Thinking of a new dog?

Making a good informed decision is so important when thinking of introducing a dog into your world (and by dog I mean anything from the tender age of 8 weeks up to a geriatric soulful rescue). The best way to do so is remove all attachment and emotional connection to the decision. Easy?! Said no one ever! It would be nice to think that the wrong decision wouldn't be a matter of life or death, however sadly in some cases it is.

I'd like to share with you a few general guidelines I like to remind my humans of before they take the plunge down the rabbit hole of doggy shopping:

Don’t judge a breed by its cover

Like me, you may be someone who’s big on first impressions when you meet people, and the same can go for dogs. A dog can leave a lasting impression on your heart. However, you can’t let this cloud your judgement when making decisions about the right dog for you & your home. That dog has been brought up in a different world to yours, plus one dog of the same breed can be completely different to another dog of the exact same breed.

For example, when you meet "Rupert" the Chocolate Labrador down the park who is playful, gentle, well-mannered, goofy, but so wise with eyes that melt your heart; this doesn't mean that you will end up with the same temperament in another Chocolate Labrador, even if it is traced back to the same breeder with the same bloodlines. Plus, if your dog starts life within a space of expectations that he/she is going to be just like Rupert; unfortunately you are setting that poor dog up for a giant fail. You cannot compare one to another, not can you expect your next dog to be like your last. They are all individuals, just like us humans.

As much as in some instances you may well end up with a well-mannered, beautifully natured, soft eyed beauty; you mustn't allow that particular dog you met to be what you base your entire expectations upon. You need to objectively way up your pros and cons of your world to see if that breed would be the right fit for you, which leads us into the next guideline...

Do your research

So you know what breed you want or your house has at least had a discussion and you've made a wishlist. Where do you go from here? The next stage is narrowing down your options before you stage meeting puppies or doggies.

At the point of meeting it must be clear that just because no significant cons are presented at the time of this very emotional decision, doesn’t mean they don’t exist. So have someone "emotionally unattached" to help you during this stage while you still have the time – discovering the "reality" after you’ve taken the dog home will not do you any favours. Hiring a professional and insisting that this become part of your process becomes doubly important when it comes to making the most informed decision. Nothing is perfect, but if you have the right support and together work hard at uncovering which dog will fit your lifestyle, suited behaviours, temperament & breeds you can guarantee you've made the best choice for you & this dog for a beautiful life together.