Hi.
I'm Kathy Santo for Iams with Howdini.
Are you thinking of getting a dog?
Bringing a new dog into your home is a big responsibility.
You'll need to take the time to train and socialize your
dog, as well as be prepared for the financial commitment
that goes with pet ownership.
Your dog will need food, supplies,
veterinary care, and more.
Remember, he'll depend on you for his health and well-being.
So be sure you're ready for a dog before
you start the process.
No surprise puppies.
Make sure everyone in your household is on board with
getting a puppy.
Too often, puppies are given up, but the family isn't ready
for the commitment that puppies require.
Once you've got through the commitments and
responsibilities associated with dog ownership, the next
step is to figure out what type of dog is right for you
and your family.
Today we're going to discuss a variety of things you should
think about before choosing your dog.
What type of family do you have?
Do you have kids or other pets?
What size of dog works best for your family?
Do you know how much cleaning and grooming time
you can commit to?
How much time do you have for training your new pup?
What energy level is a good fit for your home?
Is barking something to consider?
What kind of temperament is right for your family?
We all know how cute puppies and dogs are, and it can be
hard to resist when you go to pick them out.
Remember, they'll have an easier transition into your
home if you think about the best type of dog for you.
Consider the following aspects to help you choose the best
dog for you and your family.
Large dogs.
Generally they aren't suitable for apartment dwellers.
They need a bit more space to move around, mostly for their
long tails that need wagging space.
They tend to be more expensive--
more dog food supplies and medical treatment.
Small dogs.
They are more delicate and vulnerable.
Being stepped on or mishandled can cause serious injury.
Also, little dogs can be more sensitive to colder
temperatures, so be ready to keep them warm.
They're generally less expensive to maintain.
How much cleaning up can you commit to?
Long-coated and double-coated dogs shed, shed, and shed some
more, leaving tufts of hair to float about the house and land
everywhere.
How much time are you willing to spend brushing or grooming?
Make sure to consider the cost. A monthly grooming
service can really add up over the years.
If you lack time and patience to deal with a dog that's
difficult to train, than an older dog from a rescue may
fit your bill, as well as a pup of a breed that is
traditionally easier to train.
Intelligence is not necessarily an indicator of
trainability.
Smart dogs often have their own agenda and require
consistency on the part of their owners.
Dogs with a willingness to work and a desire to please
you often turn out to be the best companions.
I recommend hiring a dog trainer to perform a few tests
to help determine if the dog is a good fit for you.
As a rule, terriers, hounds, and Northern dogs are tough to
train because of their intelligence and independent
natures, while sporting and herding dogs
are easier to train.
The sharpest working obedience breeds are Golden Retrievers,
Labrador Retrievers, Border Collies, German Shepherds, and
Shetland Sheepdogs--
breeds that develop closely with humans.
Some dogs enjoy lounging at your feet to sleep the day
away, while others are very energetic and ready to run a
marathon right alongside you.
Cute as they are, Basset Hounds, Dachshunds, and Corgis
are not jogging companions.
And Airedales, German Shepherds, and Border Collies
are not typical couch potatoes.
All dogs need some exercise to stay healthy.
Most adult dogs will not exercise themselves, so time
for walks and other activities is important.
Some dogs bark a lot.
And the amount can vary by breed.
Terriers and scent hounds use their voices to broadcast
their progress in chasing prey.
Shelties and Collies bark to tell the sheep to
get back to the barn.
Canaan dogs bark to alert their families
of potential intruders.
Many dogs will bark if they're bored, so owners should also
be sure to assess their own time and ability for training,
walking, and play time, and should properly confine the
dog when they can't otherwise keep it from
disturbing the neighbors.
There are some special collars available to deter a barking
dog, and training methods that can help in some cases.
But if potential owners take the noise factor into
consideration, problems are more likely to be minimized.
Breed and temperament can be described, but there's room
within that description for individuality.
For example, Akitas are declared to be tough, loyal,
aloof, dominant, aggressive to other animals, and often
challenging.
However, many Akitas are sweet and cuddly, love small
critters, will climb in laps if allowed, and are anything
but aloof and dominant.
Terriers are scrappy, yappy, tough and independent, but
Airedale Terriers bond very closely to their humans and
are somewhat protective.
Hounds follow their eyes or noses and are often oblivious
to human presence.
Dachshunds bond closely with their families, and Greyhounds
and Whippets are sweet, gentle pets.
Because temperament isn't always easy to judge when
meeting a new dog, I strongly recommend hiring or asking a
professional dog trainer to come with you to evaluate
temperament.
They'll be able to assess a dog's personality, compare it
with your wish list, and determine what dog is the best
fit for you.
If you can't arrange this, ask the people who have interacted
with the dog the most about his temperament.
Once you've thought about the commitment and have a good
idea of what type of dog is the best fit for your family's
lifestyle, check out your local animal shelter or animal
rescue to see if a new addition is
waiting there for you.
I'm Kathy Santo for Iams with Howdini.
I hope you found this helpful as you welcome your new
addition into your family.
For more information on puppy care and training, visit
iams.com/puppy.