Thinking about getting a dog or a puppy?
Ask yourself these questions (based on the most common reason people surrender their dogs) to make sure this is the correct decision for you, your family and the potential dog
"Buy in haste and repent at leisure" is fine if we are regretting buying a new TV or car, however, with a dog we are dealing with a living being and this is a decision that should not be spur of the minute - the consequences of a wrong decision can be life threatening to the dog and heart breaking for the family.
We appeal to all of you that are thinking about adopting to bear in mind that you could spend the next 14 odd years (or more) with this dog, and to take the time and energy to consider the questions below before you go ahead - both your family and the prospective dog deserves these considerations.
Think about it like this - If you were looking for a new car and wanted it to be a VW Polo and blue in colour, would you just look in the paper, phone the owners, ask its age, the price and then ask for it to be delivered? Of course not, you would go and look at the car, check the condition, look at the service booklet and get as much history on it as possible, check the tyres, take it for a test drive, etc and you may even get a mechanic to look at it before you part with your cash. After all this vehicle needs to take you from A-B in a reliable and safe manner with good petrol consumption and so on.
Then why is so little research put into getting a dog? A dog that will live with you and your family for well over a decade – a dog that has sharp teeth that could cause damage to the family. Simple, people just haven't thought about it from this point of view and that is why people will have pup’s delivered to them or purchase from internet sites such as junkmail and various other unsavory avenues.
Below you will find some questions for your consideration which are based on the most common reasons why owners relinquish their dogs. Please do take the time to read through these as this new dog will be an important part of your family and you owe it to yourself, your family and the future dog to do as much research as possible.
If you are considering getting a puppy, do feel free to download the free e-books BEFORE & AFTER Getting a Puppy by the eminent behaviourst and vet Dr. Ian Dunbar. Additionally, do have a look at our Recommended Puppy & Dogs Schools.
After you have read through below do complete the Questionnaire - "Meet your Match" that we have provided. This in turn will help us to narrow the choice to the dogs that will suit you and your family the best.
Is this to replace a dog that has gone to the Rainbow bridge?
There is nothing wrong with this at all as long as all family members have gone through the grieving process. If not, do wait a little until everybody in the family is ready, as you may not be ready to love this new dog the way it deserves or may even compare it to the beloved dog that has passed - and it will never live up to this memory. If others in the family are pressurizing you - just tell them that you are not ready and be firm. When you do look for your new dog you will then be ready.
What are your family’s expectations of the new puppy/dog ?
It is a good idea for the family to put together a list of what they want from the dog. If you have a husband who wants a large outside watch dog, a mother who wants something small for company, one child who wants a medium sized dog to go running and playing with, another who wants a dog to cuddle up to - a possible problem in the making!
Are you thinking of getting a breed you have had before?
If you have always had a particular breed, such as a Collie and now decide to get another one, have a look at how your own life may have changed since you last had a puppy or young dog - can you handle this type of dog at your current age, do you have a large enough garden for one, are you strong enough to handle it, can you give it the exercise it needs, especially if a working breed.
If you have existing dogs, how will the new pup/dog fit in?
If the existing dogs are not well socialized with other dogs or are in any way aggressive, then perhaps the decision to adopt should be carefully considered again. If there are any behaviour problems in place, these should be sorted out beforehand and here is a link to find a accredited behaviourist who can assist www.animal-behaviour.org.za. If it is a case of getting a friend for a dog that is stressing/barking/being destructive when alone, rather call in the services of a behaviourist to help you, as what often happens is that you end up with two dogs with the same problem behaviour as the new dog copies the existing dog!
To see if the existing dog/s and the breed you are considering getting, do have a look at the Breed Compatibility to ensure a good match
Are all members of the family ready for a new pup?
If you are pregnant or considering a family, now may not be the time for a new pup as you will have your hands full with baby responsibilities and have very little free time for the pup. Also, if you have very young children, it would be better to wait until the child is older and more responsible. It is very difficult to watch a young child and pup 24/7 and ensure that the puppy’s ear/hair/tail etc are not pulled and to watch that the pup does not start to use the child as the newest chew toy! The first few weeks with the new addition are crucial and you need to have both the time and the energy to do the work concerned if you want your pup to grow up to be a well behaved, well balanced member of the family. Another aspect is that if a wife may want a new pup but the husband may be totally against it. Married life is difficult enough without adding in additional stress factors and what a way for a dog to come into a family – unwanted - dogs feel stress as well!
Are you thinking about changing jobs or have just changed?
This could mean that you would be busier at work than normal and that your times may not be the same as they were before, and it will be more difficult to take a few days off to help the pup/dog settle. You may be in for overtime, working after hours at home, or travel more, which would leave you in a difficult situation with a new pup/dog on your hands.
Is this pup for you or your child?
