Considering All the Options

In This Chapter

• Thinking about your new dog’s age
• Determining the importance of gender and size
• Factoring in energy and temperament
• Identifying signs of a healthy dog
• Picking the perfect puppy

Puppies Are Precious, but . . .

Puppy

Just look at that fluffy ball of fuzz, those big innocent eyes, that madly wagging tail! Many people who want to adopt a dog are hoping to adopt a puppy, and that’s no surprise. Puppies can be practically irresistible. Shelters have a much easier time placing puppies than they do older dogs. The downside, however, is that many of these puppies wind up back at the shelter as soon as they hit that difficult adolescent period — when they’re big, rambunctious, and particularly challenging.

Pros and cons of adopting a puppy

Puppy

They’re tiny, they’re cute, and they pull at your heartstrings with that ferocious little tug-of-war puppy growl. But do you really want to adopt a puppy?

– Control over exactly when and how well the puppy is socialized and trained, so your puppy learns good behavior early

– An opportunity for you and your puppy to bond right from the beginning

– A fun, playful, adorable companion

– Short-lived high energy that often (but not always) mellows into mature adolescence in one to two years

– A longer amount of time together than if you adopt an older dog

– A pet with behaviors you don’t like, if you fail to control exactly how well the puppy is socialized and trained.

– The chore of housetraining your puppy, a time-consuming and sometimes frustrating task. If you aren’t consistent with your training, you’ll have puppy puddles and piles to clean up for what seems like forever.

– Chewed up, well, everything. Puppies need to chew . . . a lot. You must provide them with appropriate items to chew and keep things they are not allowed to chew out of reach. If you tend to leave your expensive shoes on your bedroom floor, a puppy may not be right for you.

– A seemingly inexhaustible need for more exercise and stimulation than most adult dogs. Puppies, by nature, are energetic.

– Ill-mannered behaviors. Granted, manners are all human, and puppy behaviors are entirely natural. Even so, in our human world, puppies have no manners whatsoever. They may nip fingers, jump on people, bark at everything, pull on the leash, pick on other pets, dig holes in your yard, try to escape the fence to play with the neighbors, and keep you up at night because they still want to play. You have to teach them everything.

– An uncertain adult appearance. If you adopt your puppy through a shelter or you choose a mixed breed, you can’t be sure of your puppy’s parents and you won’t know what the puppy will look like when it grows up. Many shelter puppies who look like purebreds grow up to look much different as adults.

Puppy

If you have your heart set on a puppy, check out the tips for picking the perfect one later in this chapter.

Pros and cons of adopting an adult dog

Remember

Before you decide that you want an adult dog, consider the advantages and disadvantages within the context of your lifestyle. An adult dog may be the perfect fit for you because it may already be

– Housetrained: Many dogs housetrain young and never forget.

– Finished teething: Adult dogs typically don’t chew and nip the way puppies do, although exceptions do exist.

– Well versed in basic training: They know how to walk on a leash, obey basic cues like “Sit” and “Come,” and generally behave appropriately in the house.

– Well socialized: Many adult dogs are friendly and accustomed to different kinds of people and situations.

– More laid back: Adult dogs aren’t quite as wild and energetic as puppies.

– Almost finished with adolescence: Although adolescent dogs initially may have high energy, they often (but not always) mellow out, especially if you provide plenty of outlets for that energy.

– More adaptable: Adult dogs are usually willing to bond closely with anyone who takes them in, feeds them, and gives them a home and some attention.

Tip

Many people claim that adult dogs they adopted from shelters and rescue groups seem to know that they’ve been given a second chance. These pet owners say they get a strong sense of gratitude from their dogs.

– A quick study: Adult dogs typically learn quickly and enjoy training sessions as a fun way to spend time with you. You can teach old dogs new tricks.

– More readily available: Shelters have a harder time placing adult dogs. Adopting one saves an animal who may otherwise never find a home.

– Behavioral problems: Resource guarding — snapping when you try to take away food or treats — is a common problem. Others can include dislike of children or displays of aggression or self-mutilation in response to anxiety.

– Bad habits that take extra training to undo: Examples include excessive barking, digging in the yard, and chewing on shoes.

– A lengthy adjustment period because the dog was in another home for so long: Dogs may mourn lost loved ones or seem depressed.

– Difficulty bonding: Some dogs need to be taught to trust humans again.

– Too short a time in your life: You may have only a few more years with an adult dog. Larger breeds, especially, have life spans of only six to eight years. If your adopted Great Dane is already 4 years old, well, you do the math.

