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10 Tips For The New Dog Owner

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 24, 2009

1. Deciding what kind of dog to get is as important as deciding whether to get a dog in the first place. Whether mixed or purebred, there are benefits to understanding your breed. Knowing what the dog was originally bred to do can determine how to structure life with it. For example, a herding dog will herd children if it doesn't have livestock, terriers will dig, and companion dogs don't like to be left alone.

2. You are going to be living with this dog for a long time. We often say, "You can't choose your family." Guess what? This is one time that you can choose. This is a family member. Make a checklist of the characteristics you are looking for.

3. Enroll your new family member in a puppy kindergarten class or basic behavioral training class. Temperament is inherited, but it can be modified or enhanced by the environment.

4. Consistency, consistency, consistency; it cannot be said enough. The more consistently structured you make the dog's daily routine, the more efficiently your new family member will adapt to his new life. Use the same door when taking your dog outside for potty breaks. Feed at the same time each day. Keep a consistent bedtime. A dog on a routine grows into a secure adult. You can be boring with dogs — do the same old things every time — they love it.

5. In general, there is no significant, consistent difference in temperament between male and female dogs. Most of the minor differences can be eliminated by spaying and neutering your pet.

6. All dogs need to be groomed regularly to stay healthy and clean. Long-coated dogs are beautiful to look at but require a lot of effort to stay that way. Short-coated dogs are easier to care for but may shed profusely. Decide how much dog hair you are willing to put up with, and how much time and energy you can afford, when you are deciding which breed is right for you.

7. Consider setting up a puppy-safe zone, a small, safe area in what you would consider an action center of your home. Kitchens often are a great place for a puppy-safe zone. You can use a baby gate to separate the area from the rest of the house. Keep water, toys, bed and wee pad there.

8. When you bring your new puppy or dog home, hand feed your new companion for the first week. It will strengthen and hasten the bonding process as well as establish pack order. A dog should be submissive to all the human members of your family, including children.

9. Always remember these three rules: Train your puppy with joy, not anger. Positive reinforcement is better than punishment. Love your puppy unconditionally.

10. Toddlers and puppies/small dogs have much in common, but the two must carefully mix. It isn't wise to allow toddlers and young children to play with puppies unsupervised. They can inadvertently step on puppies, causing arthritis and/or orthopedic problems in the pet's future. Allow young children to play with the puppy only when sitting down.

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