George Manning – Dog Behaviorist

How to Choose the Perfect Dog for You

It is the most important part of dog ownership

The most important decisions in owning a dog happen well before you actually adopt. If you make these decisions wisely you will come out the other end with the perfect dog and a lifelong bond of trust, respect and love. Making the right decisions here can also prevent behavior problems altogether. There are four vital decisions that you should consider deeply when looking to adopt a dog, as they will all affect the relationship you have and the chances of behavior problems occurring. They include, choosing the right energy level, the right breed, the right age and the right temperament for you. I will go into detail on these below.

What energy level best suits you

Step one in choosing which dog is right for you is coming to a clear evaluation of your own energy and lifestyle. Subsequently this will allow you to come to a conclusion as to what energy level in a dog would best suit you. Doing this should come before choosing the breed and age of the dog you wish to adopt. I will explain the potential energy level of a dog and then give some examples as to what kind of lifestyle and energy level you would need yourself to fit that type of dog. Remember, dogs vary in energy levels regardless of breed, the breed of the dog only increases or decreases the likeliness of an energy level, it is absolutely by no means set in stone.

Energy levels

Low – This is the type of dog that enjoys lounging around, receiving massages, affection and relaxing. This type of dog will not be bouncing off the walls, more rubbing against them. Low energy level dogs enjoy a slow paced walk as they do not have unlimited amounts of physical energy. Good walking or slow-jogging partner.

Matching human energy levels:

-Calm most of the time

-Not the type that needs constant stimulation, but some at intervals

-Perhaps an older person

Matching lifestyles:

-Spends most of the day sitting down (maybe at the desk or watching TV)

-When going out, enjoys a slow paced, relaxed walk or short jog

-Perhaps spends a lot of time working

-Has some time for a slow paced walk every day

-Not the type to regularly go on mountain hikes or bicycle journeys

-Prefers relaxing at home

Medium – Medium energy level dogs enjoy going out, but enjoy resting at the end of the day just as much. Most dogs are medium energy. They can travel for a long time, but just don’t match up to the constant fast pace of a higher energy dog. Good hiking or jogging partner.

Matching human energy levels:

-Needs the same amount of stimulation as relaxation

-Both relaxed and somewhat active in mindset

Matching lifestyles:

-Somewhat outgoing

-Relatively active

-Has time every day to dedicate to a walk, but does still work for a proportion of the day

High – These dogs are very “outgoing”. Very much like to be out for long periods of time. They naturally travel at a relatively fast pace. Need a lot of stimulation and activity.

Matching human energy levels:

-Need regular stimulation and challenge

-Focused

Matching lifestyles:

-Outgoing type, perhaps a daily runner or jogger

-Can improvise with increasing travel speed

-Perhaps a partially outdoor related career or a career where the dog can receive stimulation at regular intervals

Very High – These dogs need constant stimulation and activity. They can take many hours of constant travel without complaint. They naturally travel at a fast pace and can run for long periods of time.

Matching human energy levels:

-Almost constantly active

-Fast paced

Matching lifestyles:

-Consistently outdoors and exercising

-Perhaps an entirely outdoor related career

-Preferably able to give the dog work and/or challenging stimulation

Knowing your energy level therefore the energy level of the dog you wish to adopt is vital and is one of the easiest yet most significant ways to prevent behavior problems. Choosing dog with the right energy level will result in a perfect match relationship that cannot go wrong. I recommend going for a dog that is equal to, or less than your own energy.

One of the biggest causes of behavior problems is a mismatch in energies. I have seen on numerous occasions low energy people with high or even very high energy dogs. This leads to a lack of exercise and a build up of frustration and further increase in energy, making it even more difficult for the lower energy person to handle the dog. It is easy to understand why it is important to get a dog with matching energy. I recommend that you get a dog with an equal or slightly lower energy level than yourself.

Choosing the right breed

There are over 350 breeds to choose from in the world. That’s an astounding number for just one sub-species of animal. All the breeds are totally different and unique in the way they were designed and bred physically and psychologically by us. Choosing the right breed is such a vital step, because dogs of certain breeds are very likely to display the traits of that breed. Although this depends on how purely they have been bred and how specific to the breed standards, generally it is wise to assume a breed will display its breed characteristics. I have however placed this part of the article after energy, as every dog has an individual energy. Although dogs of certain breeds are more likely to display their specific breed traits, it is also possible for them not to do so. For example, Labradors are naturally very active as they are hunting/retrieving dogs, but there are certainly many low energy Labradors out there, that don’t even respond to a ball being thrown. Another aspect that throws the idea of “choosing a breed” out the window is the way they are raised. A dog may be conditioned during puppyhood not to display any breed traits at all, or less than normal. This is unnatural, but the potential is still there, and the idea behind it is clear. Nevertheless, choosing the right breed is highly important, whether you are adopting a puppy or rescuing a dog. During puppyhood however it is much easier to decide the level at which you want your dog to practise breed related behaviors. You can later on, but it is much harder.

