It's a Cats Life

Choosing a New Dog: Breeds

Ok, we're almost done with my mini series on how to pick out the RIGHT dog for you, through making mature and responsible decisions!

You know, instead of just pointing at an ad in the paper and exchanging $600 for a bundle of fuzz that ruins your life within a year.

I realize that's what MOST PEOPLE DO, but I like to pretend that (1) readers of It's a Cat's Life are better than that and (2) I can make a difference.

Anyway. Today's topic is BREED. This is hugely important to most people when they decide to get a new dog. But it's almost always the last thing you should think about!

Most breeds are started with the desire to have dogs look, act and be talented in certain ways. I mean, that's the point of starting a breed! So you can pretty much expect your Cavaliers to be cuddly, your Border Collies to have boundless energy and your Foxhounds to bay.

Many people fall in love with certain breeds or groups. Like an Australian Shepherd enthusiast might like all the herding breeds as well. Or a Scottie person might enjoy all Terriers. Part of it is the look of the dog. Watching a herding dog work sheep (or goats, or people) and watching them, run, stalk, stare and move the flock seems magical. Others just prefer some cute and fluffy and melt at Poms, Yorkies, Papillons, anything lap sized with those soft big brown eyes.

Often people fall for the attitude of a breed or group. Terriers are famous for their 'terrier terror' attitudes. These are spunky, tenacious dogs that love having a good time! Or the "always on" go go go, let's do it! attitude of the Herding breeds. Or the laid back, lazy hounds. 

So whatever breed you like and have decided  you want to get, you're probably GOING to get. I fell for Cavaliers. I wanted to get a Cav. We weren't going to get a dog unless we got a Cav. End of story. And many folks looking for a dog are the same way. If you are dead set on getting a Shih Tzu, there's not much that's going to convince you otherwise. So there's not really any need to spend a whole lot of time picking a breed!

Why go through all the other exercises of researching dogs, mapping your life, goals and desired quality traits? So that you can find the dog you want when you go looking at puppies! Or, even better, go looking at rescues and shelters! So, if you've spent some time doing the things suggested in earlier posts you have a good idea of what you want your dog to be like, the traits and personality he should have and what you can provide. Hopefully, those things match up!

So what if you absolutely must have a Border Collie but can't provide the exercise and thinking outlets it needs? Take the extra time to look at BCs that are calm, and not super keen to out think you. It will take longer. So have patience! Dr Patricia McConnell reminds us that "dogs don't read their breed standard"!

Your best bet is looking for an older dog that already has his personality pretty well defined. You can also find a breeder that personality tests their puppies. That's still pretty chancy, but you have a better chance of knowing what you're getting. If you have a breed that you want to get, do some extra research into it. Make sure that you know the "typical" attitudes and tendencies of the breed. Talking to a variety of people will help you see all sides of the breed. Since books and such are written by people who LOVE the breed, any negative traits might be ignored or downplayed. Talking to a groomer, trainer or vet will help you see the pros and cons of your breed, as well as potential health, behavior or grooming issues. It's really important to know what to look for!

A warning here about these new "designer" breeds. This is a whole post or ten onto itself, but please keep in mind: You Are Buying A MUTT. A couple years ago these were given away free or destroyed at the pound. Now they sell for $400, $800, $2,000 or more. THEY"RE MUTTS. If you're looking at a "hypo allergenic" dog, please be aware that these crossbreeds are no more hypo allergenic than their Bichon or Poodle parent, but often MORE allergenic from whatever parent they're mixed with. Same idea with being "shed free". Sometimes they get shed-less coat, sometimes they get the shedding coat. If you're looking at these dogs for the health factor (theirs) keep in mind that the only way to have healthy puppies without genetic disorders is to BREED healthy dogs without genetic disorders. So called Designer Dogs are usually backyard bred with a big price tag and a huge load of bullsh*t. Don't get duped.

One of things I hear a lot is "well, we had collies when I was a kid, so...I got a collie, 'cause that's what we had." That's HORRIBLE logic! You should never get a certain breed because "that's what I had growing up". If you grew up with Goldens and you love the breed and are aware of their needs and potential problems and can give one a great home, than by all means, get a Golden! But if you don't want to spend a lot of time brushing a dog, paying for grooming and don't want to have a big dog around...why are you getting a collie? I hear this line of "reasoning" quite often and it makes me want to grab the person and knock some sense into them. I don't, but I wish...

