Choosing the Right Puppy for You

by Trish King

Having a happy relationship with your dog means learning how to work together. If there´s a topic you´d like to see Trish cover, email editors@fetchthepaper.com.

If you’re thinking about acquiring a puppy, it’s a good idea to first take stock of your life to see whether you’re a good candidate for one of these furry dynamos. The most well-suited families meet at least most of the following criteria:

• The parent or caretaker is home much of the time (no workaholics allowed; pups can’t handle 8, 10 or 12 hours alone and certainly not without being lonely and destructive).
• The house has areas which can be barricaded or fenced off from other areas.
• Keeping your house clean is not your primary focus in life.
• Dirty socks and other attractive items are not scattered in various rooms.
• You’re not attached to your things in their current condition.
• You do not have white carpets.
• You have a lot of patience, and you don’t get angry easily.
• You understand that dogs do not speak nor understand English, Spanish, Swahili, or any other human language.
• You realize that puppyhood lasts longer than you want, and that adolescence lasts even longer.

By and large, tolerant puppies grow up to be tolerant dogs, and sensitive pups grow up to be sensitive dogs. If you have a growing human family you might want the former rather than the latter, no matter what the pup actually looks like. When you go puppy visiting try to see more than one puppy in both. In a shelter this is usually impossible, but it often is if you get a dog from a breeder or neighbor. In fact try to see the adults first so you know what you’re getting in for. If the guardian of the dam says she’s not really good with people, you might choose to check out another litter just to play it safe. Since you’re planning on the next 12 to 14 years with this dog, you may as well set yourself up for success.

In the best of worlds, the puppy has been handled since birth to help him bond with people. It’s even better if the pup has been exposed to all sorts of people including children and men (you’d be surprised how many dogs spook when they see a man, usually because they’ve been raised by women). Whether he has been or not, you should check him out as objectively as possible.

The best of tests

There have been lots of tests developed to predict the behavior of dogs, and none of them has been proven to be completely reliable. However until there is a proven test, you might consider taking him through a few quick moves to find his Friendliness Factor. Let’s assume you’re looking at shelter pups.

1. After the initial meeting, ask the shelter personnel to let you sit with the pup quietly in a room not familiar to the puppy. Let him explore and get used to your presence and smell. Then draw him to you and pet him quite a bit. Try to determine if he enjoys it. Abruptly stop petting him, and just observe his behavior. If he comes back for more, that’s good, especially if his whole body wiggles, and he pins his ears back. If he shakes you off and walks away, that’s not so good. Do it a couple of times to see if you can get him to like it. The puppy who walks away is not necessarily a bad puppy; he may just be independent. This characteristic tends to run in certain breeds or breed types; northern dogs (Huskies and Malamutes), for example, or sight hounds (Greyhounds, Salukis, Afghans). However, dogs don’t have to be a certain breed or breed type to be independent. By the way (for your list of criteria) independent dogs can be quite difficult to train.
2. Now hold him by the collar and restrain him gently. This isn’t supposed to hurt, just serves to hold him in place against his will. If he doesn’t have a collar on hold him with both your hands around his middle. If he’s small enough turn him on his back in your arms (as though he were a baby). If he doesn’t struggle, or does so only briefly, then looks at you questioningly or relaxes, that’s very good. If he tries like crazy to get away, or certainly if he throws a temper tantrum and bites at you, that’s that’s not so good. Try the holding tests a few times to see if he gets used to it or begins to like it.
3. And finally, let him relax again. Then when he’s investigating something other than you, clap your hands or make another sharp noise. If he turns to you and offers a submissive posture (begins to lower himself or curls and wags his tail low) or starts licking you, that’s great. If he startles and runs away, that’s not so good. If he ignores you, that’s not great either. And if by chance he growls at you, well maybe you should consider leaving that puppy for someone else.

A good family dog will want to be with you, wiggle and lower himself when he thinks he may have done wrong, and relax when you hold him close. There are, of course, other tests you can perform but these are the easiest, and they do help you get a handle on the puppy’s temperament. The most important thing for you as a potential parent is to withhold judgment until you’ve really observed the puppy. It’s just so easy to get hooked on the idea that this is your dog just because he’s available now.

One final thought. Many people want a small dog because of space constraints in their home or because their kids want a little dog. You should realize that many small dogs aren’t suitable for a family just because they are small. They feel vulnerable, and often learn to growl or bark to keep people from stepping on them. As an experiment try spending half an hour with your head on the floor looking up and you’ll begin to understand. So if a small dog is what you want, be very careful during the choosing process, and you will have a very good chance at getting the perfect puppy for you and your family.