Benefits & Barriers of Owning a Dog

Benefits

• Benefits to owning a dog may include for some individuals security, companionship, to teach responsibility, to have something to love or to be loved by a living creature. According to a November 30, 2007 Gallup.com article, "Companionship and Love of Animals Drive Pet Ownership," 42% own dogs because of companionship/friendship, 24% for like or love, 17% because a family member wanted one and 10% for protection or security. Candy McCullough of Best Buddies writes about how owning a dog can be a good experience for kids because of the love and devotion a dog provides the family over the years. She also explains how owning a dog can "cost a fortune to feed over the years." The debate over dog ownership often involves discussing and weighing the benefits against the barriers. It is believed that there are health benefits to owning a dog, especially for the elderly. Authors Dembicki and Anderson in the article "Pet Ownership May Be a Factor in Improved Health of the Elderly," echo this belief.

Barriers

• Barriers to owning a dog may include lack of confidence and non-acceptance of behavior or physical issues with a particular dog. Barriers can be overcome with education, training and time with the dog. One common barrier is the belief that a dog is not needed. This is especially true if dogs have been absent from the individual's life or many years have passed since dog ownership. Lack of confidence may be at the root of such a belief. When a particular dog is being considered and there are physical issues such as blindness or chronic illness, non-acceptance of a dog with special needs can stall any progress towards owning that particular dog unless education, special training or better understanding of the condition brings about hope.

Barrier Solution

• Overcoming barriers to dog ownership can be achieved through education, proper training of both dog and owner as well as by spending quality time with the dog. An individual hesitating in the debate over dog ownership often overcomes barriers by asking questions. There is an excellent list of questions to ask before selecting a dog on the Pedigree.com site. Pedigree questions focus on the dog's behavior, history and temperament, and care requirements among other important things to know. Answers can be reassuring and knowledge can relieve fears about being able to handle owning a dog. Most barriers stem from these fears, a previous bad experience or lack of knowledge. Gaining knowledge and receiving answers to questions are the best way to overcome barriers to dog ownership.

Breed

• Certain breeds have stigmas attached to them that create a psychological barrier when it comes to dog ownership. Social barriers and informational barriers can be managed by making individuals aware of positive aspects of certain breeds typically given a "bad rap" or misunderstood by the general public and by clearing up any myths associated with a particular breed. Many individuals associate aggression with certain breeds however, Bark Busters, the world's largest dog-training company, believes that "aggression is instinctual in every breed" including "Chihuahua and German shepherd" and that aggression is "instinctual and caused most often by fear of the unknown." To overcome a dog's natural instinct for aggression in unfamiliar situations owners and those contemplating dog ownership should be aware of this tendency and that meeting new people can be a anxiety-producing situation for any breed of dog. Bark Busters gives good examples of ways to increase a dog's ability to handle anxiety-producing situations, thus avoiding aggressive behavior.

Misunderstanding

• Humans tend to think that dogs think and communicate like people do and are then surprised when dogs do not react to stimuli or human desire in an expected manner. Dogs have a pack mentality and do not really understand human language. When dogs do not behave as expected humans tend to think they are bad or something to be feared. Misunderstandings can lead to fear of dog ownership.