I work with a lot of clients who recently brought home a new dog. Often, they are overwhelmed by the dog or puppy's behavior. One of the biggest relationship issues I see between humans and their dogs is that there is a clear mismatch in lifestyle preferences and needs.
Many popular dog breeds have been bred for decades to do things such as herd other animals, hunt small critters, run and chase things for miles, dig holes in the ground, and sniff out a scent. Many of these behaviors, if not given appropriate outlets, can wreak havoc on the lives of the dog's humans.
Let's face it: many people in our modern society work 8 hours a day and then want to relax at home to unwind. We want to be able to take our dog out for a quick walk around the block after work and then call it a day.
Are there dogs who do well with that type of lifestyle? Yes.
Are all dogs cut out for that type of lifestyle? Absolutely not.
On top of lifestyle mismatches, the source that we get dogs from is also very important. Typically, people either get dogs from a breeder or from a shelter/rescue.
Breeders have a lot of power and responsibility because they are creating the dogs that many people will be adding to their families. You might be thinking, "as long as I buy a puppy from a breeder, I should be good to go."
Unfortunately, not all breeders are doing things equally, and the price of their puppies does not necessarily reflect the effort that they take in creating stable pups. If you are going to pick out a puppy from a breeder, it is essential to ensure that the breeder takes all necessary steps to breed dogs that will be physically healthy and be behaviorally sound. If you do not know what to look for, you may not know the right questions to ask.
Now let's say you want to get a dog from a shelter or rescue. While this is a different situation than finding a good breeder, there are still many steps we can take as potential adopters to ensure that we are bringing home a new dog who is set up for success and likely to fit into our lifestyle and desires. You will want to base your questions on what is important for you, your current family (human and animal), and your lifestyle.
Are you overwhelmed by all of the different options, information, and sources regarding bringing home a new dog? I don't blame you. It is hard to know who and what to trust. Guess what? I can help!
I offer consultations and packages to help you narrow down what exactly you are looking for in a new companion animal, what questions to ask, red flags to look out for, and how to try to find your best match! Check out my website for more info: https://www.perkedears.com/finding-your-best-match
Good resources about choosing a breeder/rescue: