Getting a Puppy?

If you're thinking about acquiring a puppy, there is a lot you need to know, in order to make an informed and ethical decision.

First, read our 'Standard of Care for Dogs'.  There, you will find a guide to the most basic standards of ethical and responsible ownership of dogs.

Next, read the article, 'Wanna Buy a Dog?'  In it, you'll find handy tips that'll make you a savvy buyer.  If you don't want to be part of the problem, then you'll need to be part of the solution.  That means not supporting irresponsible breeding practices.  Also read the companion article, "Stop Backyard Breeding".

When selecting a companion dog, it's important to note that breed is primarily about appearance.  With purebred dogs, you know roughly how large the dog will be as an adult, what colours it comes in, what its shape will be, and what kind of coat care will be required.  Larger dogs generally cost more to feed than smaller dogs, while any dog with a high-maintenance coat will probably incur higher grooming expenses.

There are breeds that stereotypically exhibit certain traits.  The only traits buyers should expect are those that are inheritable.  Aggression, for example, is a learned behaviour.  As such it can develop in any poorly-reared dog, regardless of breed.  A dog's breed will not prevent it from developing aggressive behaviours.  It is a huge mistake that novice dog owners make; believing there is such a thing as an "inherently friendly" breed.  Failure to adequately train and socialize a dog is partly why the most popular "family breeds" tend to lead the dog bite statistics in most communities.  Again, any poorly-reared dog can develop aggressive behaviours.  Don't believe the hyperbole.

Moreover, each dog is an individual.  While some dogs live up to their breed stereotypes, others don't.  Breed generalizations frequently don't hold true at the individual level.  If you expect a dog to behave a certain way, based solely on its breed, you'll likely be disappointed.

It's important to remember that humans haven't invented any instinctual behaviours in dogs.  For instance, all dogs can retrieve, to some degree.  Selective breeding for inheritable traits merely enhanced the likelihood offspring would possess this same level of ability or, in some cases, enhanced the actual trait, itself.  Selective breeding has not created any instinctual behaviours in dogs.

An individual dog of any breed may be high, medium, or low energy, no matter what the generalists may suggest.  Regardless of breed, every dog has a temperament that is either dominant, submissive, or one of the many shades of gray between these two extremes.  For this reason, it is important to select a dog not only by its breed/appearance, but by its individual personality.  (For example, in a litter of purebred Labrador Retriever puppies, you may have a choice between a very high energy, very dominant puppy, and one that is more laid back.  It is up to the buyer to figure which dog's personality would work best with his/her lifestyle.)

Every dog, regardless of temperament or breed, is perfectly trainable.

One of the best ways to determine what kind of dog will be right for you is to imagine that kind of dog living in your home (better yet, volunteer to be a foster home for your preferred breed's local rescue group).  Some people like the idea of a gigantic Great Dane, for instance, but then find themselves a bit intimidated when actually in a room with one.  Such a large dog not only costs more to feed, but typically costs more in other ways.  Medications are usually based on weight, so Dane owners pay more to for the same medication than that of, say, owners of Soft Coated Wheaton Terriers.  Lifejackets or boots, for instance, are usually more expensive in XXXL, than they are in petite.

On the other hand, it's prudent to know what the breed stereotypes are, and assume your future dog will have those characteristics. 

A high energy dog will require a lot of exercise and training.  A more laid back dog may only need a walk or two per day, and be easily managed with only minimal training.  Are you an active person who not only does a lot of exercise already, but who can include a dog in those activities?  If so, you may want a higher energy dog who can keep up with you.  If you aren't very active, you may find yourself at odds with a dog who is constantly looking for physical and mental stimulation.

Some small dogs are very delicate, and can be easily injured by less-than-careful members of the household.  Long coated breeds may require more grooming than their shorter haired counterparts.  Overall, smaller breeds tend to live longer than larger breeds.  There are far more travel restrictions on larger dogs. 

Imagine your daily life, and then picture yourself including your future dog in those plans, right from waking up early for the morning walk, down to paying extra to fly your dog to your vacation destination, refusing some social engagements to care for your dog's needs, or dipping into savings for emergency veterinary care.  When you imagine including a dog in your life, is it a nice fit, or will it require a lot of extra planning or compromise?  If including your fantasy dog in your life won't be easy, are those sacrifices ones you'll be happy to make, or can you envision coming to resent the dog because of those limitations or expenses?

