The wagging tail, big brown eyes, and lick on the face did it, and all of the sudden a four-legged fur baby is part of our life. Now what?
We’ve all failed the “cuteness versus practical” debate in our heads when holding a puppy, or the “this dog wants to go home with me” thought while visiting the local humane society. It happens, so we need to learn how to be a responsible pet owner while creating a mutually beneficial relationship!
Warning!! Be careful about "just visiting" a shelter unless adding a canine companion is a realistic option (or you take a trusted, strong friend with you), because the odds of “walking away” without adding to the family are quite low!
Reality Check
If we don’t have the time or energy to give a pet the attention needed and desired, avoid the temptation. It is not fair to anyone, whether two or four legged.
If we plan to leave your new “friend” on a chain in the backyard all day, stop now!! The picture of a dog on a chain with a small doghouse should terrorize everyone.
Dogs cannot be left alone for extended periods of time. If our schedule does not allow us to be home, or if we don’t have a fantastic dog sitter, we do not fit the “perfect dog owner” model.
It can get a bit pricey to own a dog with vet bills, flea and tick medicine, food, toys, and dog sitter fees adding up. It takes dollars to own and raise a healthy dog, and a dog owner that understands “scrimping” and dog ownership do not go together.
A Name
Of course, he/she needs a name!
Will it be a traditional dog name (Fido, Daisy, Lucy, Buddy, Molly, or Max), a name linked to color (Ebony, Spot, Rusty, Golden, or Marshmallow), a name tied to breed (Terry the Terrier, or Bull the Bulldog), or a name associated with a favorite team, food, place, or character (Wrigley, Aspen, Zeus, Cupcake, or Irish).
Find a name that fits (one of my dogs was named “Digger” and one was named “Midnight”, both for obvious reasons! Another was name “Kallie”, because she came from Kalamazoo) and start using it right away.
Pro Tip: Make sure the name selected does not sound like a command. “Mo” could be confused with “No” or “Brown” with “Down”.
The Necessities
Collar - why not give your canine friend a personality with a colorful or themed collar
Six Foot Walking leash - Retractable leashes are OK, but can cause some issues when extended due to the longer length and subsequent loss of control
Water and Food Bowls – it is true that our own bowls and plates will work, but doesn’t our new companion deserve his/her own water and food bowls? My advice: get a gravity water dispenser to avoid spills and an empty bowl but avoid an automatic feeder since most dogs don’t have good food discipline.
Bed – of course this is not needed if our fur baby shares our bed (admit it, that is the plan!!!). Regardless, it is good to have a dedicated “safe spot” for our new friend, so why not invest in a nice bed, commensurate with the fully-grown size of the dog.
Toys – this is especially true at the puppy stage. Dogs like to chew, give them something to chew on so that your table legs, carpet, and socks are safe. The best chew toy is one that takes “Fido” a while to conquer. Hint - Old stuffed animals from garage sales make for great dog toys.
Food
Dogs love food (don’t we all). What to feed and how much to feed are the questions to think about.
Food is designed by the dog’s age, size, breed, and activity level, allowing us to feed the correct food for our canine friend.
Food comes in kibble (dry), wet, raw, fresh, and dehydrated forms. There is no right or wrong, but just like our own food, we should pay attention to ingredients, calories, and nutritional information.
Eating once a day or twice a day doesn’t matter as much as keeping the daily quantity of food the same no matter the frequency.
Warning!! Just like too much snacking for us can create problems, too many dog treats can create issues.
Other Thoughts
Where will “Buddy” spend time while alone? Will Buddy be inside or outside? Is a fenced yard an option? Will Buddy be able to get outside “when necessary” even if most of the time is spent inside? Is there a good spot to install a doggie door? Will Buddy be free to roam in the house or restricted to a certain area?
How will potty training work? Although there are many techniques, the best is to simply get “Lucy” outside often and reward every time she “does her business” in the grass. We need to make sure we have the time, energy, and patience to get through this stage of parenting.
Does crate training make sense? Crates help to contain puppies when needed but should not be used to penalize. Crates are safe spots just like beds, not prisons.
So, Is it Worth It? (Yes.)
Absolutely!! There is nothing like a four-legged friend running to the door to greet us, tongue hanging out, tail wagging, and brown eyes staring at us.
Being a pet owner is a commitment and cannot be done halfway, but the loyalty, companionship, and good vibes can make life enjoyable for the entire household. How can a daily walk, tug of war, or playing “fetch” be bad things?
Go ahead – plan a visit to the local humane society!!! (Because adopting is good karma!)