Choosing the right breed is very important, and I will use the breed Siberian Husky as an example to describe why. Huskies are physically and psychologically built for highly intense sledge pulling for hours daily in extremely cold conditions such as the arctic. Even after being brought over to the west, Huskies maintain this innate purpose. So Husky owners commit to being able to fulfil these needs, or at least on a similar level. Many people however adopt Huskies almost solely for their striking appearance. This is not respecting their purpose or their needs; it is only respecting the human’s desires. Dogs do not care about appearances, they care about whether their needs are being fulfilled, right now, that’s it. If they are not being fulfilled, they will make it clear to you, this is where behavior problems come in. This is totally relevant to choosing the right breed. Choosing the right breed will result in more of a perfect match between you and your dog For example, a happy go lucky person who wants a dog that retrieves a ball and is social and active, may choose a Labrador. Or perhaps a farmer will go for a Collie, to ensure the dog can efficiently deal with the tasks required on the farm. So, make sure you get a breed that you can relatively fulfil its needs as a breed, and preferably a breed that has traits you desire a dog to have and can therefore fulfil those breed-related needs. The world of breeds is a vast one, so detailed research on breeds is a must for any wannabe dog owner. For example, the internet is a great resource for this. Try “dog breeds” for info and history on all the breeds and “dog breed selector” for quizzes that choose a breed that suits the requirements that you have entered. It is indeed true that one of the secrets of getting and creating the perfect dog for you, is choosing the right breed.

Choosing the right age

Once you know your energy level and the energy level of the dog you want to adopt, you should be thinking about the age of the dog you want to adopt. I divide the ages at which you can adopt a dog into the following.

Puppy, 8-14 weeks of age

Adolescent, 5 months to 2/3 (varies between dog/breed)

Middle age, 2/3 years to 8 years

Older age, 8 years onwards

Dogs differ quite significantly in behavior at each stage and their requirements most certainly do differ from stage to stage. For example, a puppy is ever increasing in energy and will need constant attention and stimulation to be content. Whereas an older dog will need less stimulation, more relaxation, and a lot more vet visits as the age increases. Again, choosing the right age can be a significant preventative of negative behaviors.

Puppy – 0-14 weeks of age

The most critical socialisation period in any dog’s life is 4-12 weeks of age. Studies show for example that dogs deprived of contact with humans at this stage become shy, more wary and more fearful of humans. Similarly other studies show that this is the best time to socialise not only to other dogs and humans, but to any other animals the dog may come into contact with, including cats, rabbits, hamsters and any other animal. There’s nothing stopping any dog, any breed, from learning to associate for example; cats with play, or rabbits with relaxation. Whether it be a Pit Bull, a Chihuahua or a Labrador, at this stage you can create a long term positive (or negative) association with pretty much anything. So, clearly going for a puppy has its advantages. It allows you to mould the perfect dog from day one. This does mean however that you will have to be prepared to do a lot of research on puppy behavior and how to respond to it. The puppy stage is very different from all the other stages as the puppy is dependent on you in the same way it would be in the wild on its disciplined and evolutionarily tuned mother.
Getting a puppy does mean however that you will have to adopt from a breeder. From a behaviorist point of view I could only recommend puppies from a reputable and reliable breeder as this ensures that you are getting a totally healthy puppy (although there are some rescued puppies out there). See ‘adopting a puppy from a breeder’ below.

Adolescent – 5 months-2/3 years

This stage lasts as long as 3 years because of the way we have developed dogs. Humans admire and desire adolescent traits in dogs, so the stage of adolescence has been gradually extended over the years of selective breeding. And although dogs do eventually come out of this stage, many adolescent traits still remain in adult dogs because of this fact.

The adolescent stage is what many call the ‘testing’ stage. It is the stage where dogs will test just how patient and disciplined their human counterparts are, even more so than the puppy stage. During this stage you will notice your dog’s behavior becoming gradually less ‘puppy-like’ and perhaps still increasing in size (depends on breed). If you remain patient and understanding in this stage then you will succeed and have a healthy relationship. Remember dogs do not take things personally, so do not do so either, and stay calm. This is only a brief summary of this stage so I recommend further research.

