| Watching The Westminster Dog Show had me | | | | and may be less likely to tune into you during training |
| thinking about various breeds and the many reasons | | | | than a retriever. |
| people get a dog in the first place. I'm paraphrasing | | | | 3. What's your idea of exercise? Do you run every |
| something that Jon Katz the author of Katz on Dogs | | | | morning at 5am and wind down after work with a |
| wrote, "people will shop around, test drive and read all | | | | brisk walk or activity? Do your research, some breeds |
| the stats and figures before they buy a large screen | | | | need lots of exercise every day (Labs come to mind) |
| TV or new car, but they tend to buy or adopt a puppy | | | | but others are pretty happy with a few short forays |
| on a whim." | | | | out to the sunshine and prefer to spend time lounging. |
| Yep, I've done it too. Just before my senior year of | | | | (Bulldogs can be like this). |
| high school I was driving through a nicely manicured | | | | 4. How much do you prize cleanliness? No matter how |
| neighborhood on a cool summer evening and stopped | | | | you try to avoid it, dogs are going to add more work |
| in front of a house with a sign that said "Free Puppies." | | | | to your cleaning routine. Even short-haired breeds |
| I was enthralled with all the little balls of energy that | | | | shed, and all dogs have paws that track in mud, dirt, |
| were scattered around the backyard and I did what | | | | and snow. And, I've yet to meet a dog that doesn't |
| so many humans are prone to do - took the one that | | | | enjoy a good roll in whatever is most stinky along his |
| "picked me by running straight to me and pushing the | | | | walk! |
| others out of the way. | | | | 5. When and how will you train your dog? Remember, |
| While I made a number of mistakes in that relationship | | | | even if you're okay with your dog jumping up in |
| with Sparky, it taught me a number of lessons about | | | | greeting, or refusing to come when called, your |
| finding and living with a dog. Bringing a dog home is not | | | | neighbors probably aren't okay with it. Dogs get |
| something to be entered into lightly. Most of us know | | | | banned from public spaces because humans who |
| that on an intellectual level, but somehow, we can lose | | | | own them don't teach them basic manners. Be sure to |
| our guard when the 'cutest puppy in the world' is | | | | do your research now on training techniques and |
| pawing at our leg; jumping up to kiss us; or putting their | | | | methodologies. Investigate different classes and |
| head in our laps. | | | | interview trainers prior to bringing your dog home. While |
| Here's a short and sweet guide to finding the right dog | | | | you're Uncle Bill is willing to share the unique methods |
| for you and your family: | | | | he used when training his spaniel Cokey, his methods |
| 1. Why do you want a dog? No really. It's not just for | | | | may not be the best for you and your new |
| the kids, it's not because you want something to guard | | | | companion. By doing your homework before you bring |
| the house, is it? You may really want a dog because | | | | your dog home you'll have your eyes wide open to |
| you want a companion, someone or something to love, | | | | what the process is likely to entail. |
| a way to fix a relationship from your past, or some | | | | These are just a handful of points to ponder before |
| combination of all of the above. Your emotions are | | | | bringing a dog into your home. There are a number of |
| going to be tied to the dog you bring home (just like | | | | organizations that will walk you through the process of |
| any other family member). | | | | finding the right dog for you ( as well as Peggie's Pets |
| However, your dog is not really going to be a little kid in | | | | Services). |
| fur. They are definitely not human. While they really | | | | Be sure to do your homework before you fall in love |
| seem to intuit what you're saying when you're feeling | | | | with this year's Westminster winner (Rufus, the Bull |
| down, angry or sentimental, they really can't 'fix things.' | | | | Terrier) and decide you have to have one. |
| Nor should they be expected to. They are hard-wired | | | | Whether you decide to find a breeder or adopt from a |
| to tune-in to you for food, fun and discipline, but they | | | | local rescue group or shelter, there are many more |
| can't bring your ex back, nor can they fix a bad | | | | questions to go over. You'll also want to be prepared |
| relationship. | | | | with questions for the breeder or shelter. My goal is |
| 2. What type of personality do you have? If you have | | | | that any dog you bring home has an easy transition to |
| tons of patience (like a saint) you may find it rewarding | | | | your household and together you enjoy a dozen or |
| to share your home with a beagle or a terrier. These | | | | more years of companionship, love and mutual |
| dogs are very smart, but also very easily distracted | | | | admiration. |