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How to Choose A Good Family Dog

May 24, 2011 By jdalldog Leave a Comment

Article by John Snair

Choosing to get a dog for you or your family can be one of the best decisions you ever made or one of the worst. Having a dog in the home that is ready can lead to years of added happiness. Having a dog in home that is not ready can bring years of unhappiness. If you’ve made up your mind to get one, then you need to consider the biggest factor in adding a family pet – are you ready for one? If you have weighed all of the pros and cons and realize that a dog is a full time commitment; that it requires food, exercise, and attention, and it can cost a fair amount of money per year to maintain a healthy dog, then all that is left is to decide what type or breed of dog is best for you.

Since you have decided that your lifestyle is suitable for a dog, you need to choose a dog that will match your lifestyle. Do you live an active lifestyle when not at work? Do you spend most of your time in the house or other places indoors? If you have children, are they small or older? There are a lot of things to consider when getting a dog, but it is necessary to have a complete understanding of the situation you are getting into and the situation you are bringing a dog into. A good match between owner(s) and dog(s) is essential to both parties.

Family Dogs – Of all dog breeds today, probably the two most popular for families are Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers. They tend to have the best disposition for family life and generally get along with people young and old alike. Young dogs of these breeds tend to have quite a lot of energy, but they will mellow out after three or so years. They get along well young children and don’t require much specific training. They do handle a quiet life fairly well, but enjoy walking, playing fetch, swimming and many other outdoor activities. These activities also help to promote a healthy and fit dog.

The Border Collie, the Australian Cattle Dog and the Australian Shepherd also are good family dogs and are very intelligent. They are high energy dogs so they require more physical and mental stimulation than Retrievers or Labs. They will be much happier if they are given lots of exercise and training. Because these are dogs that are very high energy and driven, they may not be best suited for homes with young children. Border collies will instinctively try to herd small children by nipping at them so that is another consideration if you have children generally under the age of eight years old.

Another factor to consider when obtaining a family dog is whether or not allergies to dogs exist in the family. There are some dogs that shed very little, such as the Poodle family and Lhasa Apsos and also short haired dogs such as Great Danes. The Poodles do however require a fair amount of grooming. They require frequent baths and regular clips every six to eight weeks.

Probably the last important factor to consider when choosing a dog is the sex of the dog. Male dogs of most breeds tend to be more sociable in that they like to be in the same place as the people of the family. If everyone is watching TV in one room, it is more than likely that the male dog will want to be there as well. Females, on the other hand, generally tend to be more independent. That is to say that they might go off to another room and lay down by themselves.

Overall dogs are like people. They can have general traits, but personalities can vary from dog to dog. Even though there are general behaviors for a particular breed, a dog of that breed may not necessarily exhibit all of the same traits as another dog of the same breed.

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About the Author

We have over 30 years of experience with dogs of different breeds. Choosing the right types has made our lives as dog owners much more enjoyable. Dog-e-Direct

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Preventing Family Dogs From Biting Family Members

May 24, 2011 By jdalldog Leave a Comment

Dogs communicate their frustrations, dislikes or fears in many subtle ways, these subtle ways are often missed by humans so the dog’s communication progresses through a hierarchy of events until eventually the dog bites if it isn’t understood. In most of the cases we experience, where a dog has bitten a family member, we are informed “the bite came from nowhere”. We then discover, during our assessment, that the dog had been giving a variety of signals for months if not years.  These signals can be things such as freezing, snarling or snapping. A dog considers these signals requests to “increase the distance” between them and you.  If we ignore them they intensify their signal, like when we shout at a child who is ignoring us.

 

Dogs bite under an array of circumstances. Resource guarding is one example such as when the dog has not been trained to relinquish something they value (toy, food bowl, treats etc.) and a child or adult attempts to take the valued item away, the dog may bite. Another example is when the family pet is fearful and is placed in a situation where it bites to escape or avoid something. Dogs may also bite when displaying predatory behaviors such as chasing small quick animals (like children) which can result in bites. A dog can also display aggression if they are in pain and are approached or touched in a sensitive area. The median age of dog bite patients is 15 years old and boys aged from 5 to 9 have the most incident rates. It is not a surprise to learn that 77% of dog bites on children are in the facial area, whereas with adults and postal carriers it is the lower extremities.

  

When dogs bite it is not an accident.  Dogs have huge control over the speed and effectiveness of their mouths. Teaching puppies bite inhibition is the most important thing we can do and they can learn. Bite inhibition teaches dogs the power of their jaws. The only difference between a bite that does significant damage and a bite that just bruises is whether or not the dog has “acquired bite inhibition”. Dogs cannot write to their congressman, or email their family members, they communicate in dog language. When pushed they will bite. It is our responsibility to ensure we understand our dogs, know when they are in pain, showing fear or in need of training to relinquish objects and to prevent and manage resource guarding. This is one of our key roles as dog owners, we must raise socially savvy dogs who are polite family members and we must do this by exhibiting benevolent leadership so they can live safely in our world.

  

To prevent aggression when you bring a dog into the home enroll it into a good obedience class. This not only gives you verbal control of the dog but also builds trusting relationships. Have children involved in the training. The training methods used now are so dog friendly that small children can quickly gain control of a 100 or more pound dog. Make sure your dog is well socialized, desensitized to having its collar grabbed or having food taken from its mouth and having people pick up its toys and anything else the dog considers valuable. Teach the dog bite inhibition. The mother does not have time to fully do this because we take puppies from their “bite school” before they have learned this crucial skill from mum and their litter puppies. Teach children to respect animals and treat them kindly. Do not allow children to grab at the dog, pull tails, ears etc. Crate train the dog so it has somewhere quiet to go if it needs to and have children respect that the crate is the dog’s private space. Ensure the dog gets adequate exercise and mental stimulation; do not tether dogs for too long.  Always ensure your dog is part of the family. Dogs that are tethered, not sufficiently exercised or isolated are more likely to be involved in a bite incident.

