Picking the best pupster

Dr. Jeff Nichol, DVM, IAABC
Veterinary Behaviorist

You want a dog who fits your life? Really???

Human relationships can start out really well, but then go sideways. Is there something wrong with us if we don’t get along with somebody? I don’t think so. Behavior disorders can be real problems in species with complex brains – like ours and our pets’. But most creatures are functional with others. Our happiness and connectedness begin with compatibility. Wet kisses and full body contact feel wonderful but love at first sight can go wrong.

The dogs in my life have entertained me and they’ve consoled me. They’re a lot like a human soul mate but different. None have been perfect but, shucks, neither am I. Most of us do what we can to bring out the best in each other. Our chances improve if we start with a good match. A great dog for me might be the wrong fit for you.

Waiting is hard. When we’re ready to bring a pet into our life, we know it. We’ve been sort of thinking about it and then – opportunity knocks. OMG! Our emotions sky rocket faster than we can catch up to them. And there are so many pets who desperately need our caring home. They tug our heart strings. Take it slow and you and your shiny new dog might blissfully sail off into the sunset together.

Are you too impatient to read all of this? Do you know the “right dog” at first glance? If you really want to understand who you’re committing to, you’ll need to invest the time to observe and gradually get to know what’s happening in that fuzzy little brain before signing the adoption papers. Mismatches are hard to undo. Dogs are highly social; their bonds are strong even when their people become frustrated and hopeless. Rehoming often triggers severe anxiety or worse. Nobody wants to go there.

Maya Angelou famously said, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” Be detached and pay attention. Trust your heart and your gut, but not yet. Stand back, a generous distance from the puppies or grown-up dogs, and watch. And don’t let well-meaning matchmakers show you who they think is best for you. Arranged marriages and forced friendships seldom work.

Who are the candidates?

Politicians vie for our attention and, for very different reasons, so can dogs, especially if they catch us looking. Decide what you want before getting covered in spit and hair –from dogs that is, not from primary candidates please.

If you love dogs you may be tempted to have more than one. That can work fine if you live off the grid, on 100 acres of National Forest, in a cave. As a human, you would be the de facto leader of that canine group. Your subordinates would be survivors, hunting and scavenging, while competing for romantic partners so they can pass on their genetic code. As the grand poo bah, you would occupy the very top of the hierarchy. Sounds good, doesn’t it?

The fly in the ointment is that generating personal income requires living near your job. That means that your dog(s) must somehow adapt to life in a building with walls, windows, and, worst of all, a fence. Your snuggle bunnies will have all of their needs provided for them, which unfortunately, sets them up for stress. They are man’s and woman’s best friends for sure, but they are members of a species that is genetically programmed to work out their differences without artificial barriers like walls, windows, and fences.

Despite those realities, you can share an excellent life if you keep it simple. Dogs are highly social. They generally like living with others of their ilk – until contrivances like those @&#% walls, windows and fences cause somebody to feel trapped, panicked, and reactive-aggressive. Unable to escape or avoid each other, because of the confines of your home, the adrenalin can spike when competition for food, proximity to the exalted leader (you), or other coveted resources triggers agitation.

During my varied veterinary career, I’ve treated countless dog fight wounds large and small, a few of them fatal. Since completing residency training in behavior medicine, I’ve addressed the causes of aggression. It never happens in single dog homes. Go figure.

Plenty of canine housemates are besties, although fighting is more common between females. I’m only advising you not to bite off more dogs than you can chew.

Choose your best friend wisely

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 of the little guys go unnoticed because they’re relaxed and quiet. They 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 its 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 have been. 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 with you for a marathon every day or one who’ll 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.

Pets don’t roll off an assembly line like identical appliances any more than people do. 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.

Choosing Lassie

Nobody starts out with a totally clean slate. The research is clear: much of our pets’ behavior is genetically prewired, while heavily influenced by life experiences – even in youngsters. The probability of separation anxiety, noise phobia, fear, and aggression are often passed from generation to generation. The brains hidden in those fuzzy heads are their most complex organs. It makes sense to choose carefully.

You might have a knack for bringing out the best in society’s outcasts. But if you want to improve your chances of adopting the dog of your dreams, start by standing back and observing canine mothers and, if possible, fathers too. Are the grownups relaxed? Who startles at sudden noises or movements? If you approach for a closer look, does anybody retreat or cuss and growl. The reality is that lots of puppies have no known parentage; you may never get to meet mom or dad. Few adult dogs could point out their folks in a lineup.

When you’re ready to pick your pet, don’t rush in for a belly rub or a frolic in the grass. Sit back and watch – without any human involvement. (Standing can trigger nervousness or fear.) Who plays well with others? Bullies are problematic. Easily frightened shrinking violets can also be challenging because they may become defensive-aggressive later. Middle-of-the-road dogs, of any age, are more likely to adapt to life’s ups and downs.

Temperament tests can help but the supportive science is a bit thin. A canine kid’s developing brain is rewiring constantly until about age 18-24 months. Who they are keeps changing. The personalities of grown-up dogs are largely set, but it usually takes a few months in a new home for them to adjust and show who they really are. But gently rolling a contender on its back can give a clue about who the tough guys are or who may be a scaredy cat, I mean dog. Be cautious. Reaching for or leaning over a frightened dog could land your hands or face in urgent care.

After your seated meet-and-greet, you can slowly stand and walk away. Does anybody follow? Are they frantic for more or just happy to know you?

Finding the greatest dog for your life

Most people want a peaceful life for themselves and for their pets. Sadly, some of the problems I treat are avoidable. Nothing is for sure, but if you spend the time to observe and quietly interact with the applicants for the job as your best friend, you may never need a veterinary behaviorist.

The Nichol pets are highly valued for who they are and for what they bring to our lives. If you start a family, I encourage you to raise your kiddos with a dog. Children can learn kindness and empathy toward creatures who are different. We adults have a strong influence on those developing brains. We can demonstrate healthy guidance and then get out of the way so those lives can flourish. A reliable structure helps make life predictable and safe.

Puppy parents should understand the “sensitive” periods along the path of the maturing canine brain. Ages 3-8 weeks are for hanging with mamma and siblings. Plenty of gentle handling from a variety of people and play with other pets should start well before age 12 weeks. Exploring new environments becomes essential from 10-12 weeks and again around 16-20 weeks. If any of these age-related opportunities are missed, well, we can work with the fear and reactivity later but an ounce of prevention…

Aren’t other puppies and locations risky? The research is strong. Start vaccinations around 6-8 weeks, booster every 3 weeks until age 16-18 weeks, and no one gets sick – as long as everybody in a well-run puppy socialization group is also protected. When my dog “Mick” was a baby, we attended class at the Aztec Animal Clinic in Albuquerque. We had good fun. As a grown-up Border collie he gets along with every person, dog, and cat he meets.

You want a guarantee? Sorry, we don’t have that. There are no iron-clad rules. Scientific conclusions are not based on proof but on the weight of evidence. But if you follow the research I’ve shared, your chances of success will improve. Like everything in life, pet picking and adapting to a home with humans can be fraught with hazards and adventures. I’ve shared joy and heartache with my pets. Life without them wouldn’t be the same. I’d do it all over again.