How to Guide to Giving a Dog as a gift

Thinking of giving a dog as a gift? You might want to think again. Animal shelters say they see an increase in the number of animals given up after the holidays, a big gift giving time of year. Having a pet dog is a big responsibility. Here's a guide to help you make a decision

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• This Guide.

1. Dogs live 10-15 years or more and adopting a dog is a long-term commitment that needs to taken very seriously. There is a reason why there are so many homeless dogs and it is usually because the owner and dog were mismatched and not because there is something wrong with the dog. Owners often do not realize how much effort is required to having a pet dog and are not meeting their dogs needs so behavior problems may arise. Millions of dogs are killed in Shelters every year. Bringing a dog into a home is a very big decision that should be carefully weighed out.
2. A fun alternative to giving a dog as a gift.
   If you know someone that really wants to get a dog, give him or her the following guide and a promise to help them pick out the right dog for their needs. You can even make up a cute, handmade certificate that states your promise to help them pick out the dog. You can wrap the certificate up inside of a dog bowl or with a box of dog treats or something too. This way, you get to be a part of giving them the dog but also be responsible enough to help them pick the dog that would be best matched to them. The following guide goes into further detail on how important it is to match the individual dog to the person.
3. Guide to adopting a dog
   It can be a very emotional experience to fall in love with a dog and want to give them as a gift. But there are a lot of factors to consider as to what kind of dog is best for suited for each person. As a dog trainer I’ve come across a lot of problem behavior in dogs due to owners not being aware of how important it is to meet their dogs needs. The amount of exercise a dog needs is usually one of the most important needs that often do NOT get met properly. If a dogs needs are met, you will have a great companion full of love for you. If you don’t meet your dogs needs you will run into problem behavior that can be a nightmare. This article will help you to truly understand what a dogs needs will be so you can pick the right match for a successful life together!
   
   It is important to understand what a dog may need and to see if you can offer those things to that dog, every day for the next 10-15 years.
4. What kind of breed should you get? Should you adopt a puppy or adult dog? Where should you get the dog?
   Just like people, dogs have individual personalities. Some dogs are highly energetic, while others are more calm and passive, some dogs are very social, and others not. So if you have your heart set on a particular breed for example, you still need to search within that breed and find the dog that best matches your lifestyle. Also, think about the option of finding a mixed breed with at least one of the breeds you may like.
5. But before you even consider what breed of dog, you should first examine your life a little to discover what kind of dog would best “match” you. Think of it a little like dating. If you are someone who loves the outdoors and is very athletic, then you’d probably do best dating someone that also enjoyed these same activities. If you are someone who likes to stay home and don’t really like to walk very much then you wouldn’t want a dog that is considered high energy and needs a lot of extra exercise.
   
   In this sense dogs are like people, they all differ in personality and needs. Some dogs are more high energy and those dogs need to be matched with someone who plans to bring them out a lot; running, hiking, dog sports, long walks, etc. Others may want a mellower dog as a companion, who is content with hanging out with you all day and doesn’t require as much exercise as a high-energy dog.
6. Adopting an adult dog has a lot of benefits over adopting a puppy because you already know what type of personality the dog has and if it matches yours. Plus, puppies require a lot more work with housetraining, chewing and you’ll lose sleep at night caring for their needs; while adult dogs have already gone through all those difficult puppy phases. There are a lot of places to find adult dogs needing homes. You can contact your local animal shelter, or search for dog rescue organizations in your area online. There are rescue organizations for purebred dogs as well. Although adopting a mixed breed also has a lot of health benefits because they tend to get the best of their mix of breed genetics without the health problems many purebred dogs suffer from.
7. How old are the household members in your family?
   If you have children under 8 then you will not want to get a puppy under 6 months of age because puppies have sharp teeth and claws that can cause injury. You also would not want to get a small, toy size dog because these dogs are so small they can be very fragile and sustain injury easily. So with small children you are better off getting an adult dog that is medium to large in size. Dogs over age two can be ideal because they have already gone through the difficult puppy and adolescence stages.
   
   If you have elderly or physically challenged people in the household you would not want to get a large, young, energetic dog that could knock them over and sustain injury.
8. What needs does a dog have?
   I feel it is important to talk about what actually goes into having a dog and its care. Of course it is easy to understand the benefits of having a dog and what they will bring to your life because they are a never-ending source of love without judgment. But, in order to have a good life with your dog you really need to know what you are getting into and what your responsibility is going to be. There would be a lot less dogs going to shelters if everyone understood what it actually takes to raise a dog successfully.
9. Dogs cannot be left alone outside in the backyard all day without attention and exercise. It simply doesn’t work. If you are going to be gone all day for work as many are, you’ll need to set aside an hour or so to take care of them both before you leave and after you get home. It is important to understand that you’ll need to exercise them BEFORE going to work and also after returning home. If you do not meet your dogs energy needs YOU WILL have behavioral problems such as: excessive barking, uncontrollable jumping on you, separation anxiety, destruction of your property, and possibly aggression among many other possibilities.
10. I hope this guide can help you make the right choice for you when deciding to adopt a dog. When a dogs needs are met they can be a truly wonderful companion for many years to come.
11. Julie with her dog, Fax Julie Bjelland Lokhandwala is a Popular Dog Trainer and Freelance Writer. She has written an insightful dog-training book that is featured on her unique, interactive Dog Training Web site at: www.webdogtrainer.com. The site allows dog owners to ask Julie any question about their dog through her personal, one-on-one live chat consultations.
    
    Julie’s impressive Dog Training career includes being a trainer at the prestigious Guide Dogs for the Blind school, an organization known for creating some of the best-trained dogs in the world. She has also been running her own successful obedience training/behavior modification business for several years. Julie is known for her extensive talent in dog training and dog behavioral psychology and her methods of training are friendly, encouraging and motivating.

Tips & Warnings

• You need to adopt a dog based on their personality matching yours. You need to go into the matching process knowing your lifestyle and needs and looking for a dog that will match those needs.
• Do not get a dog based only on how they look!
• And, Do Not adopt a dog because you feel sorry for it.