The first thing you need to do, before making the decision to get a dog, is to determine whether you're really prepared. Here are some things you may need to ask yourself first:

Are you going to be able to make time for your dog?
Just like humans, dogs require time and attention to flourish.

They need to exercise every day, for example, to keep in top physical shape. If you plan on putting a dog on a chain and exiling it to your backyard, you do that animal a great disservice. You'll need to walk your dog or engage in play on a regular basis. You'll need to housebreak your dog, so he doesn't pee and poop all over your house. Most importantly, you'll need to train him so that he doesn't develop behavioral problems that make him a danger to you, your kids and others.

Let's be real here. Kids are not going to be as responsible for a pet as an adult, so, if you're a person with a crowded work schedule, unwilling to sacrifice what free time you do have to a dog, then getting a dog may not be a wise idea.


Are you financially capable of taking care of a dog?
I know of folks who, after getting a dog, were stunned to discover that there is quite a bit of expense involved with having one.

You'll need to be able to pay for food, collars, leashes, grooming supplies, bowls, toys, crates, harnesses, etc. If your dog gets sick, you have to take him to a veterinarian, which is by no means cheap.

If your dollars are already stretched to the limit paying for your kids' needs, mortgage, car and other family expenses, adding on a pet could put a financial strain on your household.


Do you know whether or not a particular dog breed fits your family?
Here's where I have seen new owners get hung up.

They go to a pet store or animal shelter and pick a dog because he "looks cute", yet know nothing at all about the breed of dog they are bringing into their home. Each breed has certain personality characteristics and, just as we humans fit best with other humans we are compatible with, dogs fit best with owners who they are more attuned to.

If you have kids, you want a dog who is patient with them, who won't get easily aggravated when they tug on him or annoy him, as kids do, at times. Some great "family-friendly" breeds are Labs, Golden Retrievers, Collies and Boston Terriers, to name a few. These breeds are loyal, friendly and great with children.

On the other hand, breeds like pit bulls, Dobermans, Rottweilers, Akitas and Chow-Chows may not be the best choice in a dog, if you have children, because they can be territorial and aggressive, if annoyed. I know of people who swear by pit bulls, but there have been way to many news reports of pitt bull attacks for me to consider bringing this breed of dog into my house and risking the safety of my family and neighbors.

If you are determined to get a dog, then research various breeds to find which one you'd feel most comfortable with. That way, when you go to a pet store or shelter, you'll already know what you want.


Are you ready for the long haul?
Bringing a dog into your household is a serious thing. You need to ask yourself if you are ready for the degree of commitment necessary to take care of a dog, over a long period of time.

Please don't get a dog, only thinking about him being a good "watch dog" that you can put outside and ignore. Dogs coming into our homes deserve to become a part of our family, to be loved, nurtured and valued. They need owners willing to put in the effort to build a relationship with them.

Be certain that you are ready to dedicate a portion of your life to a dog, before you decide to get one. If, after having addressed these questions, you believe you still want to get a dog, then , by all means, go for it.

For those of you considering adopting a puppy: be prepared.

When I was a child, I had a tiny Pekingese. He was a good little puppy; the most he ever destroyed was a kleenex box. He was quickly housetrained, and was a content little creature happy to just sit on a cushion and look outside, pondering deep doggy thoughts.

So imagine my shock when I adopted a young American Eskimo puppy - one complete with a set of sharp puppy teeth and a little snout to help him get those teeth into practically anything.

This deceptively angelic-looking pup was a complete terror. He tore up the carpet. He chewed the only set of chairs we owned. He munched up our table. He gnawed the walls. He peed riverfuls onto our carpet, our bed, wherever he felt the urge to let loose. He dug up plants and scattered their mangled carcasses all over the house.

The only things he never chewed were shoes and dog toys, even though we bought him plenty of toys of all types to try to pique his interest. Go figure.

He managed to cause this massive destruction after he was let out of his kennel. We watched him 99% of the time, but when we turned our backs to him - for just a second! - he would somehow transform into a miniature chewing machine. He was always good as gold while he was in his kennel: he'd happily snooze the time away, paws twitching with his puppy dreams.

