Less than 35% of all family dogs will live their lives with their original owners. Dogs are given up by their owners for many reasons. Statistically, many dogs are surrendered to shelters because of owners moving, behavior problems (rooted from puppyhood), and no time to care for them. A shelter dog is going to carry the same problems that brought him to the shelter into a new home. The problems that were ignored in a shelter dog's first home will need to be worked through with love, patience and training in his second home.

Before deciding on adopting a dog it is wise to ask yourself (and family) why you want a pet. What are your likes and dislikes? Everyone in the home should be in favor of an adoption. Make sure that everyone is ready for the changes an animal will bring into your home. New dogs will need lots of your time and training. Make sure that no one has allergies. Visit friends and family with dogs to determine if an allergy exists. Finally, look honestly at the following questions:

•  Is a dog right for my home?
•  Who will be his primary caretaker?
•  Can I afford to care for a dog?
•  Am I ready to make a 10-15 year commitment to a dog?
•  Will I commit to basic training for my dog?

Dogs come in all shapes, sizes, coat lengths, colors and dispositions. One area that tends to be overlooked is characteristics. Although many shelter dogs are a mix of breeds, the breed that can be identified from physical features often exhibits some of that breed's characteristics. For example, a mixed breed dog that has obvious features of a Border Collie may exhibit behavioral tendencies shared among its breed group: the Herding Group. And, more specifically, may reveal characteristics that are identified by that specific breed.

While you consider the characteristics of a dog that you will adopt, examine your lifestyle, living space, and time. If you work 10 hours a day, live in an apartment, and like to read or watch TV in your off time, a Labrador Retriever is probably not the best choice. However, a dog that prefers a more sedate lifestyle, like a Shih Tzu, might be the better option.

On the other hand, if you are an active family with children in the home a Lab might be more appropriate than having a sound or noise sensitive dog. A toy breed as the Maltese might not be appropriate either because they are small and can easily be stepped or fallen on. Getting a dog on impulse, primarily based on appearance is not the best approach. Shelter staff can be very helpful in guiding you toward the right dog. They may discourage you from certain dogs but encourage you toward others.

Children undoubtedly can benefit from sharing in the responsibility of a family dog. If your kids are asking for a dog, get them books about dogs and the care they require so they will know more about them and what is involved in their care. The adults in the home are ultimately responsible for the care of the family dog. Children are too young to be left with this kind of responsibility and it will eventually fall on the shoulders of the adults or the dog will end up in a shelter.

Many people consider adopting a young puppy to grow up with their young child. This may not be a good idea for two reasons; young puppies require a lot of time and care-similar to the time needed for a young child. If you are busy enough with a child(ren), a young puppy is probably not the best choice. The other reason is that very young children can unwittingly hurt a young puppy by falling on it, dropping it, or picking it up inappropriately.

It is a very good idea to give yourself a couple of days to devote to helping your dog adjust to his new life. Do not prepare packed days of socializing with friends and outside family. Your new dog will need an opportunity to learn his new surroundings and the people he will live with. Purchase the items you will need for your new dog: toys, supplies and food.

Upon arriving home with your new dog, take your dog first to the yard where he will be allowed to potty before you go inside. A fenced yard is strongly recommended for safety and effective housebreaking.

If you have other dogs, the yard is a neutral place to make introductions. However, taking the new dog for a walk with your other dog(s) is a better way to introduce them if you are unsure of how the dogs will get along initially.

Once your dog comes inside the home, decide what the rules will be and stick to them! If you don't make the rules your dog will and that will lead to behavior problems. To strengthen communication with your dog, take an obedience class. You will not only prevent problems but you will solve problems, too.

Do: Create a routine that your dog can count on everyday.   
Don't: Expect your dog to guess at his day. You will have a dog that is both       unhappy and insecure.

Do: Make your dog a family responsibility. Although parents are the main caretakers, children can learn pet responsibility by being given specific duties.

Don't: Surprise the family with a dog. Adopting a dog requires careful planning and agreement by all family members to be involved in its care.

Do: Include the dog as part of the family. Dogs are pack animals and see your family as part of his pack.

Don't: Banish your dog to the backyard. A dog that is alone for large periods of time can become bored and will make up his own entertainment, such as digging, barking and chewing.

Do: Give your dog the time and exercise he needs to thrive in your home. Above all love and enjoy the bond with your wonderful new dog!