Considering Sex and Size

Remember

Yet males and females exhibit virtually no consistent difference in behavior. In some breeds, males actually make more affectionate pets, and females are more independent and exhibit a higher drive to work. In other breeds, males tend to be more aggressive and females are more laid back. But even these generalizations have many exceptions. And when pets are spayed or neutered, these differences become even less significant.

Tip

Trying to predict a dog’s personality based on gender is impossible. Instead of merely choosing male or female, look at breed, age, grooming needs, and temperament. You may find that your canine soul mate is the opposite sex you thought you wanted.

Choosing a Pooch to Match Your Pep

As you’re thinking about what kind of dog you want, consider your own level of activity: Are you more like a marathon runner or a couch potato? Choose a dog with an energy level similar to your own so you can enjoy activities together.

Factoring In Temperament

Warning!

Be wary of a shelter that refuses to let you read the results, because it may be trying to hide the fact that it doesn’t do any temperament testing. The dog may be perfectly adoptable, but you want to know as much as possible about the animal you plan to adopt.

Remember

Not everyone agrees that accurately analyzing the canine temperament is even possible in just a few minutes or after just a few meetings. Determining a dog’s temperament is never quick and easy. It involves a careful process of observing and interacting with the animal. Some signs of bad temperament are obvious — growling, snarling, constantly quaking with fear — but many signs are not. Other aspects of temperament unfold slowly as the dog becomes more comfortable in your presence. Before you adopt a dog, arrange several extended visits. The more comfortable the dog is around you, the more her real temperament will come out.

Exploring breed temperament

– Sporting breeds: Retrievers, Pointers, and Spaniels are high energy and need plenty of activity, but they’re generally easier than many other breeds to train.

– Large working breeds: Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, and Boxers tend to be territorial and protective. They need to be thoroughly socialized to keep them from becoming aggressive.

– Terriers: Jack Russell Terriers, Fox Terriers, Westies, and Schnauzers are high energy and bark a lot. They like to dig and jump, and can rarely be deterred from chasing small furry animals.

– Hounds: Beagles, Dachshunds, and Greyhounds follow scents or moving targets without regard to you, traffic, or anything else. They are independent and can be difficult to train.

– Northern breeds: Siberian Huskies and Malamutes are extremely high energy, independent, and notoriously difficult to train. They are great at sports like sled pulling but can become destructive without enough mental and physical challenge.

– Toy breeds: Chihuahuas, Shih Tzu, and Maltese tend to bark a lot and can be prone to shyness (as a protective mechanism caused by their diminutive size) or aggression when they’re unsocialized or overly protected. See Figure 3-2 for an example of a toy breed mix.

– Herding breeds: Border Collies, Shelties, and Australian Shepherds are highly intelligent and trainable. They need a challenging job and plenty of exercise, or they can become destructive. Some herding breeds tend to nip at heels to keep children, other pets, or anyone else in the herd.

Understanding the basics of temperament

– Extreme shyness: A dog with a good pet temperament doesn’t act fearful and refuse to let you touch her. Hiding, cowering, crying, and flinching at your touch are bad signs. Extremely shy dogs may live stressful lives, suffer from ill health, and never really bond with their owners. They can also bite out of fear.

– Aggression: A serious temperament flaw, aggression puts many dogs into the unadoptable category. Signs of aggression include teeth baring, growling, lunging, nipping, snapping, biting, and chasing. Aggression can be caused by extreme fear, an overdeveloped sense of dominance, a lack of trust for humans, past abuse, or a congenital bad temperament.

Warning!

Avoid any dogs who show signs of aggression toward children or small pets. If you do decide to adopt a dog who shows aggressive tendencies, be prepared to provide plenty of targeted training with the help of a professional who specializes in overcoming aggressive behavior problems. Don’t take on this type of project if you have children or if children frequently visit your house.

– Hyperactivity: Many dogs, especially puppies and adolescents, have high energy and require a lot of exercise and interaction. Such an energy level is normal. Dogs who are truly hyperactive usually are so high energy that they rarely calm down and are virtually uncontrollable. They have a hard time focusing on you, listening to you, or interacting with you even after you’ve spent several hours with them. Pet owners will have a hard time fulfilling their exercise needs or training them.