It is not uncommon that parents give into a child’s constant demands to get a puppy with the child promising to feed it, play with it, walk it etc – well – we all know what happens there, don’t we? If a child is being given a pup as a present, the child must first of all be over 7 years of age – an age where the child starts to have the emotional maturity and understanding to work with a puppy, and even then we feel this age is far too young. A lot of this will depend on the child in question – we have come across 13 year old kids that were less mature than a 6 year old!
If the parents are under the impression that the pup will teach the child responsibility - it just doesn’t work (on average), the person who ends up looking after the pup is Mum who may already have a full time job and her hands full when she comes home, and still has to make supper, help or check homework etc. A pup is not a toy; it is a living, breathing animal that has needs which have to be met.
Another aspect to consider if the parent has decided to give the child a pup despite the points above, the breed needs to be carefully considered so that the child will be able to handle and walk the dog when it is fully grown.
Are you going on holiday soon?
This is an important question to consider as what will happen to the pup/dog, and additionally you will miss out on the crucial development period if a pup. It may be better to wait until you return home. You can read all about this is the BEFORE Getting a Puppy above.
Are you thinking about getting a pup for a boyfriend/girlfriend etc?
This is also a situation where pups very often end up at Rescue Shelters. If the person really does want a pup, then rather give them a cheque/voucher towards the purchase together with a good book such as Dr. Ian Dunbar ‘Before and After Getting a Puppy’ and suggest that they too have a look at this questionnaire.
Is the pup going to be left alone all day?
Overall, this is just not fair to the pup. Apart from the fact that a pup needs to eat three times a dog for a substantial period, dogs are very social animals and being left alone all day can result in a dog becoming stressed, which in turn leads to behaviour problems, the most common of which seem to be barking, howling and destructive behaviour. If you do not have the facility of leaving the pup at home with somebody, then rather take the pup to a Doggy Day Care centre. If this is an option bear in mind that this will have to be paid for and can be a considerable monthly expense.
Are you thinking about downsizing your home?
There are more and more situations like this occurring. Previously down-sizing happened as people were approaching or reached retirement, but with the economic climate nowadays, downsizing occurs much more frequently. The new home may have a garden that is pocket sized and totally unsuitable for the breed or that the complex does not allow pets or only allows certain breeds. If this is a possibility, then do think long term and find out what breeds do best, and are allowed, in Townhouses / Flats.
Are you living in a Townhouse or Flat?
If so, you will firstly have to make sure that dogs are allowed and also what breeds, weights or sizes are allowed, as there are often restrictions. If you are in a flat, is there an appropriate area nearby to take the dog out to cater for its elimination needs, and what arrangements have been make for the dog to eliminate inside when you are out?
Are you considering emigrating?
Again, emigration is something that is on the rise. Even if you may only be considering the move two years from now when your child finishes matric or similar, a decision of what to do with the dog still needs to be taken into consideration for when the journey occurs. The number of people looking for homes for their pets has risen astronomically over the past few years, with multiple e-mails advertising same, on a daily basis. We just have to realize that the majority of these dogs will not be homed – then what happens to them? If a home is not found then the dog will either end up being euthanized or spending years in a pro-life shelter with perhaps multiple dogs in one run – not the sort of life you would want for your dog.
Think about it like this - If you were looking for a new car and wanted it to be a VW Polo and blue in colour, would you just look in the paper, phone the owners, ask its age, the price and then ask for it to be delivered? Of course not, you would go and look at the car, check the condition, look at the service booklet and get as much history on it as possible, check the tyres, take it for a test drive, etc and you may even get a mechanic to look at it before you part with your cash. After all this vehicle needs to take you from A-B in a reliable and safe manner with good petrol consumption and so on.
Then why is so little research put into getting a dog? A dog that will live with you and your family for well over a decade – a dog that has sharp teeth that could cause damage to the family. Simple, people just haven't thought about it from this point of view and that is why people will have pup’s delivered to them or purchase from internet sites such as junkmail and various other unsavory avenues.
Below you will find some questions for your consideration which are based on the most common reasons why owners relinquish their dogs. Please do take the time to read through these as this new dog will be an important part of your family and you owe it to yourself, your family and the future dog to do as much research as possible.
If you are considering getting a puppy, do feel free to download the free e-books BEFORE & AFTER Getting a Puppy by the eminent behaviourst and vet Dr. Ian Dunbar. Additionally, do have a look at our Recommended Puppy & Dogs Schools.
After you have read through below do complete the Questionnaire - "Meet your Match" that we have provided. This in turn will help us to narrow the choice to the dogs that will suit you and your family the best.
Is this to replace a dog that has gone to the Rainbow bridge?
