Deciding to Adopt a Canine Companion

If you’re thinking of rounding out your family with a furry four-legged companion of the canine variety, here are a few things to consider.

How much time and energy do you have to give a new pet a great home? An active family might be a good fit for a big dog who needs lots of exercise; that same dog might not work for a singleton with a chronic bad back. A household that revolves around a baby and a couple toddlers might benefit from a calm older dog, already house-broken.

Down the road you may find that your pet needs more than time and energy. Can you cope with medical expenses, the costs of a special diet, or monthly grooming fees? Can you undertake to hire a trainer for help with behavior problems? Can you afford to have a dog-walker come in during busy seasons?

Once you’re sure you can add a canine companion to your busy life, you still need to consider the dog’s size, trainability, energy level, and whether to adopt a puppy or a mature dog. Understanding the traits of the dog is crucial to having a successful addition to your family.

Your home and yard may dictate the size of your dog. Don’t forget to factor in transporting your four-footed companion in your vehicle! A Great Dane is not a good “fit” for someone who drives a Mini.

There is an excellent American Kennel Club quiz that you can take on akc.org that is very effective in matching your lifestyle to a breed of dog. Check resources such as www.raisingspot.com and www.dogbreedinfo.com.

Even if you want a mixed-breed dog, learning about specific breeds will give you valuable information about the major traits you want to look for in a dog. 

Trainability is a combination of intelligence, drive, dominance, and willingness to please. A dog bred for generations to work independently, such as a Great Pyrenees, is more challenging to train than a dog bred for teamwork, such as a Border Collie.

Most puppies start out with a high energy level and need a lot of exercise, play time, and attention. If their energy is not positively channeled by you, they will turn it to destructive behavior such as digging, chewing up furniture, or becoming an escape artist. Some dogs maintain a high energy level for years; for them, two short neighborhood walks a day are not enough. Other dogs are comfortable couch potatoes from early adolescence. 

Knowledge is power! Borrow books  and videos from the library, talk to friends and neighbors about their dogs, and attend dog shows. Seek out owners exercising their canine kids at dog parks — Fort Funston in San Francisco is a great place to browse breeds — and browse the web.

If you fall in love with a particular breed, ask the owners of the dogs you’ve met for the contact information of their breeder so you can get in touch about getting a puppy of your own. Local shelters are a great way to go if you are open to different breeds and mixes. Be cautious about purchasing puppies being marketed online or through “pet shops,” since they may be the products of a “puppy mill,” and could end up with medical problems.

Raising a puppy is a great way to build a bond with a dog, but house-breaking and teaching manners is a lot of work. Making progress takes time and a lot of repetition with young dogs, who are easily distracted. 

If you decide that an adult dog is a better fit for you, there are tons of places that have rescue dogs, and you can build just as strong a bond with an older dog as with a puppy, although it will take time and patience. Breeders sometimes have older dogs returned to them for “re-homing,” and breed rescue groups are an excellent avenue. Due to the economy the has adult and adolescent dogs that are waiting for their forever homes. If they can’t provide you with a match, use the web to search petfinder.com or find breed rescue groups. Check with the staff of the local pet supply stores and vets, and don’t forget to mention to friends and neighbors that you’re looking to expand your family.

There are a lot of choices available to a person when you make the decision to add a pet to your family. Take your time and enjoy the process of doing your homework. Pets are our companions, they become part of what makes our life whole. They need our time and energy to help make them Canine Good Citizens. Once you bring your new companion home, you’ll realize the learning process has just begun -- for both of you!

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