped at the vet when he went near her bad foot, and now she seems to stiffen with anybody that kneels in front of her- how can i break this habit as she was really friendly before this- Grant
Posted by: Corporate photographer London | August 12, 2010 at 11:43 AM
This is fantastic advice. When I was looking to get a dog, I used a similar list, only mine had three categories.
1. Things I absolutely had to have in a dog.
2. Things I absolutely could not deal with in a dog.
3. Things I could deal with/work on in training.
I included everything from size and coat to personality traits to issues they had. There were some things I knew I could work on (fear issues and resource guarding for instance) and some I knew wouldn't work out well in my particular situation (such as separation anxiety) and some I knew that I could deal with but my partner was not comfortable with. So I made my list. And then found a dog who was absolutely perfect for us. She's been a joy these past two years.
Posted by: Michelle | July 23, 2010 at 05:17 PM