Middle age – 2/3 years-8 years

This is the stage that dogs will be their most useful. Being mature, fully grown and fit enough to travel the full distance they were intended. In the wild, by this stage the dog would be hunting with the rest of the pack and looking for a mate (but remember they are not adolescent for as long as dogs). If you adopted as a puppy and developed a natural relationship based on trust and respect, then by this stage you and your dog will be fully bonded and ready to take on anything. If you rescued however then nevertheless, this is still the perfect time to create a natural bond and bring out the best in your dog.

Older – 8 years+

At this stage, dogs will often be calmer, more relaxed and sleepier. They also get worn out quicker which means they do not need as much exercise and are more willing to relax and receive affection. So they can be the perfect companion for those who share a similar lifestyle. They are however more likely to develop healthy problems and pose a high vet bill, unfortunately these are inevitabilities that come with old age. They are still yet very rewarding companions for many.  I will not go into detail on old dogs here, but old dog rescue centres believe it or not, do exist. For example, olddoghaven.org or oldies.org.uk

Adopting or Rescuing, the secrets behind getting the perfect dog

When adoption day arrives, you need to know beforehand just what to expect and how to react to the potential new member of your family. Here is some advice and tips on how to do this the best way possible.

Adopting a puppy from a breeder

Once you have determined energy levels, and the breed or breeds that are right for you, you may choose to adopt a puppy. Here are some valuable tips to keep in mind when doing this.

You need to ensure in this process is that you take the time to know what a reliable and reputable breeder is like, and that you can find one. This is important because you need to know the dog is psychologically and physically healthy and normal as it can be. Breeders may advertise in newspapers or on the internet, or better yet by word of mouth. To understand what a good breeder is like you need to know the basics.

A standard breeder must do the following:

• Only sell puppies of 8 weeks or more of age (this is the time the puppies must be with the mother)
• Have all the puppies of the same litter together
• Have high hygiene and safety standards in the areas the puppy may come into contact with, such as regular sanitisation, regular poop disposal etc.
• Of course have good knowledge of the breeding process and be able to explain it

So these are some of the basic standards all breeders must adhere to, however a good breeder will do the following:

• Be able to list off the breeding standards of the breeds they are dealing with and show this in relation to their puppies
• Have a relatively large area for the pups to roam, explore and socialise in (important for the 4-8 weeks socialisation stage before they are sold)
• Be able to handle their pups and other dogs physically and psychologically
• Will usually specialise in one breed
• Understand puppy behavior
• Have their puppies and other dogs under control, content, and free to express natural puppy behaviors such as play and exploring
• Be friendly and more than willing to give advice and information about puppies, the breed and other relevant topics
• Understand the history of dogs and the principles that subsequently implies to breeding and mother to offspring behavior

Once you have found some breeders you wish to visit, you need to know what you are going to do when you get there. When you arrive, you should know what to expect from a good breeder and be observant if the breeder fits all the standard expectations of a reliable and reputable breeder. Soon enough you will get a chance to spend some time with the puppies that you wish to consider for adoption. Remember not to commit before you arrive, but once you have made a clear decision based on your knowledge of puppies and breeders.

Here is some advice on deciding which puppy is right for you.

Before you begin observing the puppies, clear your mind of any emotions that may hasten your decision. This allows you to observe from an instinctual and educated point of view, making a clear decision that will result in the perfect puppy of your dreams. You must then keep a clear idea of the energy level of the dog you wish to adopt, as this will be important when observing.

When observing the puppies, you need to multitask. You should look for both temperament indicators and energy indicators, behaviors that display a ‘likeliness’ to be a certain temperament or energy level when they grow up. For example a particularly high energy dog may be consistently more active and more playful than the others, being distracted much more than the rest. A potentially dominant dog may display more dominant behaviors such as growling, mounting and nipping than the other puppies. Similarly a lower energy dog will be slower in pace to the rest, less active or playful than the rest. A potentially more submissive dog will be the ones that are on the receiving end of rougher play or may roll over in submission frequently. Other traits can also be predicted when observing puppies. Such as aloofness, a potentially aloof dog will not show as much interest in you as the other dogs do. An ideal puppy may be one that does not rush to investigate you, but is genuinely interested and smells you. Furthermore this ideal puppy may not be inclined to growl or nip or jump on you. These are just potential indicators, if you have done your research you will have a good idea of what traits may appear and what they indicate.

