January 03, 2025
Can you help me identify which breed of dog is right for me? I will be a first time dog owner with no training experience.
Full Question:
I learned of Leerburg from a breeder’s website . I spent considerable time reading your material and viewing your content. I’m impressed with your knowledge, expertise, and emphasis on building relationships/engagement with your dog. I'm a 50-year-old interested in becoming a first-time dog owner with no dog training history. Your training courses are appealing.I’m seeking a big dog that has high loyal tendencies. I want to be good for the dog and the dog good for me. With work and adherence to your training, how likely can a first-time big dog owner be with a Bullmastiff, for example? I am registered with Leerburg Online and have courses on my Watchlist. With unlimited access, do you suggest I buy the courses and get familiar with the content before and once I become a dog owner? What guidance can you offer in identifying a right-fit dog for me?
Many thanks!
Cindy's Answer:
Good morning, thanks for taking the time to write to us.
Choosing a breed of dog is a multifactorial decision. While I have a lot of dog experience, I don't have much experience with all breeds; and they all have pros and cons. I suggest that folks searching for a dog do a lot of reading about the breeds that interest them and evaluate their lifestyle for the next 12 years or so before adding any dog to the family.
Some things to consider are vet expenses, food, boarding, training, genetic health of the breed, exercise and grooming requirements, and overall general personality and temperament of the breeds you are looking into. Big dogs cost more to feed and their health care is often more expensive since many medications go by weight. Some dogs shed, drool and need more daily maintenance than others. Are you single? Any kids? Any plans for kids? Some breeds are known to be better with kids than others.
If you are interested in Bullmastiffs I would suggest contacting some breeders and if you can, attend some all-breed dog shows. See the dogs in person, talk to the people showing them, many of them live with and raise these dogs and they can tell you more about them.
How successful you are with training depends on you as a student. Everyone can learn the skills to train their dog but just like people, dogs are all individuals so some are easier to work with than others. Humans also vary in their aptitude and ability to communicate effectively to the dog. I feel that our courses are very helpful for all trainers, not just first time dog owners.
I recommend that new dog owners who plan on starting with a puppy get the puppy training material long before the pup comes home, that way there is time to study the lessons and make notes as needed. Review the material more than once, because it's easy to miss details when watching the video portion of the courses.
I hope this is helpful, there are so many variables with dogs and people the answer to many questions is "It depends" which I know is frustrating for new dog owners and trainers.
Choosing a breed of dog is a multifactorial decision. While I have a lot of dog experience, I don't have much experience with all breeds; and they all have pros and cons. I suggest that folks searching for a dog do a lot of reading about the breeds that interest them and evaluate their lifestyle for the next 12 years or so before adding any dog to the family.
Some things to consider are vet expenses, food, boarding, training, genetic health of the breed, exercise and grooming requirements, and overall general personality and temperament of the breeds you are looking into. Big dogs cost more to feed and their health care is often more expensive since many medications go by weight. Some dogs shed, drool and need more daily maintenance than others. Are you single? Any kids? Any plans for kids? Some breeds are known to be better with kids than others.
If you are interested in Bullmastiffs I would suggest contacting some breeders and if you can, attend some all-breed dog shows. See the dogs in person, talk to the people showing them, many of them live with and raise these dogs and they can tell you more about them.
How successful you are with training depends on you as a student. Everyone can learn the skills to train their dog but just like people, dogs are all individuals so some are easier to work with than others. Humans also vary in their aptitude and ability to communicate effectively to the dog. I feel that our courses are very helpful for all trainers, not just first time dog owners.
I recommend that new dog owners who plan on starting with a puppy get the puppy training material long before the pup comes home, that way there is time to study the lessons and make notes as needed. Review the material more than once, because it's easy to miss details when watching the video portion of the courses.
I hope this is helpful, there are so many variables with dogs and people the answer to many questions is "It depends" which I know is frustrating for new dog owners and trainers.
User Response:
Many thanks for the great guidance, Cindy!
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