How to Get the Right Dog for Your Family
Your dog should be compatible with your family’s lifestyle, living situation and living environment. . . . OR is it the other way around . . . . YOU AND YOUR FAMILY should be compatible with your dog, especially a purebred. When a dog is purebred, it will require you to fulfill all that genetic purpose of the dog for which he has been bred. This requires more of your attention as a responsible dog owner to make sure the dog’s needs are constantly fulfilled on a daily basis.
If you and your family are engaged in sports and outdoor activities, you will enjoy an active dog.
But if you and your family tend to stay indoors then you should adopt a dog with a similar temperament.
Executive Dog Training is here to help you with your doggie’s adoption selection process. Go onto our CONTACT US page and let me know HOW CAN I HELP YOU?
I often get asked: “How do I start the process of getting the right dog for me? Or “What would be the best dog breeds for kids?” Or “I am mature in age and I would love to have a companion, what small dog should I get?”
I love these questions because this is RESPONSIBLE DOG OWNERSHIP!
Bringing in a new dog, puppy or adult dog, into your life, lifestyle and environment is a major decision. To plan and to be truly honest with oneself during this process is as important for you as it is for the dog’s future life. It is essential to know and understand the cost of responsible dog ownership. And here I am not only talking about the money factor.
Yes, of course you should take your dog for regular check-ups to the vet. Yes, you should provide your dog with the best quality nutrient dog food and Yes, your need to provide your dog with only the best dog training .We provide our obedience training classes for dog and puppies in South Africa. Most of our dog training and puppy training work happens in areas like Cape Town, Durbanville, Constantia, Port Elizabeth, Jeffreys Bay, Areas located along the Garden Route etc.
I am talking about the responsibility to care and meet your new dog’s needs by going on daily walks and make it all a family affair with great fun and laughter. I am talking about sacrifices you must be willing to make to take care of your dog.
It is important to know what you want in a dog. Most of all, you should keep in mind your home environment, lifestyle and age – these three essential factors can assure that you and your family include a fun and loving doggie companion.
Regularly I see and experience whereby families fell in love with a cute and adorable puppy and then decided there and then they want the dog. But somehow these families forgot that this cute and adorable puppy will become an adult dog and would need a lot of maintenance, stimulation, attention and exercise. Long-term these families might experience why the dog is digging holes all of a sudden and why the dog is barking excessively.
REMEMBER when you get a puppy or young dog, in five yours time, this dog will still be young but you will be older!
Gone are the days when one get another dog to keep the existing dog “busy” OR where one has the believe that a “big yard” will keep the dog busy as he has ample space to run and play.
Your dog is your RESPONSIBILITY! It is your responsibility to provide your dog with the best possible care and life during his very short life span:
Enroll your dog for puppy training classes and obedience training
Take your dog on daily walks for at least 45min to an hour walk
Meet your dog’s daily needs and requirements
Do daily poop-patrol
Make sure your dog gets fed a good quality dog food at least twice or three times per day
Take your dog for regular check-ups to the vet and when your dog needs meds or develop a disability, to provide the necessary medication and medical care
Take your dog for regular grooming
Provide your dog with a lovable, safe, relaxed and comfortable environment
I believe that the worst we can do for our future self and our future dogs and dog/family relationship is to say: “I’ve always had OR I grew up with . . . . a German Shepherd, Border Collie, Rottweiler, Bull Mastiff, Great Dane, Jack Russell, and Doberman.”
Accept the fact that when these dogs are puppies, in five years time they are still young dogs but as humans, we are all older. In a short period of about three to five years time, dogs might need you even more than ever before to meet their needs. Are you 200% + committed? Are you able to provide the right environment, the necessary stimulation and amount of time to fulfill the dog’s needs every day?
Remember that your dog needs obedience training too. Some dogs have more energy than others. Every dog needs daily exercise, regardless of size or breed. Unfortunately there are many families that never even considered training and many dogs are given up for adoption or to be euthanized because of behavior problems that could have easily been avoided with the proper training with Executive Dog Training.
Dogs are animals. When a dog is purebred, it will require you to fulfill all that genetic purpose of the dog for which he has been bred. This requires more of your attention as a responsible dog owner to make sure the dog’s needs are constantly fulfilled on a daily basis. Only then will you truly and fully experience the loving, loyal, best friend and family member you could ever dreamed of.
When a dog is left unfulfilled, we create issues and challenges that can make the dog’s life and our lives totally miserable and unpleasant and permanently damage the relationship you have with your dog and vice versa.
What dog will make a good family pet?
To get the best dog breed for you and your family, keep the following very important factors in mind:
You and your family’s lifestyle and structure – do you love outdoor activities or do you like to stay at home indoors most of your life?
Do you have children and/or a baby in your family?
You need to take your family members personalities and allergies into account. All family members need to be on the same page and supportive of getting the right dog for you and your family’s lifestyle. This will make your new dog’s transition into your home so much easier, fun and pleasant for everyone.
Suggested best dog breeds for babies:
Labrador Retriever – they are wonderful with children because they love to play
Bull dog – they are friendly, calm and gentle with children. They can stand up to a fair amount of rough play.
Beagle – they are clever and friendly but do need a fair amount of exercise. If you have a very active toddler you can pair them to a Beagle. They love play and are build strongly to endure a bit of rough play
Your age – If a person is of a mature age and has certain physical limitations, it can diminish physical strength. If you are a senior and/or with physical challenges, I advise that you avoid strong and large dogs. Never underestimate the small breed dogs. They too can be dangerous to a senior person when tripped or stumbled over a dog or when getting pulled off your feet during walks.
Suggested dog breed:
Maltese, Chihuahuas, Dachshunds and Pomeranians even senior dogs from a shelter can make great companions.
Your living and home environment – are you living in a one bedroom apartment or a large home with wide open spaces? A small living space is good for a small dog such as a Yorkshire Terriers and Chihuahuas.
Alternatively if you are living in a big home and you have a big outside space for a dog to run and roam freely, dogs like Great Danes and the German Shepherd would be a great suggestion.
Consider breeds that love to run and they will also be doing great during training .
If you love to travel with your family and friends, a good suggestion would be the Labrador Retriever. They love the outdoors, the company of their family and they can adjust very well to new surroundings and a new environment.
Care and training your dog – if you adopt a puppy or adult dog from a shelter, you are saving a life. No matter your new dog’s age or challenges, Executive Dog Training is here to assist you with the best possible training for you, your family and new family member, your dog! Avoid buying a puppy online through classified ads or pet shops or even at flea markets. These are most likely dogs from puppy mills and may have major health issues. Buying from an unknown or shady source, you keep these irresponsible people in business. It is best to steer clear of these situations.
I believe every dog needs an education in their very short life span. It is up to us as responsible dog owners to make sure our dogs get the best possible care. It is very important to provide your dog with a life whereby he can live to his fullest potential.
Your puppy would require a lot of training and attention during the first six months. This is a commitment you must be willing to make in order to set your dog up for a very bright and successful future with you and your family. This will set the tone for an amazing dog/family relationship long-term.
So many dog problems can be resolved with our dedicated training with me and Executive Dog Training. All you have to do is contact me on 072 479 8103 or go onto the CONTACT US page and fill in your details so that I can give you all the information you need for your doggie’s personalized one on one training program. I will also assist you with your process of how to get the right dog for you and your family.
How can I help you?
Jeanette Vockerodt
Your Dog Trainer
#executivedogtraining
072 479 8103
jeanette@executivedogtraining.co.za
