Rescue or Breeder? Pet Dog or Working Dog?
Ru’s top tips from Be at One Behavioural Dog Training
What to do? What to do? What to do?
Dogs are the best.
Firstly, I would just like to say that dogs are the best. They are worth every minute of the time you give them and every penny that you need to commit to them. This is not an attempt to put anyone off getting a dog. They give so much and ask for so little. But because they are so great, they deserve an owner that has considered everything before you rush into the decision and get one. This is a 7–18-year commitment, depending on the breed. Think wisely.
Ru’s top 3 tips to consider.
· Finances – The dog will need financing for the rest of its life!
· Time – What time can you afford to dedicate to the dog, compared to what time the dog needs.
· Considering the above 2 points, what breed fits within your monthly budget, and how much time does that dog need, both physically and mentally.
What breed is for you?
One thing for sure, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to resist adopting or buying the first furball your eyes meet. It is so easy to get lost in that magical moment! So, before you get face to face with any dog, do some research! If you don’t do this, it is likely your heart will lead instead of your brain. Trust me, we have all been there! (Me included). Before you get in the room with all of them puppies and get hypnotised by that new puppy smell, or before you get in that building that is housing all of these pre-loved dogs who need their new forever home, it is a very good idea to sit down and think about what you want from a dog, and then what you think you can give to a dog. When choosing a breed, behavioural traits are more important than looks. Do you live an active lifestyle and want a dog to be a part of this? Do you want to be able to take your dog out on long walks, jogs, or runs? Do you want a dog that you’re able to go on hikes, or bike rides with? If the answer is yes, a miniature dachshund, a Great Dane, or an English Mastiff are probably not for you, those breeds are no marathon partners! If you’re looking for adventure, maybe a dog that is slightly more athletic, like a Vizsla or Border Collie is the one for you! I have noticed that certain Mastiff breeds have become very popular since COVID struck us, especially the Cane Corso. Unfortunately, I am also noticing that there is a surge in the amount of Mastiff breeds going into rescue. (My Mastiff is from rescue). The Mastiff breed is MAGNIFICENT, to say the very least. They are good looking, they are powerful, they are reserved, require physically lower maintenance then many other breeds, the list of great things about them goes on. However, if they fall into the wrong hands, things can go extremely wrong. These are born guard dogs with a very high prey drive. If you do not have a Mastiff that listens to you and understands the rules, things can get dangerous. These breeds are rarely given a 2nd chance in society. They are dogs that are heavily scrutinised if they put one paw out of line. In the worst-case scenario, the dog can be put down and you can be prosecuted. Contact a reputable trainer for a pre puppy / pre rescue consultation to support you to prepare for a dog that you have limited / no experience with.
Ru’s top 3 tips to consider.
· Do you live an active lifestyle?
· What are your work commitments?
· How much time can you commit to puppy training?
Rescue Adult or Pedigree Puppy?
There are many advantages of both adopting a dog and buying a dog. Adopting an older dog allows some perks such as a dog that is likely to already be house trained, you will be aware of the dogs size as it will likely be an adult or at least nearly an adult. This means you can assess more accurately if you realistically have the space for it. It is likely that whoever is housing the dog while it is waiting for adoption would have had the time to assess the dog and may have a good idea of what kind of home that dog needs.
When you buy a pedigree, you’ll have access to a family history. Additionally, you’ll be able to visit the parents of the litter. This means you should be able to get a good understanding of the dogs potential temperament, size, breed specific behaviour, and you should be able to gage what breed fulfilment activities you’ll need to cater to. This information will allow you to be able to correctly assess if you are able to take on this breed.
Now, having access to this information (from the rescue or the breeder) doesn’t mean that things still can’t go wrong. This is something you also need to consider. What happens if something goes wrong? Can you afford a trainer? Unfortunately, you can’t control the world, and because of this, there may be a time where something does go wrong. This can be that your dog is attacked by a Yorkshire Terrier, and now your dog is petrified of dogs that look like this. Your dog may be startled by a back firing motorbike, and now your dog is petrified of loud bangs. You get the point? Some breeders will have trainers that they recommend you use if needed or wanted. If not, do some ground research. Or ask us now. (Click the contact me link)
Allergies
Do you, or anyone who is going to be living with this new dog have allergies? If so, you should research dog breeds that are less allergenic, like a Bichon Frise for example. There are enough dogs in rescue because the owners later realise that they have allergies. You don’t need to add to this!