I recommend using a puppy temperament test such as Volhard PAT, and the information they give on adopting a puppy. They can be found here:

volhard.com/pages/pat.php – information

workingdogs.com/testing_volhard.htm – the PAT

Adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue organisation

Being a rescue shelter worker myself I can give some inside advice on adopting from a shelter and help advise you to make the best decision possible. When considering rescuing a dog it is important to of course know your energy level, but also have a general knowledge of all the breeds, as you may not have the luxury of choosing a specific breed. There are breed-specific rescue shelters out there so don’t be disheartened, but the general dog rescue shelters are in need of the most help as their numbers are usually more than they can handle. There are a number of shelters in need of people to adopt their dogs, many of which are perfectly healthy and ready to go to a new home. For example, you may use petfinder.com pets911.com or search your local humanesociety.org shelter.

Here are some tips when visiting any kind of rescue shelter or organisation.

• Be aware of what you are projecting before even thinking about visiting a shelter.
• Be calm, wise, educated and instinctual about what you project and the decisions you make during all actions and interactions with or around the dog. Project a disciplined, knowledgeable and strong state of mind. This ensures that your observations are not corrupted by your emotions and subsequently negative body language or voice.
• Keep in mind that the dogs will have a lot more energy than they would naturally, so you need to make your own decisions about what the dog might actually be like in a home environment.
• Do not make direct eye contact with any of the dogs. This will trigger one or more of many emotions such as excitement, aggression, nervousness or fear.
• If you wish to meet a dog that you are interested in, face sideways and crouch down and do not make eye contact, this allows the dog to behave naturally as a posed to unnaturally if you made direct confrontational body language and eye contact (i.e. “hello! You’re a cutey!”). This will give you a feel of the dog. Such as an idea of energy level (I will continue on this), an idea of temperament (i.e. how interested is the dog in you) and will reveal behavior problems such as fearfulness or aggression around or towards humans.
• Once you have a feel for the dogs and have one or more that you are interested in, you can start to evaluate them further.
• Ask for more information from the shelter workers who interact with the dogs often on the particular dogs you are interested in and make your own opinion about this.
• Ask if it would be possible to take the dogs you are interested in out on a walk. Remember most of the dogs will have excess energy and the walk may not be representative of a walk that the dog might have in a home environment with regular walks. During the walk you can see how inclined the dog is to pull or go in front. See how interested the dog is in your actions and commands. Look to see how often the dog is marking during the walk.
• Always be ready to ask for information or advice from shelter workers. However it is best that you be up to scratch on your knowledge of dogs and dog behavior so that you can make a personal and informed decision.
• Shelters are often on a busy time scale and may leave you to it, if not, perhaps request that you have some yourself to observe the dogs so that you can make the right decision.
• Ask if it would be possible to see the dog with other dogs. This is a good indicator of how the dog behaves around other dogs. For example if you are interested in 4 dogs, ask if it is possible to see the dog’s behavior together. If they do not allow this then it is likely the dog has dominant or aggressive tendencies, and is best left to those with experience. If they do however, you can start to evaluate the tendencies of the dogs. Which dog plays roughest? Which dog is most interested in the behaviors of the other dogs? Which dog is most interested in the environment? Which dog is most interested in you? Natural behaviors would be for the dogs to investigate the environment, then move on to smelling each other’s rears, and perhaps initiating play, or simply moving on to continue in another activity. Unnatural behaviors would include one dog fixating on another, one dog mounting another etc.
• Consider fostering a dog or two to find out what the dog is like in all the situations she might be in. This is a great idea as you get to see the dog’s natural behaviors and reaction to all the occurrences of your daily routine.
• Remember to project calmness and only this. Other emotions may negatively influence your decision. Many people for example feel the need to adopt a fearful dog to love and help. But unfortunately the dog ends up back at the shelter as the dog needed a lot more than just love. Remember; do not make the decision on a whim.
• This is only a brief summary of tips when visiting a rescue shelter. Look to find out as much as you can.

Choosing the right dog, to conclude

Choosing the right dog can be a wonderful and rewarding experience that results in the perfect dog, a lifelong bond of trust and respect, and most importantly no behavior problems! So choose wisely, and spend as much time and effort on this part of dog ownership as you can.

Your instincts will guide your knowledge to make the right decision.

This is just the beginning.

Good luck.

George Manning