The caller seemed truly surprised by what I had just told him. "Well how am I
going to do all this, I have a full time job? And you know, I have kids, too, who
need my attention. Really, I don't think that's possible." Right about now is when
I usually have to take a very deep breath and try to remain calm instead of
exploding on the phone. How many conversations have I had like this in the past
years? Countless. So I decided to vent my frustration by writing this article in the
hope that some people will read and understand it, and make the right decision
before yet another dog suffers from his owner's poor judgment when it comes to
getting a new dog, let alone a puppy.
To start with, I have felt very frustrated over and over again when new owners
pick a breed based on either looks, anecdotes or even myths. Researching a
breed thoroughly is of utmost importance. However, many people get lulled into
some illusions. Since the Labrador down the street is so well behaved and truly a
joy to be around, people often assume that's how this breed and every
representative of it should be and will turn out. Who knows how much work the
owners of this lab have put into their dog to make him look that good! Don't just
talk to the breeder, since this often gives potential customers a one-sided
impression. I have found too many breeders to be deceptive about drawbacks of
their breed. Educate yourself about the breed by talking to trainers and other
owners. Observe dogs of the breed if possible. And PLEASE consider your
lifestyle—if you pick a high-energy breed you, the owner, had better not be a
couch potato. These dogs need to rid themselves of their energy through aerobic
exercise, off-leash running, etc. Often rambunctious, very out-going dogs call for
lots and lots of training to learn manners around people as well as other dogs.
Another problem I find often with inexperienced dog owners is the under-
estimation of the amount of time this dog will need. Not only quality time spent
with the owner, but the amount and even cost of training required. A 6-week
puppy class is NOT enough for any dog. As the dog goes through adolescence
(which I lovingly refer to as "juvenile delinquency"), training and socialization
becomes even more important since the dog's behavior goes through phases of
adjustment. Just think about human teenagers—what happened to the sweet
little child that now is pushy, demanding and challenging?
Most people who get a young puppy are overwhelmed when they realize the time
and effort it takes to raise him. You can not have a full time job away from your
home and have the puppy be home alone in a crate all day long. Someone must
take the puppy out every couple of hours for potty breaks, lots of play and
socialization time. If you have a neighbor, friend, family member, or pet sitter who
can provide this on a regular basis, things look much better. It is NOT an option
ever to leave a puppy in the crate for hours and hours at a time so the poor dog
soils his crate in sheer desperation. Even if you provide him a safe room where he
can't get out or hurt himself, puppies need the human contact for many reasons.
They will get bored and frustrated if left to their own devices. Also, if you have
kids, consider their busy schedule. How often have clients complained about not
making it to dog training classes because somebody had a soccer game or had to
be dropped of for ballet or music lessons? You know your kids' commitments
before you get a dog. I don't tolerate excuses for not being able to practice and
socialize with their dog because they were too busy during the week. Know
beforehand that acquiring a dog, and especially a puppy, is a huge step. I get
very upset with dog owners who don't put any time and effort into the puppy
upbringing, don't follow my advice and suggestions, and then they complain
about the "bad" behavior from the dog. Do I really need to point out that
chewing, digging, barking, and general destructive behaviors are simply outlets of
boredom, frustration, or even anxiety?
Raising a puppy will require hawk-like supervision, not just keeping an eye on him.
Too many liberties and privileges can easily result in a dog becoming confused
about the rules. Every time a client complains about an "accident" in the house or
another pair of expensive shoes being destroyed I usually ask the question
"Where were you when this happened? How did the puppy get access to this
item? Why was he in this room by himself?" Having a puppy tethered to your
waist or strictly watched over would not have allowed him to choose the wrong
bathroom spot or the item to chew.
So the bottom line is very simple. Consider your lifestyle and current
commitments before getting any dog, especially a young puppy. It is very time
consuming and a big responsibility to add a pet to any family. If you truly can
make the time and sacrifices necessary to give him the best possible upbringing
and life he deserves, rethink everything again. If you're still willing to become an
educated, responsible dog owner whose pet will not become a nuisance to
anybody due to lack of exercise, socialization, and training, go ahead... and call
me for an appointment to start you off on the right paw!
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