Dog Ownership: Expectation Vs. Reality; 6 Real-Life Examples

Congratulations! You just found (or should I say, THE DOG found you?) the cutest, stinkiest, roly-poliest, little puppy in the world. Whatever or wherever your dog came from, she’s your Best Friend now! Buckle up. Dog ownership isn’t all puppies, glitter, and roses. Sometimes, there is some crap. Literally. Here’s the skinny on the expectation vs. reality of dog ownership!

Expectation: The Dog is an Instant Part of the Family

Bringing a new dog into the home, whether it’s a puppy or an adult is no small task. Since they can’t talk to us, we don’t know much of their backstory or how they’re feeling. A new dog could be fearful, nervous, anxious, and not understand the expectations in a new home.

If it’s a rescue pup, your new addition may not have any experience inside of a home or outside of a kennel. Stairs, new sounds, floor surfaces, new people, and all this new attention may be overwhelming. This overwhelm can lead to misbehavior or anxiety.

Reality: Your Dog Needs Time to Decompress and Adapt to a New Environment

Even if this dog came from a foster home or breeder environment, your home is new to them. Most dogs need about 8 weeks to adapt to a new home and feel safe and comfortable there. The best way to make your dog feel safe and accepted is to give her space, love, clear boundaries, and understanding.

Your dog doesn’t understand when you yell at her or raise your voice. Talk in a calm tone of voice and keep commands short and simple. The number way to many dog’s hearts (and to earn their trust) is through food. Make sure to offer delecatble, healthy foods to help your dog settle in. Additionally, letting your new dog approach you, rather than coming at her and invading her space early on is key to earning her trust.

Expectation: The Same Food Every Day is Great!

Kibble companies would have you believe that your dog should eat the same thing for every meal, day in and day out, for life. Wrong! While kibble is super convienent for us, it’s not the best for our Best Friends. Sure, your dog definitely needs a complete and balanced diet. Sure, there are some kibbles out there that are pretty good. It’s really up to us as the reading, decision-making human consumers to choose the optimum diet for our dogs.

Reality: You May Drive Yourself a Little Batty with Your Dog’s Nutrition…

There is SO MUCH information out there! Raw? Cooked? Kibble? Gently cooked? DIY homemade? The best tip I can give is to include your dog’s food as part of your budget. This does not mean go cheap and have this as a budget line that’s cut to the bone. Feed the absolute best food you can afford.

If feeding kibble, learn how to read those labels. Avoid synthetic vitamins and additives. Look for named meat as the first ingredient. Additionally, rotate through different proteins. It’s OK to buy a different flavor, and no, it probably won’t cause stomach upset, especially if you transition slowly and carefully.

Related: 15 Kibble Ingredients to Avoid

Expectation: Your Dog is a Social Butterfly

I cannot wait to socialize my new Best Friend at the farmer’s market, all the dog-friendly restaurants, and breweries! It will be the sweetest, funnest and most exciting thing ever. My dog can go everywhere with me! This is one expectation of many new dog owners.

Yes, we’ve all adored those mellow, cool beasts who have a friendly wag for everyone and sit politely at their owner’s feet. That dog who never barks, can be trusted around everyone’s children, and doesn’t bat an eye when another dog walks by. We want our dogs to be that dog!

What we don’t know or see is that mellow dog we admire may be really well trained, and have a dedicated owner who works constantly and consistently with her.

Reality: You Might Have a Reactive Recluse

What’s more common is a dog that is reactive (gets excited, stressed, and distressed) when meeting another dog or new people. Typically, reactive dogs will bark, lunge, and behave in an out of control manner when a new dog or person approaches.

While dogs are social creatures, many of them miss out on that all-important puppy socialization. Many people balk at dog training, but it is a worthwhile investment-both for your dog and the owners. A good dog trainer will help desensitize a reactive dog in stressful situations and will train you on how to do the same and act in a way that’s best for your dog.

While there are many dogs who love to be out and about with their humans and have no issues whatsoever with new people and dogs, a reactive dog may not appreciate these situations.

You know your dog best-if she’s stressed out by new places, people, and other dogs, don’t put her in that position. Our dogs feel safest in their environments. It’s OK not to take your dog everywhere with you. She may want to stay home, and we have to be OK with that.

