Dogs

Dogs are very social animals. In their natural state, they live in groups or packs with one or two leaders. In the litter, the mother is the leader. She nurtures, teaches and disciplines. The alpha dog is the leader of the pack and is responsible for the survival of the pack. Dogs use an amazing vocabulary of body language to communicate.

How does this apply to our pets?

The human family is the dog’s pack. This means your dog will look to you or someone in your family for leadership and nurturing, a mother figure and an alpha figure. If you don’t provide leadership, he will choose a leader. He may even appoint himself. It’s in your best interest to establish yourself and other family members as the pack leader because most dogs are more comfortable being lead; humans tend to dislike leader-like behaviour from their pets, and dogs don’t follow instructions unless they come from the leader.

Because dogs live in pack situations, it is also very difficult for them to be left alone. An important factor to consider when deciding whether or not to get a dog. Lonely dogs often develop behaviour problems like barking and separation anxiety. We can help with training and behaviour issues but it helps if you have considered these situations before getting a dog.

Time

Dogs require a lot of attention and care. Not only the grooming, nail trimming and daily supply of food and water, but regular exercise. Letting the dog out in the backyard does not qualify as exercise! Some breeds of dogs, like border collies and dalmatians, need more exercise than other breeds, such as Newfoundlands or rottweilers.

Time is also required to train your dog. Dogs don’t come programmed to know what appropriate behaviour means to humans. They only know how to be a dog. Obedience classes are the best way to teach your dog to be well-behaved. And the time requirements don’t end when you’ve finished class. It is important to continue working with your dog to maintain good behaviour and socialization.

If you are often away from home for extended periods of time, a dog is likely not your best choice for a pet.

Home

Dogs need more living space than cats. It is important that you have access to a fenced backyard and a suitable exercise area before getting a dog.

Some dogs can be noisier than others. This is a consideration when you have close neighbours. Many apartment building do not allow dogs and it is unfair to a dog and to other tenants to try to hide a dog in such an apartment.

Types

Puppies can be great fun and many people enjoy raising them, but be prepared to go through all of the puppy behaviours like jumping on inappropriate objects and people, mouthing, scratching, rough play and house-training. You should not acquire a puppy that is younger than eight weeks of age. Puppies that young have not learned adequate socializing and manners from their mother and littermates and this could be problematic as they mature. It is also extremely important to socialize a puppy with people at a young age. Puppies without this interaction before they are 14 weeks old can become fearful or aggressive around humans. Young children should never be left alone with a puppy or a dog.

It is a common misconception that an older dog can’t adapt to a new home. It happens every day with our adopters! Many adult adopted dogs are victims of circumstances, such as allergies and no-pet housing. Many owners surrendering their pets also provide details about the dog’s history to help out potential adopters. A new owner may have to work harder to establish a solid bond with a mature dog if it is abandoned or was mistreated in the past. A good obedience class will help.

Many people are devoted to a particular gender of dog. This is simply individual preference. Male dogs tend to be bigger than females of the same breed and will also mark their territory by urinating on various objects. We firmly believe that all dogs should be spayed or neutered. Examination of the gender issue should be done in conjunction with breed research.

Besides being different in appearance and size, each breed of dog has different personality traits and care requirements. Remember that dogs were bred to perform certain tasks, therefore they do have some instincts that determine their behaviour. There is simply too much information available regarding breeds of dogs to fit on these pages. There are also variables. For example, common traits of a breed may not be present in every dog of that breed. Some dogs may be more dominant or submissive than others, or perhaps more excitable or fearful than others of the same breed or litter.

We encourage everyone to examine their lifestyle and habits, to be realistic and to research the many resources and links available. Feel free to visit our shelter and discuss your lifestyle and expectations with our adoption counsellors. We are here to help you find the right match.