So you think you want a dog

Source: St.迷你倉 Louis Post-DispatchSept. 06--Sure, getting a dog sounds like a lot of fun. But dogs need love, training, exercise and medical care. The decision to get a four-legged friend is a monumental investment.Remember the movie "Beethoven?" This cute and adorable puppy becomes the center of attention for a loving family of five. Before long, the slobbering, oversize St. Bernard is causing trouble -- and messes. But the family pulls together to keep Beethoven a beloved member in the home.Before introducing a new family pet, ask yourself some of these questions. Do you want to breed the family pet? Do you want a pet for protection? Do you want to buy one for the kids? Do you have room for a dog?Consider the amount of space you have for a puppy or dog, as well as the amount of exercise you'll be able to give it. You may be better off with a puppy you can train from the start or maybe an older pet that's already housebroken.Among the many other considerations: shedding, size, stamina and demeanor.Local adoption centers agree on one thing: Owning a pet comes with expenses beyond food and toys. Medical care can be costly. "Having a dog can cost $700 or more each year," says Kim Brown, executive director at Five Acres Animal Shelter in St. Charles.Linda Campbell, shelter animal behavior manager at the Humane Society of Missouri in St. Louis agrees. "Additional expenses could include training, grooming, pet sitting, dog walking or boarding. This could increase the amount by an additional $200 to $400 a year." Owners should also factor in the cost associated with emergency treatments for unexpected injuries or illnesses.We talked with area veterinarians and animal shelters, and they offered helpful tips to prepare a family for the new addition.Take a look at our A to Z guide for choosing a dog.AllergiesMany families forgo puppy dreams to keep the home achoo-free. It's important to remember there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. Besides fur, skin cells and saliva trigger allergic reactions. Some dogs are less likely to cause reactions. Many of these breeds require grooming, which helps to decrease allergens on the dog's coat. They are schnauzer, bichon frise, Chinese crested, Portuguese water dog, Kerry blue terrier and poodle.Blind dogsConsider opening your home to a blind dog. Blind dogs do adjust and typically behave just like any normal companion. "They do better if the family does not move frequently or move furniture around frequently," says Brown.CatsBoth large and small dogs of any breed can be friendly with cats. It just depends on the individual dog. "We can cat-test dogs at our shelter just to make sure they will do well in a home with cats," says Brown.Dog food"I prefer dry dog food kibble to aid in the health of their teeth and digestion," says Karen Stufflebean, veterinarian at Noah's Ark in Oakville. Dry dog food can be less expensive. "Canned dog food can create tartar buildup on teeth," Stufflebean adds.Easy-going dogsLook to older dogs to be calm, easy-going and great lap dogs. Some easy-going breeds include bichon frise, English bulldog, cavalier King Charles spaniel, pug, mastiff and beagle.Foster programIf you are not ready to make a commitment to owning a dog, try fostering one. Drew Hane, manager of operations at St. Louis County Animal Care and Control in Olivette, says it readily refers those interested in fostering to several local animal shelters and rescue groups that have foster programs already in place. "We routinely work with these other agencies in the area, and they assist us by transferring animals that may be better suited for a foster home environment than a high volume, brick-and-mortar shelter."GroomingIf you have a dog with long hair, make sure you comb your dog daily or at least every other day. Keep your dogs nails trimmed. If your dog's nails get too long, they can break, which is painful and sometimes results in infection. Experts say to bathe your dog at least once a month to maintain a shiny and healthy coat.Happy BirthdayLook, Mom, my boyfriend gave me a puppy. "We do not encourage pets to be purchased as surprise gifts," says Hane. "We would rather that a very well-informed and well-planned selection of a new pet be considered by a family. That is not to say that the new pet could not be added to the family at the time of the holiday or birthday, but we always prefer that the decision-makers of the family have thought the process out and are fully aware of all of the new responsibilities and the commitment that come with adding a pet to the family."InsurancePet insurance works like human's heath insurance and can be helpful with the costs of a family dog.Just 3 legsAs a general rule, once a canine has healed, three-legged dogs require no real changes in household set up. They adapt quickly and are usually capable of running, climbing stairs, playing, jumping, swimming and moving around as easily as their four-legged friends.KidsChoose a dog that fits the family's lifestyle: active or couch potatoes. Regardless of breed and size, some do great with young kids while others would prefer a quieter home with older children or no children. Kids should be educated on the type of animal that is being considered, what behaviors are to be expected of the new pet, and the "Do's and Don'ts" of pet ownership.Long-term relationshipsSome new couples adopt a dog to see what it's like to be parents. There's an old saying that goes, "If you're thinking about having children, first, get a plant. If you can keep the plant alive for six months, then get a dog. If you can keep the dog for a year, then try for children." As always, we encourage people to consider the responsibilities of pet ownership before making this decision and to make a well-informed, well-timed decision to any new member to the family," says Hane.Medical needsAll dogs should visit their veterinarian at least once a year for a routine exam and any necessary vaccinations and tests. The schedule is established by the veterinarian and may be individualized for the animal.Name changeDid you know you can change the name of your new pet? "I think you can change it at any time," says Brown. You just have to teach them to respond to it (usually treats help). At Five Acres, many pets come in without a name. "I do think for senior animals that are given up by their owners, it's easier on them to keep it the same."Older dogsOld dogs can definitely learn new tricks. Many older do自存倉s in