Take it from someone who's been there, done that: if you're thinking of bringing a puppy into your family, be prepared for:

Mass destruction. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating just a little (but not much!). Be prepared for your puppy to chew and chew and chew... including chewing up the occasional treasured belonging. They're puppies: they chew.

Kennel training. This will do a few things: first, it will keep your pup from destroying the house while you're away. Second, it will teach him bladder control (puppies need to be relieved every few hours, so make sure you take him straight from the kennel to the spot outdoors where you want him to go). And finally, if you do it right, it will teach him not to be afraid of the kennel - it can be warm, safe place for him.

Teaching them the meaning of "No!" Be consistent. Don't hit your pup, but firmly tell him no when you catch him in the act of doing something wrong. Praise him when he does what you want him to do.

Enforcing rules. Set limits while your puppy is young. Dogs are pack animals and YOU should be the pack leader. Remember, no hitting! Slowly counting to ten (or one hundred, as the case may be...) is perfectly acceptable. Taking your pup to a socialization and/or obedience school is a great way to bond with your new pup while setting rules.

Accidents. (poop/pee) Hey, they're going to happen, no matter how vigilant you are. Good commercial cleaners made expressly for this purpose are available from pet stores everywhere.

Lots of love.

If raising a puppy doesn't exactly sound like your idea of fun, consider adopting an adult. They bond just as well to their new people and have plenty of love to offer!

The decision to get a dog is not something to be taken lightly. An adorable puppy can tug at our heartstrings but, in the end, will require a significant investment of your time and money for a significant number of years. Socializing and training a new puppy is time consuming and, occasionally, frustrating. It can increase the amount of stress on the family, and the dog, working to provide the constant supervision, socialization, and training that is necessary to successfully integrate a dog into a family environment. This is especially true if the primary caregiver(s) are working outside of the home and/or have young children, an elderly parent, or other persons and/or pets to care for. This does not mean that it cannot be done. But, prospective dog owners often underestimate the investment of time, energy, and money, required.

Additionally, depending upon what breed or mixed breed you ultimately select it may take some time to find the right breeder and/or the right puppy/dog. Reputable, ethical breeders do not breed frequently. And, they only breed when they have found a pair who has been proven to possess the health and temperaments required to insure, to the extent possible, healthy, well tempered, offspring. Making this decision impulsively, can lead to frustration, disappointment, and eventually, may result in the surrender of the dog to a shelter or rescue.

In the US, the tragic fact is that, millions of the dogs are prematurely euthanized, annually. And, most often, it is the owners, not the dogs, who are responsible for their premature deaths. Impulsive or poorly thought out decisions; the selection of a difficult or headstrong breed because it is 'popular' or you like how it looks; or, for that matter, any dog selected for looks rather than temperament, 'match' to your lifestyle, and your ability to provide proper care and environment; the lack of consideration of the lifestyle changes you may experience over the next 12 to 14 years; as well as the lack of proper socialization, training, physical activity, and attention -- these are all major contributors to the need for so many shelters and rescues. And, results, all too frequently, in premature euthanasia.


WHY DO YOU WANT A DOG?
The first question you should ask yourself, honestly is . . . Why do I (we) want a dog?

If your answer is:

For my son/daughter/children . . . Trust me, this will be YOUR dog! After the 'honeymoon period', the kids may only play with the dog, occasionally. They may groan and grumble about any dog-related responsibilities, doing them, begrudgingly, only after significant prodding from you. As children's interests and activities change, over the years, their level of involvement with the dog will most likely be, inconsistent, at best. Additionally, your children, especially, young children, will need to be 'trained' in how to behave with the dog and will need to be supervised when with the dog.

For protection . . . I know some may disagree but, it is my opinion, that the only time is it a good idea to get a dog for the purpose of protection is in professional or agricultural situations and only when the owner/trainer is humane and knowledgeable of dog behavior and dominant dog training/handling. In all other situations - probably 99.9% - an alarm system, security fence, or other measures are much more appropriate and effective.

