According to dog enthusiasts, they cannot imagine their lives without a furry companion. This faithful and loving friend wakes up with great excitement every day, greets you with unbridled joy, and keeps your secrets safe. However, it is also important to note that owning a dog comes with certain downsides like muddy paw prints on your floors, pet hair on your furniture, damaged shoes, and possibly a few holes in your yard. Additionally, you must fulfill your dog’s need for at least two daily walks, regardless of the weather conditions.
Adopting a dog is a significant commitment that demands dedication, time, and financial resources. The following are some factors that you should take into account:
The cost: can you afford it?
Apart from the expenses of acquiring a dog, there are additional costs associated with regular vaccinations, boosters, and parasite control. You’ll also need insurance to cover potential illnesses or injuries since there is no National Health Service for animals, and premiums may increase as pets age. In addition, you’ll need to buy food and essential equipment such as a bed, blankets, bowls, collar, and name tag (a legal requirement). Other items may include a harness, leads, poop bags, toys, car restraint, grooming brush, toothbrush, and dog toothpaste. Moreover, if the dog hasn’t been neutered or microchipped yet, you’ll have to bear the expenses for those as well.
In case you spend your entire day outside, it is necessary to examine the expenses pertaining to day care or employing a dog walker. According to the RSPCA, dogs should not be left alone for over four hours, hence, for puppies in particular, it is imperative to provide them with sufficient company and training throughout the day. Furthermore, have you thought about how to manage your pet when you go on vacation? There are multiple options such as kennels, which may not be suitable for every individual dog, or pet sitters, which could possibly be more expensive than expected.
Your home: is it dog friendly?
Do you possess adequate room for your new pet to have a distinct space for both eating and sleeping? Have you made arrangements to keep hazardous objects like cleaning agents and electrical cords out of the reach of curious puppies and young dogs? Is your garden safe for them to frolic in, protected by a six-foot fence? Have you thoroughly inspected the perimeter for any potential escape routes? Have you considered any plants that may be poisonous to dogs? Will you be content with the task of regularly wiping muddy paw marks and vacuuming dog hair from your furniture and carpets?
Your lifestyle: how will a dog fit in?
Before getting a dog, make sure you are fully capable of providing all the essentials for their health and happiness. As per the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is mandatory for owners or keepers to meet the five welfare needs of their animals.
- Health – Protection from pain, injury, suffering and disease and treated if they become ill or injured
- Behaviour – The ability to behave naturally for their species
- Companionship – To be housed with, or apart from, other animals as appropriate for the species
- Diet – A suitable diet. This can include feeding appropriately for the pet’s life stage and feeding a suitable amount to prevent obesity or malnourishment, as well as access to fresh clean water
- Environment – A Suitable environment. This should include the right type of home with a comfortable place to rest and hide as well as space to exercise and explore
If you believe that a dog would suit your current lifestyle, have you considered any significant future alterations such as relocating or starting a family? Remember, a dog is a long-term commitment, so your future lifestyle plans must be adaptable to include a furry companion.
When it comes to time needed with a dog, they prefer to be with you every second of every day. However, it’s not feasible, so you should strive to be present as often as you can.
Exercise: who’ll be walking the dog?
According to the 2019 PAW report by PDSA on animal welfare, there are 1.3 million dogs in the UK that do not receive daily walks. Not being taken on trips around the UK may have a detrimental effect on dogs’ well-being. Most breeds require at least one hour of exercise a day, with some needing more, which should ideally be provided twice a day, every day of the year, regardless of the weather. Are you capable of fulfilling this requirement?
Training: are you ready help your dog to learn?
Training is necessary for dogs as they may struggle to understand the complicated human world. Without proper guidance, dogs may develop behavior issues that are difficult to control. Training enables dogs to learn the rules and develop good manners, making them confident, well-behaved, and trustworthy members of the society. Dogs of all ages, even puppies and mature ones, can benefit from reward-based training classes. Such classes also provide an opportunity for people to understand the way dogs learn, forging a bond between canine and human.
The right dog for you: how do you make the choice?
Choosing a breed of dog based solely on appearance or trendiness is never a wise decision. Breeds with flat faces like Pugs and French Bulldogs can experience various health issues while Huskies, currently popular due to Game of Thrones, are often placed in unsuitable environments.
It is important to prioritize research. Learn as much as possible about the breeds you are interested in and seek advice from your local veterinary team. Adopting an older dog that is already housetrained and accustomed to living with a family may be a more suitable option compared to taking on a high-maintenance puppy.
Finding a dog: where will you get your new friend from?
Make sure to choose a breeder listed under the Kennel Club Assured Breeders if you’re ready to adopt a puppy, and avoid purchasing one from a pet store, the internet, or local newspapers. Doing so could mean supporting a puppy farm, which values profit over animal welfare. Pup Aid offers helpful guidance on obtaining a dog ethically, with their #Wheresmum campaign aimed at educating new owners on the brutal practice of puppy farming and encouraging them to only buy from reputable and ethical breeders.
