The art of getting a new dog, part 2
Last time I talked about deciding to bring a new dog into your home. The next step is actually choosing that perfect pup.
But how, when there are so many choices?
Make a list
Try making a list of what you want in a dog, breaking it down into categories like Must Have, Would Be Okay With, Prefer Not and Absolutely
Not. Everyone in your family needs to agree, especially on the Must Haves and Absolutely Nots. You may not get everything you want, but stick to the criteria as closely as possible.
Decide where to look
The next step is figuring out where to find your new dog. While I always prefer adoption, that’s a personal decision. If you want a puppy and have decided to purchase, choose a responsible breeder. Reputable breeders insist that you and your family meet your pup in person before you take it home, and will never ship or sell their puppies to strangers.
If you want to adopt, don’t overlook your local shelter, or assume only “problem dogs” end up in shelters. Many dogs are there because an owner had health or family issues, was forced to move or passed away.
You can also look at breed-specific rescue organizations. Just Google the name of the breed and the words “rescue California.” Most rescue groups won’t permit adoptions outside their local region — so don’t fall in love with a Great Dane in North Dakota!
Another option is to go a trustworthy website like PetFinder, where you can enter specifics on what type of dog you want.
And don’t forget to tell your veterinarian you’re looking for a new dog: they often have clients who need to re-home their dog because of unforeseen circumstances.
Make your choice
Keep these things in mind when you’re ready to make that final decision:
• How does the dog interact with humans? Ideally, it will happily welcome everyone no matter their age, race, gender or disability. A shy or fearful dog is probably not well-socialized and will take a lot of work to become approachable. Make sure your prospective pooch meets your children: if it shows any signs of fear or aggression, this isn’t the dog for you.
• How does the dog play? Some dogs have no idea of even how to play, whereas others are veritable terrors when playing. Realize that if the dog gets overly-excited — yelping, barking, jumping on you, or is unwilling to calm down — it may be more of a training challenge.
• Is the dog too “mouthy”? A dog needs to understand that putting teeth on humans isn’t appropriate. If it exhibits behaviors like hard or constant biting, nipping at clothes, growling, snapping or snarling, cross it off your list.
• How does the dog handle touch? Can you pet the dog easily, rub your hands over its back or even gently hold it? A dog that’s touchphobic may have serious issues with bonding, which can last a lifetime without intensive and often professional help.
• Does the dog get along with other dogs? This is especially important if you’re bringing a second dog into your home. Introduce your potential adoptee to your current dog. Ideally, both will should show signs of joyful approval — or at the very least, tolerance.
One last thought: if you’re unsure about your ability to make a good choice, consider asking a trainer or behaviorist, or even a dog-knowledgeable friend, for help. Others can often spot both a dog’s positive and negative aspects because they’re not emotionally involved in the choice.
Happy searching!