...new dog-owner?
If
you've never had a dog before, or you've had a bad experience with a dog you
bought, that didn't meet your expectations, please spend a moment reading this
page.
Many
people think, that all dogs are almost the same. "Well, of course there are
those that are ”smart”, those that are small and hot-tempered, those that
are big and dangerous, and those that are really dangerous (pitdogs)".
Most people who buy their first dog, have a tendency to select the breed
based on its appearance and what they happen to have heard about that ”type”
of dog. Unfortunately this often leads to big disappointments and has unpleasant
consequences, not just to the new dogowner, but also to the dog. Often these
problems could have been avoided if the new owner had been acquainted with some
things in advance.
First
of all, what is a dog really? Well, a puppy is one thing. It's cute,
sweet and soft. Okay, it pees on the floor and steps in the waterbowl, but you
can survive that for a couple of weeks, right? But the small puppy quickly –
actually very quickly – becomes a big puppy. And big puppies can still pee on
the floor and step in the waterbowl if they haven't learned what's right in the
right way. Big puppies can also chew on the sofa, tip over the plants, dig in
the garden and easy as pie eat half the bookshelf (including the stereo and the
CD-collection). Dogs who do things like that are not stupid dogs, they are not
odd dogs, and neither are they sick or maladjusted dogs – they are just dogs!
Without
any understanding of this fact, they however very easily will become
maladjusted. It's obvious that the dog is not supposed to eat the brand new
cell-phone 3. time in a row, but the dog doesn't know any better. It's not from
birth ”programmed” to know what it's allowed to do and what not to do.
That's what you have to teach it when you're a dogowner. And it has to be taught
in a way that's right for the dog, if it's meant to be beneficial – both to
you and to the dog.
It's
a big job. It demands patience, time and willpower. And most of all it demands
that you care about your dog and know a little about the characteristics of
exactly that breed.
Secondly
you have to be aware of, that there are very big differences between the
different breeds. If you're an active biker who likes fresh air and having your
dog running beside your bike, for instance you shouldn't choose an English
Bulldog. On the contrary if you're a take-it-easy-person with t.v. and coffee,
then it would be tormenting (both to you and to the dog) if you bought a Boxer.
It's your responsibility, that you're in advance acquainted with your new dogs
characteristics and needs. Because the dog can't defend itself, or explain to
you why it behaves differently than what you had in mind… It's a total
misunderstanding to believe, that a dog – no matter which breed – will
adjust to its owner and to its surroundings after a while, if it's just
brought up, fed right and scratched behind the ear a couple of times a day. You
have to choose the breed that fits you and your family. Then you'll have the
right foundation for having the right dog.
Another
important thing you have to know is where the dog comes from. Because it's not
without importance whether the dog is bought in a kennel, where the dogs live in
big cages all day, if it's bought in a petshop/puppy-mill or if it's bought from
a "livingroom-breeder". If the dog is supposed to become a familydog
or a pet for you, it is of the utmost importance that it has had the right
social upbringing. Visit the kennels that have the wanted breed. Look at the
dogs and talk to them. If the dogs seem shy or afraid, don't buy a dog from that
place. You cannot fix a ”ruined” dog (it's often a big challenge to educated
dogpsychologists and behaviourtherapists). Don't buy the dog out of pity. It
doesn't change anything. Remember, that through buying the dog you support a
continuous breeding at that place. Ask the breeder whatever question pops up in
your mind. A good breeder will answer your questions with openness and honesty.
If you feel the breeder is trying to hide anything, or refrains from answering,
don't buy the dog. As my wise aunt once said to me: ”A healthy dog doesn't
need excuses” – remember that!
If
possible visit several breeders. Don't be affected, if a breeder speaks
derogatory and bad about other breeders or other breeds. Don't EVER let a
breeder press you into buying a dog.
And
for the world don't buy a dog impulsively. Think about it for a loooong time
before you finally decide.
Last
– but absolutely not least… If the price of a well-bred dog with a good
pedigree scares you, don't buy a dog at all. The price of a dog is just a small
part of what the dog will cost through its life. When you think of buying a dog,
also think of food, vet-bills, toys, damages on the house, a place to sleep in,
chewtoys, blankets, collar and lines, vaccinations, foodbowls, etc.
If you can't afford to pay the price of the dog, can you really afford to
be a dogowner?
And
for you, who considers buying or adopting a crossbred. Of course it's cheaper to
buy, but it still cost exactly the same to own. In addition the crossbred has
the enormous disadvantage, that you don't know what kind of dog you'll get (think
of the above that the dog/breed must fit your life and your mentality).
A
dog is not a thing. It cannot just be bought and returned again when you don't
want to take care of it anymore. You can't just kill a dog because you're tired
of it, or because it ”turned out” not to fit in your everydaylife. Problems
are almost never the dog’s fault – it's close to always the owner’s fault!
But
you can easily avoid most mistakes with a little consideration and
responsability!!
Good
luck to you and your new friend…
All it
takes for evil to prevail is
for good people to do nothing!
