Questions to consider before getting a dog

Should I Get a Dog?

The responsibility of ownership should be a commitment for the entire life of the dog.  Before obtaining any dog, here are some good questions to ask yourself:

Do I have time for a dog?  Dogs are social animals that require time.  You will need time to bathe, feed, clean up after, train, walk, groom, and just keep your dog company.  Dogs (of all sizes) do best indoors as part of the family.  You should plan to spend at least a couple of hours a day with your dog.  Very busy households might want to consider getting a second dog to keep the first one company (but remember that both dogs will need feeding, walking, training, etc.) 

Does everyone in my household want a dog?  Taking care of the dog should not be left to one person.  It is in the dog’s best interest if everyone wants the dog. All members of the family should be willing to participate in its training and care as a shared responsibility.  Children and even teenagers often beg for a dog, promise to take care of it, and then lose interest after a few weeks or months.  Parents should be realistic in their expectations.  They need to be willing to monitor and supervise the children’s efforts and to pitch in, or even to take over responsibility, as needed.  Speaking of children, the children should be old enough and mature enough to behave responsibly around a dog.  Some experts suggest your children be at least six years of age before introducing a dog to the household, but this is not a hard and fast rule.  The younger and less mature the children are, the more supervision and management will be required on the part of the parents to make the new living arrangements successful.

            Can I afford a dog?   Routine costs for a dog, like food and vaccinations, can run $500 or more the first year.  This does not including the costs of treats, toys, a bed, professional training classes, etc.  You should price out the monthly costs of heartworm preventatives, flea and tick preventatives, etc., before you make a commitment.  If searching for a purebred, you should research illnesses and genetic defects common to the breed, and feel you can afford to treat these if necessary.

            Do I have space for a dog?  If you are renting, does your landlord allow pets?  Be sure to get permission in writing before making any commitments to an animal.  There may be limitations due to size, weight, breed, or type of pet.  Those who live in condominiums or certain planned developments may also face contractual restrictions regarding their pets.

            If you are a homeowner, check to see if your homeowner’s insurance restricts the breeds of dogs it will cover. Unfortunately, there are liability considerations should your dog ever bite someone, and you will want your insurance to cover them. 

            If you have a fenced-in yard, great!  If not, and you can afford one, you should consider fencing in a sizeable portion of your yard for your dog.  A sturdy, 6-foot privacy fence may be your best bet, especially if you live close to a high-traffic area.  A privacy fence reduces the dog’s ability to see the sights and sounds outside the yard and can reduce unwanted behavior like barking or growling.  Consider extending your fence underground; this will cost more money, but some dogs are inveterate diggers, and the money spent now could save you hassles and heartache later. 

There are homeowners who use underground electric fencing systems, but these are neither safe nor humane.  These fences confine your dog by delivering electrical shocks whenever he approaches the (unfenced) boundaries of your property.  One problem with them is that any training methods that cause intimidation or pain my lead to unwanted fear or aggression problems.  Another problem is that even if they are effective at containing your dog on your property, they do not keep out humans or animals that may mean your pet harm.  A traditional fence may cost more but is well worth the extra expense. 

            Do I realize dogs should never be left for long periods tethered (tied up) outside?  They will be miserable and can also easily become territorial and aggressive.  Chaining or tethering a dog for long periods of time is illegal in some communities, and for good reason.  I recently met a Rottweiler-mix, for example, that killed and ate a Chihuahua that had wandered into the part of the yard where she was chained up.  The owners surrendered her because they have become afraid that their own children might be next. Chaining a dog is a recipe for disaster. A trolley-arrangement, where the dog can run back and forth between two objects on his tether, is preferable to a stationery arrangement, but barely.  If you must keep the dog outside for some reason, such as allergies, and you cannot afford a full fence, a smaller, fenced-in, appropriately-sized kennel run or pen with adequate food, water, cleaning, attention, exercise/walks, training, and shade provided is preferable to life on a chain or tether.  You also need to provide a properly-sized dog-house (and plan to stuff it with clean hay or straw in the winter as well as a flap to keep out the elements).  The best, safest, most humane place for a dog is as a beloved family member that spends much of his time indoors with the family. They are pack and den animals and want to spend their time with you! If you need help bringing an outside animal inside, enlist the help of a professional trainer with a good reputation.

Remember:  A dog-house does not provide shade!  It becomes dangerously hot in full sun.

Do I have realistic expectations regarding dog behavior?  Dogs in real life are not like Lassie or other dogs you see on television.  They are animals:  left to their own devices they will chew up the house, bark and growl, beg, go potty on your nice carpet, shed, knock down young children or frail seniors, tip the trash, and even bite.  They have needs, including the need for attention, training, toys, and exercise.  These needs must be met for any canine to fit into a human household and to be well-adjusted and happy.  Good details about the differences between canine and human thinking can be read in an excellent book called The Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson. 

