Families come in as many varieties as there are dog breeds and dog personalities. As a result, the top dog for your family depends as much on your family as it does the dog you’re thinking of adopting.
A very important issue, when choosing a dog has to do with the owner’s desire and capability to provide leadership to the dog. A person who doesn’t like saying “No” or setting and enforcing rules, is not likely to be happy with a dog that is known for its strong personality or that has been bred to “think for itself” as shepherds have been. When it doesn’t have a leader, what people refer to as an “alpha dog” to set the rules, a dog can become confused about how to behave. In this way, a dog is similar to a child. Without rules that are clear and consistent, both dogs and kids will frequently be in trouble and unhappy. To be a “Top Dog” in a family, a dog has to fit in. Rules help your pet understand and fit in to the structure of your family.
Every year, dogs that are purchased or adopted, end up being too much trouble for the family. Many of those dogs end up at the Humane Society or with rescue organizations. This is frequently because the family Did notprovide the consistent leadership that the dog needed. The family membersDidn’t have the “alpha dog” authority that was important for their pet to learn the rules it needed to know how to fit in.
If you hate rules, telling others what to do or have a passive personality and you REALLY want a dog (rather than a cat or a ferret), Considerchoosing a breed that’s known for its desire to please its owner like a pug or a Japanese Chin. This does not mean choosea small dog because many of the smaller breeds can be very strong-minded. A Chihuahua will take charge of the family, if they’re left without structure for their behavior. A Great Dane will be a cooperative family member if given clear rules and those rules are consistently enforced. However, if you’re reluctant to tell it to get off your couch, you are likely to be without a place to sit down yourself unless you are under the dog.
Terriers are not great for a low energy person unless the person is looking for a reason to become more active. On the other hand, a person who is lonesome and feels isolated may do well with a terrier because both the person and terrier may like the attention that a terrier will surely seek from its owner.
If you cannot stand barking, you may want to considera Basenji or another breed known for not barking. If you like your own space, look for a breed that’s more independent and is not bred to be a lap dog. Mind you, a Great Dane is more than willing to lounge with its head on your lap, if you are so inclined. Make sure to do your research. Adopting a pet should mean that you’re choosing to be a responsible owner for the lifetime of your dog.
Consider checking at the Humane Society, rescue organizations or your local pound. Your Top Dog may be waiting there for you to adopt it. Once you chooseyour dog, it is important to know and remember that, like people, dogs respondsuperior to kindness and rewards than they do to punishment. If you know what your rules are for your pet, are consistent in its training and reward appropriate behavior, you’ll have a Top Dog for life.
