Getting a Dog
Getting a dog doesn't only involve finding one and that's it. Things such as time, money, and the appropriate breed come into play also. Once the new dog is acquired the dog owner also needs to put forth a lot of work to properly socialize the dog as well as make sure that the new addition has all his needs met. The following lists some considerations we should take before getting a dog, a list of things one can socialize our dog to and a list of materials we will need.
Considerations Before Getting A Dog
Getting a dog/puppy is no small commitment; sadly, some people don't seem to be aware of this. I've met some people on forums that come asking for help with their puppy yet they are away at work for the majority of the day. In cases such as these dogs don't get the socialization that's needed to raise a well balanced dog. Obviously it wouldn't be practical to get a pup (or dog) if one isn't there to show it the ropes and create a bond which is all too important in training and living with a dog.
-The most obvious consideration would be time. The amount of time that the dog will need depends on many factors; puppies will need much more attention than adults. That's not to say that new older dogs won't need your time, they still need attention for training and bond building. Puppies however, need to go potty often, they need to be socialized to be well balanced, they may endanger themselves by chewing on inappropriate things, etc.
Time will need to be set apart not only for potty and socializing but also for vet appointments, setting house rules, taking care of the puppy should it get sick, or cleaning up after the pup until it learns better. Bluntly put, as I once heard it, if someone is thinking of getting a dog yet has to work all day and then come home and be too tired to spend time with their puppy, it would be best for this person to get a stuffed dog. If at all possible if you are thinking of getting a dog, try to do so during a time when you are home (such as vacation time), or at the very least make sure there is someone at home to tend to the newcomers needs.
-Doing research on certain breeds is of utmost importance. One of the reasons why there is many dog in shelters is because some people don't take the time to research breed characteristics before getting the dog. This rule applies for those planning to get a pedigree dog. Breed requirements, particularly energy and grooming requirements, are good indicators of whether or not a specific breed will be good for your unique circumstance. Its worth mentioning, that your "dream dog" isn't necessarily the "proper" dog for you.
The most common breeds that are often sought yet commonly misunderstood are the Siberian husky, Labrador, and Jack Russell Terrier, just to name a few. For example the Husky; I've heard of many people say they want one yet fail to take in mind its high energy needs, high prey drive, and its great ability to escape fences. In the end the owner can't deal with it and the poor dog has to go to a shelter or a rescue, this can happen with any breed if it doesn't fit into one's circumstances.
Doing research can be carried out multiple ways, the easiest is just searching the breed's sites on the net, one could also go to a local library and look for breed specific books there. Two other effective research methods include contacting and talking with owners of the breed and also talking breeders of the particular breed you are look for. Going to forums can help you meet people with these breeds, and I have personally seen forums that are dedicated specifically for one breed or group of breeds so just keep looking and you'll find what you want to know about your breed. In conclusion, doing research will not only save you a whole lot of trouble but also save the poor dog from having to pay for one's ignorance. Be honest with yourself when doing research, don't overlook parts that you find inconvenient, if the breed really isn't for you acknowledge it and move on.
- Being financially able to keep a dog should play a role in whether or not you should get one at the time. When adding a dog to the family it's important to acknowledge that we are also adding an extra expense. A dog owner needs money for: vet bills (sometimes expensive), vaccines, deworming, training classes, dog equipment, dog food, any damage repairs, licence fees, and grooming services.
There are two expenses that I'd like to consider in specific. The first is the actual cost of the dog. When considering getting a dog, don't go looking for who is selling for cheapest, no matter how tempting it may seem. This applies primarily to those looking for pure breeds but does still apply to a lesser extent for those looking for a nice mixed breed. If someone goes and buys a pedigree dog for cheap, it will be most likely from a puppy mill or a backyard breeder; people who care only for the money not the customers or the dogs. In the end one would end up paying more money if they get a pup from a puppy mill or BYB because, since they don't do testing nor provide healthy environments, the puppy sickens and the buyer ends up paying major vet bills. Reputable breeders, on the other hand, are there for the puppies they sell, and provide excellent care so that pups are less likely to develop some sort of illness (congenital or things like Kennel Cough).
