I'm Kathy Santo for Iams with Howdini.

Are you thinking of getting a dog?

Bringing a new dog into your home is a big responsibility.

You'll need to take the time to train and socialize your

dog, as well as be prepared for the financial commitment

that goes with pet ownership.

Your dog will need food, supplies,

veterinary care, and more.

Remember, he'll depend on you for his health and well-being.

So be sure you're ready for a dog before

you start the process.

No surprise puppies.

Make sure everyone in your household is on board with

getting a puppy.

Too often, puppies are given up, but the family isn't ready

for the commitment that puppies require.

Once you've got through the commitments and

responsibilities associated with dog ownership, the next

step is to figure out what type of dog is right for you

and your family.

Today we're going to discuss a variety of things you should

think about before choosing your dog.

What type of family do you have?

Do you have kids or other pets?

What size of dog works best for your family?

Do you know how much cleaning and grooming time

you can commit to?

How much time do you have for training your new pup?

What energy level is a good fit for your home?

Is barking something to consider?

What kind of temperament is right for your family?

We all know how cute puppies and dogs are, and it can be

hard to resist when you go to pick them out.

Remember, they'll have an easier transition into your

home if you think about the best type of dog for you.

Consider the following aspects to help you choose the best

dog for you and your family.

Large dogs.

Generally they aren't suitable for apartment dwellers.

They need a bit more space to move around, mostly for their

long tails that need wagging space.

They tend to be more expensive--

more dog food supplies and medical treatment.

Small dogs.

They are more delicate and vulnerable.

Being stepped on or mishandled can cause serious injury.

Also, little dogs can be more sensitive to colder

temperatures, so be ready to keep them warm.

They're generally less expensive to maintain.

How much cleaning up can you commit to?

Long-coated and double-coated dogs shed, shed, and shed some

more, leaving tufts of hair to float about the house and land

everywhere.

How much time are you willing to spend brushing or grooming?

Make sure to consider the cost. A monthly grooming

service can really add up over the years.

If you lack time and patience to deal with a dog that's

difficult to train, than an older dog from a rescue may

fit your bill, as well as a pup of a breed that is

traditionally easier to train.

Intelligence is not necessarily an indicator of

trainability.

Smart dogs often have their own agenda and require

consistency on the part of their owners.

Dogs with a willingness to work and a desire to please

you often turn out to be the best companions.

I recommend hiring a dog trainer to perform a few tests

to help determine if the dog is a good fit for you.

As a rule, terriers, hounds, and Northern dogs are tough to

train because of their intelligence and independent

natures, while sporting and herding dogs

are easier to train.

The sharpest working obedience breeds are Golden Retrievers,

Labrador Retrievers, Border Collies, German Shepherds, and

Shetland Sheepdogs--

breeds that develop closely with humans.

Some dogs enjoy lounging at your feet to sleep the day

away, while others are very energetic and ready to run a

marathon right alongside you.

Cute as they are, Basset Hounds, Dachshunds, and Corgis

are not jogging companions.

And Airedales, German Shepherds, and Border Collies

are not typical couch potatoes.

All dogs need some exercise to stay healthy.

Most adult dogs will not exercise themselves, so time

for walks and other activities is important.

Some dogs bark a lot.

And the amount can vary by breed.

Terriers and scent hounds use their voices to broadcast

their progress in chasing prey.

Shelties and Collies bark to tell the sheep to

get back to the barn.

Canaan dogs bark to alert their families

of potential intruders.

Many dogs will bark if they're bored, so owners should also

be sure to assess their own time and ability for training,

walking, and play time, and should properly confine the

dog when they can't otherwise keep it from

disturbing the neighbors.

There are some special collars available to deter a barking

dog, and training methods that can help in some cases.

But if potential owners take the noise factor into

consideration, problems are more likely to be minimized.

Breed and temperament can be described, but there's room

within that description for individuality.

For example, Akitas are declared to be tough, loyal,

aloof, dominant, aggressive to other animals, and often

challenging.

However, many Akitas are sweet and cuddly, love small

critters, will climb in laps if allowed, and are anything

but aloof and dominant.

Terriers are scrappy, yappy, tough and independent, but

Airedale Terriers bond very closely to their humans and

are somewhat protective.

Hounds follow their eyes or noses and are often oblivious

to human presence.

Dachshunds bond closely with their families, and Greyhounds

and Whippets are sweet, gentle pets.

Because temperament isn't always easy to judge when

meeting a new dog, I strongly recommend hiring or asking a

professional dog trainer to come with you to evaluate

temperament.

They'll be able to assess a dog's personality, compare it

with your wish list, and determine what dog is the best

fit for you.

If you can't arrange this, ask the people who have interacted

with the dog the most about his temperament.

Once you've thought about the commitment and have a good

idea of what type of dog is the best fit for your family's

lifestyle, check out your local animal shelter or animal

rescue to see if a new addition is

waiting there for you.

I'm Kathy Santo for Iams with Howdini.

I hope you found this helpful as you welcome your new

addition into your family.

For more information on puppy care and training, visit

iams.com/puppy.