New to dogs, need help!!?

Question

I'm looking to adopt a puppy. Up until now, my family and I have been cat people, but I feel it is time for a change. I'd like to adopt a Siberian Husky or an Alaskan Maramute. Anyone know where I can adopt a puppy of either breed in Maryland? Also, tips for first-time owners are welcome.

Thank you.

Answer 1

You've gotten some great advice from all the folks above.

Huskies and Malamutes were bred to live in very cold climates as you can see by the thickness of their coats. They are very strong dogs physically and were also bred to run long distances.(Just look at the dogs they use to run the Alaskan Iditarod -- a race of well over a thousand miles in snow and ice lasting many days! A type of below freezing marathon for people and dogs.)

I had the pleasure of meeting an Iditarod veteran when I was in Anchorage who told me that if you ever fell off or lost hold of the sled and didn't set the sled brake, the dogs would keep running without you and you would be in danger of dying in the frozen terrain. The dogs run over a hundred miles a day. (You can follow the Iditarod on the Internet.)

Are you really prepared to give these breeds the type of vigorous exercise that they need in order for them to be happy and calm? I'm not talking Iditarod -- but I am talking a great amount of exercise daily.

How cold a climate do you live in? Do you live in one of our northern U.S. states or Canada or other colder climate where these breeds will be most comfortable?

Huskies have developed a bit of a reputation by some for going after cats. I can't verify this personally, only knowing malamutes who were determined to break out of their yards to go to a nearby farm and attack the chickens. I am sure there are huskies and malamutes this isn't true of, but you may want to check this out.

If you are looking for a gentle, family oriented breed which tends to be very friendly and intelligent, I would suggest that you consider a Golden Retriever. They tend to be great with children and other pets, have good dispositions and good hips if you get them from a good breeder.

You will want to meet the puppy's mother and father, if possible. So ask if the parents are on the premises. Crate training is great and when used properly (never let the puppy mess in the crate, never use it for punishment, and keep it in a location where the family spends a lot of time so they're not isolated). Cover it partially with a sheet and they'll think it's a den, just like doggy mom would have provided. Get a DVD or video on crate training to see how to do it right. We view it as a cage, they view it as their protective den.

You might want to consider a crate in a bedroom where they will sleep and a crate in the family room.

There have been a couple of natural brands recommended. Wellness is another good brand. Mother Hubbard is one of their names also. Even Purina, makes Purina One and other natural foods. Don't forget though, a puppy is not human and has different nutritional needs than a child! Talk to your vet about this.

An older Golden Retriever who has been trained and has proven it has a good disposition can also be a wonderful family pet.

People may suggest that you get the breed that they have -- I would not. I have a German Shepherd. My suggestion about Golden Retrievers is based on a lifetime of experience watching different breeds and having a Golden Retriever as a child.

Mixed breeds can be great pets also. There are still many dogs who are survivors of Katrina who still need homes also.

I would suggest that you stay away from the power breeds. You really need to be an experienced dog person to know how to handle these dogs well.

If you get a puppy, sign your puppy up for Puppy Kindergarten and then taken Obedience lessons as soon as the puppy is old enough. If you get an older dog, go for an obedience class. The classes are as much for the owners, to teach them as it is for the dogs!

There are many, many good books out there on selecting dogs and raising them. Positive training and clicker training are very popular right now, but your best bet is to ask for suggestions from your vet as to what trainers are good in your area, that they might recommend. Go and observe them teaching a class. Talk to them. Go to a couple of places. Tell them you are just information gathering.

You may also want to go to all breed dog shows. Don't jump into anything and be ready to walk away from a litter. Don't go for the puppy who seems timid or afraid, despite any instincts to protect it. Go for the puppy who is friendly and outgoing and comes right up to you wanting to explore.

Have fun and good luck! Let us know what you decide!