To breed puppies . . . If you've read the third paragraph of this piece and still feel this way, there is probably little I can offer to change your mind. But, just in case, let me restate the case a little more thoroughly. The breeding of dogs is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. If it is not your intention to remain responsible for all of your puppies for their entire lives, including being willing to take back and care for those who may find themselves homeless, do not enter into this endeavor. If you are planning on breeding for profit, understand that there are much easier, more profitable and ethical ways to make a buck. Dogs are living beings and dog breeding requires a significant investment of time, money, labor, knowledge, both academic and practical, patience, and emotional fortitude, to be done responsibly and humanely. Please visit a few of the shelter and rescue websites, or your local shelter, and witness the problem yourself. View the faces of the homeless dogs and talk to the volunteers and staff who, all too often, must take that 'final walk' with them.

Because BreedX is 'Cool', was in a movie you saw, is unique and exotic, is free/cheap, or other such nonsense . . . One of the WORSE reasons to get a dog, or any other animal, for that matter, is because of their physical appearance or popularity due to a movie, TV show, or other publicity. Often, these venues feature exotic, rare or unique breeds that are, in the overwhelming majority of pet situations, unsuitable as companions. This visibility may also draw out those 'breeders' whose primary motivation is profit versus health, temperament, structural soundness and the welfare of their dogs.

And, remember to incorporate the same thoughtful consideration on whether or not to get a dog, and which breed or mix, when your friend, coworker or relative offers you one of Fluffy's puppies. Dogs are never really 'free' or 'cheap' and, in reality, require significant financial, physical, time, and environmental resources. At a minimum, none of these, or other such reasons, are sound selection factors for getting a dog and selecting a particular breed or mix. And, remember, if it is difficult for you to find information on a particular breed, or a breeder of the breed, it follows that you will most likely also have difficulty finding local support services that are familiar with the training, health care, and maintenance needs of that breed.

While there are a few breeds, especially exotic or rare breeds, which I would not recommend to people considering dog ownership, there are several shared traits and needs that are basic to all dogs. All require socialization, training, a secure, comfortable and safe environment, grooming and health maintenance, professional health care, a quality diet, companionship, attention, and love. All dogs are canines and think like canines. It is important that you educate yourself through books, training classes, etc., so that you will be able to interpret and understand their behavior and respond appropriately.

Additionally, with regard to "non-shedding dogs", while there is no such animal (except for hairless varieties which present greater maintenance and care challenges), some do shed considerably less than others (i.e., several terrier breeds, schnauzers, poodles, etc.). However, understand that if it is an allergy or asthma that you are concerned with, it is likely not the shedding of hair that causes the reaction in humans, it is proteins in the saliva, dander or contact with urine, that will often trigger allergic reactions. Non-allergenic breeds of dogs or cats do not exist. Animals tend to shed dander at different rates and hair length is only a minor factor in the amount of dander an animal makes. Animals may also be more allergenic at certain times of the year as they go through dander-shedding cycles. The characteristics of a person's allergies can also change over time. Purchasing a so-called "non-allergenic" breed usually does not work out. Getting rid of a pet after emotional attachments have been made is hard for all involved.

However, if it is the 'mess' you are concerned about, while you can minimize the amount and/or length of the hair/undercoat shed via breed selection and proper grooming, dogs can and do make messes having nothing to do with shedding. So, if muddy coat and paws or a bit of doggy 'fragrance' are going to throw you into a tailspin, please reevaluate if this is the best time for you to get a dog.

Thoughtful breed and breeder selection can improve, to some degree, the odds that you will find a healthy, well-tempered, dog that meets your expectations in a family pet. Deciding to get an older adoptable pure or mixed breed dog can eliminate a few 'unknowns' (See "The Virtues of an Older Dog" by Valerie Macys) but, may, on the other hand, present alternative concerns. In any event, at some point during your dog's life, you will face some 'surprises' or 'issues' that will require some flexibility and out-of-the-ordinary amount of patience, time, and effort on your part. Even when dealing with the most reputable breeder, rescue or shelter, and being extremely diligent and thorough, in your research, your ability to predict you and your dog's future, is limited. Therefore, just as in marriage or parenthood, you must be willing to be somewhat flexible and sincerely committed to responding, responsibly, to deviations from your expectations.