SO, recap. You should choose your dog based on the qualities you want! You can find a dog with those desired traits in just about any breed, even if it's atypical for the breed. Realize it's going to take some extra effort and the ability to say no to a lot of dogs. But you CAN have your cake and eat it too!

Also, if breed isn't important to you,  and you're just looking for a Heinz 57 mutt, it is helpful to have an understanding of what his parts might contribute. So if you're thinking of adopting a "Lab-German Shepard-Collie" mix, knowing what to expect from those breeds is helpful. Of course, with mixes it's hard to know what they really ARE....so keep an open mind :-D

Getting a New Dog Part 3: Perfect Pup

So you've decided whether or not you really do want a dog and are able to get one in the near future. You've being reading about dogs, positive training, psychology and spending time with trainers, groomers, volunteer groups and the like. Now it's time to sit down and plan your perfect pup.

Goal: Map the most important qualities FOR YOU.

Everyone is different. Everyone values different things. Everyone has a different idea of what the "perfect dog" is like. What I think is perfect might not be the same for you. Your perfect dog might drive me to drink. This is because I'm not you, we have different lifestyles and I'm pretty sure drinking would make everything better, including your dog.

So sit down. Take a few minutes and think about your life. What you do. How often you do it. What you would LIKE to do. What you would like to do that you might actually be able to start doing.

For example. I spend about 50 hours a week at work. I can take a calm dog with me. I have time to take "dog breaks", cuddling, training, potty breaks, etc every hour. Outside of work I'm devoted (but weaning off of) a MMORPG. Sure I can fit in "dog time" while playing, but having an attention demanding dog wouldn't work. Chill dog that can entertain itself? Yup, can do. I like walking, hiking, etc. I don't like walking in my neighborhood. I have to drive somewhere.  How often to do I go? Maaybeee once a week. Would I go more if I had a go getter of a dog? Maybe. Truth is, most of my exercising is done at the YMCA. We're not big on travelling. We don't often have lots of people over. Other than work, we're usually not gone for more than 3 hours at a time.

So for ME, a fairly laid back dog that doesn't mind entertaining itself, doesn't need a lot of strenuous outdoor exercise is a good choice. I'd do better with a chill older dog. Already has training under his belt but is ready for some gentle hiking with me every so often. My dog would need to be friendly and relaxed with other people and animals.

I warn you against thinking things like "I like hiking, I should get a high energy dog so it will go hiking with me!". Stop and think about how OFTEN you are able to hike. Are you like me and not able to go more than on the weekends - if you don't already have plans? Are you allowed to bring the dog with you hiking? What about on days you're not hiking? That high energy dog will surely need some serious exercise.

NEXT, think about what you'd like your dog to be like. Friendly, reserved, relaxed? Super smart or kinda dumb? Do you want a dog that will herd or chase? Bark at strangers? Generally speaking, many people want a smart dog that is playful and will offer some home  protection. That's great and all...but most people end up with a dog that is FAR smarter than they want, out thinks then at every turn, is distrustful of anyone outside the family, chases the cats and the kids nonstop and barks at anything. Hardly ideal.

Break it down. Why do you want a "smart" dog? Mostly it's for ease of training. But a dog that's properly socialized and trained with a positive training method, like clicker training, is going to pick up basic stuff like "sit" easily. It just takes the time and effort to do it.

A dog for protection is a nice thought, but really...do you want or need a protection dog? If you have friends over a lot it might not be the best idea.

Again, for ME, I wanted a dog that is playful, but not overly so. I need my dog to be friendly, accepting of new animals, relaxed with strangers and easy to handle. I don't want a dog for  protection. I don't want a dog with a purpose, like herding or hunting. I need my dog to be chill and flexible. Wanting to cuddle and have me as it's Best Person, but not obsessively so. A good, all around dog.

And that's pretty much what I ended up with. Haiku is playful, lots of energy, but she can be exercised in the house. She loves attention but can also play on her own. She's super friendly and gets along with everyone. She'll come hiking with me all day but will hang out on the sofa and watch movies all day too. She is sometimes on High Alert if she sees something strange outside the house, but not often. I wish she wouldn't try and chase the cat so much...but her "chases" are short, just a few feet, and she'd never chase anything to exhaustion. She loves chewing, but (mostly) is contend with Haiku approved chewing items. Haiku loves me and Ethan. We're definitely Number One in her book. But we can leave her with strangers without problems. She can hang out in a cage at the vet without freaking out. She'd rather be with us...but she can exist peacefully without.

