About two years ago, my husband and I adopted a beautiful German shepherd mix, Wyatt, from the Arizona Humane Society. I knew we needed food, bowls, some toys, a collar and leash, and other basics to get him set up, but that was where my knowledge ended.

Honestly, I was a little nervous and a lot scared. I had never lived with a dog, or any animal for that matter, and I had no idea what to expect. I thought if we put him in the backyard, fed him every day and took him to the vet once or twice a year, he'd be happy. Luckily, my husband had more knowledge than I did, and our vet welcomed my numerous questions about how to take care of Wyatt. Even with our vet's input and advice from friends, there were still things I had to learn on my own.

1) Let your dog in the house.
Most rescue groups and responsible breeders require adopters to allow the dog in the house. Dogs are social creatures and need to be part of a pack. "It's against their nature to be left alone in the backyard," says Dr. Monica Stern, a veterinarian at Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital in Phoenix. "If they're left in the backyard, they become lonely and bored, and that's when they get destructive." Outside dogs can also become a neighborhood nuisance, according to Rob McGehee, shelter manager and adoption counselor at the Arizona Animal Welfare League. "They will bark all the time and may escape from the yard and get hit by a car" if they don't get the attention they need.

Some people will rationalize leaving the dog outside, saying he is a watchdog. According to the Humane Society of Santa Clara Valley's (Ca.) website (www.scvhumane.org), a dog will not feel that the house is his to protect unless he is allowed in the house. If you want a dog to be a watchdog, how much can he help if someone breaks in and he is outside?

2) Expect the house never to be clean.
Between the shedding, nose prints on your windows and paw prints all over the floor, keeping the house spotless is a futile battle. Dogs shed, even the shorthaired ones. Some people think certain dogs, such as poodles and schnauzers, don't shed. "There is no such thing as a non-shedding dog, with the exception of hairless breeds," explains Dr. Tracy Land, veterinarian at Project Spay/Neuter, Inc. in Cumming, Ga. "They all shed. Long, curly or double-coated breeds may not drop as much fur, but they get matted if not brushed. Non-shedding breeds, no matter what someone may claim, just don't exist." But you can adjust to this. "Dog hair is a part of life," says Lisa Graham, mom to Mason and Bandit, two Rottweiler mixes. "I've gotten to the point that even if [dog hair] gets on my plate, I just pick it off and keep eating."

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Pets 911 is a free public service consisting of PETS911.com and a bilingual, toll-free hotline, 1-888-PETS-911. Pets 911 is the nationwide network of animal welfare organizations working together to make it easy to return your lost pet home, as well as provide you with the community-specific information needed to better care for your pets. Information and advice contained on this site is for your consideration only. Please consult your veterinarian for specific advice concerning the care and treatment of your pet.



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