Answer 2

I admire your courage for switching animals. Some people go their whole lives without accepting another type. Now, for your question. A puppy is a big deal for most first time owners because of so many things that can happen or not happen. Also, it is more expensive because of what might happen. I would suggest trying to find a dog that is over 6-8 months old, especially if you want a larger breed dog. About your suggestions, the Husky or Malamute is a very personal dog. Meaning, they attach to one person or family and are weary of anyone else. Towards other dogs, especially males, malamutes are very aggressive. Both are beautiful dogs but come iwth much to consider. As mentioned above, grooming is a big issue with both breeds. Food is also very important with these two breeds. You cant just feed any old store brand. It has to be one specifically based on a protien (chicken, lamb, beef, venison) These are a little more expensive but the overall outcome is much worth it. If you are dead set on a puppy, get him from a Breeder and not a pet shop. From pet shops, you don't know what the parents were like and if the family has any inheritable downfalls. From a breeder, they tell you specifically about the dog and its background and more than likely, are registered with a major kennel club such as AKC. I suggest you check out two sites, 1) www.dogbreedinfo.com and 2) www.akc.org The first one, towards the bottom of the home page, click on purebreeds and it will bring out a list of all breeds available in the world. Their individual pages are some of the best preliminary information providers I have ever seen on the internet. They ahve descriptions, genetics, living space required, temperments, history plus some other stuff. After reading that site, check out the AKC description of what the perfect specimen for that breed should look and be like and use this knowledge when chosing your dog. Also, at the first site, they ahve pictures available from every individual breed on index pages located towards the bottom of the individual breed pages. They also have a breeder reference set up by state. Hope it helped. Please, if you need more info, feel free to ask me by email.

Answer 3

Honestly, I don't suggest a Siberian or a Malamute if you're a first time dog owner. Siberians may be low maintenence grooming wise, but they are smarter than they look and just like any intelligent dog, will try to test your authority one way or another. Same with Malamutes. I was thinking about getting a Mal but after doing a lot of research, I decided that since I've only owned one dog (a golden retriever), it would not be wise. Both are super strong dogs and need really firm disciplining. Since they are both "pack" dogs, an alpha leader is a must. If you have the time and you can provide firm training, then maybe yes. But I don't suggest it. Make sure you do some research about what breed you want. That's how a lot of dogs turn up in shelters- even if the owners who gave them up really loved them.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Yes - Learn All You Can About Dog Pyschology Before You Buy A Dog.

All of the problems people discuss here in this section could have been completely avoided if they had done their homework first, and made the effort to understand how dogs work, how they think, and how to think just like them so you can make them work properly.

Would you buy a computer or a gun without knowing how to use it?
Then please, don't buy a dog until you know how to use it.

A very good book is called The Koehler Method of Dog Training, by Arthur Koehler. He is the man who pioneered the dog training systems used for the American police and army dogs.

And Thank You for making some enquiries about first-time ownership. The more study you go into now, the fewer problems you will have. Remember that a dog is a lot like a gun - handled badly it can kill.

Answer 5

Go to www.akc.org & research the breeds you like & think will fit into your families lifestyle. When you narrow your search, get in touch with members of the breed's club & ask further questions. A reputable breeder that is involved in the breed's club wants to place pups with a lifetime owner, so they will tell you honestly what the dog's personality and needs will be. Buy from a breeder that certifies their breeding dogs free from genetic defects known to the breed (every breed has them, good breeders screen them). This is the best way to ensure a healthy dog your family can enjoy the company of for years. And a good breeder will be happy to answer any questions you have throughout the dog's lifetime. If you are interested in getting a dog that needs a second chance, click on 'breeds' then 'breed rescue' at the AKC website for groups with dogs that need new homes & contact the closest group. Good luck!

Answer 6

When you decide on a breed, you could try googling for a rescue in your city and or state.
Another place to look is www.petfinder.com
Do some research on crate training for housebreaking.
Do some research on vaccinations. They aren't needed annually anymore and that includes for cats.
Here's 2 sites from Wisconsin University on dogs
http://svmweb.vetmed.wisc.edu/articles/68/5/39
http://www.news.wisc.edu/releases/8413.html

Answer 7

A lot of animal shelters and people that are adopting out dogs (foster parents) are using petfinder.org nowdays. You can search by breed of dog, sex of dog, size of dog, and look all over your state based on zip code. Good luck.

Answer 8

if you are new to dogs do lots of breed info searching... Huskies are super high energy dogs and can be aggressive if not properly socialized. try dogbreedinfo.com that is a really great site and they have a quiz you can take to help find the dog thats right for you and yours!

Answer 9

you need to start out with a easier breed alaskin malamutes and huskys can be food agressive w/ food becuse they had to fight for food when the pulled sleds but thats not all of them you should get some books from the library

Answer 10

Hello - As a Canine Behaviorist and Trainer may I suggest that you and your family do some reading about the breeds of dog that you are thinking of adopting.

Just as there are many different breeds of dogs, each breed has their own pros and cons and medical issues. Before you start to worry about where can I find a puppy, I think you should focus on what kind of puppy will suit your families lifestyle.