It's important to be very rational when taking on the responsibility of dog ownership.  It's all well and good to imagine saving the life of a needy dog, but that commitment will go on for the next ten to fifteen years.  Don't take on more responsibility than you're willing to handle.  "A dog is for life."

If a dog's for you, it will benefit you to research your local dog control by-laws long before acquiring a dog.  Knowing what is legally expected of you, as a dog owner, is one of the most basic elements of responsible dog ownership.  It's possible you may change your mind about dog ownership, after learning about some of these laws.  If that happens, reward yourself for learning the facts before it was too late.

Did you know that, in some areas, certain breeds or mixed breeds are actually illegal to own?  Did you know that, in some areas, not having your dog spayed or neutered can mean higher annual licensing fees?  For a quick and easy way to look for your local by-laws, do an Internet search for "city of (insert city name here)" and "by-law", plus possibly "animal" or "dog".  If your local by-laws aren't available online, contact your local town offices, for a printed copy of the animal control by-law.

Typically these laws include regulations regarding care and control of dogs, and the penalties for disobeying those laws.  Most regions require dogs to be licensed, and vaccinated against rabies.  The current protocols generally accept the 3-year rabies vaccine.  If your local by-law requires yearly rabies shots, consider petitioning them to switch to the 3-year version.

While you're checking your local by-laws, look for off-leash dog parks in your area.  If there aren't any, how will you maintain your dog's level of socialization throughout its life?  You'll have to start planning.  Are the leash-free areas far from your home?  If so, you'll have to make a commitment to put time aside to drive to those areas regularly. 

Also look for veterinary clinics and animal shelters.  If you don't already have a pet, you may need to find a new veterinarian.  Ask friends, family members, and colleagues for their recommendations, and heed any warnings.  Also, note the location and contact information for at least one 24 hour emergency veterinary clinic closest to you.  Your local animal shelter may be the place you find your new pet.  It may also be where your pet is taken, if it is found at-large.

Now think about the home environment you'll be providing for the new dog.  While you may want to crate train your puppy, it is unethical to keep a dog locked up most of the time.  Where do you intend to keep the dog, throughout most of its life?  Dogs do best when they're made part of the family, rather than accessories that are tucked away when they're not wanted.

A new puppy will mean frequent outdoor trips (usually every two hours, day and night) until it is housetrained.  Aside from that, dogs are pack animals.  It is unnatural for them to be alone.  As a responsible dog owner, you want to plan ways to ensure your dog is alone for the least amount of time possible.  You may have to make some sacrifices, in this regard.  If you truly want a dog, they won't really seem like sacrifices, though.  You'll know you're doing what's in the best interests of the dog, and that's the essence of responsible dog ownership.

It is unacceptable to leave a dog in a crate/kennel/cage for extended periods of time.  It is illegal, in some areas, to chain a dog to any fixed object.  Remember that physical restraints* are for training; not as a way of permanently managing one's dog.  *See our note about training equipment here.

When thinking about raising your little one, you may benefit from an overview of the dog training process.  Read 'Training 101' for a guide to becoming a good dog trainer.

Since puppies come with natural, but less-than-desirable behaviours, you will also want to check out the following articles:

• 'Housetraining 101'
• 'Barking Relief'
• 'Chewing Relief'

Prevent tragedy by learning 'The Dangers of Leaving Your Dog Unsupervised'.  (While this article applies to dogs of all ages, it should be noted that puppies require extra vigilance and preparation to avoid preventable, yet predictable, mishaps related to chewing, house-soiling, etc.)

If you want to get off to a good start in training your dog to heel, you'll find everything you need to know in our article, 'Teach your dog to heel in one day!'

In addition, you'll need to know more about 'Socialization' and 'Dog Walking Etiquette', if you want to avoid being a nuisance to those around you.

As part of your family, all your relocations and vacations will now include your dog.  For tips on pet travel, go to: 'Travelling with pets'

By adhering to at least the minimum guidelines outlined in the 'Standard of Care for Dogs', and the principles of dog training in 'Training 101', you'll be well on your way to a rewarding, lifelong relationship with your new puppy.  Good luck!

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