I have the perfect dog for me. You better believe a lot of talking and thinking went into finding her. And a lot training and socializing. I've tried to raise Haiku up in the most positive way I could. It makes a huge difference! Sure, there are things I wish she wouldn't do. Sometimes I wished she'd retain her training better, or tried harder to please me. But...I bet she wouldn't just remember the stuff I wanted her to!

So in the next step in getting a dog, really think about what you'd like your dog to be like. The personality traits, the energy, the 'extras'. Some traits can come with age, training and socializing. Some are hardwired into the dog. But now's the time to think "If I had the perfect dog...what would it be like?". Once you've thought about it, talking it over with your family, friends or even a pet professional that has agreed to help you (there ARE people you can hire to find a puppy for you!) can help you fine tune your wants. Those closest to you will be able to help you adjust your wish list, since they know you and your life so well.

Please note, here we're not choosing a breed or type of dog. Just the traits you want. So don't think "I want a bulldog that has these traits". Think more "I want a DOG that has these traits". We'll get to breed and age next. Promise!

Ready or Not.....

Alright! #2 in "Getting a New Dog" series.

So whether you've decided that you ARE ready to get a new dog, you're NOT ready to get a new dog or you still can't decide, the next step in the process actually helps all three of your possible decisions!

1. Volunteer! There's so much good that comes from volunteering! But the good we're focused on here is that you learn about having a dog. About how much care they need, walking, feeding, grooming, training...picking up poop, poop and more poop!  And the sad results of unsuitable or misguided ownership, backyard breeding and other Bad Situations dogs find themselves in. Plus you get to spend time with dogs! This is a great way to learn about the different personalities and what you like or don't like in a dog. More importantly, what you could LIVE WITH in a dog. I, for instance, couldn't live with a dog that barks. I would go nuts. I also couldn't deal with a dog prone to digging...so that leaves terriers right out for me!

Not sure where to help? Try asking local vets, pet stores, groomers, feed stores, etc. Your best bet for finding a GOOD rescue is probably going to be your vet. Or a vet, anyway. Ask your friends, neighbors and co workers. This could be a great ice breaker for meeting new friends! Like the person that works down the hall that you never talk to. Ask where she got the cute doggie she has prominently displayed on her desk. People LOVE talking about their pets!

WARNING: Some rescues are little better than puppy mills or hoarders with a not for profit listing. To avoid getting mixed up with these whackos be sure to do your research. Your local pet professionals will know who's a good rescue to work with and who's not.

2. Pet Sit for Friends and Family. Neighbor going out of town for the weekend? Brother working longer hours this month? Offer to take care of their pets. Your brother's dog would probably love a lunchtime walk and some scritches! Your friend would probably like not having to board their puppy for their vacation. This is a great way to spend more time with dogs and help your friends out too! Just be sure to be responsible, follow instructions, etc, etc, etc.

3. Foster a dog. If you're not sure you want to (or are able) to have a dog long term, try working with a good rescue group and fostering a dog. This will help get dogs ready for their new lives in addition to keeping them from being stuck in a kennel until then. Just remember: you won't be keeping this dog, so be prepared to give him up when a great home is found. This is not for the easily attached, but great for those wanting to help! This will be just like real ownership, just short term. Talk with a good rescue to find out more.

4. Get a fake dog. Seriously. You know those sleeping puppies that "breathe"? I see them at mall kiosks all the time. They're cute. And they really DO look like a puppy curled up on the fleece mat taking a snooze. When my mom moved into an apartment she couldn't have (or really want) a dog, but sometimes she missed it. So she got Noel, a Blenheim Cavalier puppy. Noel really enjoyed napping in the sun and napping in the kitchen and napping beside her master's bed at night. Sure it was a little creepy, but it was also cute as heck.

5. Learn more! Spend some time learning about dogs. Read books, watch dog specials, sit in on training classes. Whatever you can think of to learn more about our best friends. Once you start looking you'll find countless ways to immerse yourself in all things canine.

So there you go. Where ever you find yourself on the dog ownership fence, 5 things that will help you get your canine fix!

WARNING

Next week I'll be continuing my series on getting a new dog. Much of the following information will appear in those posts. But, it is so important, and bugging me so much, that today I want to make a special post about it.

