Choosing a Dog

In addition to teaching puppy and obedience classes, solving behavioral issues are a big part of my job. Most often these problems are not necessarily with the dog but with clients having chosen the wrong dog for their lifestyle.

If I am lucky, a client will contact me before getting a dog and I can help them make the best choice possible. Primary concerns for many people are the size of the dog and whether or not it sheds. These are way down the list of qualities I consider when choosing a dog. Most problems I see stem from a mismatch of one of these key personality traits: sociability, trainability, or activity level.

Some dogs were bred to be very social, for example Golden Retrievers, or Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. A social dog would not do well spending many hours home alone or relegated to the backyard. These dogs are often more prone to separation anxiety, as they are meant to be with their people. The more aloof breeds, like German Shepherds and Chows, may not do well in a very busy household with lots of strangers coming in and out. Additionally they will need more early and ongoing socialization to prevent them from developing fear aggression or becoming overprotective of their homes and families.

Many people tell me they want a ‘smart’ dog, when what they really want is a dog that is easily trained. Some dogs were bred to work with and for humans, like Labrador Retrievers and Australian Shepherds. These dogs are relatively easy to train as they naturally look to people for directions. Other breeds were meant to work independently, like most of the terriers and hounds. They are often very tenacious, and don’t want people interfering when they are on the job. These dogs often have a “What’s in it for me?” attitude, and are not well suited for the novice dog owner.

Activity level is one of the most important qualities to ensure family harmony. Some dogs were bred to run and actively work all day, like Pointers or Border Collies. They require lots of regular daily exercise, often several hours a day of running, or they often become hyperactive or destructive. Other breeds, like Bernese Mountain Dogs or Bassett Hounds require only a short daily walk and are perfectly happy to be couch potatoes.

Many other factors are important to consider when choosing a dog, which we will leave for future discussions. But for now, before bringing a new dog into your home please consider consulting a professional trainer or behaviorist. We’d much rather help you make the best choice from the beginning than try to help you fix problems later on.