There is a variety of dogs, both pure and cross breeds, of varying ages, sizes, and temperaments available in rescue centers throughout the country, eagerly awaiting a chance to be part of a loving family. Reputable adoption centers have strict procedures, including a home inspection, matching dogs with the appropriate lifestyle and situation of the adopter, as well as offering guidance on proper care and after-adoption assistance.
BONUS: Dog training 101 — How to set realistic goals and where to get started
Essentially, there exist two types of dog training. The first level involves skill development and basic manners, such as instructing your dog to sit, stay, and lie down, which can be catered to by a dog trainer. If your pet exhibits behavioral issues like anxiety, aggressiveness, or fearfulness, then you require the services of a dog behavioral consultant like Pack Leader Help’s Brianna Dick.
“The way that I approach dog training is behavioral psychology based,” says Dick, who is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. “We’re not looking at just the physical behaviors of dogs. We’re looking at their emotions and the relationship they have with their humans.”
Begin with behavior training, which is more intricate, if you require both skills and behavior training. A dog behavior consultant is proficient in coaching your dog to sit and is also skilled in aiding your dog in handling separation anxiety, while a dog trainer may not possess the necessary knowledge to address this issue effectively.
Be realistic.
Fratt notes that not all dogs will enjoy going to the dog park, much like not all humans will acquire an appreciation for attending raves.
Kim Brophey, the proprietor of The Dog Door Behavior Center, is an expert in applied ethology and mediation for family dogs. In addition, she authored the book “Meet Your Dog: The Game Changing Guide To Understanding Your Dog’s Behavior,” detailing her L.E.G.S framework (learning, environment, genetics, self) for comprehending dog behavior. To illustrate, if your dog is barking at visitors.
Brophey suggests that this breed of dog may have been chosen over several centuries for the purpose of safeguarding against intruders entering through your main entrance. As a German shepherd’s natural instinct to protect its territory cannot be trained away, it may be better to adjust your anticipations accordingly.
Decide how you’d like to train your dog.
There are several training methods available including group classes, individual training, board and train, day training, and self-led training. Although group classes may be less personalized, they are usually cheaper. On the other hand, board and train facilities are more costly and come with greater risks according to Fratt.
“If the trainer spends all this time training the dog in this really specific context and then basically just hands you the leash, takes your check and walks away, there’s a very good chance you’re not actually going to be able to implement those new strategies and skills … successfully in your home.”
The decision you make will be based on the amount of money you have and what you want to achieve through training. If your dog displays aggressive behavior towards another dog in your home, it is unlikely to be helpful to conduct training sessions outside of your home.
It is important to recognize that dog training requires your involvement, however, it does not require a significant portion of your time. Fratt suggests devoting only five minutes daily to training. Moreover, the assignments given by trainers can also be enjoyable and conveniently integrated into your daily routine.
Our experts recommend free or inexpensive online resources for dog training if you wish to avoid spending substantial amounts of money.
- Kikopup on Youtube and Instagram
- Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
- K9 of Mine
On her website, Dick has put together some resources that are available at no cost. In addition to that, Fratt presents a set of free lessons every Tuesday as part of his Training Tuesday series.
Understand the methodologies.
There is no regulation in the field of dog training, allowing anyone operating a website, Instagram page, or storefront to advertise as a dog trainer. Consequently, there is no universal guide for dog training methods, resulting in conflicting opinions among trainers. However, trainers can typically be separated into two main groups.
One type of trainer, such as Fratt, employs positive reinforcement techniques. This approach entails rewarding a dog with a desirable item, such as a treat, when they demonstrate good behavior, thus encouraging them to repeat it. Alternately, it involves providing a dog with a positive experience to help them form positive associations with something that they may otherwise perceive as frightening.
Brianna Dick is an example of a balanced trainer who employs positive reinforcement techniques but is open to using correction techniques such as e-collars in her training.
As Dick explains, the practice of E-collar training requires your dog to wear a collar that you can control remotely. The collar emits a stimulus, which can be a shock, sound or a spray of citronella, to correct your dog’s behavior. Particularly E-collars that emit shocks are controversial among members of the dog training community.
According to Dick, it’s important to be cautious of trainers who rely solely on e-collars for every dog. This approach is considered generic and unlikely to produce satisfactory outcomes. Therefore, it’s essential to find a trainer who takes the time to understand you, your bond with your dog, and your lifestyle.
Find a good trainer.
If what you need is a solid list of positive reinforcement trainers or balanced trainers in your area, a good place to start is with lists compiled by various professional associations. There are many, including:
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
- Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
- The Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT)
- Karen Pryor Academy (KPA)
- Pet Professional Guild
- The Academy for Dog Trainers
- Pat Miller Certified Trainers
Next, conduct interviews by contacting past clients and determining which trainer puts you at ease. Ensure that they are capable of clarifying their instructional practices.