Tip

Discerning the difference between a high-energy dog and a hyperactive dog can be difficult at first. Some dogs are hyperactive in adolescence and calm down when they’re older, but you probably won’t be able to tell whether this situation will be true for your potential pet. Some breeds naturally are active, such as sporting dogs like Retrievers and Pointers and herding dogs like Border Collies and Shelties. Others got so little attention for so long that they simply are frantic to get any attention they can from you. Neither of these cases is a sign of a hyperactive temperament. So before you cross these dogs off your list, remember that many dogs just need a loving home, plenty of exercise, and some good old-fashioned attention.

Remember

These general observations can probably give you a basic sense of a dog’s temperament, but you also need to hear what shelter or rescue workers have observed about the dog you’re considering. They’ve probably interacted much longer and more intensively with the dog than you have and thus can offer you some good insights.

Go-getters, chill-outers, wait-and-seers

– The go-getters: These dogs are always on the move, always excited about the next new game, project, or travel opportunity. They relish the unfamiliar adventure. Go-getters love to hike, run, and play sports. Depending on the breed or breed combination, they enjoy engaging in high-energy dog sports like agility, flyball, canine freestyle, rally, dock jumping, earthdog, disk sports, water retrieving, tracking, and hunting tests. They’re active and energetic, great matches for people who lead active, physical, athletic lifestyles.

– The chill-outers: Although dogs tend to be at their most active as puppies and adolescents, some individual dogs are more laid back. Like some people, they tend not to get riled up. Instead, they’re typically adaptable and easygoing, and they prefer hanging out or cuddling with you on the couch to going for a 5-mile run. Sure, they need exercise and enjoy a rousing game of fetch the same as the next pooch, but they generally are less likely to run you ragged. This canine personality is perfect for the more sedentary, stay-at-home type of pet owner who wants a companion more than a four-legged dynamo who’s bouncing off the walls from boredom.

– The wait-and-seers: These dogs like to hang back a little until they’re sure about what’s going on. Rather than plunging into the next new event, they’re more hesitant. Whether pausing until they recognize something familiar or waiting for the go-ahead from their keeper, these dogs are more reserved. They don’t typically dash up to a stranger with tail wagging. They may wait patiently or even stiffen and be on guard until they’re more sure about the new person.

Guardian breeds, with their long history of serving as watchdogs to owner and property, especially tend to be wait-and-seers. Some toy dogs also react this way, perhaps out of a sense of self-preservation. (When you weigh 4 pounds, you have to be careful who you tangle with!) These cautious, reserved dogs make admirable and intelligent pets, and they’re excellent companions for people who can spend time with them because they typically bond closely to one or two people. If well socialized, they can be trusted to act appropriately when around people, without nipping or growling when someone friendly tries to approach you or them.

Remember

Regardless of the dog’s personality, look for a type of pet that you can deal with and relate to. Just as in human relationships, some personalities mesh well together; others clash. The dog-human team that meshes has a strong foundation for building a relationship.

Thinking about Health and Longevity

Tip

If you get your dog from a breeder, ask the ages of her oldest dogs. This information will give you an idea of how long you can expect yours to live.

Dogs never live long enough. Whenever we lose them, it’s always too soon. But knowing their life expectancy prepares us better for the inevitable. As a rule, most small breeds outlive larger ones (although teeny-tiny isn’t necessarily better); giants have the shortest life span. Within a breed, however, some lines can become canine centenarians.

• Small: Qualify as senior citizens at age 13 or 14
• Medium: Earn their AARC (retired canines) card at age 11
• Large: Usually slow down by age 10
• Giant: Often near retirement by age 7 or 8

Signs of a healthy dog

Bright eyes and bushy tails

– Bright eyes: Eyes really do need to be bright and clear, with no cloudiness or discharge. Dogs older than 5 or 6 years may have slight eye cloudiness caused by progressive hardening of the lenses; this cloudiness appears as a barely detectible blue in the pupils and eventually appears gray. Lens hardening is normal for older dogs, but milky, opaque lenses are a sign of cataracts that cause blindness and require expensive surgery. Some breeds —Poodles, Shih Tzu, Maltese, and other white or light-colored dogs — tend to have tear stains, which are not usually a sign of ill health; they can even be remedied with some special products. However, a thick, gooey discharge and redness or irritation in a dog’s eyes may be a sign of an eye infection that requires medication.

– Tight eyelids: Eyelids should fit tightly around the eye and not hang loose, except in the case of loose-skinned, droopy-faced dogs like Bloodhounds and Bassett Hounds. Some dogs have entropion, a genetic  condition in which the eyelid curls inward, irritating the cornea. A similar condition, called ectropion, causes the lower eyelid to curl outward, hanging and enabling debris to become trapped under the lid. These conditions are fixed with surgery, but they need to be addressed.

