By Cheryl Silver csilver2@austin.rr.com 454-7219
This is the time of the year when people start thinking about getting a puppy or adult dog as a present for a child or other family member. Try as I might, few people listen when I urge them to not get a dog as a present for anybody and, to certainly avoid doing it at holiday time when everyone is busy, households are full of activity and objects that can lead to problems, such as Christmas trees, presents, candy, extra electric cords, etc. are everywhere.
If you want to give a dog as a present, I have some suggestions. Rather than giving a dog, put together a wonderful package of gift certificates and really terrific books about living with a new dog and give that. You can make the certificate and enumerate what it is good for, e.g. “This certificate entitles you to a collar, a leash, a dog dish, two dog toys, a bag of premium dog food (such as Natural Balance), a crate, and a comfy dog bed.” This will be a very, very welcome gift. Include a copy of some wonderful books such as, books by folks like Dr. Ian Dunbar, Dr. Patricia McConnell, Carol Benjamin, and Karen Pryor. All are available online—new and used.
I strongly urge you to consider a rescue dog. You can contact me if you would like to reach a rescue group for a particular breed—I will be happy to point you in the right direction. If you want a mixed breed dog, I can point you in the right direction, as well.
The relationship between a dog and its people is special and a good match is critical. If you go to a reputable rescue group, they should be asking you lots and lots of questions about your lifestyle and what you are hoping for in a dog. Do you want a jogging companion, someone to be a couch potato with you, a dog to do therapy with or to compete in dog-people activities? Think it through and be sure you discuss it with everyone in your family and with the rescue group.
Be rational. The dog needs to fit readily into your lifestyle. I know a family that insists they want a puppy, yet the primary caretaker for the dog works ten plus hours a day and the only person home is an elderly relative who is unstable on her feet and whose hearing is poor. This is no situation for a puppy, but they are insistent. No reputable rescuer, in my opinion, would place a puppy in this situation. It could endanger the senior relative and the puppy will not get the attention, training and socialization it needs to develop fully. A settled trained dog about 5 years old would probably work well, but they will not consider it. Think through your lifestyle---think about what a dog needs and deserves.
When you go to a rescue group, let them know you are interested in a dog that has been living in a foster situation and has been evaluated in a home setting. Ask specifics about the dog. The following are examples:
--Is the dog in a foster home with children? How old are the children and how does the dog interact with them?
--Is the dog crate-trained? Housetrained? Destructive? If housetrained, how does the dog signal that it needs to go outside to potty?
--How does the dog interact with the other pets in the foster home? What genders are the other dogs? I recommend that you get a dog of the opposite sex from your current dog.
--Does the rescue group provide ongoing support on behavioral issues?
--How does the dog deal with new people and new situations? Is he timid about new things or outgoing?
--How does the dog relate to people and other dogs when on walks?
--Does the dog guard any toys, special chews, food bowl, places such as his dog bed?
This has been a very brief overview of issues related to adding a dog to your family. I am happy to help in greater depth if you give me a call.
