Happy WuV
Kait Wilson and her Maltese-Poodle mix, Lupa.
Grimwood, owner of a private dog shelter in Manhattan also emphasizes the importance of researching breeds before becoming an owner. She recommends using the Internet, reading books and talking to people who have the kind of dog you want. Grimwood says it is also very beneficial to spend time with a dog of that breed.
"You may think a Great Dane is awesome until he knocks you down." Grimwood says.
"You have be around the dog a bit to know if being knocked down is something you're okay with."
After a girl in one of his classes asked him if he wanted to adopt her Dachshund, Jason Cook, Dodge City senior, researched the breed online to learn more about it.
"She was just kind of like,'Hey, you want a Dachshund?' And I was like,'I don't know. Let me find out," he says. The girl chose to give up the dog because her apartment did not allow pets, and Cook wanted to make sure that he could handle having a Dachshound around. At the end of his reading and having asked his classmate several questions about the dog, he chose to welcome Jackson, a Dachshund-terrier mix as it turned
out, into his home. He says he is very happy with his choice. Jackson's laid-back personality and twinges of mischief make him the perfect companion for Cook, he says.
Rost, Base and Grimwood all recommend smaller and older dogs for college
Rost advises checking the shelters first to find the dog you want. She says a lot of great dogs are sitting in shelters, and it's extremely rewarding to adopt one. Shelters are also the best places to find the older dogs that will better suit college students' schedules, Rost says.
students. These dogs require less space, time and money. Also, older dogs tend to be calmer, need significantly less training and can be left alone more easily.
Pet stores are not the best places to buy dogs, Base says.
"Puppies get treated like cattle at those stores," Base says. If you have a specific breed in mind, Base suggests looking at rescue groups. Many organizations exist for
the sole purpose of rescuing one breed of dog from poor living conditions and placing those dogs in new, happy
dogs in new, happy homes,she says. For example, Grey Hound Rescue takes many Grey Hounds when they are no longer considered useful in races and finds new families for them.A large advantage to selecting
A bad match
If you can't find the right dog through these avenues or are set on buying a certain pint-sized fuzzy puppy, Rost suggests going to a breeder. But, Rost says, you need to beware of breeders who are only in it for the money. She says it's best to stick with people who raise just one or two breeds and have all their dogs in clean, comfortable and safe conditions. This will reduce your risk of buying a sick puppy.
from a rescue group. Base says, is that these dogs usually have all their shots and have been trained well by previous owners or by the rescue group.
What if you buy your dog, prepare everything, follow all the guidelines, and you're just not happy with the dog? What should you do then?
Base says that the first thing you should do is locate the center of the problem:What are you unhappy with? Personality, behavior; bad habits? Then, Base says, ask yourself if this is a problem that can be solved with a little work.She recommends enrolling the dog in obedience school or taking the dog to a trainer.A few sessions or weeks later,you might have a totally different dog, she says. She says you need to know if your problem lies within training or breeding.Also, Base says, simply spending more time with your dog might make a difference.
"Sometimes, they're just pissed that you're gone all the time, and they're stuck bored in that house," she says. "So they entertain themselves: 'That rug looks fun to tear up. That couch leg would be fun to chew on.'"
If after several attempts to fix the problem you are still at odds with your dog, Base says the best place to go is a rescue group for the breed. The group will be willing to take the dog and find it another home. That way, Base says, the dog won't end up at the pound, the last place any dog wants to be.
Bottom line:You have to do lots of thinking, talking and reading before you get a dog. You have to find out which dog would be well-suited to your house, your personality, your schedule and your activity level. Be prepared to spend some cash and shower attention on your new companion.Then,look around at a few shelters or rescue groups.A good friend might be waiting for you there.All these things will aid you in discovering possibly the best and softest buddy you will ever have.