Choose your best friend wisely

Third in a series

Dogs can be wonderful companions but some are demanding. Decide how much time you’ll have for play and training before the first happy barbarian leaps into your arms. Aargh! Why can’t this be simple? Have you ever heard of hassle-free marriage or effortless child raising? Me neither. Bringing out the best in a dog can be challenging. Set yourself and your excellent new pooch up for success. Pick the right one.

Remember Rodney Dangerfield? Just like small dogs, he couldn‘t get no respect. People fuss about yapping and ankle biting. It’s true that some pint-sized pupsters are easily frightened. After all, everybody else is a lot bigger. The reality is that most small dogs go unnoticed because they’re relaxed and quiet. The little ones don’t eat much, their medications are cheaper, they can share an apartment with you, and exercising them is easier. A Chihuahua can burn a lot of calories in a hurry because their legs have to move fast just to keep up. And you won’t need a front-end loader to clean up after them.

You have a big yard and you want a beast who could drag you down the block and dislocate your shoulder? Really? Dogs are different than people. They badly need to get off-territory a time or two every day to read the bulletin boards and leave their own pheromone messages. That can only happen where other dogs go. Leash walks are essential. The stay-at-home canine brain can get rather wonky.

What’s your end game? Do you want a companion who’ll train for a marathon with you every day or slouch on the couch watching soap operas? Working breeds like retrievers and herding dogs need steady jobs. I train and compete with my Border collie “Mick” in a sport called rally obedience. We also play ball and hike on the ditch. Weekdays, he frolics and cavorts in doggy daycare at K9 Resort. He doesn’t sit still very much. I don’t either. Mick wouldn’t be the right dog for most people.

Dogs don’t roll off an assembly line like identical appliances. Greyhounds, for example, are known for their quiet demeanors but everybody is different. Plan for size and temperament first and then pick the best contestant.

Next week: Observe and gently test.

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For help with behavior problems, you can sign-up for a Zoom Group Conference on my website, drjeffnichol.com.

Dr. Jeff Nichol is a residency-trained veterinary behaviorist in Albuquerque. He provides consultations by Zoom group and individually/in-person. Sign up for his weekly blog or post questions (drjeffnichol.com) or by US Post to 4000 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Albuq, NM 87109.