Courtesy Paws Chicago

Lifetime Commitment
Adopting your dog is a lifelong commitment. Animals develop a bond with you and your family. Dogs are sensitive to their environment; major changes such as switching owners and households can be dramatic and very stressful. You need to make sure you are ready to provide food, water, shelter, medical care and love throughout the life of your dog – this could be for 10 to 15 years. Dogs mature and age at much different rates; usually according to size and breed. It is commonly held that dogs age 7 years for every year that a human does. However, this serves as only a rough guide when converting and calculating your dog’s age as dogs grow up very rapidly in their early years and then slow down. It is generally believed that the smaller dog breeds, the longer they live. Larger breeds, such as Great Danes and Wolfhounds, rarely live beyond 9 years.

You also need to make sure you are committed to keeping your dog as a trusted and loved companion as changes occur in your life (moving, pregnancy, job changes, etc.) There are many resources to utilize during these times of change that can make transitions smooth and comfortable for everyone.

No matter what age or how healthy you are, make sure you have preparations made for your dog if you become unable to care for him. This information should be incorporated into your will, or at minimum, a letter should be kept with your important papers. Make sure the caretaker knows they are responsible for your dog and that they should be contacted if something should happen.

An Enriching Environment
You need to make sure there are plenty of positive stimuli in your dog’s environment. This would include changing out his toys, giving him treats that may or may not involve a challenge, playing with and petting him frequently, and giving him plenty of outside time but ultimately being kept inside as a part of the family. Dogs are pack animals; it is important to make them feel like part of the pack (your family). You should spend 15 – 30 minutes, 3 times a day walking and playing with your dog at the very least. Always make sure you pet and praise your dog whenever you have the chance, even if it is a quick pat.

Exercise
Dogs need plenty of exercise and socialization. Dogs enjoy a long walk in the park, visiting with the neighborhood dogs, riding in the car or sitting with you outside of the local coffee shop. A sufficient amount of exercise will prevent many unwanted behaviors. A tired dog is often a good dog! Each type of dog has different needs; it important to understand if your dog is a working dog, a retriever, or a herder and then develop an exercise routine that matches his personality. When exercising your dog, keep in mind that young puppies cannot handle much more then a walk around the block. Young puppies should not go running. At around 1 year of age, your dog can begin running with you. Animals, like humans, need to build up to longer, more intense exercise regimes. As your dog approaches his geriatric years, it is important to then decrease exercise and not force your geriatric dog to keep the same activity level he had during his prime.

Potty training
Your puppy will not automatically know it is inappropriate to soil in the house. It is your job to teach him. Regardless of age and background, housetraining is attainable for all dogs. Proper training requires time, patience, and consistency on your part. Some dogs will pick up housetraining easily, while others may take more time.

Several strategies exist for potty training: crate, paper, pads, litter box, etc. Crate training is often the best choice- while learning not to soil in the house, your dog also learns to accept the crate as a safe, secure area. Dogs instinctively want a safe “den,” or resting area and usually learn not to soil it. Many crate trained dogs will be less anxious when kenneled for any reason – at the groomer, veterinarian, or boarding facility, because they are familiar with a crate or kennel environment. In order to accomplish these positive feelings about the crate, you should make sure the crate is a very comfortable place for your dog. Place a soft blanket inside and a favorite toy (that doesn’t have any pieces that can be swallowed). Give your dog treats when he is in the crate and don’t only have him go in the crate when you leave. The crate is a great tool to use when you need a break while at home (making dinner, cleaning the house, etc.) Never, ever use the crate for punishment. You want your dog to associate the crate with positive feelings.

It is very important to choose a crate size and type that is appropriate for your dog and use the crate properly. Your dog should be able to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably in the crate. You also want to make sure the crate is not too big. If your dog can eliminate on one side of the crate, and lay down on the other, the purpose of the crate (which is to not allow the dog to eliminate in his resting area) is defeated. Do not leave young puppies crated all day. Puppies 6-8 weeks old should be crated for no more than 4 hours at a time. As the puppy grows, crating time can gradually be lengthened. The general rule is the puppy can be crated for however many months old they are, plus one hour. So for a 5 month old puppy, he can be crated for 6 hours. Paper or litter box training is appropriate for small dogs that will not have regular access to the outdoors. This is a great option if you live in a high rise building.

Regardless of what training strategy you use, your dog should immediately be taken to the designated area immediately upon waking in the morning, then frequently throughout the day, and finally, right before bedtime. If you have a puppy, he will also need to go out prior to playing, after playing or eating, and as many other times as you can. Be sure to also watch your dog’s body language. Behaviors such as pacing, whining, circling, excessive sniffing or squatting indicate that your dog may need to eliminate. If you catch your dog exhibiting any of these behaviors, interrupt the dog and immediately take him outside. If he eliminates outside, praise him profusely and give him a treat.

If your dog/puppy has an “accident” somewhere other then the designated area, immediately clean it up using an odor remover (so he doesn’t feel compelled to go in that area again). If you catch your puppy in the act of having an “accident”, take him immediately to the designated soil area. Never discipline or punish the puppy if you find an “accident” after the fact. He will not understand what the scolding is for. The act of punishing a dog for having an accident in the house can bring about behavior problems.

Plan to crate your dog or puppy while you are away for as long as it takes until you feel comfortable leaving them with the run of the house. For most puppies, this will occur around 1 year of age.

Obedience Training
Every dog deserves a great start, which is why it is highly encouraged that you attend a dog training class as soon as possible after getting your dog. Regardless of age, breed, or where you got the dog from, every dog and owner can benefit from training. Attending an obedience training class is crucial in preventing future behavior problems by socializing dogs, developing the human to animal bond, rewarding them for appropriate behavior, and teaching basic commands that will help you and your dog communicate for a lifetime. Obedience training is not only for the dog, it’s for the owner too. So be sure to take your dog to an obedience training class where you are a part of the training. “Boot camp” type training can be appropriate with more difficult training issues. Training continues for the life of your puppy, and we encourage you to continue to take classes to educate yourself and your dog to ensure that you will both live many happy years together.

Secured Traveling
It is very dangerous to drive with a dog in the back of a pick-up truck. Not only can he be accidentally thrown from a truck as the driver swerves or stops, but flying debris can injure or kill your dog. It is recommended that any animal traveling in a vehicle be placed in a secured area (such as a crate, carrier, dog seatbelt, or the back of your car if it has a wall so they cannot get projected into the front seats if you have to slam on the brakes.)

Never leave your dog unattended in public (tied to a tree or post while you go into a store/coffee shop). This is a perfect opportunity for your dog to get stolen or mistreated.