Ru’s top 3 tips to consider.
· Do you or your children have any allergies?
· Are you planning to have children soon? Children can be born with allergies, so could potentially be allergic to your existing pet once the child arrives.
· Research reputable breeders who are known for successfully breeding dogs with less allergens.
Is getting a dog realistic for you?
Getting a dog, puppy, adult, pedigree, or rescue is not a decision you should make light heartedly. A dog is a very big commitment. They are a financial liability, they are time consuming, and they are constant. Having a dog is not something you can just now and then commit too. Once they are in your home they need training, feeding, vet trips, physical exercise, mental stimulation and so on. You no longer can just up and go away for the weekend without having to plan a pet sitter, or research if the dog can come with you.
Ru’s top 3 tips to consider.
· Do you want a dog that is already toilet trained?
· Do you want a puppy that you can teach all the basic training needs to?
· Do you have some handling experience with dogs which may mean you are capable of taking on a dog with behavioural issues?
Time
Do you have the time? What is your working pattern? Are you out a lot? Do you work from home? You may need to hire a dog walker to relieve some of the exercise responsibility if you are working all day. Especially during the toilet training period. A tiny bladder may struggle to hold their pee in, so they'll need that respite. It is probably a good idea to take time off work when you get a new dog (maybe a week or two). This is so you can begin to build your bond, create a nice relationship, set a routine, set some boundaries, and get on with that never ending training! After you take this time off work, remember you will have to return to work. When you return, are you able to still commit to the breed specific needs, the energy levels, and to continue with that training that the dog will need to keep it on the right path. Think about how you are going to structure your days so you can do what needs to be done with your new pooch.
Ru’s top 3 tips to consider.
· What breed do you want and what are the breed fulfilment needs for that dog? Remember, there are finer details to consider such as grooming time. A long coat will require more attention. Especially in the rain and mud!
· Does the dog have existing behavioural or medical issues, and can you commit to tending those the needs?
· Pet dog or working dog? Think carefully about this one. A dog from a working blood line will require more time!
Finances
Again, dogs are the best. They are worth every minute of the time you give them, and every penny that you need to commit to them. This is not an attempt to put anyone off getting a dog. They give so much and ask for so little. Getting a dog is getting a fantastic companion, it is having loyalty, great company, and lots of fun! They can really bring the best out of us as humans and can be amazing for mental health and making us feel that we have a purpose. For me, I am lost without a dog. When my last dog passed away, I was an owner without a dog. My identity wasn’t complete. But I’d be lying if I said that it isn’t hard. Having a dog is a lifestyle change that impacts your purse strings and wallets.
Ru’s top 3 tips to consider.
· Are you stable in your employment?
· What is a realistic budget you have for the dog? They are a monthly expense.
· There may be a time where you require behavioural support from a trainer, or an unexpected emergency vet bill. Do you have rainy day funds?
Insurance
It is a very good idea to have pet insurance. This is a monthly expense and can range in price. It depends on what kind of cover you want. My insurance costs me £25 a month. Make sure you read the fine print. How much does this company pay out when an accident occurs, how much will they pay for illness and how long will they cover that illness for. If your dog developed a lifelong illness, does your insurance cover it, or do they just cover you for that year? What is the policies excess cost, and can you afford that in a time of immediate need? Remember, insurance pay you back after you have already paid the vet bill. Can you afford to live without that £1000 until the insurance company pay you back? I am speaking from experience here.
There are also things that insurances don’t cover such as dental, vaccinations, neutering, microchipping, the list goes on. The prices of these things vary from vet to vet and also depending on your dog size. For example, my Staffy cost about £200 to neuter, my Mastiff cost over £400.
Ru’s top 3 tips to consider.
· How much excess can you realistically afford?
· Do you want your policy to be yearly, or do you want a policy that will pay be for a lifetime? The lifetime policies tend to be more expensive, however, if your dog develops a lifetime illness, it could save a lot of money.
