When my husband and I moved out of the city to the suburbs, our plans to get a dog were probably the most exciting part of our transition. Having lived in a cramped, Manhattan apartment for years, we had waited to get a dog until our move to the burbs. Now, we can't imagine life without our two-year-old yellow lab, Tucker. He's definitely the most entertaining member of our family.
If you're considering getting a dog, here are some tips:
Puppy vs. Older Dog
Puppies bring with them lots of accidents and much needed training time. But, raising a puppy can be a wonderful experience for adults and children. It may also ensure that your dog does not develop bad habits and aggressive behavior. Of course, there are no promises, but being involved in your dog's training from the earliest age can make a big difference. This is especially important for breeds that tend to be more aggressive.
Raising a puppy is pretty easy if someone in your family is around during the day. If not, you will need to make arrangements with a neighbor or dog service to feed your puppy at lunchtime and take him out.
If you have your hands full with babies and young children or just don't want to deal with the challenges of raising a puppy, adopting an older dog can be incredibly rewarding. It is very important to adopt the dog from a reputable shelter that will be honest with you about the dog's background. If a dog has been mistreated and displays aggressive behavior, it can be very hard or impossible to reverse this behavior. Good shelters will temperament test dogs to make sure they are not aggressive.
Pure Bred vs. Mixed Breed
If you are looking for a family pet, you may have a favorite breed from you childhood or like mixed breed dogs. Regardless of your choice, pure vs. mixed is much less important than temperament and whether the dog's activity level, size, grooming needs and other characteristics will work well in your family and housing situation. Don't consider very active dogs if you do not have a yard or will not be able to walk your dog several times a day -- it's not fair to the dog. Discovery.com has a breed selector guide. This is helpful if you're looking for pure breds, but don't over look mixed breeds!
Obedience Training
I have to admit that I rolled my eyes when my husband suggested that we sign our three-month-old puppy up for Puppy Kindergarten at St. Hubert's in Madison. Somehow he convinced me. Puppy Kindergarten turned out to be a great class that taught us how to raise a friendly and pretty well behaved puppy. And, we had lots of laughs in the process as the roomful of puppies humbled their owners. To find a good obedience school in your area, ask your vet for recommendations.
Crate Training
Putting your puppy in a crate may sound like torture, but it can be a great training tool that can save you from endless frustration while housebreaking your puppy. Dogs instinctively do not want to relieve themselves in their "dens". If your puppy sleeps in the crate, they will try to avoid going in the crate. As soon as you take him out of the crate, go directly outside and let him go. Believe me, crate training can be a good experience for you and your dog!
Keeping a Crate for Your Older Dog
If your dog has a positive reaction to the crate (some dogs despise them no matter how hard you try), you may want to keep the crate around. As your dog gets older, the crate becomes a safe-haven that he retreats to when he is tired or overwhelmed by household activity.
Do your research, buy or adopt your dog from a reputable breeder or shelter and spend time training and you may be rewarded with a wonderful addition to the family!
