Time to get a dog? Weigh the pros and cons

As a child, many dreamed of a dog. On this topic, even the cartoon “Mitten” was filmed, in which the girl carried a fluffy mitten on an elastic “leash”, imagining that it was a puppy. Growing up, people often fulfill their dreams. And today, for the majority, a dog is no longer a watchman or even just a pet, but literally a family member, a child.

The love that we feel for them does not exclude, but just should imply both education, and attention to diet, and regular walks with physical activity, and health care, including spending on veterinary services and medicines. All of the above is part of the responsibility of a good owner, or “parent” of a furry “child”.

When do people get a dog?

Approximately when they are ready to be loving, tolerant, caring, consistent guardians for a defenseless being who is completely dependent on them and will give all his affection. “When you want to be loved simply for what you are,” writes Marina Lazareva, co-owner of the Maltese lapdog kennel. Each story of such relationships is unique, but it is possible to single out the most typical situations when people decide to get a dog.

1. Family favorite

A dog in the family is, ideally, a joint project. When children are over 6 years old and can responsibly and carefully communicate with an animal, a puppy often becomes a universal favorite, which also has to be fed, treated and taught. It is important to consider that the emotional atmosphere in the house affects everyone – and animals very sensitively absorb the moods of the owners.

Having become part of the family system, the dog often “picks up” the accepted style of communication. Where love and acceptance reign, most often the dog feels confident and friendly. And if the house is tense, nervous, then the dog becomes anxious and often aggressive. Although much depends on the nature of the dog, so there are exceptions.

If people take a puppy from a kennel, then you need to take into account the nature and specifics of the breed. For example, small decorative breeds such as Spitz, Toy Terrier, Chihuahua and Yorkie are more suitable for childless families. These dogs are very sensitive, vulnerable and fragile and are not adapted for active fun games – unlike Labradors, Jack Russells or, for example, Border Collies.

2. A friend for a teenager

In homes where a teenager grows up, especially if he is the only child in the family, a dog – provided that for a teenager she is desirable and he is ready to walk with her and feed her on time – can become a “therapist” who will reduce the level of aggression and feelings of loneliness, such common for this age. Walking the dog also becomes an additional opportunity to make acquaintances and find friends.

And caring for a defenseless and devoted pet develops such important human qualities as empathy and responsibility, which helps the process of healthy separation of a growing child. At the same time, parents, as a rule, are aware that the main control over the health of the animal, as well as the fulfillment by the teenager of his duties of walking and feeding, remains with them.

3. “Chick” in the nest

“Empty Nest Syndrome” – experiencing this condition, people often get a dog. The children have grown and separated, the parents or the parent feel empty and depressed. A pet to whom you can give your love and care, responding with unconditional acceptance and devotion, in a sense, replaces children that have flown out of the nest.

This is a great situation from many points of view: people, as a rule, are aware of their responsibility, know how to care, and take great pleasure in emotionally filled contact.

4. “Baby” in a childless couple

Newlyweds or people of mature age in the absence of children often get a dog. For some, this is a kind of “training” before the birth of a child, for others – a good opportunity to show parental feelings and build a meaningful relationship with a loving being.

In the first case, it is extremely important that people imagine what will happen to the dog when they have a child, so that they are ready to improve life together and, if necessary, ensure that the pet and child remain in a safe relationship for each other.

5. A bachelor’s friend

It is also not uncommon for people living alone to have dogs. For most of them, this gives a lot of joy, the opportunity to love and receive love. Whether the situation allows you to have a living creature, with whom you need to regularly walk and for whom communication with the owner is important, depends on the rhythm of life and work of a person.

The choice of breed here should also be carried out very carefully – for example, charming bichons, which can be accustomed to the toilet on a diaper, do not tolerate loneliness, unlike the same chihuahuas. In today’s world, which, fortunately, is gradually becoming more dog-friendly, many even go on vacation with their pets.

Small breeds of dogs can be taken with you in a carrier as hand luggage – many airlines provide this service, subject to established rules. But the transportation of a dog of medium and large size in the luggage compartment carries certain risks for the animal, therefore it is rather a necessary measure in case of emergency.

Many owners leave their dogs for overexposure during the trip. As a rule, these are relatives or acquaintances, but there are also paid services of “hotels for animals” – here, of course, it is very important to collect information and make sure that people are honest and that the dog will be physically and emotionally safe.

5. Companion of a pensioner

Quite often people get dogs in retirement. It happens that a puppy is taken to an elderly person so that he has a companion and a reason to go for a walk, to move. Sincere, open love that a dog gives, and the opportunity to feel needed can act on a person in old age like “living” water.

Many people, serious about their responsibility for who they have tamed, think through options – who will take the dog if they end up in the hospital or if they die. These are the realities of life.

Club puppy or shelter dog?

This issue is resolved individually. It is important for someone to know that he gives a chance for a happy and well-fed life to an unfortunate being who has suffered from human cruelty or irresponsibility. This is a noble and kind deed, and in the end such a dog can turn out to be the most devoted and very smart friend.

But when taking a dog from a shelter, it is important to understand that a living creature that has experienced trauma will need to adapt, it may have fears, difficulties with the toilet, aggression towards other dogs or strangers and other problems that need to be patiently, carefully and consistently addressed. . This is where a behavior specialist can help.

