People tend to have the mistaken belief that domestic dogs (and cats) are perfectly capable of existing instinctively in the wild. Well let me tell you they are not.
Part of the training that wild animals receive from their parents/herds/packs has to do with hunting and obtaining/stalking prey. They don’t get that training from their humans. What they DO learn, however, is that man is essentially harmless, so if they DO happen to survive litter, they are more likely to invade our turf and dumpsters. Dog packs that are not afraid of man are far more dangerous than wolf packs that tend to avoid mankind.
Most dogs that are taken to the field and dumped are either because the owner got tired of dealing with an untrained dog, or they are from litters of unwanted puppies. Both reasons come from the ignorance of humans.
It is up to you, when you go to the pet store and see those beloved puppies, to be prepared to train the dog to fit your lifestyle. You must take into account, for example, that the young puppy needs to go outside frequently. They get their teeth between four and six months of age and during that time they are voracious chewers of anything.
If I sound angry, it is because people, when making the decision to adopt or buy a dog, should do so with the same care as they would adopt a child. Only this one won’t be going to college in the not too distant future. Nor, as a general rule, will he eventually get a job to help support himself.
What might be cute on an eight-pound pup may not necessarily be acceptable on a 50-pound dog. Jumping on people, chewing on hands or clothes, nipping at heels are all behaviors that need to be nipped in the bud.
Here are some basic property rules:
Think about the purchase/adoption before proceeding with it.
Buy the right crate for your dog and teach him how to use it.
Plan to spend time each day with the dog.
Set rules for the adult dog that you will teach him when he is a puppy.
Have the dog spayed/neutered if it will not be a show dog or a working dog.
Study training books or plan to attend training classes with the dog.
Get plenty of chew toys for the puppy and teach him how to use them.
Some don’t:
DO NOT succumb to adorable puppies on impulse.
DO NOT assume that if it doesn’t work, you can leave the dog in the field and it will survive.
DO NOT make the mistake of thinking that the puppy will not chew on your things. He will, unless you teach him otherwise.
DO NOT allow the puppy to do things that you would not allow an adult dog to do.
Actually, that last one brings another thought to mind. If you don’t want to deal with the teething chewing and “accidents” of a busy puppy, you might consider getting a senior dog instead of a puppy. Dogs older than six months have pretty well finished the teething that leads them to chew so much, although they still retain that drive. Getting bones and sturdy chew toys and making sure the dog chews on them instead of your shoes or furniture will satisfy him.
Also, if you have an older dog, house training is much quicker than with a puppy, as a general rule. Some of this depends on where you get the dog. With an older dog, you do have to watch him a bit, but if you’re consistent about taking the dog outside early on (which works with puppies, but takes a little longer as they actually have poor bowel or bladder control up to 3-4 months old), through the same door and encourage him in some indication that you can understand as a “sign”, then things should be fixed pretty quickly.
Neutering or spaying a dog that is not of breed improvement quality will alleviate the problem of unwanted puppies. And for those who want to raise their bitch (bitch) for “educational” purposes (“We want children to see the miracle of life”), I say, do not be fools. That may sound harsh, but consider this. If you raise your female and she has twelve cubs, what are you going to do with them, if you can’t find a home for all of them?
Smaller breeds tend to have smaller litters, it’s true, but some of them also have a much harder time giving birth. That little teacup poodle is likely to have a much harder time giving birth to puppies than a larger Terrier type or Lab cross. Also, if you can’t find materials in the library or on the Internet to educate your children, you’re not trying hard enough.
In any case, use your brain before your heart (or the kids) tempts you to get that pup. It will be much better for you and the puppy.