Choosing the dog for the life we have, not the life we had

As dog people we often choose a type and stick to it - we’re border collie owners, staffy owners, shepherd owners etc.

This is a really common issue I see. Often owners do really know their stuff, they’ve always had powerful, high needs dogs and that’s been wonderful. While we’ve had the time to dedicate to them, the physical ability to exercise them well, and the lifestyle that supports that type of dogs needs.

But perhaps our previous dog adjusted with our change in lifestyle, naturally fitting in as they aged and slowed down - we remember that lovely mature dog, but not the amount of work that went into them early on. Or we’ve only owned that breed when we were living on a large property working them full time, and now we’re on a smaller town block. Or we had one that was our absolute world in our early 20s, but now we’re adults working 60 hours a week with 2 young kids in the home struggling to find 15 minutes to ourselves. Then we go get another of the same type of dog that we love - the higher energy, higher needs younger version - and it just isn’t a good situation. Not for lack of effort, love or understanding of the breed, but because our lifestyle just isn’t a good match for them anymore.

It’s a difficult conversation to have, but something that needs serious consideration each time we add a new dog to the household. Because our lifestyles change, so the dogs that suit our lifestyle will change.

The dog that I have previously chosen as a full time bull farmer providing hours of intense stock work each day is a much different dog to what suits my current lifestyle as a pet dog trainer. As much as I adored my big high drive noisy Huntaways, they’re not the right fit for me in this chapter of life.

And the more intense traits I seek in my dogs today while training & adventures are my 24/7 is highly unlikely to be the same dog that will suit my lifestyle in 50 years time. A working line dog like Needle would lose her mind without her regular hikes in nature & physically demanding training games.

This doesn’t mean we need to ditch our favourite working breed entirely in favour of a cavoodle as we get older or change our lifestyle (though I have worked with some fun cavoodles!). But it does mean we might need to consider a few other options when we choose our next dog.

Maybe instead of the higher drive working line, we look for someone breeding more moderate dogs who need a little less work?

Maybe we look for an older dog of the same breed who is past the adolescent stage and better able to adapt to a more laid back lifestyle?

Maybe we look for an adjacent breed who shares the traits you love, but in a less intense version?

Or maybe if we really want the same type of dog again, we seek support from professionals in the dog industry to help with providing the exercise and stimulation we might not be as able to provide these days?

Taking the time to think hard about these changes & consider all our options ahead of time means everyone wins in the long run!

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Have you got a dog that is a bit overwhelming at the moment? Reach out for support! I’m here to help, offering training sessions throughout much of the Waikato & Waipa, as well as online anywhere with an internet connection.