10/02/2022
If you're thinking of getting a dog, here are some things to consider to make sure you and the dog are the right fit for each other.
★★★YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES★★★
First off you obviously need to consider are you prepared for dealing with the responsibility of owning a dog, not just now but for the life of the dog. I've heard of so many puppies being given up because their owners decided to have a baby and weren't prepared to manage both responsibilities...but when you're expecting a baby don't get a dog unless you are prepared to put in the work to deal with both.
★★★ADOPT OR SHOP?★★★
You've probably heard the phrase "adopt don't shop" implying that adopting for a rescue or shelter is the only ethical way of getting a dog, but it's not that simple. Whilst adopting a dog and giving it a second chance is amazing, it's just not always practical for every circumstance and purchasing a dog from a good reputable breeder (not a backyard breeder or puppy farm) is perfectly ethical. Whether due to lack of early socialisation or due to however they ended up in the shelter, many shelter/rescue dogs come with their own baggage that may be too much for you to handle, particularly if you're new to dog ownership. If you want a dog for a particular task such as an assistance dog, or even if you just intend to take your dog to be social with other people and animals, then purchasing from a breeder may be easier. A dog from a breeder will also allow you to know it's genetic history, and a good breeder will have bred to avoid genetic health issues.
***RESCUE/SHELTER***
If you're aware of the potential drawbacks and are prepared to deal with them then by all means adopt, it can be one of the most rewarding experiences you'll ever have. But still, do your research. Consider what breed (as we will discuss below) and age dog is most appropriate for you. Feel free to ask plenty of questions of the rescue group or shelter staff. They may not have all the information on the dogs history or its temperament or behaviour problems, but they should be forthcoming with what they do know. A good rescue/shelter will be diligent in trying to find the right fit for the dog, so if they seem too keen to offload the dog to you that's a big ⛳. Most rescues and no kill shelters will also offer to take any of their dogs back if for some reason things don't work out, this is a good indicator that they really have the dogs best interests in mind.
***BREEDER***
If you choose to purchase from a breeder do thorough research and again ask them plenty of questions. A good breeder will allow you to see where the puppies and parents are kept before agreeing to purchase, and if they don't this is a huge indicator that they may not be being kept in appropriate conditions and they are potentially a backyard breeder or puppy farm. In Victoria it is illegal to advertise dogs for sale without a microchip number and source number generated by the Pet Exchange Register. Check the validity of that number on the Pet Exchange Register, and if you find anyone not complying definitely report them. Many breeders will offer to take back any of their dogs if things don't work out, and whilst obviously it's better if things do work out it's a really good sign that the breeder actually cares about the welfare of their puppies for the entirety of their lives.
★★★BREED★★★
When considering breed it's not just about what breeds you like, and particularly not about what breeds you like the look of. Many people love Siberian Huskies, myself included, but they are not ideal for most homes. Breed, whilst not a perfect indicator, will give you a pretty good idea of temperament, life expectancy and potential health issues. So thoroughly research the breed/s you like and take note of what the experts in the breed say, and if based on your research you, your family or home wouldn't be a good fit for the dog, don't try and make it work anyway as that can lead to disaster.
★★★TRAINING★★★
Before you even get the dog be prepared for training. If you're getting a puppy the first 16 weeks are crucial to get right, so don't try and do it alone, work with a trainer. Even if you're getting an older dog, there's a decent chance they may not have been well trained, and whilst it's harder you absolutely can "teach an old dog new tricks" and you may also have to deal with behavioural issues, such as fear, aggression, seperation anxiety, etc, which a trainer can help with.
If you'd like assistance with training, or even further advice with getting a new dog don't hesitate to send me a message.