By Jonathan Elkins
Growing up my family always had dogs and cats around the house so when I left for college very much wanted to have a pet of my own. Unfortunately, I was always in a living situation that didn’t allow pets, whether it was the dorms or a strict rental lease, there was always some barrier to pet ownership. In Nov. 2018, I had just moved into a house that allowed dogs and was thrilled to bring home a four-legged friend; I adopted my dog, Sammy.
I visited the website for the Portales animal shelter and saw what dogs they had available. After seeing a few that fit my living situation, I made a trip to meet them in person. I saw a great group of dogs but was holding off on deciding. I took some time to think about what dog would be the right fit and grabbed some essential dog care items. After setting up, I made my final trip to the shelter and I was set on coming home with a dog.
The shelter employee that showed me and my friends around, was holding a tiny black and white puppy. While he was introducing us to other dogs, he placed the little dog into a cage; the puppy did not make a single sound and looked incredibly nervous. That day, I made one of the best decisions of my life and to this day I’m not sure why, but I just felt like I was meant to choose that tiny, anxious pup. After years of living with rescue dogs, I have a few tips for any first-time dog owners that are just starting:
1. Make sure you have your home set up for the type of dog you’re going to get.
The dog that I brought home is high energy and cold-natured. This meant that I needed to stock up on sweaters, running leashes, and a reliable space heater. Having a bed, food, water, and all the necessities was a great start. Over time, you’ll realize what your dog prefers and make changes based on their needs and wants.
2. Realize that not every dog is the same.
This was especially true for Sammy because she is very anxious around people and it took a lot of time and work to help her relax. It also took the better part of eight months for her to take an interest in treats and snacks. While you always want your dogs to exhibit healthy behaviors, you must keep in mind that what is normal for one dog might not be for another.
When I was just starting, I was worried about whether my dog was “normal”. Whenever I need to give her medication, I know I can use cheese-covered chicken to hide a pill, but not beef. I didn’t realize at the time that Sammy prefers tug-of-war rather than fetch and likes going on runs but will also stop every five seconds to sniff around. Learning your pet’s preferences helps ensure they live a happy and healthy life. It’s the little details that ensure your best friend will have a great life, doing all the things you both enjoy doing together.
