Ask Dr. Wan: "What breed of dog should we get?"
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Q: We are thinking about getting a dog. What is a good breed for a family with young children?
A: Individual dogs of the same breed can have very different activity levels and temperaments, so rather than focusing on a particular breed, I recommend that prospective dog owners look for a fit between an individual dog and the family’s lifestyle. The dog’s behavior and personality should concur with the types of activities that the family enjoys. Are you looking for a couch potato who is content to lie around watching TV with you, or are you looking for an active dog who enjoys hours of play and long hikes? Seriously consider the amount of time and energy you have for a new, active dog. While children may promise to help take care of the dog, parents often end up doing most of the care and training.
If you already have a particular breed in mind, research the history of the breed, and think about whether the behavior that the dog is bred for will fit into your lifestyle. Herding dogs, such as Border Collies and Australian Shepherds, were bred to work for hours on end. Without proper attention, exercise, mental stimulation, and training, they will find a job of their own to do in your house, like herding your children. Labrador Retrievers are rightfully so a popular family dog here in Fairfield County and across the country, but remember that this breed also has a working history and can be quite rambunctious without adequate exercise. Another consideration, related to breed, is size. A large-breed dog may be more likely to knock your children over when excited, so putting in the time to train a large dog will be extra important.
One benefit of adopting an adult dog, whether purebred or mixed-breed, is that reputable shelters and rescue groups conduct thorough behavioral evaluations and assess the fit between adopters and adoptees. You can easily do a search for dogs available through local organizations using petfinder.com. Adoption counselors from these organizations can interview your family and point out the dogs in their care who are the best fit for your lifestyle. If you are adopting or purchasing a puppy, be aware that full behavioral evaluations often are not conducted on puppies, as puppy behavior is not always predictive of later adult behavior. In lieu of a full evaluation, simply observing the puppy’s activity level may be informative. Reputable breeders will also thoroughly interview you in order to evaluate whether your family is a good fit for their puppies.
Regardless of the breed you select, supervision of all interactions between your dog and children under the age of 10, including your own children, is critical to help maintain a healthy dog-child relationship. I recommend reading Living with Kids and Dogs…Without Losing Your Mind, by Colleen Pelar, a wonderful resource for parents on bite prevention and safe dog-child interactions.
Do you have a dog training or behavior question? Post your questions to me below, or e-mail them to AskDrWan@westportdogs.com. Every month, I will select one reader question to answer.
Dr. Wan provides dog behavior and training consultations to Fairfield County dog owners. She earned her doctorate and researched dog-human communication at Columbia University.
Brian Kesselman
8:18 am on Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Thanks for the article. My wife and I adopted our 5 week old puppy, Yofi, from Northshore Animal League in 1998 (Alaskan Husky/mutt mix?). I grew up with dogs and she was a neophyte. In addition to the considerations you listed, I hope prospective dog owners keep in mind the substantial training and care requirements. As a couple who both worked outside the house, we had to figure out how to deal with lunchtime feedings, walks and crate training for the first six months. We didn't have kids at the time, but I spent a lot of time taking away chew toys, interfering with eating, poking, grabbing paws and tail, and putting my fingers and hands in her mouth solely with the purpose of teaching her (and her sharp puppy teeth) not to bite.
Adding No, Sit, Stay, Down, Heel, Drop-It, Come (Up, Rollover, Car, Crate, Quiet, Bedtime, etc) takes more hours/months than new dog owners tend to imagine. And also take into account the cost of veterinary care and boarding if the family travels.
As Yofi nears 14 and shows her age, our kids have started to ask about what we will do when she's gone, our "next dog." Even as seasoned dog owners and lovers, we are being careful to consider if we have the time to dedicate.
There is no replacement for the comfort and friendship a (well-trained) dog can bring to a family. I hope readers just don't bound into dog ownership with the careless enthusiam of a puppy that just found the leg of the kitchen chair.