Expectation: Your Dog Will Respect Your Boundaries

Many well-trained dogs will absolutely respect their humans’ boundaries. However, most family dogs are not those well-trained robots. They’re living, breathing, sentient beings who often have a mind of their own! Chances are, your dog will get very attached to at least one human in the house. That might be the human who spoils her, or the one who feeds her.

It’s possible your dog gets so attached that she experiences separation anxiety when her human is gone. In many cases, that dog will stick to that chosen human like velcro. Have you heard of a velcro dog?

Reality: There is No Furniture Surface That’s Off Limits, or Personal Space Whatsoever.

That pizza you were about to eat and left on the counter. Gone. That sweater you were going to wear today, but accidentally left on the bed? Covered in dog hair. How about the stick of butter on the table, meant for the dinner rolls? What butter??? All I see is Mr. Nosey licking his chops (btw, this actually happened to us). What about your actual place in the bed? Nope. That’s occupied by Miss Perfect. Privacy in the bathroom? Forget about it.

Your dog loves you. Possibly more than life itself. No matter what you do, you cannot peel this dog away from you, even at the expense of tripping over her and injuring yourself.

While all of this is cute and endearing, some of these behaviors are destructive and let your dog think they run the show. Obviously, it’s your home and you can choose whether or not the dog is allowed on the furniture.

However, the habit of taking food or cruising the counters can lead to illness or worse. Again, participate in some dog training to establish those boundaries. If you catch your dog in the act of stealing food, let her know it’s wrong. I’m not advocating for punishment, but don’t be afraid to belt out a nice firm, “NO!”

Expectation: Your Dog is an Angel on the Leash

I love seeing those mellow, laid-back canines out enjoying a leisurely walk with their humans. You know, those dogs who walk with a slack leash. The ones who probably don’t even need a leash in the first place.

What we don’t see is that proper leash protocol takes work! You cannot put your dog on a leash and just expect her to act like an angel. Most dogs who act appropriately on a leash are trained and trained, with those positive behaviors constantly reinforced. Teaching a dog to walk on a leash is constant WORK.

Reality: Your Dog is Actually Satan on the Leash

Most likely, your dog will pull. And pull. AND PULL. There are new smells everywhere, and that’s how our dogs explore the world. The dog’s goal is to get there as soon as possible, then on to the next smell, no matter what your agenda is.

I’ve worked and worked and worked on my leash skills, but haven’t really gotten far. Of the 5 dogs I’ve owned myself, only one of them was even halfway tolerable on a leash. I can’t say I’ve cracked the code, but we do manage. Right now, one of my dogs uses a gentle leader head collar (he detests it), which is a relationship saver. The other uses a harness and I use a waist belt. Totally against dog trainer protocol.

Expectation: There Will Never Be Another Dog Like Yours

OK, so this is one expectation vs. reality of dog ownership that is true. No matter what kind of lunatic, jerk, or misbehaver your dog is, you’ll fall in love.

If you’re lucky, a dog or two will come along and steal your heart (a heart dog). All of our dogs have their own personalities, quirks, and endearing habits that make them unique and beloved. All of our dogs are the best.

Reality: You’ll Wish There is Another Dog Like Yours, but Every One Will Steal Your Heart

Sadly, that terrible day will come when you have to say, “Farewell for now” to your Best Friend. It’s really one of the worst days in life. Your dog never means to, but she will break your heart on that fateful day. And likely for months or even years after. You know what? While it sucks, that’s OK.

Do yourself, and your dog a big favor; don’t fret and worry about that day coming. Take a cue from your dog and live in the moment. Enjoy right now. That’s really the most important thing we all have.

We have such a close bond with these little creatures who will never say a word to us. They know and understand our whole heart.

If you’re lucky, after you lose your dog, you’ll open your heart to another one. Eventually. You’ll wish for a dog just like your last one, but somehow, some way, the new dog will be his own dog. Have his own personality, most likely a lot different than your last dog. And you know what, that’s OK. You’ll fall in love with that new dog too, and he’ll steal your heart in the process.