Pet Net Adoption Event & Choosing the Perfect Pooch
Once again, I’m participating in the Pet ‘Net Adoption Event 2012 running this whole week. This is the 5th anniversary event in which pet bloggers join together to promote good cat and dog care issues. But Petside.com is doing something extra-special. WIN $5000 FOR YOUR LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER by clicking this Hub Link to browse all the other great blogger contributors, and enter your zip code. The winning shelter will be announced on Dec. 17. You can enter your zip code once per day, for the entire week.
“I want THIS one!” (Image Copr. TBone Green Acres/Flickr)
Part of successful adoption is in the furry choices you make. Everyone has pet theories on choosing the perfect pooch for your family. I overhear conversations at the grocery, in restaurants, at the post office—everywhere. Folks expound on the “best” dog breed for a family, the “ideal” pup for your four-year-old daughter, and what’s perfect for you—and themselves—whether or not they’ve ever actually lived with that type of pet before. My turn. I’m ready to reveal trade secrets on choosing the perfect pooch.
“Get the leaves, get the leaves…where’s the leaves?” (Image Copr. Melissamethamphetimine/Flickr)
More than 400 dog breeds and ten times that number of “mutt” variations woof and cavort around the world. They all bark (sort of); they all have fur (more or less); and most important of all, they ALL need time and attention. Lots of it. Think of your very bright, high-energy, precocious four-year-old daughter again to guestimate the average attitude, attention span, and learning curve of any prospective pooch.
“Where’s the Great Pumpkin? Does he bring treats?” (Image Copr. RickieBPhotography/Flickr)
TIME CHECK: Allow at least an hour a day for basic training—teaching the dog his name, for example. Add another two hours daily for potty breaks and the clean up time for any accidents in a pup’s learning curve. Refer to 10 Top Tips for Your New Pup for more advice.
Looks and size tend to be the first considerations for most folks. All kinds of coiffures abound: long fur, silky hair, and curly coats vary from slick and short to fluffy and thick—or even bald. As a general rule, more fur means increased coat care. The Bichon Frise’s white powder puff good looks don’t magically appear, and the Afghan and Chow quickly turn into matted messes without lots of work.
Depending on the breed, that means combing and brushing, plucking, stripping, clipping, and/or bathing on a weekly (or oftener) schedule. Remember, grooming includes ear care, eye care, teeth cleaning, toenail trims and (ahem) anal gland expression. Don’t ask.
TIME CHECK: Add another one to two hours grooming time each week.
“Play play play run chew play chew chew run play play PLAY!!!” (This is USCHI, the cover dog model on my thriller LOST AND FOUND, and already a titled tracking dog.)
These days I hear so much from folks (mostly dads) who feel they and the kids deserve an “active breed.” That would include big dogs such as Labs, German Shepherds and Goldens, and medium to smaller breeds like Border Collies and JRTs. Active breeds are great fun!—especially for gone-all-day-to-work folks willing and able to deal with furniture damage from bored doggy teeth.
TIME CHECK: Invest in two to three hours a day exercising Fido to protect the furniture. Alternatively, purchase a herd of sheep. The cost should be offset in what you save in lawn mower service.
Big dogs take up more space—expect a Greyhound to claim at least half of the sofa and nearly all of the bed. Small dogs in multiples also claim major bed space and multiple dogs may squabble over lap time.
TIME CHECK: Allow a minimum of thirty minutes daily ‘schmoozing’ time—that’s the nose-to-nose, tummy-rubbing, ear-scratching, treat-mooching, secret-sharing, quiet communing dog lovers do as a matter of course. The stronger the bond, the more time you spend schmoozing.
So far, our weekly pet time commitment totals 40 hours—that’s the conservative end—for any size, shape, or age dog. Of course, people (and sadly, their dogs) make do with less all the time.
“You are my perfect match!”
But my ultimate secret to obtaining the BEST dog ever: simply devote as much time to Fido as you would for those things that matter most to you. As you teach, care for, and love him you will create the dog of your dreams.
Or you could settle for a stuffed animal instead. But then you’d miss out on all that schmoozing—which is why we have dogs in the first place!
Okay it’s your turn. How did you choose your furry wonder? What considerations were most important to you? Size? Looks? Age? Breed? Please share in the comments and help others find the Dog-Of-Their-Dreams! And don’t forget to SHARE THIS BLOG and the link for the $5000 donation to other pet lovers!
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have doggy behavior problems and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, listen to the weekly radio show, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
Filed under: Dog Training & Care Tagged: adopting dogs, Amy Shojai, choosing dogs, dog training, dogs, donations, pet net adoption event, puppies, shelters, tips for training puppies, www.amyshojai.com
