Think With Your Head Not Your Heart…

…when choosing a dog!  Adding a new puppy or dog to the family can be a great addition.  However, situations occasionally occur where your new addition becomes more of a negative to the household than a positive.  I’m going to mention a few things to consider when YOU are considering adding a dog to your family.  

Ronan & Tyson running

Whatever pure or mixed breeds you are checking out, consider the size, and energy level. Sometimes this is more obvious with a pure breed, but there are exceptions to every rule. If you select a dog with medium to high exercise needs, make sure your family understands that this is a life long commitment, not just during the excitement phase of having a new dog.  

Reputable breeders know their dogs and can advise you so your expectations are realistic.  Rescue dogs can be a little trickier.  If you’re considering one that has been fostered you can obtain some valuable information from the foster “family”.

Got sheep?

Many folks start their initial research on the internet.  This offers pros and cons.  Pictures are great, but that should not be the main reason for your selection.  Lots of dogs are cute, but looks aren’t everything.  

My last dog, Elsa, was a beautiful German shepherd.  We had an amazing bond, and she was a great dog for ME.  That doesn’t mean she would’ve been the best dog for some others.  I put a tremendous amount of time and energy into training her.  She was a challenge who possessed a difficult triple threat: brains, edginess, and endurance. Yes she was SMART – too smart for some people!  She could be a little reactive (she loved to bark and scare people who showed fear, although she never bit). And she was quite active (which is how I originally got into sheep herding – she needed a job!).  

I loved Elsa and miss her everyday, but if I had been a person with a different lifestyle I don’t think I could’ve devoted the time that she needed to help her become the dog she was.  But keep in mind – I knew what I was getting long before I brought her home because I spoke at length with the breeder and visited the mom, dad, and litter numerous times.

Elsa’s last day

Sometimes you can’t get that much information, but try to read between the lines when doing your initial research.  For example, if you’re looking at a shelter dog and the description reads: “happy, fun loving, likes long walks” it may actually mean  jumpy, overly exuberant with tireless energy.  For a very active person, that may be a great fit.  For the opposite, it will not.  

Chihuahua & Great Dane

Consider size.  It’s great when dogs of different sizes get along, but it goes beyond friendliness.  I recently went to a shelter to help a client evaluate a dog she was considering adding to her family of 2 kids, 3 cats, and 2 small yorkies.  They wanted to add a larger dog.  We met the dog and she was very nice.  She was friendly to adults, kids, cats and dogs BUT – she was powerful, much larger (about 50 pounds), energetic, and very bouncy.  My fear was that one of the yorkies would get hurt by accident.  If a large dog pounces on a 4 pound yorkie, even if it’s out of friendliness, chances are too high of a serious injury.  Thankfully, my client is still looking for the RIGHT dog.  She is very smart and realizes that there is too much at stake to rush out and get a dog that MIGHT fit what she is looking for.  I am so glad she wants and trusts my help with this important and life-changing decision!  Please let others know that this is a service they could take advantage of:).

I spoke with someone who recently added a young Labrador Retriever puppy to her family.  While the puppy and smaller dog were playing, the smaller dog sustained a serious back injury and is basically out of commission for awhile.  She is on strict crate rest and the two dogs can’t be together for fear of making the injury worse.  The puppy didn’t do anything wrong – just being a puppy.  How sad for all!

Tessa as a pup!

We consider our dogs to be like our kids in so many ways.  However, unlike our human kids we can choose which dogs to add to our family, and which dogs would be a better match for someone else.  

I love when people adopt.  I love when people research and choose a good breeder.  I love many of the other ways by which people decide to add a new dog to their family.  

Regardless of the way a new dog joins your family, please do your very best to make sure it is great for everyone. Remember, the goal is that your home will be the new dog’s FUREVER home!

Stacie & Ronan’s litter

XO,

Stacie & Ronan