*******Warning!********

We're into Puppy Season, that magical time of the year when thoughtful, responsible breeders welcome the puppies they have carefully bred, hoping to improve their chosen breed!

It's also one of the many times of the year that irresponsible people welcome the ill conceived litters of puppies they planned to make a quick buck or didn't plan at all and just "happened" because their unspayed bitch got loose and hooked up with their neighbors unneutered dog.

(In another post I'll talk more about what makes a backyard breeder, puppy mill or moron with puppies for sale, as well as the rare breed of responsible breeders. Plus, why it is so vitally important to get a puppy from only responsible breeders and what to do if you stumble across puppies in Bad Situations. But that's another day.)

Let's say you found the puppy of your dreams, he's the right color, the right breed, the right personality type, the perfect puppy. You can't wait to take him home, where you've puppy proofed your home, have puppy food and toys just waiting for him.

WAIT

Before you take your puppy home, you MUST make sure that he's healthy. Here's some guide lines that will help you avoid (costly!) heartbreak.

1. Make a vet appointment within at least 3 days. Know what day you're taking home your pup? Great, call the vet and set up a New Puppy Exam for the first couple of days you have your pup. Do this even if it's not required by a purchase contract!

2. Do a quick health check before paying for your puppy!!!!!

   Your puppy should look, act and smell healthy!

EYES - Clean, bright and alert. There should be no goopy discharge coming from the eyes, nor any spots on the eyeball itself. Smaller dogs and spaniels may have wetness from tears, especially after exercise, which is "normal", although it may be a sign of inward turned eyelashes. But goop or excessive discharge could be signs of serious problems.

EARS - Ears should be clean and pink, and not smell bad. Redness, wax, dirt and foul odors are Bad. Crusty ears with missing hair might be a sign of mange. Head shaking and sensitivity could indicate infection.

MOUTH - Again, clean, pink and not smell bad. Red OR very pale gums indicate serious problems. Check teeth, they should be clean, white and the "scissors bite" is ideal. Under or Over bites or crooked teeth can cause serious (and expensive) dental problems.

AIRWAYS - Listen to your puppy breathe. There shouldn't be any gasping, wheezing, sneezing or coughing. Any of these indicate a Sick Puppy.

HAIR and SKIN - Clean, shiny and pink (notice a pattern?) oh, and not smell bad! Hair should be glossy and not matted. Check for FLEAS and other parasites. Check for red, irritated or flakey skin. This is bad. Be Sure To Check The Butt! I know butts and poop are ucky, but you MUST check the anal area for redness, irritation,  worms and diarrhea.

BONES - Check your puppy's conformation. Legs should be straight and he should move freely and not gimp or limp. Check the skull, a soft spot could mean his fontanel is open. This is bad. Bowed legs or a long back or bad structure in general will lead to problems down the road.

3. Mom and Siblings. Make sure the mother and other puppies are healthy. If mom is absent, find out why. Mom should be with the puppies or available for inspection. Any mention of diarrhea, sneezing, coughing or whatever should sound alarms bells!

4. Look and Act Happy! Your puppy should act alert and happy, ready to play. A dopey puppy might be a chill individual, or he might be very sick. Puppies should be clean, smell good, with gums and skin a happy pink color, eyes bright, no goop, no mucus, no coughing. Puppies should not have diarrhea or parasites (check that butt!).

You should NEVER, EVER, but NEVER take home a puppy that is coughing, sneezing or has diarrhea. EVER. This is a sick puppy that needs vet care before being placed in a new home. Buying a puppy that is sick can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. Guess what? The breeder won't pay for it. Your puppy might even die. You're not getting a refund. By taking home a sick or unhealthy puppy you risk not only the purchase price of your puppy should he die, the vet bills, and more vet bills, but you also risk the health of any pets you already have, or any pets your puppy encounters.

Be prepared to say No. If your puppy is anything less than 100% you should not buy him. If you're not sure, consult with a veterinarian. Don't ask the breeder if smelly ears or diarrhea is normal. If they're even offering you that puppy for sale you know they're not a responsible breeder, let alone have your best interest at heart, they are out to make a buck! Say no and walk away. Look for another cute, healthy puppy.

Thinking about getting a dog?

It's that time of year again! Puppy season! Seems like you can't open a newspaper or walk down the street without seeing ads, flyers and signs for Puppies 4 Sale.