shelters have lived in a home before and are already trained. They typically do not require as much exercise, which can be great for a busy family or someone who just wants a laid-back companion. Senior pets typically do take longer to adopt, and they're grateful for their second chance.PersonalityThink about what you want out of a pet. Do you want them to hike with you, travel with you, watch movies with you, be a companion for a pet you already have, or play with your kids? When adopting, ask the shelter staff or foster home questions and find out what you can about their personality. It is also good to visit with them to see how they interact with you and the entire family. The best advice is to not pick a pet based on their looks, but more on their personality and how they fit with your lifestyle. If picking a purebred, it is helpful to research the breed and find out that breed's tendencies. You'll need to find out how large a certain breed will get and how active they will be.Quiet pups"You can keep just about any dog quiet when it's appropriate," says Gail Czarnecki, certified training partner in Edwardsville. Some breeds are quieter than others, but all dogs will bark to some degree. Some breeds are specifically bred to use barking in their job, so it will take more time to control their barking. Research the breed to find out its natural barking tendencies. "I have a Havanese (small breed) and they tend to be less yappy," Czarnecki adds. "But, within the breed some will bark a lot. ... Don't pick a herding breed. They tend to bark a lot.Running partnersNO dog should be expected to run when it is extremely hot or bitterly cold. Street pavements can burn paw pads in hot weather and freeze feet in cold weather. Dogs suitable for short distance runs (less than 5 miles) at a brisk pace: greyhound, whippet, beagle, saluki and Labrador retriever. Long distance runs (10 miles) at a steady pace: weimaraner, German shorthaired pointer, vizsla, English foxhound and Jack Russell terriers. Long distances at a slow pace: catahoula, Labrador retriever, standard poodle and Dalmatian. Many mixed breed dogs make excellent running companions, too. Dogs not usually considered suitable for running include dogs with short, pushed-in faces (Boston terriers, boxers, English bulldogs and pugs) and very small dogs (Maltese, Shih Tzu, Chihuahua and toy poodle).Special needsAny pet with a special need, whether it is a dietary need, a missing limb, a missing eye or any other medical need, should be placed with a well-informed and committed owner. The new owner needs to be aware of what the special need is, what the expectations are for treatment or care, what limitations the new pet will have, and what extra commitments are needed by the owner. "Many of these pets can go on to live out full and happy lives with owners who are committed to the pet's care and who are fully invested in making a special commitment to their new family member," says Hane.TrainingTraining is important for all dogs new to your family. "You want to start as soon as you get them home, and if the breeder can start before they go home, that's even better," says Czarnecki. Some breeders start the "sit" and "stay" commands as early as 5 weeks of age. Puppy obedience classes, also known as puppy kindergarten classes, usually start at 7 weeks. But even older dogs can be trained, and most trainers offer classes for adult dogs.UglyThese dogs bring "so-ugly-it's-cute" to a whole new level: Chinese crested, Peruvian Inca orchid dog; affenpinscher and Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican hairless). Remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.Visiting areasAnimal centers offer visiting areas for potential adopters. St. Louis County Animal Care and Control in Olivette, for example, has two visiting rooms for dogs, each equipped with bench seating for potential adopters and plenty of play toys to use in interactions with their adoptable dogs and puppies. There's also an outdoor play yard for visitation.Walking"It's best to walk your dog at least once a day because it helps with house training," says Czarnecki. Most dogs will remember the predictable time (especially if the walk is done the same time every day). The walk can also wear off energy, and emotionally it gives your dog the opportunity to explore the world. Plus, a little exercise never hurts the owner.X marksthe spotThe first day you bring your pup home, make frequent visits in the same area of the yard for potty breaks. Let the pup sniff the area. With proper training and repetition, your pet will mark his or her spot.YardsFenced-in yards are helpful, but not always necessary regardless of breed or size of a dog. It really comes down to the dog's energy level and the activity level of the family. For example, a fenced-in yard is helpful for potty breaks or playing ball, but just letting a dog outside does not necessarily exercise it. Some people are willing to leash walk or have an active lifestyle, and dogs can do completely fine without a fence.Zzz'sYou're going to need these for the new pooch. Be prepared for sleepless nights and early morning bathroom breaks, especially for young puppies.Looking to adopt? Try these:1. Humane Society of Missouri, 1201 Macklind Avenue (and other centers around the area); hsmo.org.2. St. Louis County Animal Care and Control Adoption Center, 10521 Bauer Boulevard; Olivette; 314-615-0650; stlouisco.com.3. Five Acres Animal Shelter, 1099 Pralle Lane, St. Charles; 636-949-9918; fiveacresanimalshelter.org.4. Stray Rescue of St. Louis, 2320 Pine Street, St. Louis; 314-771-6121; strayrescue.org.Need training for your pet? Try these:1. Greater St. Louis Training Club, 5200 Shrewsbury Avenue in Shrewsbury; 314- 832-3647 or visit gsltc.org.2. Best Friends Pet Care, 3643 Hartford Street, St. Louis; 314-477-7387; bestfriendspetcare.com.3. Dogs Unleashed LLC in St. Louis; 314-973-5191; dogs-unleashed.com.4. The Persuaded Pooch; 314-609-10945. Gail Czarnecki Dog Training in Edwardsville, 618-960-9920; gail.czarnecki@gmail.com.Places for pets to hangout:1. stlpetlover.org/places-pets --Designed by the St. Louis PetLover coalition and sponsored by Purina, a map highlights great places around Metropolitan St. Louis for you and your pets.2. doggoes.com/parks/missouri/st-louis --A list of St. Louis parks.Copyright: ___ (c)2013 the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Visit the St. Louis Post-Dispatch at .stltoday.com Distributed by MCT Information Services迷你倉新蒲崗