There is nothing wrong with this at all as long as all family members have gone through the grieving process. If not, do wait a little until everybody in the family is ready, as you may not be ready to love this new dog the way it deserves or may even compare it to the beloved dog that has passed - and it will never live up to this memory. If others in the family are pressurizing you - just tell them that you are not ready and be firm. When you do look for your new dog you will then be ready.
What are your family’s expectations of the new puppy/dog ?
It is a good idea for the family to put together a list of what they want from the dog. If you have a husband who wants a large outside watch dog, a mother who wants something small for company, one child who wants a medium sized dog to go running and playing with, another who wants a dog to cuddle up to - a possible problem in the making!
Are you thinking of getting a breed you have had before?
If you have always had a particular breed, such as a Collie and now decide to get another one, have a look at how your own life may have changed since you last had a puppy or young dog - can you handle this type of dog at your current age, do you have a large enough garden for one, are you strong enough to handle it, can you give it the exercise it needs, especially if a working breed.
If you have existing dogs, how will the new pup/dog fit in?
If the existing dogs are not well socialized with other dogs or are in any way aggressive, then perhaps the decision to adopt should be carefully considered again. If there are any behaviour problems in place, these should be sorted out beforehand and here is a link to find a accredited behaviourist who can assist www.animal-behaviour.org.za. If it is a case of getting a friend for a dog that is stressing/barking/being destructive when alone, rather call in the services of a behaviourist to help you, as what often happens is that you end up with two dogs with the same problem behaviour as the new dog copies the existing dog!
To see if the existing dog/s and the breed you are considering getting, do have a look at the Breed Compatibility to ensure a good match
Are all members of the family ready for a new pup?
If you are pregnant or considering a family, now may not be the time for a new pup as you will have your hands full with baby responsibilities and have very little free time for the pup. Also, if you have very young children, it would be better to wait until the child is older and more responsible. It is very difficult to watch a young child and pup 24/7 and ensure that the puppy’s ear/hair/tail etc are not pulled and to watch that the pup does not start to use the child as the newest chew toy! The first few weeks with the new addition are crucial and you need to have both the time and the energy to do the work concerned if you want your pup to grow up to be a well behaved, well balanced member of the family. Another aspect is that if a wife may want a new pup but the husband may be totally against it. Married life is difficult enough without adding in additional stress factors and what a way for a dog to come into a family – unwanted - dogs feel stress as well!
Are you thinking about changing jobs or have just changed?
This could mean that you would be busier at work than normal and that your times may not be the same as they were before, and it will be more difficult to take a few days off to help the pup/dog settle. You may be in for overtime, working after hours at home, or travel more, which would leave you in a difficult situation with a new pup/dog on your hands.
Is this pup for you or your child?
It is not uncommon that parents give into a child’s constant demands to get a puppy with the child promising to feed it, play with it, walk it etc – well – we all know what happens there, don’t we? If a child is being given a pup as a present, the child must first of all be over 7 years of age – an age where the child starts to have the emotional maturity and understanding to work with a puppy, and even then we feel this age is far too young. A lot of this will depend on the child in question – we have come across 13 year old kids that were less mature than a 6 year old!
If the parents are under the impression that the pup will teach the child responsibility - it just doesn’t work (on average), the person who ends up looking after the pup is Mum who may already have a full time job and her hands full when she comes home, and still has to make supper, help or check homework etc. A pup is not a toy; it is a living, breathing animal that has needs which have to be met.
Another aspect to consider if the parent has decided to give the child a pup despite the points above, the breed needs to be carefully considered so that the child will be able to handle and walk the dog when it is fully grown.
Are you going on holiday soon?
This is an important question to consider as what will happen to the pup/dog, and additionally you will miss out on the crucial development period if a pup. It may be better to wait until you return home. You can read all about this is the BEFORE Getting a Puppy above.
Are you thinking about getting a pup for a boyfriend/girlfriend etc?
This is also a situation where pups very often end up at Rescue Shelters. If the person really does want a pup, then rather give them a cheque/voucher towards the purchase together with a good book such as Dr. Ian Dunbar ‘Before and After Getting a Puppy’ and suggest that they too have a look at this questionnaire.
Is the pup going to be left alone all day?
Overall, this is just not fair to the pup. Apart from the fact that a pup needs to eat three times a dog for a substantial period, dogs are very social animals and being left alone all day can result in a dog becoming stressed, which in turn leads to behaviour problems, the most common of which seem to be barking, howling and destructive behaviour. If you do not have the facility of leaving the pup at home with somebody, then rather take the pup to a Doggy Day Care centre. If this is an option bear in mind that this will have to be paid for and can be a considerable monthly expense.
Are you thinking about downsizing your home?
There are more and more situations like this occurring. Previously down-sizing happened as people were approaching or reached retirement, but with the economic climate nowadays, downsizing occurs much more frequently. The new home may have a garden that is pocket sized and totally unsuitable for the breed or that the complex does not allow pets or only allows certain breeds. If this is a possibility, then do think long term and find out what breeds do best, and are allowed, in Townhouses / Flats.
