Too many people decide on a whim to purchase a dog.
Sometimes it's a Christmas present (which is a very bad idea) or sometimes they just think that the doggy in the pet store window is so cute.
This is their first mistake.
Acquiring a dog without proper thought and education, results in many a dog's demise.
This is what you absolutely need to know before you take that plunge so you won't have to face the pain of euthanization which is often a result of little or no thought to this important decision.
So, you want a dog.
Have you done your homeworK? I am the proud owner of a beautiful Golden Retriever who is better behaved than any child I know.
Was she born this way? Well, not exactly.
Luckily for me, she is a retired show dog who has a wonderful temperament.
That being said, she has benefited from formal obedience classes.
Depending on a dog's past, they might need little training, or a lot.
But don't fool yourself, EVERY dog will benefit from some training.
Dogs by nature are loyal and their sole purpose in life is to please.
The only thing they were NOT born with is structure.
Have you ever been at work and were trying to keep on the good side of your boss? Did this same boss ever give you an assignment, task or job that you knew had to be absolutely done correctly? Well, what happens when you are not given any direction and you are afraid to ask for clarification for fear of looking like a fool in front of the boss? Stressful isn't it? This is what most dogs go through.
They know that they need to make their owners happy but usually are very confused about the rules or boundaries.
THEY need clarification.
Canines are a pack animal and YOU are their pack leader, or should I say, you SHOULD be their pack leader.
This means giving them direction or cues on how to behave.
You need to be firm with dogs but under no circumstances should you ever strike a dog.
You should also never try to punish a dog for something it has done while you were out.
They will not connect the dots.
You must catch them in the act in order for them to understand the unwanted behaviour.
It is important to remember that rewarding a dog for a wanted behaviour is far superior to punishing them for an unwanted behaviour.
Remember the old saying, "You can catch more flies with honey?" Another important consideration is the breed you want to choose.
Are you an outdoor enthusiast who loves to exercise? In this case, you can consider a more active breed like Labradors or Shepherds.
Are you the type that loves to curl up with a good movie, hates the cold and whose "daily exercise" entails housework and surfing the internet? Then do both yourself and your dog a favour and choose a breed that requires very little activity such as a Chihuahua or Pekingese.
If you think that a Golden Retriever is a classic, well behaved canine, well you are right, but only with the proper exercise and training.
If a dog has little stimulation both mentally and physically, then they will take it out on your furniture and your patience.
Most dogs that are given up and euthanized are in fact, really great dogs; it's the owners who have failed them.
Lazy owners who didn't realize that they needed to spend some time with their dogs, are a dime a dozen.
A dog is a companion, not a toy.
People collect toys and then discard them when they grow tired.
You can't do this with a life.
If you do, you should never have taken on the responsibility in the first place.
There are many advantages to dog ownership and they deserve to have a great life with us.
They will give you more than you can ever give back to them.
They are the ones who greet you at the door when you get home, as if they haven't seen you in a month.
Does your partner do that? Dogs don't judge, hold a grudge, or think you look fat.
If you spend the time giving your dog purpose and direction, they will give back so much more.
I write this as my Golden is lying on my feet, keeping me warm.