What makes a good dog family for a new dog?

[PollyRoulson]

We have loads of threads about what breed is the best for my family.

How about thinking the other way around?

What makes a good dog owner?

Honestly, beyond the basics it depends massively on the dog. Different dogs have different needs - some are related to the dog's breed, and some are more individual quirks.

It is, however, a lot easier to pick a dog breed that's going to fit in with your lifestyle than it is to change your entire lifestyle. If you're a family of couch potatoes then getting a border collie is not suddenly going to turn you into outdoorsy types!

Some of the basics are obvious (good food, walkies, comfy place to sleep) but I think the most overlooked basic is understanding dog body language (e.g. the canine ladder of aggression is a good place to start, along with understanding that a waggy tail does not necessarily mean the dog is happy) and the fundamentals of positive reinforcement training methods.

and not being house-proud - the dog is part of the family (or should be ) so let them live happily with you and accept their ways of living - as a dog

@DeathByWalkies so I guess one attribute of a dog owner is flexibility and empathy to the dogs needs.

@bunnybuggs I am a bit houseproud and hate a dirty house but have made it easy to clean.

nothing wrong with being houseproud - I meant the over pernickity house owners who cannot tolerate, the odd muddy pawprint, dog hair in the moult season and general dogginess invading their pristine house.

My view is that if you can tolerate a slightly messy toddler - having a dog is of the same mind-set. I hate a dirty house too - but have also managed to accept the challenge that having a 4 legged invader with me means extra effort.

Training your dog with kind and safe methods makes for a good dog family - untrained dogs add a lot of stress to everyone's life and can be dangerous to themselves and others. Consistency is also important! Enjoy your new dog.

Someone who will love the dog, spend time getting to know it's needs, wants and quirks, who will reassure and support it to develop its confidence and behaviour but will accept that sometimes it's not going to be perfect. But they love it anyway.

Someone who will give the dog lots of opportunities to live it's best life with off lead walks with plenty of sniffing and grubbing, play with other dogs,sofa snuggles, play times, attention and good tasty food.

So in summary someone who wants to be lifelong best pals.

We are naturally a routine led household. This means doggie knows when food happens, when walks happen, what we expect in the way of manners so she remains very relaxed about almost everything. I think that disorganisation would lead to increased agitation.

A good dog owner should have an open mind. Nothing harder than a dog owner whose "had dogs for umpteen years" so knows how to do it thankyouverymuch, as they scream blue murder at their dog that's legged it across a field to pester small children and refuses to come back, again.

Dog training, dog food, dog equipment, everything about dogs, isn't set in stone, there's always new things; new, kinder, methods; new healthier diet options (and new diet fads that should really be avoided also). Being able to change methods i.e. the whole debunked dominance theory, and adapt is a must.

Flexibility, an open mind and a willingness to learn.

No idea really.

It's been a trial for both of us but at the end of the day I have spent money, time and tears trying to give him the best I can and I just hope he has a good life.

and not being house-proud

I would add not being squeamish. I have had ticks walk across my phone when cuddling him and numerous times when I have had to help him poo (pull out of his bottom) long strands of grass as they have freaked him out

A good dog owner considers the fact that they are not ‘just a pet’ or a source or entertainment to be picked up and put down to suit your needs. They are not little furry babies, who are just there to be cute and cuddly, but the level of commitment and attention they need as puppies is similar to that of a toddler and can be equally as exhausting!

They are members of your family and a good owner will understand that they are also a serious commitment (as in prioritising their needs) for at least 13/14 years, hopefully longer. There will be ways in which your life will be restricted or less spontaneous, but a good owner will feel that is more than a fair trade for the amount of happiness, love and loyalty they will give you without judgement or question.

Just like any other family member, the nature of a dog’s needs and care will change across the years and like an elderly human relative, they will often need more care and you will need to make more sacrifices to meet their needs as they become geriatric. To me, a good owner will see this as an honour and a way to pay back all that love and loyalty.

A good dog owner wants to understand their dog in order to meet it’s needs. We learn more and more about the nature of dogs, their wellbeing and needs as each year passes. So as a pp said, flexibility and a willingness to keep up to date and do your own research is important, to avoid becoming entrenched in outdated behavioural/training theories.

Love, patience, consistency and empathy are all vital qualities for a good dog owner. Not always easy to maintain (after all we are only human) but definitely worth striving for.

Finally honesty with yourself about what you can honestly/realistically offer a dog. If getting a dog (or a specific breed) is more about your wants/needs, regardless of whether or not you can fully meet theirs and give them their best life, then you are very wide of the mark for being a good dog owner before you’ve even begun.

Kindness, patience, understanding, willingness to go to training and no grabby/shouty children (or people of any age, actually). No problem with getting up at the crack of dawn for toileting, walking daily in all weathers, holidaying in the UK, self-catering, if it turns out they won’t do kennels and love, most of all when they’re old and needy.

Not to over expect from a dog!

Also not feeding your dog loads of treats and human food so that you make them overweight. Half of the dogs in the UK are overweight or obese, it's horrendous. Lots of other healthy ways to show them that they are adorable and you love them very very much!