If you’re thinking of welcoming a dog home you’ll be really mindful of the one you choose to join your family. You want to do the best thing for the dog. There are a lot of different elements when thinking about welcoming a dog: allergies any family members may have, grooming costs, health challenges, breed specific traits, energy levels the size of your home and access to the outside are all important elements.  Thinking all of this through will help you make the right decision for your family, and for the dog too. Sometimes dogs who come into homes aren’t the right fit for the family – it’s not that they are bad dogs.

THE BENEFITS OF WELCOMING A DOG HOME

A dog can provide companionship, a sense of responsibility and mental health benefits. However it is a huge commitment and there are elements such as behavioural traits and life stages such as teething, lack of sleep that are important too.

THE BREEDER/RESCUE CENTRE : QUESTIONS TO ASK

Choosing a reputable breeder and rescue centre is really important. The right one will be asking you lots of questions such as how long the dog will be left, if you have a fenced in garden, if you have other pets, your current family as well as any disabilities, make you aware of the responsibilities of a puppy, the budget such as vets, trainers, grooming, feeding, insurance, flea and worm treatment and the activities you plan to do with your puppy. Also the effects that hormones can have on behaviour.

Some of the questions you should ask are below (some may not be known by a rescue centre)

Health

Current vaccination status

Health challenges of the mother

If the mother had caesarean section

If they have been screened for breed specific challenges

Rearing

Has the puppy been raised in a home environment? This means they will have experienced hoovers, tv and different noises,

Has the puppy experienced handling from different people.

Have they been in the car.

What about if things don’t work out?

While it’s not nice to think about, if the circumstances changed would the breeder/rescue centre take the dog back?

WHAT SHOULD I THINK ABOUT WHEN CHOOSING A PUPPY?

Look at their interactions are they shy and fearful? Are they bouncing around and full of intense energy? Think about how both of these aspects will fit into your life and if you can devote the time and energy to training and provide a right home for them. While a dog can be trained temperament is something that is inherent. If you welcome home an older dog you avoid the nipping and toilet training stage. Though there may be other elements you need to work on such as recall.

St Paws Training Academy can help you find the right family member for you. If you want to speak to Lisa, please reach out.