There are all kinds of reasons to get a dog or puppy (or cat or bunny or fish...) but not all longings for a pet should result in getting a pet. After all, a pet is a living creature too. Getting a dog so you can have someone to greet you when you get home is wonderful, but not fair to the dog if you're at work 10 hours a day.

A couple things to think about BEFORE getting a dog are Time, Money, and Appropriateness.

Time. Be honest. Do you have time for a dog? A lot of people don't. If you're at work or in school most of the day, what's your dog to do? Sit home in a crate? Chew up your furniture? If you're away from home a lot I beg you to consider an older dog, a cat, a bunny or pocket pet. So many dogs run into trouble and become "terrors" simply because they don't have a suitable output for their energy. Puppies and younger dogs need lots of exercise, running, tugging, playing. A walk around the block is not sufficient exercise for anything but the most sedate senior dog!

If you ARE away most of the day, you still have some dog friendly options. Doggie Daycare is a popular choice that is great for your dog! He'll be able to play all day while you're at work. A Dog Walker is a good idea, especially for young dogs, puppies and seniors, who probably won't be able to "hold it" for more than a couple hours, let alone the 8-11 hours most working folks are away from home each day. You can hire a professional, or ask a friend or neighbor.

Money. Pets are EXPENSIVE! Beyond the purchase price, you need to consider the monthly costs of a good quality food, treats,  grooming, toys, daycare/walker, flea/tick/heartworm preventive...the yearly cost of vaccines, vet visits, licensing...and the occasional costs of boarding, training, spay/neutering, major vet work like dentals or "unexpected" surgeries. Before getting a dog, call around to local vets and get an idea of what annual vet visits, neutering and parasite prevention will cost. Call local groomers and find out what grooming or nail trims will cost and how often it should be done for the type of dog you're looking for. Stop by the feed store and check prices on high quality foods. Seems like a lot? Having a pet is a huge responsibility! And it's not acceptable to provide sub standard care to a pet because you didn't think ahead beyond the purchase costs.

Appropriateness. I'm not actually sure that's a word. But think about if it's actually appropriate for you to get a dog. Do you really have the time/money/dedication for a dog? Are you willing to scoop poop at 3 in the morning when your puppy woke up and needed to go out? Are you able to socialize and train a dog so he fits into his own society as well as ours? If you're getting a dog for your kids, are you willing to do ALL the work once the novelty wears off? Or when they go to college? Dogs live for at least 10 years. Are you willing to take on another family member for 15 years? Do you have space for a dog? Would you be willing to fence the yard, get rid of white carpet and not mind your furniture getting chewed and covered with hair? Yup, having a pet is like having children. Sure it's easy to crate them for a couple hours when you go out to dinner, but what about vacations? Will he be welcome at Christmas dinner at the in laws? Maybe, maybe not.

There are a lot of things to consider when deciding to get a pet. Please take some time to think about what getting a dog really means. Then think about it next week. The week after. It's worth it. Getting a dog might not be the right thing for you to do now. Maybe it's the perfect thing! Taking the time to get all the facts and learn as much as you can before getting your new friend will make it easier (and better!) for you and your dog!

 

Haiku learning about dog ownership.

It took A LOT of talking before I could convince my husband to let me get Haiku. Could we afford it? Did we have the time to take care of a puppy? I wanted a Cavalier, could we find one without common Cav problems? I'm lucky. We get a nice discount and pet insurance from his work, and Haiku has always been able to come with me to my work. That, in fact, is the only reason he relented. Because we wouldn't have to crate a puppy the 8-10 hours each day we'd be away from home. In the almost 2 years we've had Haiku, I've learned a lot about having a dog! It's not always as easy or convenient as I'd hope. The first week we had her, she wouldn't sleep through the night, so neither did I, I was awake with the puppy. We're missing out on some trips we'd like to take because boarding her is too expensive sometimes. Our carpet has suffered, and so has some of our books (Haiku likes to chew.)

I admit I was annoyed at how stubborn Ethan was about letting me get a dog. But all the talking, fact finding and decision making BEFORE getting her was much easier than if we had to do it after getting her. So take your time. Think about what you're doing and how it will impact your life. Remember dogs aren't stuffed animals, but real, energetic, flesh and blood creatures!

Coming soon are some tips for finding a dog and what kind of dog to look for!