Are you living in a Townhouse or Flat?
If so, you will firstly have to make sure that dogs are allowed and also what breeds, weights or sizes are allowed, as there are often restrictions. If you are in a flat, is there an appropriate area nearby to take the dog out to cater for its elimination needs, and what arrangements have been make for the dog to eliminate inside when you are out?
Are you considering emigrating?
Again, emigration is something that is on the rise. Even if you may only be considering the move two years from now when your child finishes matric or similar, a decision of what to do with the dog still needs to be taken into consideration for when the journey occurs. The number of people looking for homes for their pets has risen astronomically over the past few years, with multiple e-mails advertising same, on a daily basis. We just have to realize that the majority of these dogs will not be homed – then what happens to them? If a home is not found then the dog will either end up being euthanized or spending years in a pro-life shelter with perhaps multiple dogs in one run – not the sort of life you would want for your dog.
Who will exercise the dog?
As we all know, a dog needs regular exercise, not just from the physical point of view but for mental stimulation as well and exercise should take place at least 4 times a week and a working breed can need more exercise. A dog that does not receive ample exercise can quickly become bored and frustrated and behaviour problems could be the result.
If the dog is a breed that requires grooming at a parlour, is this part of your budget?
This should be taken into account when looking for a breed and enquiries at parlours should be made as to how much it costs and how often the pup/dog will need to go. It may be better to choose a breed where the dog can be washed at home and does not need to be clipped.
Can you afford to give your dog good quality dog food?
Good quality dog food, sold at vets and up-market pet shops, is, for obvious reasons, much more expensive than brands bought elsewhere. When feeding a good quality food you will actually end up feeding your dog less quantity and have a dog that is a lot more likely to be healthy.
Are there sufficient funds to cover the veterinary fees for inoculations, deworming, sterilization, medical problems etc?
Your local vet will be able to give you the estimated cost for keeping a dog per annum.. Also what needs to be taken into account is the sterilization, licences, the micro chips, shampoo, deworming, flea and tic products etc and this does not take into account any illness. If you decide on a canine medical aid, you will need to find out the cost of this and be aware that not everything is covered; there is normally a portion of vet fee’s that clients are liable for in the case of everyday care.
What will the equipment cost?
Collar and leads, blankets and kennels, bowls, beds, toys, etc cost?
What is the cost of puppy socialization and who will take the puppy?
All pups should be exposed to a good puppy socialization class. As these normally occur on a weekend, who is going to give up that time to take the pup and to do the exercises that are taught and the additional socializing that is required?
Will the dog be boarded if you go on holiday, or perhaps the services of a house sitter are obtained, what are the costs of this?
All of these options cost money. It is also possible to take your dogs with you; a crate is excellent for this and nowadays there are plenty of ‘pet friendly’ facilities available.
As we all know, a dog needs regular exercise, not just from the physical point of view but for mental stimulation as well and exercise should take place at least 4 times a week and a working breed can need more exercise. A dog that does not receive ample exercise can quickly become bored and frustrated and behaviour problems could be the result.
If the dog is a breed that requires grooming at a parlour, is this part of your budget?
This should be taken into account when looking for a breed and enquiries at parlours should be made as to how much it costs and how often the pup/dog will need to go. It may be better to choose a breed where the dog can be washed at home and does not need to be clipped.
Can you afford to give your dog good quality dog food?
Good quality dog food, sold at vets and up-market pet shops, is, for obvious reasons, much more expensive than brands bought elsewhere. When feeding a good quality food you will actually end up feeding your dog less quantity and have a dog that is a lot more likely to be healthy.
Are there sufficient funds to cover the veterinary fees for inoculations, deworming, sterilization, medical problems etc?
Your local vet will be able to give you the estimated cost for keeping a dog per annum.. Also what needs to be taken into account is the sterilization, licences, the micro chips, shampoo, deworming, flea and tic products etc and this does not take into account any illness. If you decide on a canine medical aid, you will need to find out the cost of this and be aware that not everything is covered; there is normally a portion of vet fee’s that clients are liable for in the case of everyday care.
What will the equipment cost?
Collar and leads, blankets and kennels, bowls, beds, toys, etc cost?
What is the cost of puppy socialization and who will take the puppy?
All pups should be exposed to a good puppy socialization class. As these normally occur on a weekend, who is going to give up that time to take the pup and to do the exercises that are taught and the additional socializing that is required?
Will the dog be boarded if you go on holiday, or perhaps the services of a house sitter are obtained, what are the costs of this?
All of these options cost money. It is also possible to take your dogs with you; a crate is excellent for this and nowadays there are plenty of ‘pet friendly’ facilities available.