· If you get a dog from rescue, it is likely they will come neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, and with a month’s insurance. This is a big money saver!
· What ever insurance you go with, READ THE FINE PRINT IN THE POLICY WORDING!
Food
A decent diet doesn’t come cheap. The saying you pay peanuts, and you get monkeys could never be more real! When getting your dog, do some research in to what food is most suitable, and work out how much roughly you will need of that food monthly. You can then guestimate a price that this will cost. This will depend on your dogs size. My dog costs me about £80 a month, she is considered a giant breed. Again, this is a lifelong expense, your dog will always need to eat, everyday! I personally choose BURNS for my dogs food (about £40 for a 12kg bag depending on where you buy it). It is a food that works well for my dog, she has healthy poos (great), it has the perfect amount of protein for pet dogs (17-19%) and best of all, it is a very ethical company. I take great satisfaction knowing I am feeding my dog something that has no hidden nasties. Many foods contain things that are toxic to dogs such as citrus (very toxic to dogs) and wheat. Dogs are wheat intolerant, so why is it in dog foods? There are other common nasties in most dog foods such has antifreeze and sawdust.
Ru’s top 3 tips to consider.
· If your dog is a pet dog, and not a working dog, it is extremely important that you consider the protein levels in the dogs food. A diet too high in protein can cause frustration, over arousal and anxiety.
· Can you afford this food for the rest of this dogs life?
· Is this company ethical, or are there hidden nasty’s in the dogs food that can create and sustain health issues.
Bedding, coats, collar, toys
Doggie essentials ^ The good thing is, when your dog is an adult, it is unlikely that you’ll need to replace these things. If they are looked after, you should be able to keep these things for the rest of their life. However, it is an initial expense to be considered.
Me and my dog^
Trainer
Do you want a trainer, or will you need a trainer? A decent trainer isn’t likely to come cheap. However, if you pick a decent trainer, and if you follow the trainer’s direction, you shouldn’t need to see them for a long period of time. I aim to have 1 off appointments with my customers and this so far has been enough.
There are endless benefits to hiring a professional to help with yours and your dogs needs.
Unfortunately, behavioural difficulties is the reason why many dogs are given to rescue centers. It is important to remember that just because you have given the dog away, it doesn't meet the behavioural concerns disappear. They will have these difficulties until someone correctly addresses them. Be ready to get professional help for your dog if needed. You can learn great skills that you might be able to transfer to your future dogs if they exhibit similar behaviours. You could learn life long lessons.
Ru’s top 3 tips to consider.
· Hire a trainer that works holistically, not one who claims that they will just target one problem. Most, if not all of the time, there will be behaviours that are feeding into other behaviours. This means it is difficult to target one specific issue.
· When speaking with your potential trainer, remember, if they say something that doesn't make sense, then it probably wont work.
· Go for a trainer that aims to address the behavioural concerns, and not just manage them. For example, if you tell your trainer that your dog barks out the window, and the trainer advises that you should close the curtains, this isn't addressing the behavioural concern, this is asking you to unrealistically manage it.
Dog walker/ Dog boarding.
Do you need a dog walker? Some people work for longer hours in the day. If this is you, do you have someone you can trust to let your dog out in the garden, or walk your dog for you? Do you have someone who will look after your dog when you go on holiday, or do you need to pay for dog boarding? These are things you should discuss with your friends and family. It is also worthwhile getting prices for local walkers and boarders. Make sure you check out their reviews before you hire someone who may not have your dog’s best interest at heart. some walkers do this because they think it is easy money. I interviewed 4 different dog walkers before finding who was perfect for me and my dog. If you are paying for a service, make she you get what you want for your dog.
In summary
What every you decide, do your research. When you have an idea of what it is you want, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us either before you get the dog, or when you get your dog. It’ll be cheaper to prevent a problem then to try and solve a problem once it has presented itself.
We can help you put your paws in the right direction.
GOOD LUCK
Be At One Behavioural Dog Training
Helping you to communicate with your dog and uncover your dog’s better character, so that you can Be at One
I am part of a fabulous blog circle with other dog trainers. Each blog in the circle links to the next so you can read what each of them has to say about using rewards in training.
So next in the circle is –
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