It’s interesting to look at dogs and their human parents. Sometimes I can look at people and guess what type of dog shares their house. I, myself, am a laid back, confident person. I like to have fun with my friends but am okay to be by myself. I have long, shaggy hair, and I drool. No, I’m kidding about that last part. I am also very loyal to my family and friends. What kinds of dogs share my home? Great Pyrenees, who by description are exactly like me!
What about you? What does your dog say about you? Are you energetic? Are you outgoing? Have a silly, gregarious personality? Are you easy to get along with? Perhaps you own a Labrador or Golden Retriever.
Are you more structured in your life? Do you like people but take time to warm up and get to know them? Do you have a close-knit but small social group? Maybe you own a Rottweiler, German Sheppard, or a Boxer.
The conflict I see is when two different personalities and lifestyle needs get together in the same house. That’s when all chaos breaks loose and dogs get relinquished to the pound. I was called into a home for training with an older couple who was having trouble with their Boxer.
The couple was not physically active and lived in a community where there were plenty of dogs. There were several problems with this match. One is that Boxers, as well as other dogs, need plenty of physical and mental exercise, and the couple was not active. If they do not get exercise, they will take out their energy in forms such as chewing, digging, barking, or other types of destruction.
The other problem was that as this Boxer matured, he developed some aggression issues toward other dogs. Without going into a huge analysis of the situation, this dog did not want other dogs coming around his people. Humans were fine but other dogs were a no-no. This couple loved their dog but were incapable of doing the training necessary to work with their Boxer. The situation kept getting worse.
This was a mismatched pair. The end result was we were able to find a home better suited for the Boxer. The couple held off on finding another dog. They realized that their current situation did not allow them the time or resources necessary to dedicate to a dog.
This case had a good ending, but most don’t. Before you purchase or adopt a new four-legged friend, try to make sure you are going to find a dog that has a personality and lifestyle needs similar to yours. Make sure you have the time and resources necessary to care for them.