  

Dog aggression can be based on either their genetic responses to the outside world, such as predatory drive, or the aggression can be a learned behavior.  In both cases the aggression can be resolved, prevented or managed with the correct tools and guidance.  Call a professional; do not wait until you are dealing with an actual bite, if your dog snarls, growls, or lunges towards a person call in help.  A small financial investment in training a dog can ensure a healthy and happy “bite free” union between dog and human. Download a FREE Dog Bite Education Flyer from www.888DogSmith.com

 

 

 

Niki Tudge is the owner and founder of The DogSmith, America’s Dog Training, Dog Walking and Pet Care Franchise. To learn more about joining the DogSmith visit http://www.888dogsmith.com/franchise.html

Niki achieved her Canine Behaviorist Diploma in England and Dog Obedience Training Diploma in the US. Niki is an Endorsed member of the National Association of Dog Obedience Trainers and a professional member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and The Association of Animal Behavior Professionals. Niki is also certified by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. You can reach Niki via email at NTudge@888dogsmith.com or www.888DogSmith.com


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Getting the Perfect Family Dog

May 24, 2011 By jdalldog Leave a Comment

There are many factors you should consider when choosing a family dog. Brining a dog into your household is one of the most exciting things and an experience your whole family should enjoy and this is why it is very important that you do your research properly in order to be able to choose the right dog for your family environment. Properly educating yourself to make the right choice can make the difference between a successful and enjoyable experience and a disappointing experience that may leave your family fearful of dogs for life.

Before deciding on the perfect family dog for your household you should decide who the primary care giver will be. The primary care giver should be someone who is at home a lot of the time and who has the time to care for the dog. Caring for a dog doesn’t only mean feeding him; dogs are social animals and require a lot of attention as well. If you travel a lot you should reconsider getting a dog unless someone can take care of him while you’re away. Are you an active person or a couch potato? All these things will influence the type of dog you ultimately choose.

If the primary caregiver is a child you will have to have a serious conversation with them about responsibility and what taking care of a dog entails. Make sure the child understands that this is a lifetime commitment and that he or she will be responsible for the dog’s needs for the rest of its life. The child should understand that even when the novelty of owning a puppy wears off, the dog will still need to be given a lot of attention and care.

If the caregiver is a senior you should decide if they are physically able to take care of a dog, and if so then you may consider a smaller breed dog or a breed that is easy to handle. Take some time to visit nearby shelters to get an idea about the different sized dogs available for adoption. Talk to the shelter staff and try to learn about different breeds of dogs and their different traits. Just because a dog belongs to a breed known for its manageability doesn’t necessarily mean even dog in that breed is manageable – dogs are individuals with individual personalities. Don’t take home the first dog that manages to tug at your heartstrings, keep in mind that the dog you choose to take home will rely on you for the rest of its life, so make your choice wisely.

If your family is the outgoing type and you enjoy participating in outdoor activities such as hiking and camping, you should look for a dog that you can include in your hobbies. Labradors, Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds make great companions for active dog owners. These dogs make great pets for households with athletic, young adults as they love to play and exercise vigorously. Some of these dogs also enjoy swimming, so if you like swimming these are good dogs to own. Spaniels are very active dogs as well but require regular grooming as they have long haired coats.

If your family is active but you’d prefer a smaller sized dog, terriers are very active little dogs. Jack Russell terriers are known for being hyperactive and as is the case with most dogs in the terrier group, they need a lot of exercise to remain healthy and happy. Chihuahuas make great pets for senior citizens because of their tiny sizes. They enjoy sitting on their owner’s laps while they watch TV or knit and they are of a very easy to handle size. Chihuahuas also make great little watchdogs as they will alert if a stranger approaches the door.

If you’re a fan of big dogs, there are quite a few you can consider such as the Pyrenees or Akita. These are impressive dogs but are high maintenance due to their long haired coats. If these dogs aren’t groomed on a regular basis they are prone to developing skin conditions. Bernese Mountain dogs and Saint Bernards are massive dogs that enjoy light exercise and love to lounge about. Due to their slow, laid back natures, they may not make the ideal pet for households with teenagers or very active children.

Poodles make great family dogs and come in all shapes and sizes. They are a highly intelligent and easily trained breed and you can find the perfect poodle for almost any type of lifestyle. There are even tempered individuals as well as hyperactive poodles so you’ll need to spend some time with a poodle to determine if its personality will suit your household. Poodles require professional grooming however, and you should keep this in mind before getting one.

The more you educate yourself about the different dog breed available and their traits, the better you’ll be when choosing your new dog. Read about breeds you like and try to learn about their particular traits as well as any health issues they are predisposed to. The last thing you want to do is bring a dog into your home only to discover he may develop a genetic condition that will end up breaking your heart. Try to visit breeder’s kennels to learn more about a breed you like. Reputable breeders have no problem educating prospective customers about their dogs.

Read all you can about the breed of dog you’re considering to decide if it will be happy in your household and if your family can provide it with the care it needs. Some dogs have different requirements than others and you should pick a dog that will fit into your particular lifestyle. If you’re a laid back person who spends more time indoors than out you shouldn’t choose an active breed to bring into your household. Spend time with a dog you’re interested in to learn more about its personality, you wouldn’t buy a car without inspecting it, would you? The same applies to pets. Remember that owning a dog is a lifetime commitment and one you shouldn’t take lightly.

 

Amber Contant is a featured adviser and author discussing the issues that all pet owning families will experience. Amber works with Pet-Super-Store. Visit her site for a great selection of electric dog fences and dog training collars.


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