Michele Wan, PhD, CAAB
8:33 am on Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Hi, Brian. Thanks for your comment. You're absolutely right. Bringing a new dog into the house, whether puppy or adult, is a tremendous responsibility. I talked to an owner recently who likened it to adding a new toddler to the family, an appropriate comparison indeed!
katzx5
6:51 pm on Thursday, April 12, 2012
dr wan have you read any of the ongoing commets re mt pleasant board and the huttons 7 doxies? if not i wish that you would because i would appriciate any commets that you may have
Michele Wan, PhD, CAAB
7:53 pm on Thursday, April 12, 2012
I hate to present an opinion without having seen the dogs' behavior or what is triggering the barking, but since you asked, my initial thoughts are that a privacy fence and blinds could be helpful if the dogs are responding to visual stimuli. Also, letting the dogs out one at a time might reduce the barking, as barking can be "contagious" among a group of dogs. I would advise working with a trainer who is experienced with behavior modification and can help come up with creative, rewards-based solutions. The trainer does not need to be a Dachshund specialist, just someone experienced with changing behavior in a group of dogs. Sorry to hear that the situation has gotten so heated. I hope the parties involved will be able to work it out eventually.
Glen K Dunbar
8:35 pm on Thursday, April 12, 2012
hi Michele. I am Glen, from New Canaan here. We have 2 dog Morkie and Mini Aussie. Having trouble training. They go on the pads in the house. Had a Girl come over a couple times, but could not afford it. She would have taken them to her house for a few thousand which we not afford. Any ideas? Can you help out a poor guy down on his luck?? I need someone to talk to my wife for me to motivate her to bond w/the dogs more. Thanks GLEN
Michele Wan, PhD, CAAB
8:32 am on Friday, April 13, 2012
Here are some helpful housetraining tips:
Housetraining an Adult Dog: http://www.aspcabehavior.org/articles/3/House-Training-Your-Adult-Dog.aspx
Housetraining a Puppy: http://www.aspcabehavior.org/articles/4/House-Training-Your-Puppy.aspx
Cortland Kirkeby
12:34 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Thanks for your article and for making yourself and your knowledge/experience available on patch. I spent a few years volunteering at SPCA's in San Francisco and Oakland, so I hope you don't mind if I "chime in" with a couple of ideas:
(1) Take some time to learn about dog intelligence. My favorite author is Stanley Coren -- "The Intelligence of Dogs" and "How Dogs Think."
(2) Look hard at both San Francisco and Oakland SPCA's as adoption resources. "Maddie's," the SF facility is incredible. They offer an adoption package which also includes a multi-week training course. Oakland is less elaborate but also has good programs, particularly their "2nd Chance" program for adopting older dogs.
(3) I tend to think of dogs on a graph where one axis is "play" and the other is "schmooze." What do you want to do with your dog? Some dogs who are great for watching TV together show no enthusiasm for play. Take some time when you meet dogs to try a little of both to determine your compatibility.
(4) Keep it all positive. Negative methods, aside from being mean and obnoxious, are too random. Positive methods give you the ability to shape and fine tune behaviors so you and your dog have a better life together. P for Positive - P for Precise.
I hope this helps. I just learned about The Patch recently, so I'll be around often.
Again, thanks Michelle!
Michele Wan, PhD, CAAB
8:34 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Thanks for adding your ideas!
Carol Hudak
12:11 pm on Saturday, April 28, 2012
Thanks for being on Patch, Dr. Wan!
I have an 8 year old Bichon named Sunny, whom I've had for 3 very wonderful years. I would like to travel with him this summer. I see there are many motels/hotels etc. that welcome pets.
For a first time traveler with a dog, what do I need to look for in choosing a place to stay? What things do I need to know to make our travels successful for everyone involved?
Sunny's very well trained and everyone falls in love with him when they meet him.
Any tips are most appreciated.
Thank you!!!
Carol Hudak
Michele Wan, PhD, CAAB
8:23 am on Monday, April 30, 2012
Hi, Carol. Thanks for your question. I will try to address it in more detail in a future blog post. In the meantime, here are some helpful tips from the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Kennel Club about traveling with dogs:
http://www.avma.org/animal_health/travelingwithpet-faq.asp
http://www.akc.org/public_education/travel_tips.cfm
Carol Hudak
9:01 pm on Monday, April 30, 2012
Terrific! Thanks, Dr. Wan.