And, finally, while doing some research on weight pulling, I came across a great, practical, primer/warning, by Amy Gerson, on what life with dogs can be like. While, specifically, written for Malamutes, these 'issues' can be found in any dog breed or mix and are examples of what you must be willing to deal with when you decide to get a dog. It is true, that many behavioral issues can be solved through training and sufficient activity and exercise; some of these traits are inherent enough to be recurring and frustrating to owners. If digging, chewing, etc. are likely to result in your packing your dog off to a shelter, please reconsider your decision to get a dog.

However, if you are interested in getting a dog for the RIGHT reasons, please ask yourself the following 10 questions, prior to selecting a breed and breeder or visiting your local shelter or rescue facility:

1) Are you, and all those who live with you, committed to spend 12+ years providing health care, food, grooming, training and attention to a dog? Do the people who live with you also want a dog?

2) Do you have the time and/or resources available . . . To take your dog for walks and to the vet? To bath, brush, clip, and, otherwise, groom your dog as often as necessary? Will you want to play and, perhaps, work on training daily, with your dog even after a tiring/busy day at work? Are you willing to take your dog to puppy socialization, kindergarten, and basic obedience classes?

3) Are there lifestyle-altering events that could occur in your foreseeable future? - A baby, caring for an elderly family member, a divorce, job uncertainty, etc. And, how would you deal with these changes as they impacted your ability to care for a dog?

4) Is your personality conducive to dog ownership? Do you often feel 'stressed out'? Do you like to have total control over your environment or 'space'? Are you a 'neat freak'? Are you flexible? Patient? Answer honesty - nobody but you will know AND, more importantly, nobody but you will have to live with the results of your trying to 'fit' your personality to a dog.

5) Are you physically able to care for a dog? Are you economically able to provide care for a dog?

6) Is your environment prepared for a dog and/or are you willing to make the investment of time and money necessary to insure that it does? Is there a yard or park-like area for your dog to walk and relieve him- or her- self? Is your yard, or a portion of it, fenced? If your dog will be outside for any period of time, will you provide a secure and comfortable shelter for your dog? Although you may have a secure and comfortable location for your dog while it is outdoors, dog should not be left outdoors, unattended, for extended periods of time. They can be taunted, released, stolen, or worse. Tethering can cause serious physical harm or death in the event of an entanglement or other such accident. Further, prolonged tethering can cause undesirable behavioral and personality traits to surface. Additionally, garages may contain chemicals, tools and other items that can be dangerous and/or harmful to your dog.

7) Will your dog be alone for long periods of time, daily? Can you arrange for the dog to be let out for a romp, given water, medication, and playtime, as necessary, during the day? Or, will you become angered and frustrated by behavioral issues that may arise due to the fact that your dog is alone for long periods of time? (i.e., relieves him or herself indoors; chews up a blanket, your shoes, your favorite chair cushion; barks incessantly, causing your neighbors to become angry or, perhaps, even call animal control on you; etc. Do not plan to leave your dog outdoors or in a garage all day while you are away! If this is in your plans, I suggest you revisit the question "Why do I/We want a dog?"

8) Are you willing to spay/neuter your dog, as soon as possible, to reduce the chance of an accidental breeding?

9) Do you travel frequently? Will it be difficult for you to find quality care for your dog when you are away?

10) Do you really LOVE dogs? If you are truly motivated by your love of dogs, or a particular dog, you most likely don't need this page. You've done your homework and are ready for a lifelong commitment. You will train and play with your dog, provide appropriate veterinary care and nutrition, you will bath and groom him or her, happily, and the occasional behavioral problem won't throw you for a loop. If this is the case, please visit the other related sections of the library for helpful articles on breed or mix selection, puppy or adult?, adoption or breeder, finding a breeder, preparation for your dog, training care, and more.