| THINKING
ABOUT GETTING A DOG OR CAT > LOOKING
FOR A COMPANION ANIMAL > EVALUATING |
| Once
you have a good idea of what your perfect companion should be
like, you can begin to evaluate the dogs and cats you meet,
at the breeders or in a shelter. |
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You should select
an animal with the behavior and temperament that is right
for you. Emotional issues and activity levels are very
hard to change. An animal who is frightened of children,
for example, might learn to tolerate children, but will
probably never be easy around them. Training issues (housetraining
or litter box training, destructiveness, rambunctiousness),
on the other hand, are easy to change with training and
management. |
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Watch the body
language of the animal around you, your children, and
your other pets.
If it’s a dog:
• does it pant heavily or lick its lips continually?
• does it yawn? (yawning can be a sign of stress)
• does the animal approach each of you readily?
• Does it accept touches happily?
• Is its body loose and wiggly or stiff and tense?
• Does it try to put distance between you, stiffen
up, watch you warily?
A wagging tail is not necessarily the sign of a friendly
dog!
If it’s a cat:
• does it hiss, growl, swat or bite?
• A super-friendly, confident cat will approach you
and even invite a petting. However, it’s not unusual
for any cat to hide from you at first.
Watch the body language of your children or other animals
around the cat or dog. Do they seem comfortable and respectful
around the animal? |
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With care
and education, you can find a lifelong, loving companion
for yourself and your family. Good luck! |
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