•  Don't Shoot the Dog, by Karen Pryor
•  Dog Friendly Dog Training, by Andrea Arden

One of the most frequently asked question of me is can a puppy wait until he is 6 months old before starting obedience? The answer is most emphatically: NO! The reality is that by the time your puppy is 14 weeks he is considered a juvenile puppy and is ready to test his boundaries!

Too many people wait until they have a young dog with behavior problems before they are ready to invest in some training. Dealing with a dog close to adult size with problem behaviors can be very frustrating. On the other hand, taking time to train a young puppy will likely result in a young adult who knows what behaviors are acceptable. Training a dog strengthens the bond between owner and dog. Living with a well mannered dog brings pleasure and satisfaction to the family as well as give a dog structure and rules he can count on.

The most critical period for puppies to receive socialization is under 16 weeks. After 12 weeks of age, a puppy's experiences can have a lasting impact on his behavior and social development. It is therefore imperative that puppies learn how to interact with other dogs, men, women and children. They need to be exposed to new environments, smells and sounds. Their experiences need to be supervised, controlled and always positive. The social skills your puppy gains (in most cases) will define the dog he becomes.

Some dog owners may be cautioned not to take their puppy out of the home before the vaccination series is finished at 14 weeks. Taking this advice may prevent, without a doubt, the very small chance of contracting a disease. However, not socializing your puppy early, leaves the risk of dog aggression, people or environmental fears and unwanted puppy behaviors. Many veterinarians and dog professionals will recommend that a puppy be permitted in a puppy class after two vaccinations have been given.

Most puppies can start class between 9 and 12 weeks. Training rooms that only permit dogs with proof of vaccinations are generally safe places for puppies to socialize. I do not recommend letting your partially vaccinated puppy walk in the neighborhood, pet stores or other places where unvaccinated dogs might have been. Even though your puppy will have some immunity to protect him from disease, it may not be enough should he be in an area where an ill dog has been.

Puppy classes help develop your dog's social skills around other dogs. Since most classes are family oriented, the puppies have an opportunity to socialize with kids and adults. The amount of behaviors a puppy can learn in just a short succession of classes will amaze his owner. Shy dogs will become more confident and "bully" dogs will become more managed and less unruly. Teaching your puppy leadership will last him a lifetime.

These are just a few tips that will help your dog be happier with your departures. There are some dogs that have a true "separation anxiety" and a consultation with a good trainer is highly recommended. You will find the following suggestions helpful for the dog that just doesn't like to be left home!

•  Be sure your dog is properly exercised. A tired dog is a happy dog!
•  Obedience train your dog. Teaching your dog leadership means he doesn't need  to be in control.
•  Provide your dog with products to prevent boredom:
  •  Kong toy-food and treats stuffed inside for your dog
  •  Buster Cube - same concept as Kong toy
  •  Tennis balls - cut with small holes and filled with a kibble meal. They can  be hidden around your home
  •  Rawhides, rope toys, and other safe items while home alone
• No big "hellos" and no big "goodbyes". It's easy to want to reassure your dog you will be back or happily greet him because you are back, but this actually creates anxiety! Keep your goodbyes to a phrase you use each time you leave. For example, try "I'll be back". When you return home, say nothing for the first minute and then give your dog a very mild greeting.
• If your dog is destructive, consider crate training. Find a good obedience instructor who can show you the proper way to crate train a dog and how to ween them out of one
• Desensitize your dogs to departure cues. Perform departure cues (i.e., pick up your keys, put on your lipstick, etc.), then don't leave.
• Stage departures of short duration. Start with a few minutes, then add a few more with each trip. Mix up the small segments of time so it looks like this: 3,3,3,5,5,1, 6, 8, 3, etc. Once you have passed 30 minutes you can increase the duration by bigger increments.
• Avoid reprimand after the "act". Avoid the "my dog knows he was bad because he looks guilty" mentality. Your dog is reacting to your body language and emotions. Dogs will try to avoid your anger by crouching, rolling over, or avoiding eye contact. You think your dog knows he is "guilty" of being destructive or house soiling, but he is really associated the "evidence" with the reprimand to follow. He cannot understand that the "act" is wrong unless you see it happen. If your dog cannot understand or predict your anger, then he will begin to mistrust you.
• Leave music or TV on to "drown" out noises outside and provide company to your dog.
• Close drapes and limit the space you give your dog. If you have a dog that will destroy blinds, hang them outside your window rather than inside.
• For "solo" dog homes: A second dog is not always the solution. Two dogs can do a lot more damage.

Yes, a second dog can be company, but if you have one dog with separation problems, he can teach the new dog to be anxious, too.