You need to consider all of the following items -

1. All pupies/dogs should be crate trained - this means that you should purchase a crate that the full grown dog will be comfortable in and you also need to purchase the crate dividers so you can limit the access area and keep increasing the crate area that the dog has access to as he grows. A large crate will cost you around $100 - $200 depending on quality - dog will also need beds to put inside the crate and the crate needs a floor - one that slides in and out like a tray - so it can be kept immaculate

2 - the type of length of the fur - shedding - with the breeds you are considering these dogs have a very heavy second coat and they require a LOT OF Brushing and combing - their fur needs to be combed from the skin out at least weekly - the toe nails should be trimmed monthly and more often if the dog is not walked on concrete/blacktop (dog shampoo - dogs have a different PH level so human shampoo should never be used on a dog - conditioner, the comb & the brush, nail clippers & stop qwik powder, ear wash and Q-tips (real Q-Tips brand, the cheaper brands bend to easily and you can't get the ear canal clean like it needs to be cleaned to prevent ear infections, tooth brush and dog tooth paste).

3-Who will bathe the dog and how often does the dog require bathing? Again for the breeds you are interested in, a bath three times per year should be enough - the food and water stations - these dogs should end up with a raised food and water dish and the water needs to be clean and fresh 24 hours per day as an adult and the water amounts need to be monitored as a puppy during the housebreaking cycle,

4 - the medical issues with these breeds that you need to watch for and should check out with your vet - enlarged hearts, eye problems, bloat, hip displasia, impacted anal glands. You will need to find and select a vet and have an initial well visit - regular exam should include full body exam, urine/blood tests, eye, ear check, lung function, check anal glands, chest X-Ray, check skin and smell the ears - initial vaccinations and discuss the vaccination schedule with your vet and determine which additional ala carte vaccines may be needed for example a hunter might request that his dog receive the vaccine for lyme disease since they will spend time in the forrest - your vet will guide you.

5- understand the nutritional needs of your dog - puppies need different food then adults and adults need different food then senior dogs - I recommend the Dick Van Pattens nature balance - this food is natural and human quality - the grains are organic and contain NO Peticides No Chemicals - the protein sources are HUMAN Quality - so if the protien source is not fit for human consumption, then it is not allowed in this dog food - plus these protien sources are diversified, some examples are salmon, beef, chicken, duck, bison - and these protien samples are free of growth hormones and free of antibiotics - Commercial dog foods have so much waste and unhealthy chemicals that as we continue to keep dogs as domestiated pets - more and more pets are developing toxic allergies to food additives found in these cheap dog foods - by upgrading the dog food to a human quality product like Dick Van Pattens foods, you are increasing the life span and the overall health of any dog that you may adopt and this food is available at local Petco and Pet Smart stores and I sure other stores carry this brand but I know for sure that these 2 stroes do carry Dick Van Patten -

There is a Dick Van Patten web page and if you Google Human Grade Dog Food, you will see many other companies also are now producing top quality dog foods.

6. Who will care for the dog/puppy when the family is on vacation? or will the dog come too? - If you plan on taking your dog - special travel accomodations need to be made - like what hotel accept dogs - carrying food and water on the road - potty breaks and all dogs should either be in a crate or secured using a seat belt while the car is moving - this will protect your pet from dealth and injuries in the event of an auto accident and a seat belt will also make sure that you dog is still at the scene of the accident so that he can be checked on, without a seat belt the dog could run due to fear from the accident - seat belts are a good idea for people and dogs.


Puppy supplies needed -

6 foot, 10 foot, 30 foot Leashes, Martingale Collar - gentle leader head halter, dog comb, appropriate brush, nail clippers & septic nail powder (Stop Qwik), food and water bowls, human quality dog biscuits and dog food = mix wet and canned food at meal time and leave some dry food out 24 hours per day to allow the pet to snack as needed - free feeding in addition to planned meal times allows the dog the freedom to regulate his appetite and his moods - just like people some days you eat a little more and some days you eat less and some days you may not eat at all and puppies, especially when they are cutting teeth, may run fevers and my have a poor appetite from time to time - if a puppy does not east at least one small meal per day you should contact a vet,

Note the longer leashes are for training purposes - they are used to teach and enforce the "Come" command -

I also suggest that you look for a book named " How to make a Bad Dog Better" you are looking for a basic dog obedience book that uses positive reinforcement training techniques only and ones that stress the importance of balance - think of a triangle - there are 3 basic things you need in the relationship with a dog before you can train a dog and they are Love, Discipline and Respect - All 3 are equally important - Training sessions should only last 10 to 15 minutes and should always end on a very happy note where the dog gets a lot of praise , maybe a food reqard and then a few minutes of fun pay (No Tug of War until you have read up on Dog Aggression).

Dogs need interactive toys and toys that randomly deliver food rewards and all dogs need a Kong toy - you can experiment with different filling and there are recipes on the iternet for Kong fillings -

I can also provide you with recipes to make your own dog food and or dog biscuits.