Why Do I Want a Dog?

Dogs are loyal companions and, occasionally, make comfy head-rests.

People - people - people! There are a thousand times more questions about how to fix a dog than questions involving the right choice or should someone even get a dog? These cries for help are the shadows of the question that should have been asked, “Why do I want a dog”?

The media portrays a life with cute and cuddly companionship; well-mannered dogs snuggling or dutifully retrieving balls & flying discs. All very possible but it takes time and effort. These idealistic portrayals collectively move a population that possesses notoriously short attention spans toward acquiring their first dog. As an owner and trainer of canines, I would like to assume the position of diplomatic (dog) advocate, here.

Before you take offense to that last paragraph, allow me to offer “Exhibit-A”. You cannot even imagine how many messages I get from (sad) people looking for obedience training for a NON-hunting breed of dog. Apparently, READING the information provided by the search or on my extensively detailed website is too much trouble?

Many times, I wasn’t even their first choice. Meaning the other training facilities were already at maximum capacity. Proving, at least deductively, that many people do not know how to properly train, nor research the locations needed to get the appropriate help they seek. All for the dog (breed) they, just as likely, failed to research before purchasing.

Whew! I rest my case…

Before I continue, allow me to establish that I completely understand the desire for canine companionship. Other than the relationships with (most) family members, a closer or more rewarding interaction cannot to be found anywhere on earth. If you’re sifting through this website, you already know this and know why you want a dog. However, there are some very misguided reasons people have for owning dogs that should be “called-out”. Let’s begin with the worst (and, in my mind, the only detestable) reason to purchase a dog - to make money.

Cash-Crop Canines:

Oh sure, we have bred our setters - and sold them - but that wasn’t our reason for owning setters or having puppies. We have owned setters of various breeds because we love setters. After a couple decades, we eventually bred our setters when the time was right and the reason was that we wanted puppies - not cash. In fact, we sold our pups for hundreds of dollars - below - the average selling price.

Though the vast majority of mass-marketed dogs and puppies are the smaller breeds of fancy, take care to purchase any dog from a reputable establishment. Look into the breeder’s background and seek sources with dogs properly used - not abused. Whether purchasing a pup from a home with a pair of dogs or from an established facility with dogs numbering into the tens, have a sense for the care they receive and the seller’s motivation to breed them.

Avoid what are generally referred to as “Puppy Mills”. These are sloppy - hap-hazard - affairs that reflect the appearance and lifestyle of the people that run them. They are most often a collection of currently popular breeds (or mixed-breeds) of dogs with which the owner(s) share very little history, emotion for - nor kindness toward.

The breeding practices have very little concern for the continued long-term health of the individual dogs or the breeds they represent. (Again, very much akin to the personal habits exhibited by those that breed dogs in this manner.) Obtaining dogs solely as a means to cash-in on their popularity then, afterwards, to discard them is disgusting - avoid becoming one like these.

Cult of Popularity:

In case you had missed it, “I train gun dogs”. They are generally too large to be stuck in purses or stuffed in baby carriages but not large enough - nor have the personality - to intimidate people by their physical presence. Several sporting breeds, however, are very beautiful and intelligent creatures. Understandably, their many combined attributes have made them very popular as pets.

Sporting dogs such as retrievers/flushers, pointing, or many of the shepherd breeds, can make excellent pets when they get the care and maintenance they need to live healthy lives. Part of that must include physical and mental exercise. Unfortunately, too often, the answer becomes medication or breeding away from their work-related attributes to create a more docile (duller) version. Neither of those options should seem acceptable.

Sporting breeds don’t always need to hunt or herd but they do need to work!

You don’t have to hunt or herd livestock to own one of these athletic breeds, but please allow them the active life for which they were originally designed. Locate organizations that sponsor activities for these canine athletes or come up with some of your own. By doing so, you gain more like-minded friends, get some fresh air and exercise while sharing time with your best (four-legged) friend.

So, go ahead, take them to salons and put bows in their hair - whatever. Before the trimming and primming, whether it’s sniffing out trailing scent, catching Frisbees in the park, or running through an obstacle course, enjoy the reason you chose that dog and keep them active.

Agility works both mind and body.