At the same time, it is important to ask in as much detail as possible about the qualifications of a person and the direction in which he works. New cynology is a humanistic direction based on a careful approach to correcting a dog’s behavior and taking into account the peculiarities of its nervous system and psyche. Non-violent methods allow you to achieve the desired behavior from the dog and establish contact with the person without the slightest cruelty.

When taking a puppy from a kennel, it is also important to look at the conditions in which the dogs are kept. The choice of breed should be based not only on personal sympathies “What a cute little puppy!”, but on a meaningful comparison of the typical traits and needs of the dog with the capabilities of future owners. For example, when starting a Jack Russell, you need to be prepared for long active walks and the temperament of this miracle.

And when buying a beagle puppy, it is important to understand that the hunting instinct will always prevail in him and you will have to carefully monitor the kitchen, products and everything that the growing body perceives as food or “bites”, including furniture and a garbage can, access to which they know how find just brilliantly.

Some breeds need long and active walks and developmental activities, while others have a very quivering digestive system that requires special attention. Enumeration of breeds and their features is a separate issue. The main thing is that people soberly assess their capabilities in accordance with what characteristic features the chosen breed has, and vice versa – whether this particular dog will give the person what he wants.

And for this, it will be necessary to formulate an answer to the question: “Why do I / we have a dog?” And – again – there are no guarantees that the club puppy will meet the breed’s character standards – each living creature has its own characteristics, and even the most careful choice does not sometimes eliminate possible surprises.

When should you not get a dog?

Ill-considered, spontaneous impulses can turn into very sad consequences. Thousands of abandoned animals remain on the conscience of irresponsible and cruel people. In another version, less scary, but also not the most successful, a relationship with a dog can become a burden instead of happiness.

That is why a conscious and balanced approach to the establishment of a pet is necessary. Julia Rozova, a dog and cat behavior specialist, writes about the situations in which it is highly recommended not to get a dog.

1. During pregnancy or just before

Oxytocin lashes out and demands an object. And on the cute muzzles of puppies, a desperate “Haaaachuuuuuu!” Turns on. As a rule, in such cases, the most difficult age of the dog falls on the birth of a child – from 7 months to 1,5 years. If everything was not too harmonious anyway, then everything that lay badly would come out. And you have a baby.

I will not enumerate the consequences, they are well known to shelter volunteers and veterinarians. If you take an already adult dog with a history, it will still go through a certain period of adaptation, which on average lasts up to a year. And after the birth of the child, when she had just come to her senses, there were changes and stress again.

You no longer have the time, energy, patience, your oxytocin is working as intended. With the dog began to communicate and walk less. Behavioral problems begin, and this is a misfortune for the whole family. Of course, this scenario is not XNUMX% correct. It happens differently. But if you decide to take a chance, it is better to do it with your eyes open.

2. When children are under 6 years old

According to statistics, most often children under 10 years old are bitten by their own, domestic dogs. Most often, boys are bitten in the face. Children are a significant stressor in a dog’s life. They climb to the dog, it happens that they cause discomfort.

And the idea that “a dog should” understand and endure is the first step to tragic consequences. Children can and should be taught the language of dogs, respect for living things and safety precautions. But it is realistic to start from 3-4 years. Before that, only control and management by an adult. Calculate your strengths soberly.

3. When you do not know a clear answer to questions about what you will do with a dog if:

• be away from home for more than 6 hours each day
• move to another country
• get divorced
• have a baby
• give birth to a second
• get sick
• going on vacation
• the dog gets sick
• the dog will have behavioral problems and will need to pay for a specialist.

These are standard interview questions when you want to adopt a dog from a shelter, for example. And if you don’t have an ethical answer to one of these questions, then it’s not time for you to adopt a dog.

Dreaming of a dog, but don’t know if you’re ready?

Gestalt therapist and owner of three dogs Anastasia Gurneva shares recommendations for those who are in thought. “Are there specifics in your dreams? Dreaming of a certain breed? Did you choose her because she is beautiful or do you know exactly the features? If not, it’s best to find out because surprises in behavior can be encountered and this behavior can be breed specific.

Do you dream of a specific pastime – for example, running together, walking for hours in the forest, or tenderness and hugs? Or maybe you are interested in sports: Frisbee, competitions with obstacles, training? Or saving lives: search and rescue service, rescue on the waters? Here is a list of questions that need to be answered accurately:

1. All relatives agree and want the same, or at least do not mind?
2. Are the conditions for living together favorable?

• Money for food, ammunition, treatment.
• Your own housing. Rented apartments can change, finding accommodation with a dog is not so easy.
• Time daily from two hours for walks, classes, communication.
• If there is no experience in dog ownership, it would be good to go to a dog playground or with a private dog handler.

Such disciplines as “Comfortable city dog”, “General course of training” are practiced. Do you have resources for this? Listen to yourself: do these points cause anxiety or curiosity and excitement? If it’s the latter, you’re probably ready!”

Raising a dog – a mischievous puppy with its difficult adolescence, or adapting an adult dog – is not an easy process. In any case, the owners sometimes have to overcome difficulties, solve problems, sometimes give up something and show patience.

But all these efforts do not seem so difficult to many when people have the main thing – motivation. And the main, the strongest, is love. Love and acceptance. As well as the desire to find a friend and companion and enjoy a warm, lively and sincere relationship, which not all representatives of the human race are capable of.