– Discharge-free noses: The dog’s nose should be free of any discharge, and the dog should not be wheezing or coughing. These symptoms can signal a respiratory infection or other problems. A cold, wet nose isn’t necessarily a barometer of good health — and a cold, wet, oozing nose is certainly not a sign of good health.

– Polished ivories: Take a look at those teeth. They should be white, clean, and mostly free of tartar buildup. If they aren’t, you need to do something about it. Clean teeth are important because dental bacteria can travel through the bloodstream, infecting the dog’s heart, causing heart disease, and decreasing life span. A vet can professionally clean teeth with a lot of tartar while the dog is under anesthesia. Generally, this procedure is safe, but anesthesia can be risky for some breeds and for older dogs (not as risky as letting periodontal disease progress). Dental cleaning also can get pricey.

– Clean, infection-free ears: Ear infections, usually caused by yeast or bacteria, are common in dogs, especially ones who have been wandering outside for extended periods and dogs with floppy ears. Even dogs with short, pricked ears can get ear infections because the ears are wide open to the introduction of bacteria. Another common ear problem is ear mites. Signs that a dog has an ear infection or mites include scratching, head shaking, and pawing at the ears. Ear infections must be treated by a vet but usually are easy to resolve.

Skin-tastic coats

– Patches of missing hair: Even small patches of missing hair can signal a skin infection that requires treatment. Large patches can indicate mange, caused by tiny skin mites.

– Signs of fleas: You may see tiny black specks — flea dirt — or the little brown hopping bugs themselves.

– Ticks: Ticks can be as tiny as pinheads or, when attached to the skin, can be swollen with blood to the size of acorns.

– Signs of mites: Mites are tiny black bugs — smaller than fleas — that you may not be able to see. Signs of mites include itching, ear irritation, red scaly patches, rashes, and hair loss. Demodex and Sarcoptic mites are microscopic. Cheylatella mites look like tiny white dander. You can see ear mites if you look closely down in the ear canal.

– Hot spots — red, itchy, inflamed, weeping wounds caused by excessive scratching: The most common cause of hot spots is allergic reaction to fleabites, food, or other environmental irritants, or an irritated or infected injury. Although they’re usually not serious, hot spots are uncomfortable for the dog and can be difficult to resolve because the dog will keep scratching and licking the wound.

– Dull, thin coat: A dull coat can signal diseased skin. Keep in mind, however, that this symptom also can be a sign of something as normal as a seasonal coat change or post-delivery hair loss (in some breeds, the female loses much of her coat after having a litter of puppies). If coat changes signal a serious disease, such as hypothyroidism, a veterinarian must treat it.

– Lumps or bumps in or underneath the skin: These afflictions may be cysts or tumors, either simple to remove or cancerous.

The rear view

Tip

If you see abnormal stool in the cage, tell the staff and ask how long the dog has been in the shelter. If he’s been there longer than a week, ask if a parasite check with a microscope has been done and if the dog has been dewormed.

The great big world: How the dog interacts

– Cowering or exhibiting extreme shyness, hesitation, or a reluctance to be touched

– Backing away, hiding, or avoiding people and other dogs

– Whining, whimpering, crying, or appearing agitated

– Scratching constantly

– Circling, pacing, panting, or displaying other nervous behavior

– Drooling excessively, especially accompanied by panting

– Growling, nipping, or showing other signs of aggression (No dog behaving aggressively should be offered for adoption, so alert shelter workers if you notice signs of aggression.)

Picking Your Perfect Puppy

Puppy

Before you bring home the puppy who’ll share your life, take a second to confirm that you’ve covered your bases. Be sure you’re dealing with a reputable source — a good shelter or a reputable breeder. You don’t want to fall in love with a puppy who has health and temperament problems. Before making your final choice, review these good-puppy criteria:

– Be sure you’re getting your puppy at the right age — between her 7-week and 8-week birthdays. Some breeders, especially ones with toy breeds, insist on holding their puppies longer because they’re small and delicate. That’s fine, but only if the breeder has continued to socialize the puppy with people. You want a puppy who can get along with other dogs, but you don’t want one who’s too dog oriented to bond well with you. Age is not as big a concern with a shelter puppy, who has probably been well handled by staff and volunteers.

