Will this be the year that you add a dog to your Franklin family portrait? There are some important considerations as you decide “if” and “which.”
Should my family get a puppy or an adult dog? (Part 4)
When you bring an adult dog into your family, it brings its own sets of quirks. However, you CAN teach and old dog new tricks…but you DO have to teach!
On the other hand, all puppies come with little or no discipline, so UNDOUBTEDLY you will need to invest training time. Good or bad, the training you give a puppy will be reflected through the entirety of the dog’s life.
Many adult dogs who already have good social skills are needing homes. A senior citizen or a busy young family should consider the positives of a “grown-up” pet.
Those who have decided to get a puppy should not rush the process. Important social skills are learned within the pack. It is for that reason that breeders require that puppies reach the age of anywhere from 9-16 weeks or more before leaving their mothers and littermates.
There are real challenges during the puppy stage and on into adolescence (possibly the 2nd year of the dog’s life). Especially if spare time is at a premium, event the cutest puppy can try your patience with messes, chewing and undeveloped social skills.
But they are awfully cute.
When Your Franklin Dog Stays Behind (Part 3)
Is Jersey wondering when owner Brooklyn Lowery will get back?
Whether it’s for a lengthy family vacation, a quick trip to see the grandkids, a weekend to visit your college student or an emergency trip somewhere, along with packing a suitcase you’ll have to think about the dog.
How fortunate if your neighbors are willing to take care of your dog, stopping in at your house or hosting your pet in their home. If that feels like an imposition, there are services that will make home visits to attend to your pet. Just be ready…upon arriving home you may find that your lonely, anxious pet has gotten into mischief in ways that seem out of character.
Of course, there is the option of finding a boarding facility with which you are comfortable. At any rate, there is the additional expense to consider, and an additional detail when you’re trying to get out of town.
Dog ownership does bring responsibility….but so many rewards!
What dog is a good “fit” for your house and yard? (Part 2)
Before you get your heart set on a particular size or breed of dog, consider how your future Franklin Fido will “fit” into your house and yard.
Behind many, many behavior problems is a dog with energy to burn and no opportunity to burn it. Breeds most often were developed to fit a particular need. Consider the original purpose behind a breed, be it a terrier, hunter, herder or hauler.
Randy's Pack
speaking with someone especially involved with a particular breed, input from someone familiar with a wide variety of dogs is helpful. An energetic representative of a typically sedentary breed might still be calmer than a breed that is inherently active.
Size can be deceiving. Among small and large alike, there are breeds that are low- and high-energy.
A conversation about this would be a great way to connect with one of our Franklin vets even before you get a dog. Additionally, conformation dog shows (e.g., The Country Music Cluster in late winter/early spring in Franklin) are a great place to become more aware of various breeds.
Reading about and meeting a variety of breed is equally important for prospective mixed breed owners. Physical traits are a clue to the breeds behind a particular dog, and other traits of those breeds will show up as well.
Your life as an owner can hinge on providing an outlet for your dog’s energy. Pre-determine how you are going to meet your dog’s need for exercise. If you don’t have an ample fenced-in yard, commit to a regular routine that accounts for that.
I want you to fully enjoy your dog.
Is your lifestyle and home “dog friendly”? (Part 1)
I love dogs. But I DON’T believe every family should have one! I enjoy seeing situations where a dog adds to the unity of a family; and I regret seeing situations where a dog divides.
That’s why I say that a properly mastered dog can provide a wholesome and rejuvenating relationship for a family or individual.
Don’t expect a dog to come into your home and merely be an added spectator to “life as you now know it.” A dog brings both joy and responsibility. Expect both.
If you truthfully don’t have the interest or time to train a dog, I’m fearful that adding a dog to your busy life will not be a positive thing. If this is the situation, yet you’re convinced that dog ownership is right for you, I would definitely steer you towards finding a well-behaved adult dog…and there are many in need of a good home. Even then, expect a “settling in” period.
Also consider this: an immaculate home and lifestyle may be important to you. Do you find lint rollers disgusting? Would paw prints on your best clothes cause a major meltdown? Do you understand why it’s called FURniture?
It’s not that busy people shouldn’t have dogs. For me, a dog’s role as a stress reliever is very real. But YOU might not view it the same way. Do yourself — and the dog — a favor and realize that a dog means a change in your life.
For me, it’s been a good change.
