Selecting a Dog for all the Right Reasons

Los Angeles, CA -- The numbers of dogs that wind up in shelters every year all over the world astounds everyone. In the United States alone, some estimates are as high as 6,000,000 annually and from 60% to 64% of these dogs are euthanized each year, more often than not, because they are not well behaved.

Matthew “Uncle Matty” Margolis, dog trainer, author and host of the PBS Series, WOOF! It’s a Dog’s Life says “These outrageous abandonment statistics can be attributed to people and not their pets.” He also states that the problems begin before the dog or any pet is brought into the home.

“If people would consider a few basic rules before they purchase or adopt a dog, life could be beautiful for most of these pets,” emphasizes Uncle Matty. His five most important rules prior to adopting or purchasing a puppy or older dog include --

• Educate yourself about dogs – read books and watch videos about the history of the dog and canine behavior. Learn about dog temperaments and how to determine them.
• Identify your lifestyle — or that of your family. Are you an active outdoor person or do you lead a quiet, more introspective life. Dogs have different temperaments too and you will want to consider that when choosing the right dog.
• Check your time availability — do you have time for a pet? Regardless of whether you select a puppy or an older dog, you have to have time to bond, time to educate and time to share – for the life of the dog.
• Consider the financial responsibility — there are a number of cost obligations including regular health care, adequate training, food and other necessities. If you go out of town frequently, you must consider the cost of boarding or someone to care for your dog.
• Never get a dog on impulse — because if you do, chances are you have not considered all of the above.

Once you have determined that getting a dog is a good thing for you and the rest of the family, then you need to know how to select the right dog. You will find helpful information about temperament testing in Matthew "Uncle Matty" Margolis' best-selling book, I Just Got a Puppy, What Do I Do?

||||||||||||||||||||||||