While reading numerous dog articles I stumbled onto one on RealSimple.com discussing 10 mistakes many pet owners make. The next few weeks will be devoted to these lessons and how to make pet ownership stress-free.
Spontaneous Purchase
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| Linus from CCBTR.org |
One of the first and most common lesson learned is buying a pet spontaneously when the doggie in the window, darling as he is, might not be the right fit for your family or lifestyle. Where you live and your lifestyle play a big part in choosing a pet, just as in choosing a car or a house, and equal thought should be put into all three purchases. A dog is a 10- to 15-year commitment, possibly longer than you will live in the house or drive the car. Fully inform yourself before you bring home a pet. Every dog has its own needs, some of which are specific to the breed: terriers tend to dig, beagles can be vocal. That being said, not every dog or cat is typical of its breed, so "ask about the pet's history, health, and temperament," says Stephanie Shain, a director at the Humane Society of the United States.
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| Jersey from Petfinder.org |
If there is a breed that interests you, read up on it, talk to owners, and get to know someone else's border collie or Boston terrier. The American Kennel Club and Petfinder have a lot of information about different breeds and Animal Planet has a dog breed questionnaire to help you choose. These can give you a starting place in choosing a breed that suits your lifestyle.
When dealing with a breeder, you should be shown where the pet was raised and meet its parents. Try the website of the American Kennel Club to find reputable breeders in your area and a wealth of information on specific breeds.
Many rescue groups are breed specific, but not every dog is a purebred. Mixed breeds can have the best traits of them all and are wonderful pets. I have a Chow–Lab mix who is a perfect example of why a mix breed is a great choice. While my baby girl is protective like the Chow, she is not a “one owner” dog, and she has the playfulness and companionship traits of a Labrador. Physically she is Chow size, but has the Lab coat, so until her muzzle turned grey many people thought she was a puppy (including her).
Animal rescue groups and animal shelters are another great way to find a family pet. Many of these dogs are past the chewing-on-everything puppy stage, housebroken, and have developed personalities, which makes it easier to place them with families. Petfinder provides listings for both rescues and shelters in your area; many of the rescues include short biographies. Shelters have their own requirements for adopting dogs, so visit them to meet the dogs and get more information.
Reputable rescue groups like CCBTR provide initial information about the dog, as well as periodic assessments on their behavior, training, and personality. Rescue groups work hard to find the right fit between dog and owner, so don’t be surprised by the applications and home visits. These are designed so that families can be matched with the best possible dog.
Most of these dogs are surrendered by their owners or family so rescues often know a dog’s history well.
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| Remy from CCBTR.org |
Keep in mind that dogs are a long term commitment and great personalities are more endearing that great looks.
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