Shelters are also a great option, 25% of dogs in shelters are pure breeds! Getting a nice mixed breed from there isn't a bad idea either. Adopting from shelters not only is considerably less costly but it also helps alleviate the over crowdedness of shelters. Either mutt or pedigree make excellent pets, I have both and can attest to that.
The second issue regarding cost is food. Prices and quality in commercial dog food vary greatly. Don't be afraid to get food that isn't the cheapest. For the most part, the higher the cost the better the food. Buying cheap foods that have nothing but fillers (like corn) can also, in the long run, be more expensive. Too much corn in the dog's diet can later lead to development of allergies which can cost you a lot of money. Because cheaper foods provide less nutrition, the dog will need to eat more to get adequate nutrition. Buying good quality food will help in the sense that the dog won't eat as much so the bag will last you longer. On a side note, the most expensive food won't always necessarily be the best food. To determine that you have to learn to read the food labeling. As a general rule, for anything in the dog world, you get what you pay for.
- Keeping the family in mind is a good consideration to take when getting a dog. The decision to get a dog should be unanimous in the family. No matter whose dog it is, everyone will have some part in the dog's life especially when it comes to training. Everyone should be ready and willing to help in whatever they can no matter what the role and no matter what age they are. Family consideration is a big reason why getting a dog (or pet) as a surprise gift (like in Christmas) is a bad idea, and a factor to the overpopulated shelters.
Socialization
Everyone would like to own a well balanced and well behaved dog, but these kinds of dogs don't simply appear out of the blue. One must put forth a lot of effort to properly socialize a dog so that he is able to grow up to be a balanced dog. How it is carried out and with whom is totally up to you and depends on your environment. Ideally the socialization period for most dogs is from when they are 3 weeks and is done when they turn 12 weeks. Now this doesn't mean that you can't socialize a dog sooner or later than that time frame, however it is much easier to do so during that time. Breeders have the responsibility of socializing puppies since the day they are born by handling them and making sure they are comfortable with human touch. When puppies are homed (typically about 7+ weeks) the owner then has to make sure that the puppy is exposed to a myriad of situations, people, and animals.
There is much controversy over whether socialization or protection from pathogens is important for a puppy. Most pups don't have their full vaccinations till about 13 weeks, which is after the ideal socializing period. If proper measures are taken to make sure that the young dog doesn't come into contact with other dogs that might pass on some illness or from places that are frequented by other dogs, then you can still properly socialize your dog. Unruly and under socialized dogs can be just as expensive and heartbreaking to fix as a puppy that has become sick with something they caught because they didn't have a certain vaccine. Not to mention that under socialized dogs will start showing problems most likely when you've already owned them for a couple of months/years, so your emotional bond will be much stronger.
Remember that when you take your puppy to different places and get him acquainted with different people/animals that the experience should be very positive. Treats or a favorite toy should be provided so that the puppy starts to connect a certain object, place, person with good things. If anything traumatizing happens it is important to act quickly as this can leave a lasting impression and will most likely develop into a phobia. Remember to never rush a dog into getting to know something; everything should be at the dog's pace.
