“What kind of dog should I adopt?”
By Julie Bjelland Lokhandwala
This can be a very exciting time! There are a lot of factors to consider as to what kind of dog is best for you to adopt. If a dogs needs are met, you will have a great companion full of love for you. If you don’t meet your dogs needs you will run into problem behavior that can be a nightmare. This article will help you pick the right match for a successful life together!
Dogs live 10-15 years or more and adopting a dog is a long-term commitment that you should take very seriously. There is a reason why there are so many homeless dogs and it is usually because the owner and dog were mismatched and not because there is something wrong with the dog. Owners often do not realize how much effort is required to having a pet dog and are not meeting their dog’s needs so behavior problems may arise. Millions of dogs are killed in Shelters every year. Bringing a dog into your home is a very big decision that should be carefully weighed out.
What kind of breed should you get? Should you adopt a
puppy or adult dog? Where should you
get the dog?
Just like people, dogs have individual personalities. Some dogs are highly energetic, while others are more calm and passive, some dogs are very social, and others not. So if you have your heart set on a particular breed for example, you still need to search within that breed and find the dog that best matches your lifestyle. Also, think about the option of finding a mixed breed with at least one of the breeds you may like.
But before you even consider what breed of dog, you should first examine your life a little to discover what kind of dog would best “match” you. If you are someone who loves the outdoors and is very athletic, then you’d probably do best with a young, active dog. If you are someone who likes to stay home and don’t really like to walk very much then you would NOT want a dog that is considered high energy and needs a lot of extra exercise.
In this sense dogs are like people, they all differ in personality and needs. Some dogs are more high energy and those dogs need to be matched with someone who plans to bring them out a lot; running, hiking, dog sports, long walks, etc. Others may want a mellower dog as a companion, who is content with hanging out with you all day and doesn’t require as much exercise as a high-energy dog.
Adopting an adult dog has a lot of benefits over adopting
a puppy because you already know what type of
personality the dog has and if it matches yours. Plus, puppies require a lot more work with housetraining and
chewing. You’ll also lose sleep at
night caring for their needs. Adult dogs have already gone through all those
difficult puppy phases. There are a lot
of places to find adult dogs needing homes.
You can contact your local animal shelter, or search for dog rescue
organizations in your area online.
There are rescue organizations for purebred dogs as well. Although adopting a mixed breed also has a
lot of health benefits because they tend to get the best of their mix of breed
genetics without the health problems many purebred dogs suffer from.
How old are the household members in your family?
If you have children under 8 then you will not want to get a puppy under 6 months of age because puppies have sharp teeth and claws that can cause injury. You also would not want to get a small, toy size dog because these dogs are so small they can be very fragile and sustain injury easily. So with small children you are better off getting an adult dog that is medium to large in size. Dogs over age two can be ideal because they have already gone through the difficult puppy and adolescence stages.
If you have elderly or physically challenged people in the household you would not want to get a large, young, energetic dog that could knock them over and sustain injury.
I hope this guide can help you make the right choice when deciding to adopt a dog. When a dogs needs are met they can be a truly wonderful companion for many years to come because they are a never-ending source of love without judgment.
---------------------------
--Julie Bjelland Lokhandwala's interactive Dog Training Web site: www.webdogtrainer.com/, teaches you how to train your own dog as well as receive professional coaching, advice and tips through email consultations about your own dog! Julie formerly trained Guide Dogs for the Blind and has been running her own successful obedience training/behavior modification business for several years. She is known for her talent in helping you communicate more effectively with your dog. Julie's positive methods of training are friendly, encouraging and motivating. She has a personal mission to help more dogs get adopted and stay adopted and donates a portion of her proceeds to the cause. Julie shares her home with her own rescued German Shepherd, Fax.
You can ask Julie any dog question!
"Julie had an immediately calming effect on us as dog owners. She can explain the canine perspective and how we as humans can interact with our dog in a positive way, even when disciplining. Julie was super patient with all of our questions and even fielded our email questions after training ended," said Sina and Ed of Fremont, California.