Should I Get a Dog?

    We offer free consultations for those thinking about getting a dog

    Should I get a dog?

  • Maybe. Owning a dog entails a financial commitment, time commitment and emotional commitment. If other obligations don't allow you to spend at least twenty minutes a day with your dog, then it probably won't work out as you'd hoped. The famous British dog trainer Barbara Woodhouse (waaalllkkies!) wrote in her book, No Bad Dogs, that dogs should have no less than 45 minutes per day of off leash dog time when they can just be dogs. That is a luxury for most dogs. But it is something to think about especially if you have small children to take care of.

    What are some other options?

  • There are plenty of dogs either in a shelter or in your neighbors' homes who would love an outing. Take 'em out! Shelters are full of dogs who need TLC, walks and training. This is a good "doggy fix" for those who decide that ownership it too much for them just now. This is not wimping out! It is a loving, responsible choice.

    Where can I get a great dog?

  • Options include shelters, ads in the newspaper, pet shops, rescue organizations and breeders. Knowing which dog will be a great pet for you is difficult to know. Most shelters test their dogs for good temperaments. Generally, aggressive dogs are not put up for adoption. There are no guarantees whether you adopt an older dog from a shelter (no toilet training!) or buy a puppy from a pet shop. However, one thing is for certain, there is still a pet over population problem.

  • Be realistic about how much time you have every single day to provide exercise and stimulation for your dog. Though you may think Border Collies are beautiful (many of us do!) it takes a great deal of effort to keep them happy and healthy. Consider a smaller, less active dog who will be a fabulous companion and not have you out in the rain, snow, sleeet for hours.

  • If you are a first-time dog owner, take it easy on yourself. Get a dog who will require less and not more. You and your dog will thank you each and every day. Remember, dogs can live up to 20 years. This is not a commitment to be taken lightly.

  • If you have your heart set on a particular breed, call local and area shelters to see if they have any available. If not, many shelters will put your name on a list and if a dog of that breed is relinquished, then you may get a call. Many rescue organizations are breed-specific. Check on the web for the breed you want. If you don't have any luck, give us a call at 802-578-9722 and we'll look around for you.



    Frontier Animal Society Adoptions - Newport, VT
    Humane Society of Chittenden County     - Burlington,VT
    North Country Animal League - Morrisville, VT
    Addison County Humane Society - Middlebury, VT
    Rutland County Humane Society - Pittsford, VT
    Franklin County Humane Society - St. Albans, VT

 

  © 2004 Follow the Leader Dog Training Services/Jill Halstead · Member: Association of Pet Dog Trainers.

Dog Training Services

Chittenden County Vermont

Follow the Leader, owned by experienced dog trainer Jill Halstead, teaches all aspects of dog training & dog behavior. Clicker training, dog training basics, aggressive dogs, aggression issues, chewing and biting, dog socialization, leash training, puppy training and more. Jill has been training dogs in the

Jill Halstead is a graduate of the renowned San Francisco SPCA Dog Trainer Academy which is directed by author and trainer Jean Donaldson. You may be familiar with some of Jean's books including Culture Clash, Dogs are From Neptune and Mine!.

Through four years of training shelter dogs at the Chittenden County Humane Society, Jill has been convinced of the effectiveness of positive reinforcement training methods - even with the most difficult dogs. Those are the only types of methods we use. They are the only methods proven to train dogs without fallout like aggression and fear.

She was lucky enough to have been the owner of a sweet, well-behaved Border Collie cross named Bailey, who she trained to be a registered therapy dog. Sadly, Bailey passed away in May at the age of about 14. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her. Bailey was adopted from the Humane Society of Chittenden County at the age of two or three. Mixed-breed shelter dogs rock!