Only in passing will I mention this next misguided reason of popularity some have for choosing a dog. Some rather insecure young males with spindly arms attached to non-existent spines often choose breeds of dogs that reflect the confidence and strength they, themselves, do not possess. In many of these cases, the dog’s most undesirable behavior, aggression, is encouraged by the dimwitted owner.

I don’t have any issue with getting a dog for (added) protection, but there are ways to go about that kind of work that will make a dog predictably useful and mentally well adjusted. If your goals include impress (or intimidate) other people or protecting your “stash”, you have deeper issues and your life choices require far more serious scrutiny than deciding on a proper dog.

Compulsive Puppy Purchase:

The attraction toward adorably large eyes, floppy ears, and puppy breath is very understandable. Acting impulsively on the desire to adopt a puppy based on this emotion is irresponsible and, often, turns to regret.

Know what you’re getting into, they don’t stay puppies for long!

The dog’s eventual adult size, future living space, “realistic” physical and emotional care throughout the stages of a complete lifetime are barely ethereal considerations during these parking-lot purchases. Dog-holding facilities are bulging with adult dogs that have been discarded by (or taken from) their misguided owners soon after the puppy breath has left. Like many life decisions - from purchasing a new car to having a child - adopting a puppy should be planned.

Virtuous Salvation:

This common rational for acquiring a dog is an eggshell to be delicately trodden upon. It is the practice of adopting, re-homing or, as it is often referred to, “rescuing”, an adult dog from incarceration. Of course, anyone with an ounce of humanity, understands the want for bettering the life of any creature. A dog, even more so!

As I said, the desire to help an animal in need is commendable but not always the best foundation to establish a relationship. Consider, when you help a stranger out, you don’t always swap cell-numbers, do you? I mean, you are good with slipping a homeless person some money but it’s a whole different thing to invite them share an apartment - right? Adopting a pet is a wonderful idea, however, space in the heart and home sometimes isn’t everything that is required.

For good or not so good, owning a dog can turn your world upside - down!

Often, definitely not “always”, these poor pooches have been sadly ignored (at best) or terribly mistreated (at worst) and can carry with them more baggage than a Kardashian on an extended holiday. The decision to adopt one of these poor critters requires GREATER consideration, not less.

Knowledge of the dog’s past along with the ability to read a dog’s actions and expressions become crucial bits of information. If it is not possible to determine the breed, or mix of breeds, this places the new owner at an even greater disadvantage. “Why?” you ask. Because that can eliminate any serious ability to properly research the tendencies the dog may possess.

For all these reasons, re-homed (adult) canines often make a poor choice for first-time dog owners. Loads of people have a sincere and loving desire to nurture - I get that. If there is previous experience with “bruised” canines or adequate research of a specific breed, then the dog is being adopted because it was the kind of dog that was really wanted. That is the sincerest reason for wanting its company.

Now, think for a minute, here. If a dog is selected randomly in an effort to save it, whether that’s real or slightly dramatized, that may be using faulty reasoning. Consider for a moment, what image do the terms “saving” or “rescuing” invoke? That tends to create a very uneven basis for a relationship - victim vs hero - doesn’t it?

Therefore, when someone asks, “What a cute dog, what kind of dog is she?” the honest response isn’t, “She’s a rescue”. I should not have to point out that "Rescue” is not a breed. So, put your hand down, there’s no trophy.

I mean, when asked the same question, someone introducing a dog that they’ve owned from puppyhood doesn’t say, “I’ve been feeding and caring for him since he was a puppy; his name is Fido”. Or, when a precious child has been received, the new parents don’t introduce the kid like, “He’s adopted. Oh, and his name is Norman”. - Right?!

If it’s known, why not just answer the question and state the dog’s breed(s)? If not, doesn’t, “I’m not sure but I sure love having her around!”, sound more enjoyable and reflect a closer - mutually beneficial - relationship with the dog? If it matters that much (and it shouldn’t) the title, “Rescue”, is likely in the name of the organization from which it was adopted. Or, from someplace like the Humane Society, the situation is basically implied. Just weave that into the conversation without the self-serving pretense.

Anyway, the dog obviously doesn’t care and it certainly doesn’t matter to me where folks get a dog. For reasoning right or wrong, what matters is that a dog is truly wanted and will be cared for. An initial response is often a reflection of one’s real purpose. So, what comes to mind when you ask yourself… “Why DO I want a dog”?

- Enjoy your dog!