The following is a check list of all the different things that an owner can socialize your puppy with, simply check off what you already have done and keep in mind what needs to be done:
Puppy Socialization Checklist |
People |
| Women (Adults) | |
| Men (Adults) | |
| Girls (Children) | |
| Boys (Children) | |
| People with different skin tones | |
| Babies & Toddlers | |
| People with beards | |
| Seniors | |
Accessories |
| Hats | |
| Jackets, Coats, Raincoats | |
| Canes | |
| Moderate Costumes | |
| Wheelchairs | |
| Sunglasses | |
Places |
| Park | |
| City | |
| Beach | |
| Other Houses | |
| Stores (Pet Supply Stores) | |
| Construction Sites | |
| Open Places (e.g. Meadows, Fields) | |
| Snow | |
| Vet Clinic | |
| w/ slick surfaces | |
| w/ wood surfaces | |
| w/ cold surfaces | |
| w/ rocky surfaces | |
Sounds |
| Cars (honks, engine starting, etc) | |
| Whistles | |
| Planes | |
| Cellphones | |
| TV & Radio | |
| Thunder | |
| Fireworks | |
Objects |
| Balloons | |
| Kid's Toys | |
| Washer/Drier Machine | |
| Backpacks | |
| Mops, Brooms, etc | |
| Hose | |
| Bicycles, Scooters, Skateboards | |
While some of the things in the list below may seem silly to accustom your dog to, it is important to include them in the socialization schedule anyway. For instance, for humans it's completely normal for to be wearing hats, jackets, etc. But dogs, who don't usually wear clothes, may see us differently and may not even recognize us! Depending on your environment you may need to mold your schedule to fit your dog better; for example, if you live near a railroad it might be a good idea to include trains into your socialization checklist. Always remember, make these things equal good things in the mind of your dog. And even if your dog may not be under 13 weeks old, it's still possible to get them comfortable with these things; some dogs may go through a "fear stage" around 8 months, so it is important not to give up your socialization schedule even if you think your dog won't need it.
Materials You'll Need
Getting a new dog doesn’t only consist of getting a puppy and that’s it, one needs to make sure that the pup has everything that he needs at home. The following is a list of things that you can get to make sure that your dog’s needs are met and so you aren’t caught unprepared.
List of Materials You'll Need For New Pup |
| Food and Water Bowls | |
| Leash | |
| Collar | |
| ID Tag | |
| Dog bed | |
| Crate | |
| Dog toys | |
| First Aid Kit | |
| Clothes (for small shorthaired breeds) | |
| Numbers of vets and emergency animal hospitals | |
| Dog food | |
| Dog treats | |
| Combs or brushes | |
| Nail Clippers | |
| Dog shampoo | |
| Drier or towels for after baths | |
| Supplies to clean up accidents | |
| Good sum of money set appart for puppy expenses | |
| Camera | |
This is just a general list to get you started, depending on your situation you may need to add more to it. Just some side notes on some of the items above.
Leashes: it would be a good idea to get two kinds of leashes, a retrackable one and a regular 6 ft one. The regular leash can be used for walks where you need more control such as with appointments with the vet, retrackable leashes are good for training and allowing the dog to roam and explore without being out of your control. However this is completely up to you.
ID Tags which should contain the dog’s name, your address and phone number will facilitate finding and claiming your dog should he ever get lost.
While dog toys may not seem important they definitely are, in the absense of toys a young puppy will satisfy his chewing urge on things that you may treasure such as shoes or the legs of expensive coffee tables. Having a few toys on hand helps give the pup a bit of variety and this helps prevent boredom which can possibily result in the dog chewing on inappropriate things. Toys don’t have to be all too expensive but they shouldn’t be cheap quality, reason being that cheap toys can break apart and shred easier and can constitute a choking hazard for your pup.
Dog crate is very important to have for the instances where you can’t give your new dog your undivided attention, as mentioned in the Crate Training Page, crates have to be the right size, ideally its good to get a crate with the adult size of your dog in mind, simply use dividers to make it the right size for your dog until he is adult size.
Lastly, the camera, this may have seemed a little silly but can actually be very beneficial. First off, the puppy stage is far too short to pass up on lots of pictures. However pictures can fulfill a very important task in case of an emergency. If your dog ever goes missing for whatever reason, they will be crutial not only to help others identify your dog but also to prove that he is yours.
The above being said, make sure that you are well equipped for when the new addition to your family has arrived.
-Steven L.
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