9 Things To Consider Before Getting A Puppy

 9 Things To Consider Before Getting A Puppy

Getting a puppy can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life, but it's also very difficult. Your parents are probably nagging you to do some research before making this big commitment. Well, they are right! As cute as puppies are, they require a lot of attention and care.

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Getting a puppy is no joke - so if you really want one, here's what you should know first:

1) How much time will I spend with my new friend?

This question isn't just about how often you'll play with it; it's about how clean the house is going to be! Puppies need constant supervision, not only for potty training (which takes months) but also because it's normal behavior for dogs to chew on things. If you're not able to give your new furry friend the attention it deserves, you should reconsider getting a puppy so soon.

2) What is my family's lifestyle?

You've probably heard about people who love their dogs but can't even take them outside for walks because of work or other obligations. The dog ends up living in the backyard and oftentimes gets neglected. This is actually more common than you think! You need to take into account how your family's schedule will impact your pup's care before bringing him home.

3) Is my house big enough?

Not only do puppies require exercise, but they also have tiny bladders! For bigger breeds, this might mean several bathroom breaks throughout the day; for smaller breeds, it might only be a couple of times. If you live in an apartment and your yard is too small for a decent walk, getting a puppy probably isn't the best idea.

4) What kind of dog should I get?

There are so many puppies out there to choose from, but don't just pick one because he's the cutest. Do some research on different breeds and their temperaments; some dogs might not be the best fit for your family. For example, if you have kids, you'll want to get a breed that is known to be gentle and good with kids.

5) How much will this cost me?

This question isn't just about buying walmart fresh dog food and toys (although those can be expensive, too). Puppies require vaccinations, spaying/neutering, and other medical procedures. You should also factor in the cost of obedience classes - which are highly recommended, especially for puppies.

6) Am I ready to commit?

Puppies are a lot of work; they need to be fed, walked, played with, groomed, and given plenty of attention. If you're not able to make a lifelong commitment to your new furry friend, you should think twice about getting a puppy.

7) What will I do when I go on vacation?

This is definitely something you'll need to consider before getting a pup! Unless you have a friend or family member who can take care of him while you're away, you'll probably have to leave your dog at a kennel. This can be very expensive - not to mention stressful for your pup.

8) Is my lifestyle compatible with owning a dog?

Pets require a lot of work and responsibility; if you're not able to handle those things, you should reconsider getting a pet. Owning a dog is a big commitment that should not be taken lightly.

9) What if I can't keep the dog anymore?

This is something you need to think about before getting a puppy. Puppies are hard to find homes for, and most animal shelters are overflowing with dogs. If you're not able to keep your new furry friend for whatever reason, please find him a good home. It is much more difficult to find another owner than you think!

How to Find the Perfect Family Dog

There are many different qualities we look for when welcoming a puppy into our home. Perhaps we want companionship or loyalty - someone who will always be happy to see us after a long day at work. Or maybe you are looking to teach kids about responsibility through pet ownership. However, there are a growing number of dog owners who are on the lookout for family rescue dogs - who are able to come to your aid should you require assistance or get lost. 

Photo by Marliese Streefland on Unsplash

With that in mind, here are some top tips that you can use to find (and train) the perfect family rescue dog. 

• If buying your dog from a breeder, ensure that they are a reputable company that you can trust. One with years of experience in the field, which operates with the best interests of their dogs at heart. For example, you might want to get in touch with a member of the team at Smoky Mtn Labradors, who have nearly four decades of experience in breeding happy, healthy dogs. 

• Alternatively, you could rescue a dog from your local shelter. However, if they are an older dog, training them could be a little more difficult as they will have already set into a pattern of behaviors that can be difficult (though not impossible) to amend. Either way, you should ensure that you set up a straightforward training plan that helps them develop good habits, such as learning how to heel and stop pulling. 

• Follow our comprehensive lesson plan to help train your dog to become a family rescue dog. Remember, training requires a great deal of determination and patience from both the dog and the owner, and you have to be willing to put the work in if you want to get the best results. 

• Focus on rewards-based training where possible, where dogs are rewarded for good behavior or for picking up a new skill. This is due to the fact that when rewarded, dogs find it easier to learn what is expected of them as they receive something positive in response to their efforts. Rewards can vary from verbal praise and cuddles to snacks - whatever gets the most positive response out of your dogs. 