– Look for a puppy who has been raised as a pet — in the kitchen, ideally. You want a puppy who has heard the normal sounds of living with people from the day she was born — talking, laughter, arguments, the TV, music, and the sound of the dishwasher. Health screenings and good breeding are very important, but so is socialization. Don’t buy a puppy from someone who has raised her in a kennel, barn, or basement. If you don’t know how the puppy has been raised, check out her temperament (see the upcoming “Puppy testing” section).

– Check for signs of good health. Your puppy should see a vet within 24 hours — make a health check a condition of adoption — but you probably can spot obvious signs of disease on your own. Your puppy should be plump and glossy, with eyes, nose, and ears free of any discharge. She should seem upbeat and happy, not listless.

Is a Christmas puppy a good idea?

Puppy

No. Sure, the image of a beribboned puppy and delighted children on Christmas morning is both endearing and enduring. But humane societies, trainers, veterinarians, and reputable breeders say that Christmas morning is just about the worst time to introduce a puppy to the family. To parents with camera at hand, the scene seems worth the trouble of an energetic ball of fluff rolling around on one of the year’s most hectic days, but it probably isn’t.

Sometimes a single pup is born to a mother who died in childbirth. Should you avoid such a puppy? That depends on the breeder. A knowledgeable breeder does his best to make up for shortcomings, taking over the role of the mother and, later, giving the puppy exposure to other dogs. Single puppies are often sent to be “adopted” by dogs with puppies close to the same age or are at least given the opportunity to socialize with other puppies after weaning.

Working with a breeder

Puppy testing

Puppy

Puppy-testing methods vary widely, but the general purpose of testing is the same. The goal is to determine the following:

– A puppy’s level of dominance: How bossy or shy is she? Although a lot of people are inclined to pick the boldest pup of a litter — because she seems to pick them — she’s probably not the best choice for most homes. She may be just the ticket for someone with a great deal of dog-training experience who intends to compete with the dog, but for an average home, a less dominant dog is a better choice. Avoiding the shyest, least dominant puppy (“because she needs us!”) is best, too.

– A puppy’s level of interest in people: Some puppies are more dog oriented or don’t care much about anything at all. A puppy who’s not curious and interested in people, perhaps because of little or no socialization, isn’t a good prospect as a pet. You want a pup who wants to be with you.

– A puppy’s trainability: The goal here is a puppy with the ability to concentrate — as much as any baby can — and absorb information. Avoid a puppy who is so busy bouncing off the walls that she can’t give you even a moment’s attention.

Tip

Take each of the puppies you’re thinking about to a safe, secure area away from littermates. Observe how the puppy reacts to the change — tentative exploration is okay, but beware the puppy who’s so terrified that she won’t move. Also look for how busy a puppy is: Playfulness is fine, but full-out go-go-go may be a little too much.

– Is she interested in people? Put the puppy down facing you. Walk a few steps away, bend over, and call to her. (Bending over makes you less intimidating.) If the puppy seems a little tentative, crouch and open your arms. You’re not ordering the pup — she doesn’t know what you want, after all. You’re trying to see how attracted she is to a nice person. So be nice. Call gently, click your tongue, rattle your keys. The medium puppy you want will probably trot over happily, perhaps after a slight hesitation. The bossy puppy may come over and nip at you, and the shy one may not move except to shiver in terror. The one who doesn’t care a bit about people may go investigate a bug in the corner of the room.

– Does she accept authority? Gently roll the puppy onto her back and hold her there with your hand. The medium pup you’re looking for will fuss a little, settle down, and maybe even lick your hand. Bossy pups usually keep struggling, and the shyest ones generally freeze in terror.

– How does she respond to praise and petting? Praise and petting are integral parts of training and communicating with your dog, so finding a puppy who wants affection enough to earn it is important. Talk to the puppy lovingly and stroke her, but let her decide whether she stays with you — don’t hold her. The medium puppy will probably lick your hands and be glad to stay with you. Rolling over is okay, and don’t be surprised if she urinates a little — called submissive urination, this gesture is kind of a canine compliment, a recognition that you’re top dog. A puppy who bites hard is probably dominant and unsocialized, and the one who wants nothing to do with you probably isn’t people oriented enough. Also stay away from the pup who’s terrified of being touched.

Bringing Home a Puppy

Puppy

The day your puppy comes home is a big step for both of you. He’s leaving his littermates and throwing his lot in with yours. You’re taking on the huge responsibility of raising a dog. You want the transition to be as smooth as possible, yet you want to make sure that from that very first day, you’re laying the groundwork for a wonderful life together. Repeat the following:

The name game

Puppy’s first night