| Watching The Westminster Dog Show had me | | | | easily distracted and may be less likely to tune into |
| thinking about various breeds and the many reasons | | | | you during training than a retriever. |
| people get a dog in the first place. I'm paraphrasing | | | | 3. What's your idea of exercise? Do you run every |
| something that Jon Katz the author of Katz on Dogs | | | | morning at 5am and wind down after work with a |
| wrote, "people will shop around, test drive and read | | | | brisk walk or activity? Do your research, some |
| all the stats and figures before they buy a large | | | | breeds need lots of exercise every day (Labs come |
| screen TV or new car, but they tend to buy or | | | | to mind) but others are pretty happy with a few |
| adopt a puppy on a whim." | | | | short forays out to the sunshine and prefer to spend |
| Yep, I've done it too. Just before my senior year of | | | | time lounging. (Bulldogs can be like this). |
| high school I was driving through a nicely manicured | | | | 4. How much do you prize cleanliness? No matter |
| neighborhood on a cool summer evening and stopped | | | | how you try to avoid it, dogs are going to add more |
| in front of a house with a sign that said "Free | | | | work to your cleaning routine. Even short-haired |
| Puppies." I was enthralled with all the little balls of | | | | breeds shed, and all dogs have paws that track in |
| energy that were scattered around the backyard | | | | mud, dirt, and snow. And, I've yet to meet a dog |
| and I did what so many humans are prone to do - | | | | that doesn't enjoy a good roll in whatever is most |
| took the one that "picked me by running straight to | | | | stinky along his walk! |
| me and pushing the others out of the way. | | | | 5. When and how will you train your dog? Remember, |
| While I made a number of mistakes in that | | | | even if you're okay with your dog jumping up in |
| relationship with Sparky, it taught me a number of | | | | greeting, or refusing to come when called, your |
| lessons about finding and living with a dog. Bringing a | | | | neighbors probably aren't okay with it. Dogs get |
| dog home is not something to be entered into lightly. | | | | banned from public spaces because humans who |
| Most of us know that on an intellectual level, but | | | | own them don't teach them basic manners. Be sure |
| somehow, we can lose our guard when the 'cutest | | | | to do your research now on training techniques and |
| puppy in the world' is pawing at our leg; jumping up | | | | methodologies. Investigate different classes and |
| to kiss us; or putting their head in our laps. | | | | interview trainers prior to bringing your dog home. |
| Here's a short and sweet guide to finding the right | | | | While you're Uncle Bill is willing to share the unique |
| dog for you and your family: | | | | methods he used when training his spaniel Cokey, his |
| 1. Why do you want a dog? No really. It's not just | | | | methods may not be the best for you and your new |
| for the kids, it's not because you want something to | | | | companion. By doing your homework before you |
| guard the house, is it? You may really want a dog | | | | bring your dog home you'll have your eyes wide |
| because you want a companion, someone or | | | | open to what the process is likely to entail. |
| something to love, a way to fix a relationship from | | | | These are just a handful of points to ponder before |
| your past, or some combination of all of the above. | | | | bringing a dog into your home. There are a number |
| Your emotions are going to be tied to the dog you | | | | of organizations that will walk you through the |
| bring home (just like any other family member). | | | | process of finding the right dog for you ( as well as |
| However, your dog is not really going to be a little | | | | Peggie's Pets Services). |
| kid in fur. They are definitely not human. While they | | | | Be sure to do your homework before you fall in love |
| really seem to intuit what you're saying when you're | | | | with this year's Westminster winner (Rufus, the Bull |
| feeling down, angry or sentimental, they really can't | | | | Terrier) and decide you have to have one. |
| 'fix things.' Nor should they be expected to. They are | | | | Whether you decide to find a breeder or adopt from |
| hard-wired to tune-in to you for food, fun and | | | | a local rescue group or shelter, there are many more |
| discipline, but they can't bring your ex back, nor can | | | | questions to go over. You'll also want to be prepared |
| they fix a bad relationship. | | | | with questions for the breeder or shelter. My goal is |
| 2. What type of personality do you have? If you | | | | that any dog you bring home has an easy transition |
| have tons of patience (like a saint) you may find it | | | | to your household and together you enjoy a dozen |
| rewarding to share your home with a beagle or a | | | | or more years of companionship, love and mutual |
| terrier. These dogs are very smart, but also very | | | | admiration. |