Am I willing to train and walk a dog?  Dogs are intelligent animals.  If you do not train your dog, you will see more of the negative behaviors listed above.  Training a dog using the methods on this website need not be time-consuming.  It will even be fun for you and your dog.  But you should set aside time (at least 15 minutes twice a day) for training.  You should also walk your dog daily even if you have a fenced-in yard.  Dogs like and need the new sights and smells they encounter during walks and other outings, and the exercise will be good for you, too!  Those who are very pressed for time can incorporate training into the daily walk, particularly on the way home when the dog is less excited and more likely to be attentive.

Do I have health or other considerations?  Heartbreaking as it is, animals are often surrendered at shelters due to allergies or even moving.  If anyone in your family suffers from allergies, it might be a good idea to spend some time in the homes of various friends who have dogs to make sure that they do not trigger sneezing, wheezing, or other symptoms.  Keep animals out of the bedrooms if you are allergic, as well.  Consult with your allergist before bringing home a pet.  If your job or other circumstances force you to move frequently, carefully consider how your pet figures into your plans.  There is a special section about moving at the end of this book as well as references to online resources.

Do I know the dog laws in my community?  Some communities require special tags or licenses.  Others restrict certain breeds or limit the number of dogs any household can have.  There may be leash laws or even laws that prevent chaining or tethering your dog outside.  Get to know the local laws and plan to follow them to the letter (if there are unfair breed restrictions, contact a major organization for that breed to find out what can be done about it).  Your local public animal shelter, animal control officers, or sheriff’s/ police department should be able to provide this sort of information.

Advice for first-time dog owners

Here are some tips that are helpful to first-time dog owners:

1. Provide your dog with identification

The dogs of even the most careful owners can get lost or stolen.  Dogs often wander off when they are first brought home: one of my rescues escaped my fenced-in yard within 20 minutes of her arrival home!  A buckle-type collar with identification is the minimum identification that your dog should wear at all times.  It is safest for the dog to always wear the identification because unexpected situations can develop, such as a car accident or an unexpected dash out the door.  Your odds of getting your dog back are astronomically better whenever it is wearing a tag.  The tag should display your own name, area code, and telephone number, assuming your have a working phone and reliable voicemail.  Some writers recommend that you add a street address for the finder’s convenience; I am leery of the security of this in today’s day and age, but it is a decision you will need to make for yourself.  Check the tags frequently to make sure they are securely fastened, legible, unworn, and up-to-date.  Update the tags whenever you move or change phone numbers.

Tags are no guarantee of a safe return, however, even if your stray happens to avoid mishaps with passing traffic.  Despite your best efforts the tags could be lost.  A collar or tags can also easily be removed by thieves.  Dogs are stolen for many of the same reasons mentioned in “Why Free to a Good Home is a Bad Idea:” dog-fighting, sales to laboratories, etc.  Once a collar has been removed, it can be nearly impossible to prove that a particular dog is yours, and you will likely never see his return.  More secure options include tattooing the dog and/or having the dog microchipped.  In either case, the tattoo/microchip should be registered with one or more national registries such as the National Dog Registry (for tattoos) or HomeAgain and 24PetWatch (for microchips; 24PetWatch is free).  Your dog should still wear a collar with its tag(s) even if it is chipped or tattooed, since not everyone has the special scanner required to read the microchip.  Even shelters and veterinarians who have the equipment do not always think to use them.  If you tattoo your dog, it is safer to tattoo on the thigh rather than on the ears, which can easily be cropped or cut off by criminals.

Some owners are afraid to leave a collar on their dog for fear of strangulation or other injury.  These accidents can occur, often when playing with another dog or when the collar catches on a fence, grate, crate, or shrub.  Premier Pet Products has produced the KeepSafe Breakaway Collar to help.  The dog can wear its identification tags, the collar can be used reliably on walks, but the collar is designed in such a way that the dog can break free before it strangles on a fence or is choked by a playmate.

2. Keep Your Dog under Control at All Times

It is safest for your dog and for your community if you have your dog on a leash anytime he is off your property.  This simple rule can save tremendous heartbreak!

3. Visit Your Veterinarian

Bring your new dog for a checkup as soon as possible.  Be sure all its shots are up-to-date.  Ask about diseases, such as Heartworm, that might be common in your community and what you can do to prevent them.  Get your dog on a flea-control regimen with your veterinarian’s advice.  Bring in a stool sample to check for parasites.  Make an appointment to get your dog spayed or neutered as soon as possible if not already done.  

