Freya's Journey: New Dog Behavior

Choosing Your New Dog, Behavior


There are many things to consider when choosing a dog to adopt or purchase.  The personality and behavior of each individual dog is highly important as you consider making them a part of your home.


When choosing your new dog it is important to consider your lifestyle and an individual dog's behavior.  The BF and I are both active and I knew I wanted a dog that could keep up on a hike for an hour or so.  The BF is also an avid hunter with a love of retrievers, so I wanted to try to look for a dog with some retrieving instincts.  


The Centerton Animal Shelter allowed me to take Freya out on a leash on the lawn outside the facility.  I was able to see she was rambunctious outside.  She also responded when I called her and while a bit timid, sat nicely for pets and looked at my eyes when I spoke to her.  I also noted that when I threw a small woodchip she pounced after it.


Tips from Dr. Wolfenkoehler at All Pets Animal Clinic 

Evaluate behavior:  Reluctance to approach may indicate fearfulness, which can manifest as aggression in stressful situations.  The obvious signs of aggression are bared teeth, staring, growling, etc.; but fear-aggression can look like more like shyness:  tucked tail, laid-back ears, head down.  Try to spend enough time with the dog to properly evaluate behavioral tendencies. 

Note:  In increasing numbers, veterinarians are seeing pets presented for euthanasia due to behavioral issues – ranging from lack of house-training to biting.  Many of these issues can be handled with proper and consistent training. Aggression issues are more difficult.  Only owners with the resources to address these potentially heartbreaking and/or dangerous situations should adopt a dog with a tendency to be aggressive. Families with children should not take such a risk at all.

·         All newly adopted dogs, of any age, should be evaluated by a veterinarian.  All Pets generally recommends: 

• a fecal examination (checking for internal parasites)
• a heartworm test (checking for evidence of heartworm infection
• age and lifestyle-appropriate vaccinations (we would consider exposure to other dogs and exposure to ticks as part of our vaccination evaluation)
• heartworm preventive and flea/tick preventive

All Pets performs a head-to-tail examination of the 10 major body systems (gastrointestinal, nervous system, urogenital, respiratory, skeletal, skin, heart, eyes, ears, mouth). They also discuss preventive dental care, exercise and nutrition, grooming, behavioral and social skills, as well as microchipping.


In addition to being a great office, All Pets Animal Clinic is very involved in the community.  You can visit with them March through November at the Downtown Bentonville, Inc. produced First Friday events.  This is a great way to meet the staff and ask pet health or behavioral questions you may be pondering on.