4 Things NOT to Consider When Choosing a Dog

Animal Advocacy

Don’t follow your heart

Puppies are adorable. They do require a lot of work (especially when they are going through house training and often times covered in their own poop or pee). BUT, they will make you laugh and melt your heart with love. Not to mention numerous studies have shown that having dogs in your life can help reduce stress and tension and that dog owners tend to live longer than non-owners.

But picking a puppy can be challenging.

And here are 4 things that should NOT be the only reason why you choose a dog.

Let’s just say if you are looking for a puppy only because they look cute then perhaps getting a teddy bear is a better choice. A lot of people are tempted to get a dog just because they are so cute. And I was one of them.

6 years ago when my breeder asked me to choose one from the litter, I literally just picked the cutest one (at least in my mind) from the photo. There he was, lying on his back with his belly exposed to the whole outside world, sleeping so soundly but surely. How can I say no to such a cute and sweet little thing?

That said, I did my research and knew beforehand that getting a dog means a lot of work and commitment. Although I was so tempted by the cuteness of the puppy, I also knew the huge responsibility that comes with it.

Let’s be honest. Who doesn’t want the smartest dog that knows a thousand and ten words, does all kinds of tricks including your laundry. With just one click, google will give you one hundred lists of the top ten smartest dogs. With just another click, you will get another one hundred lists for the bottom ten!

Even though the intelligence of different types of dogs may differ and maybe influenced by the dog breed, it doesn’t mean if you get the “smart” breed you can just sit back and relax, vice versa.

After 6 years and 2 months, my miniature poodle is finally learning how to do fetch and fetch by names. That’s just to say all dogs will require training but the silver lining is you can definitely teach an old dog new tricks!

No one, not even your mother, will follow all your commands and demands. It always works two ways. Plus, some dogs are more of an independent thinker while others are more eager to please. Their temperaments are just as varied as our own and their mood will change when the outside environment changes.

Work with your dog and you’ll find yourself a faithful companion like no other.

We’ve all heard things such as dogs will give you unconditional love, or they will always be there for you, or dogs are human’s best friends, blah, blah, blah. Cliche is an understatement. I call these unrealistic dreaming.

Of course we all want our puppy to love us the most, forever loyal to us, and not to be tempted by strangers, not even with a piece of delicious noodle (my dog will sit for noodles)!

We like to take things for granted. It’s a universal flaw in human nature of which we have to constantly remind ourselves.

Treat others including your dogs as you wish to be treated.

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