my theory on getting a dog
Sep. 16th, 2005 05:50 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
litchIf you were to get a dog and wondering how, I'd reccomend that you assess the lifestyle you want to live with your dog. Primarily, how sedate are you and do you expect to be; always give yourself a lot of windage to the lazy. Learn the energy levels of the various breeds but don't give it too much credit.
Get a dog from a friend/person you know first, then check the pound, and then rescue groups. Look for one that seems reasonably calm, touch them, smell them and let them smell you. Have someone else play with a noisemaker and see how they respond (they should be interested or only a little scared but not insist it is theirs or run terrafied).
If you are new to dogs try to get an older dog, one that's been reasonably well mannered and calmed down. Learn dog body langauge and modern conditioning. Read the Monks of new skate, and "Don't Shoot the Dog." Spend time learning how to teach them to do what you want.
Two dogs are easier (or not apreciably more difficult) than one, dogs are pack animals and they hate being alone. The added medical is the one expense that isn't just a fractional increase in cost.
Get a dog from a friend/person you know first, then check the pound, and then rescue groups. Look for one that seems reasonably calm, touch them, smell them and let them smell you. Have someone else play with a noisemaker and see how they respond (they should be interested or only a little scared but not insist it is theirs or run terrafied).
If you are new to dogs try to get an older dog, one that's been reasonably well mannered and calmed down. Learn dog body langauge and modern conditioning. Read the Monks of new skate, and "Don't Shoot the Dog." Spend time learning how to teach them to do what you want.
Two dogs are easier (or not apreciably more difficult) than one, dogs are pack animals and they hate being alone. The added medical is the one expense that isn't just a fractional increase in cost.
