How To Pick the Right Dog!! |
by the Canine Caretaker
First thing to do is to sit down with everyone that would be involved with
a dog (including children) and make up a list of Likes and Dislikes and try
not to be too general.
Example list: - average grooming, no salon
- lots of exercise for jogging, camping
- indoor but not on furniture
- easy to train but with character
- etc.
Go through all the things that sparks everyone’s interest and that they
would like their dog to be or things you don’t want to deal with in
a dog.
Example list: - not too stubborn
- minimal health problems
- a guard for the kids
- a friend to play with in the park
- someone to go swimming with
- etc.
Now, add to this list, the basics of common sense and ask yourself...
Example list: - do I want to train a puppy?
- or I’d prefer an older dog that is already housebroken
- or maybe an adult dog that needs a home or special attention
- where will the dog sleep (outside, basement, my room, kitchen, etc.)
- what is our family income and can we afford regular health visits to a
vet
- do I have a fenced yard or
- will the dog be walked and exercised on a leash
- am I an active person that jogs or hikes and goes camping on the weekends
or
- maybe I’m a quiet person that enjoys piano and baking cookies on the
weekend
- how many hours in a day do I have to train & socialize a dog or
- do I work alot and rarely see my home during the week
- can I take the dog to work with me or
- is this going to be a family dog to stay home with children.
- etc.
Once you (and your family) have discussed and decided on WHAT to put on your
list - now you need to PRIORITIZE the list. Things that are the most important
at the top, right down to the least important.
This list will better aid you in finding a specific breed or type or age
of dog for you.
Second thing to do is ‘Research’.
Go to the
Planet-Pets.com's dog area and checkout some info on breeds and
their characteristics. We also have a
bookstore
with thousands of books on breeds of dog that state characteristics, grooming
needs, etc. on each breed.
You might consider attending some dog events in your area - to see first
hand some of the different breeds and personalities. You’ll also meet
with owners/breeders of these breeds and learn from them the pro’s and
con’s of each breed. Events may include Conformation shows, obedience
trials or training classes, agility trials/training classes, flyball tournaments,
specialty shows and anything else dog-related.
Ask your vet if they have a recommendation of a breeder and/or breeders,
based on their opinions on health issues, popularity, etc - perhaps ask your
local Pet Supply outlet for their advise/opinion on specific breeds.
Now take all this information and read and learn and try to come to a decision
of 4 or 5 breeds that suit all your needs, desires and lifestyle.
Third, the action you should now take BEFORE any actual purchase/adoption
is to visit and communicate with as many
breeders/shelters
and dog experts as possible. Talk of the 4 or 5 breeds you’ve narrowed
it down too and the list you have made.
Even if you have narrowed your choice down to 2 breeds of dogs and you’ve
decided on a purchase of a puppy - there are tons of
breeders here for those
2 breeds. Every breeder is different, with different views, ideas, methods,
practices, etc. You need to feel totally comfortable with the person you
acquire your pup from because they will be your help line in the future.
No need to deal with someone that doesn’t give you any answers or seems
to hide certain things from you. Deal with someone that is honest and more
that cooperative in showing you contracts, pedigrees, certificates and hands
you phone numbers of other buyers or vets, etc., etc..
At this point and time I want to stress to you - to AVOID Impulse Buying
or Pressure Sales and try to spend minimal time around the sad faces in the
shelters. This should be a common sense and responsible decision and not
one that tugs on your heart or guilt complex.
Dogs are not items in a Supermarket where you wander down an aisle, pick
up what ever is on sale and pay for it at the checkout and perhaps return
it later if it is not what you expected. Dogs are living, breathing creatures
with intelligence, feelings, and a need to feel love and compassion. They
are not the latest trend in vehicle to be polished and hidden in the garage
until a sunny day and then only for an hour or so and then back in the garage.
I believe that this also touches on the sensitive topic of dogs purchased
from Pet Stores or from Road-Side signs (For Sale). Most often than not,
these places have little or no knowledge of the breeds or dogs they are selling.
They tend to exaggerate or out-right lie about lines, heritage, pedigrees
and so forth. Over 85% of dogs sold through these means are acquired from
over-crowded and inhumane puppymills. Any papers and/or documents are easily
altered or doctored.
B u y e r B e w a r e ! !
Avoid doing business over the phone, via the net or fax machine. Appointments
can be made this way - information can be gathered this way but an Appointment
is always the best way so you can get a feel for the person, the surroundings
and environment from which a puppy will be coming from and an overall view
of the condition of the dogs and/or puppies. You also want to try to avoid
buying from a newspaper add, especially adult dogs. There is usually a reason
why these adult dogs are for sale. You might be getting a problem that someone
else couldn’t handle.
Once you’ve decided on what type of dog, what age, and from what person
or establishment - now is the time for getting those details ironed out BEFORE
signing anything or the transferring of funds.
Look at contracts, supply sheets, training tips, behaviour concerns, health
problems, guarantees, etc.
What happens if... What will you do if.... what can I do if....
Any purchase of a dog should ALWAYS be on paper. Signed by both parties,
dated and witnessed.
Visit the Canine Caretakers web site at
http://www.itsmysite.com/K9Care
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