• When training your dog to find you, ensure that you are also aware of the different elements That could impact their training. For example, if they aren’t getting enough rest, their focus levels could be greatly impacted. Furthemore, factors such as temperature and scent can affect working dogs in different ways. 

• In order to achieve success when training your dog, you should also ensure that they are happy and healthy. For example, you should ensure that you choose the right food for them, give them plenty of exercise and make time in their schedule for fun. For example, they cannot train consistently if they are not given time to cut loose or stop enjoying what they are doing. However, there are plenty of ways in which you can make training fun for your dog.  

Welcome to the Exciting New K9 Search and Rescue Sport in America

K9 Search and Rescue Sport

K9 Search and Rescue is quickly becoming a popular fun sport to do with all breeds of dogs.

We welcome you to learn more about how to get involved and train your dog to compete with other dogs as a fun and challenging sport to find a hidden person via mantrailing, tracking and area search plus more with The American Rettungshunde Sport Association. (click to learn more and join)

The ARSA is dedicated to the search and rescue sport. It is incorporated as a non-stock (not-for-profit) corporation in the State of Virginia and is a member of the American Working Dog Federation.  

About Search and Rescue Sport (IPO-R)

Are you looking for another sport that’s compatible with your current interests? 

IPO-R is an FCI sanctioned sport that has many similarities to IGP (Schutzhund) and is an ideal supplement to not only but also AKC tracking, obedience, and agility. Trials consist of two phases – a search phase and an obedience with a dexterity phase. 

The sport has 3 levels, an introductory level (V) and the more professional levels, A and B. 

At each level, you can trial and earn titles in all the different search options. Furthermore, you can do only search work or only obedience and dexterity at a trial if you prefer. 

Search Phase 

track 

area search 

rubble search

mantrailing 

avalanche search 

water rescue

Obedience and Dexterity  

heeling with changes of pace

closed tunnel

down stay

changes of position at a distance

carry your dog

heeling over a difficult surface

Get more detailed information about these and other exercises in the international rules at ARSA

Trial levels

 Introductory level (V)

Levels A and B.

At each level, you can trial and earn titles in all the different search options – for example A-tracking, A-area search, A-mantrailing, and so on. 

You can do only search work or only obedience and dexterity at a trial if you prefer. 

Look at the ARSA website for a trainer near you or contact them for how to get started.

As a member and trainer with ARSA , I'm available to help train you and your dog via online, phone and email with in-person training workshops starting in the spring of  2022 so feel free to contact me via the contact page here at Family Disaster Dogs. 

The Sport of Mantrailing Train a Dog to Find People

Welcome to 

The Sport of Mantrailing

Train a Dog to Find People

Hey everyone, 

How about a fun activity and sport to do with your dog?

Have you thought of learning how to find people with a dog? 

Pictured is my dog being rewarded for finding the boy 

Does your dog need a way to use to burn off extra energy or something to do? 

Would you like to give your dog a job to do? 

The sport of Mantrailing may be a perfect match for you.

Mantrailing ...is a search and rescue skill set that is quickly becoming popular with all dogs as a really fantastic sport to be involved in.

You and your dog learn to work together as a team .. to find a "missing person" who is well hidden from you!

Friends and family will be amazed with how fast your dog can find them.

Mantrailing is a great fun rewarding sport where dogs love showing us how well they can use their nose.

Here's my dog Mantrailing to find a hidden person

I have been writing about mantrailing for many years on this site although I have seldom mentioned the actual term of Man Trailing because I was writing to families and the public about training family dogs to find family in disasters, along with other dog skills. 

The dog training lessons in Family Disaster Dogs book train family dogs to find friends and family using Mantrailing skills and the lesson in My Puppy Can Find Me children's book uses the same principle of training a dog to find people.  

I will be posting upcoming training opportunities, workshops and seminars from different organizations and dog clubs that are welcoming the public to train with them.

Follow Family Disaster Dogs on Facebook or come back often to stay updated on events you may want to attend. 

Sign up for updates to this site using the pop up window.

Contact me at contact@familydisasterdogs.com if you want help to train your dog. I train in person, over the phone or internet

The book features actual working search and rescue dogs from North Scotland Response Rescue International and a multi-talented USA Sport Dog Champion, plus dogs I have trained. A share of sales is donated to help RRI North Scotland aid in the search for missing persons.

Click the book to see a preview