Am I Boring My Dog? by Edie Jarolim Read Free Book Online

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO BRING MY DOG HOME?
    This is not as obvious as you might think. Unless you live within walking distance of a shelter or a breeder, an automobile is likely to be involved. But whose automobile? You might want to use your own car so as to introduce your dog to his future chariot right off. Then again, you might want to borrow a car from a good friend or close family member, so that any trauma associated with the trip home isn’t revisited every time your dog sees your vehicle.
    If your dog isn’t used to a crate and, especially, a crate small enough to serve as a carrier, bringing him home in captivity isn’t the best way to roll out the welcome mat. 16 For puppies and small dogs, a towel-lined cardboard box—or a designated hugger—is a far better option. You’ll therefore need the aforementioned friend or family member to accompany you, either to do the driving or to sit in the backseat with your pup.
    It’s only fair to make potential dog attendants aware that, besides calming duties, they may be expected to perform such functions as keeping your dog from leaping into the front seat and cleaning up any messes created by nervousness or carsickness, canine or human. For the latter reason, it’s a good idea to cover the car’s backseat with old towels or sheets before embarking on this adventure; to take along a roll of paper towels for mop-ups; and to crack the car windows sufficiently to provide air—but not enough to allow escape, canine or human.

19. WHAT SHOULD I CALL MY DOG?
    Call him anything you like—just don’t call him late for dinner.

    Hold the groans. It happens to be true, at least from your dog’s perspective. Unlike children, who grow up to resent you if you saddle them with embarrassing monikers, dogs don’t care what sounds you use to summon them. In fact, if you need to change your pup’s name down the road, 17 you can do so over the course of a few days by plying him with treats and other signs of approval.
    Humans, on the other hand, attach great significance to names, which are also key to communicating with and training your dog. So it’s in all your best interests to decide on something suitable as soon as possible.
    You’ll have plenty of help. Entire books have been devoted to dog names, replete with etymologies. Forget Fido, Spot, and Rover. According to a Dogster.com survey, the most common labels for today’s trendy pup are the following:
    For girls: Lucy, Bella, Daisy, Molly, Maggie, Chloe, Sophie, Lola, Bailey, Roxy.
    For boys: Buddy, Max, Jake, Charlie, Rocky, Jack, Bailey, Toby, Buster, Bear.
    I’m sorry to report that Lucky also ranks rather high on both the male and female lists—sorry because vets agree that Lucky may be the unluckiest name ever to grace a dog collar. To use it is to invite disaster. 18
    Trends notwithstanding, it’s best to find a name that fits the personality and appearance of the actual dog who has taken up residence with you.
    Trying out different names on puppies is easy. They’re too busy figuring out the relationship between piddling on the carpet and the loud vocalizations the act elicits to worry about any less urgent noises being directed toward them. But don’t worry about creating an identity crisis in an adult dog that you adopt from a shelter, either; except under rare circumstances, your new pup is already operating under an assumed—or rather, newly assigned—name (the ability to respond to which may be among the things that saved her life). Nevertheless, it’s still best to audition new names surreptitiously until you’re certain you have a winner.
    Along with sussing out the suitability of a name to your new pal’s looks and personality, there are some other factors to consider.
YOU WILL BE USING THE NAME IN PUBLIC.
    Although Sweetcheeks might be endearing at home, you run the risk of humiliation—and of having unsavory strangers respond—if you use it when you’re shopping with your Maltese in Home