4. Provide Food and Fresh Water

Dogs should have constant access to fresh water, except under your veterinarian’s orders before surgery or possibly when they are sleeping at night.  Ask your breeder or veterinarian for advice on what and how often to feed.  Generally the law requires that you feed your dog at least once every 24 hours.  Deep-chested breeds are often fed twice a day as adults to prevent bloat.  Keep in mind that your dog’s diet should be nutritionally balanced.

I highly recommend measuring the dog’s food and feeding him on a fixed schedule at roughly the same time(s) each day.  When done, remove the food bowl, clean it, and set it aside for next time.  This has several important benefits over “free-feeding” him:

1.      It reminds your dog that the food comes from you, and that you are its leader,

2.      It reduces the odds of the dog developing food-bowl aggression,

3.      It makes it much easier to keep the dog trim and healthy rather than overweight,

4.      It promotes regular bowel movements (about 15-40 minutes after eating) as an aid to housetraining,

5.      It provides an extra opportunity to train your dog (as explained in Section III) as you practice having your dog “sit” or “stay” before enjoying his meal (which reinforces #1:  You are the leader!)

You can find a list of foods that should never be fed to your dogs under Section III.

5. Provide Exercise

For most dogs, a walk once or twice a day plus playing games like fetch or tug provide enough exercise.  Certain breeds and certain individuals require more.  If in doubt, consult your breeder, trainer, or veterinarian for advice.  Remember, a tired dog is a good dog!

6. Pick up Poop

Your dog has a right to a clean environment.  If the smell is not enough to motivate you, consider the following:  dogs’ feces attract flies.  Flies bite.  Bites result in sores on the dog’s ears, and enough flies will be persistent enough to eat the ears off.  This process is painful and maddening for the dog.  Can you imagine his suffering?  If you cannot, then you shouldn’t have a dog.

In the yard, the easiest way to pick up poop is to have a light-weight, flat shovel available with a lightweight rake.  Pet supply stores sell pooper-scooper sets for this purpose, or you can find something similar (and often cheaper) at your local hardware store.  Make it a daily habit to walk around the yard with your equipment and to rake any messes onto the shovel.  Empty the stools into a sturdy bucket or pail (lined with a garbage bag) kept handy for this purpose.  Be sure it has a lid and is kept out of the dog’s reach!  Empty the container at least once a week for disposal with your regular trash.  You may find you need to empty it more frequently in summer to keep down flies and the smell.  By the way, if your dog tends to eat his own stools, this is not unusual.  The best way to deal with this is to keep the yard very clean.  Try to pick up the dog’s stools as he produces them, and he will lack the opportunity to dine.

Even when you are out walking, you should bring along baggies and pick up your dog’s poop.  You can purchase bags made for this purpose or save and use plastic shopping bags from the grocers and other stores.  If you use the latter, make sure there are no holes, first!  In many areas scooping is the law, but even where it is not, it is the right thing to do.  Feces are not just a nuisance; they carry parasites (worms) that can infect children, other dogs, and wildlife.  By picking the waste up, you are protecting others.  Recent studies show that dog waste threatens fish and other aquatic life.  It pollutes waterways significantly.  By picking up the dog’s waste, you are protecting the local watershed and the environment.  Your neighbors will appreciate, too, the fact that you care about protecting their lawns.  You and your dogs will be much more welcome in your neighborhood as a result!

7. Dog-proof Your House

This is especially important if you are bringing home a puppy.  Use a dog-proof trash bin or store the trash in the garage or some other area out of the dog’s reach.  Human medications can poison dogs.  Rubber bands, string, yarn, dental floss, and ribbons can strangle them or cause blockages.  Keep live electrical cords out of reach.  Spray items that cannot be moved with a bitter-tasting spray (such as bitter apple) to discourage chewing, but be sure your dog dislikes the taste first.  Remove harmful chemicals, especially sweet-tasting antifreeze, from the dog’s reach.  Shoes, pillows, etc. that tempt teething puppies to chew should be removed for the time being, also.  Remember that some plants in your house and yard might be poisonous to your dog; check the ASPCA and HSUS websites for details.

8. Provide Training and Grooming

A training class is a great idea!  Ask to sit in on a class first, if possible, to get an idea of whether you and your dog will like this trainer and his methods.  Look for a trainer that uses positive reinforcement training such as those suggested in this book.  A good trainer will also suggest ways to stimulate your dog mentally in other ways, such as with toys.  Find a trainer by asking for a referral from your breeder, shelter staff, or veterinarian.  The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) maintains a list of trainers, although the organization cannot guarantee that these trainers exclusively use the humane methods it endorses.  Major pet supply chains usually offer classes, too.  Get your dog used to being handled and groomed on a regular basis, at least one a week, or more often according to his needs.