Before you head to the nearest animal shelter, there are a few things you must keep in mind. Remember that a dog is a living creature and your new pal Howie deserves your careful thinking. Shelters report intakes increase after the holidays as people who thought giving a dog was a great idea suddenly change their minds. Don’t let that happen to you. Here are some important things to think about before you sign those adoption papers.

• Remember that a dog is a big commitment. Howie can live 10-15 years, so you or your friend needs to be ready for that long-term relationship. The sad fact of the matter is that the number of homeless dogs out on the streets and in shelters is not due to something that’s wrong with the dog. In most cases it’s because the human who took that dog home changed his or her mind. Be sure you or your friend is prepared for the amount of work and money it takes to be a dog owner.

• If you really want to give your friend a dog and you’re sure that she is ready for the commitment, don’t pick the dog out for her. Make a decorated handmade certificate stating your intention to get her a dog. You can also give start-up items such as a leash and collar or food and water bowls. You can go with your friend to pick out a dog, so you’re still involved with the selection process. But, by letting your friend pick Howie out for herself, you’re ensuring that owner and dog are a good match.

• It’s great to fall in love with a dog and want to give it to your friend, but be sure to keep your friend’s personality and time commitments in mind. Will she be able to handle Howie if he needs a lot of exercise? Will she be able to walk him and give him the attention he needs or will her 60-hour a week job make that impossible? Would she be able to handle a puppy with all of its energy and potentially destructive behavior? Is she prepared to train Howie? These are just a few of the questions you should be asking yourself about the dog and your friend before you give a dog as a gift. By working these out before hand, you’re better able to prevent behavioral problems and emotional strain for both pet and human.

• Think about the environment you’re going to be putting the dog into. Let’s say Howie will be coming home to your family as a gift for your four-year-old daughter. If Howie is still a puppy younger than six months old, keep in mind that dogs have sharp claws and teeth. If neither puppy nor child is old enough to respond to commands or make good decisions when interacting with each other, an older dog may be a safer bet. You also might not want to get a dog that is very small, such as the various ‘toy’ breeds, as they are fragile and prone to injury. On the flip side, if your elderly mother lives with you, you’ll want to be sure the dog’s energy level is not so high and the dog is not (or will not be) so large that Howie could accidentally injure your mom if, in his loving enthusiasm, he accidentally knocks her over.

• Remember that dogs need a lot of care and attention (considerably more than a cat requires), particularly if the dog is young. Howie can’t be left alone outside all day without interaction at some point. If the new dog owner’s schedule is a full 8-5 work day, the dog will do best with morning interaction before work and evening interaction after work, plus additional attention on the weekends. If you ignore the dog’s needs, behavioral problems such as jumping, barking, destructive behavior and aggression may result.

Dogs can be the best kind of companions for many years. There are few other pets that promise the love, loyalty, and dedication that a dog does, so giving one to someone as a gift could be the most memorable gift they have ever received. However, you have to think it through and make sure you’re making the right decision both for the dog and the recipient. If things are rushed into, it can result in emotional strain for everyone involved. If careful thought is put in and good decisions are made, then you will be giving someone the gift of a lifetime. Choose wisely and the recipient will be thanking you for many years to come.

Why Bond with a Puppy

Puppy bonding is not just about hoping your dog loves you. It is also about establishing yourself as alpha of the pack, so that your dog looks to you for behaviors and commands. The more your dog feels that it “needs” you, the more bonded it will be. If your puppy thinks that it is the pack leader, it will have less of a desire to strengthen its bond with you, as it will feel it is the one in charge.

That is why puppy bonding techniques are also a way to establish yourself as alpha in your household. Here are some fun and useful ways to strengthen the bond between yourself and your puppy.

1. Groom Them
All members of a pack groom others as a form of gentle affection. Grooming shows your puppy that you care for it, while also improving the comfort level of your new puppy. Teaching your dog to appreciate grooming early is also a benefit of grooming your puppy early and often.

2. Dog Training
As soon as your dog is healthy enough to be rewarded by treats, it is a good idea to try to train them using standard conditioning techniques (clicker training, leading, etc.). Training is a great way to make sure your dog stays obedient, and every time you give a treat you are both rewarding your pet for a job well done (improving its self esteem) as well as showing that you are in charge.

3. Introduce to Strangers – With Protection
As soon as your dog is used to (and appreciates) your presence, you can start socializing your puppy with strangers. This socialization is great for your dog’s future behavior towards strangers. However, it also improves your bond as long as you keep your puppy close to you and show your puppy that you are protecting it from harm. Your dog will look to you for security, and you will be right there to provide it.

4. Become Excited by Everyday Things
Dogs feed off of your energy. When you are feeding your pet or about to play a game with your pet, show your dog a great deal of excitement. Your dog will then also get very excited about the activity and extremely pleased that they shared the activity with you, improving your bond even more. It will also associate you with good things that make it happy.

5. Long, Long Walks
Taking your puppy for a walk is something you need to do anyway in order for your dog to grow up healthy. When you take your dog for regular long walks, it will also find itself enjoying your company and associating you with a good, long, physical day that calms its active mind.

Puppy Bonding is Fun and Important
All of the above techniques for bonding with your puppy are enjoyable, and likely activities that you would like to do anyway. But these activities are not just fun – they are also important for helping establish a bond between yourself and your puppy, and helping your puppy grow up to be a well behaved house member.