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	High-energy breeds include Jack Russell terriers, dalmatians, Border collies, and retrievers, which need walking several times each day plus plenty of outdoor play time.
	Medium-energy breeds include large spaniels, boxers, Great Danes, Akitas, and German shepherds. They need daily moderate-distance walks and a weekly chance to romp outdoors.
	Low-energy breeds include small spaniels, basset hounds, beagles, dachshunds, and bulldogs. Short daily walks, play time and toys, and careful diet keep them fit and happy.
	How to Be a Dog's Best Friend                 A dog will you give you a lifetime of devotion -- return the favor by learning the basics of responsible dog ownership.   Pages in this Story:    • A Lifetime of Love    • The Great Outdoors    • Dog-Owner Basics   A Lifetime of Love Are you ready for the job of being responsible for a dog? Before you decide to adopt a dog, think about what that means. For the next 15 years or so, you will be completely responsible for your canine companion. That means you must be ready for... Commitment. From adorable puppyhood, through doggie adolescence, maturity, and old age, your dog will rely on you to meet all his needs -- for food, shelter, care, companionship, and training. Acceptance. Like people, dogs are individuals. Though members of a breed share characteristics, each dog will have his own personality. A shy dog will never be the life of the party, and an active dog will never be content to lie at your feet. You can train a dog to be well-behaved, but you cannot change his temperament. Friendship. Dogs need your love and attention as much as they need food and water. Your dog will want to spend as much time with you as he can. In return, he will give you unconditional affection and admiration, even on a bad hair day. Dangerous Dozen                                    Keeping your dog safe is as easy as remembering 12 of the biggest areas of concern.   Keep your sweetie safe from common dangers. 1. Lack of training. Every dog needs to learn basic commands, such as sit, stay, and come. An uncontrollable dog may run into traffic, wander away from you, or be hurt by another dog or person (who may only be acting in self-defense). 2. Not having identification. A flat, buckled collar and personal ID tags are a necessity. Never let your dog leave the house without proper identification. If you're feeling rushed and hurried (and thinking you'll skip the collar), your dog might sense your distraction and choose that moment to dash away. 3. Eating poisonous plants. Although severe gastric distress is the most common problem that occurs when dogs eat plants, a snack on the wrong greenery can be fatal to dogs. Err on the side of caution and keep your dog away from houseplants and garden plants. You can ask your vet or local agricultural extension service for a list of poisonous plants that grow in your area. 4. Lapping up antifreeze. Dogs are attracted to the sweet taste of antifreeze, but it's toxic. Antifreeze spills occur in winter as people change their antifreeze, and in warm weather, cars can overheat and leak antifreeze. Store your antifreeze in a locked cabinet or on a high shelf, and clean up leaks in your garage or driveway immediately. Dispose of spilled antifreeze or empty containers in a container with a secure lid. 5. Hot, parked cars. Never leave a dog in a parked car in warm weather, even if the window is partially open. In a matter of minutes, your vehicle can become so hot that your dog can suffer heatstroke or brain damage. He could even die. 6. Eating chocolate. Although a little bit of chocolate won't kill your dog, ingesting too much can cause pancreatic problems, gastric distress, hyperactivity, or seizures (and sometimes these reactions are fatal). At holiday times especially, don't leave chocolates (even wrapped) out where your dog can grab them. Dogs have been known to sniff out, and help themselves to, gift-wrapped boxes of chocolate under Christmas trees. 7. Ingesting household chemicals. All cleaning products, from toilet-bowl disinfectants to laundry and dish detergents, should be stored in tightly-sealed containers, in locked cabinets, or on a high shelf. Contact with household chemicals can cause gastric upset; severe burns of the mouth, tongue, and stomach; or worse. Don't leave your dishwasher door open; your dog may decide to lick the detergent dispenser which may contain detergent residue even if the machine has been run. And when you clean your oven, make sure the dog is far away in a well-ventilated room. 8. Overexposure to lawn and garden products. Fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides can be toxic. The smaller your dog, the more at risk she is for becoming ill. As a dog walks across a treated lawn, the chemicals adhere to her feet, and she can become ill from licking the residue off her feet. If your lawn is treated, be sure that it is completely dry before you let your dog into the yard after a treatment. 9. Overdosing on medications. In addition to accidental overdoses, which could occur only if a medication was left out where your dog could get at it, it's tempting to try to treat your dog with the medicines you use for the rest of the family. But a drug like acetaminophen, for example, though safe and effective for humans, can poison a dog. Even if an over-the-counter human drug is safe for dogs, check with your vet about the proper dose. Don't just guess based on how much your dog weighs; dogs' bodies work differently than ours. 10. Access to electrical cords. A dog chewing on an electrical cord can cause a fire or be electrocuted. If, after the puppy stage, your dog is still a curious chewer, continue to keep the electrical cords in your house tacked or taped down, and out of your dog's reach. 11. Choking on bones. Even though pet supply stores sell them and people give them to their dogs, bones are truly a safety issue for dogs and completely unnecessary for a healthy diet. Toys are much better for dogs than bones. And it's not just the small bones from poultry that can cause damage. Beef and pork (including rib) bones also can cause broken teeth, mouth injuries, constipation, and intestinal perforations. Even the American Kennel Club advises, "You're better off leaving [bones] out of your dog's diet altogether." 12. Ingesting tobacco. Dogs can develop nicotine poisoning from ingesting tobacco products. You'd never think of snacking on an ashtray full of cigarette butts, but you're not a dog. If you entertain smokers, be sure to ask them to place butts in ashtrays that are out of your dog's reach. The Great Outdoors                                These tips will help you teach your dog proper "outdoor" behavior and give her what she needs to be safe and comfortable. If your dog lives outdoors even part of the time, make sure he has a sturdy, cozy dog house to protect him from the elements. It should be above ground level and have adequate ventilation without being drafty. Pay attention to the weather conditions. Heat, cold, and dampness are all factors to consider when determining whether your dog is safe and comfortable outdoors. Supply fresh water at all times, whether that means making sure the water bowl doesn't freeze in the winter or carrying water for your dog on a hike. Make sure your dog is wearing his ID tag and license whenever he leaves the house -- even in your yard. Don't let your dog chase cars, people, or other animals. If she does, give her a reprimand immediately and put her in the house or on the leash until she calms down. Don't allow him to soil, dig, or destroy plants on your neighbor's property. If your dog won't stay in your yard, build a better enclosure or keep him on a leash. Don't leave your dog tied up for extended periods of time (or at all, if he can't tolerate it). Dog-Owner Basics Your dog will be your best buddy, your biggest fan, and your most ardent supporter. Here's an overview of your end of the bargain: Take care of your dog's health. Provide proper nutrition, water, shelter, exercise, grooming, and vet care. Teach your dog to behave. Just like we teach our children manners so they will be civil adults, you must teach your dog to be a functional member of the family. An untrained dog is a nuisance and a menace. Give your dog enough exercise. Different breeds and personalities require different levels of activity and types of exercise. Dogs need to be walked or let outside several times a day for exercise and elimination. Play with your dog, and provide plenty of toys. Walks are great and necessary, but dogs also need one-on-one play time. You should provide a variety of safe toys for your dog, too, to help keep her amused in your absence. Pick up after your dog. Whether at the park, on the street, or even in your own yard, you need to dispose of your dog's waste. Dog waste carries microorganisms that can seep into groundwater supplies and make people sick. (It also kills the grass as it decomposes.) It is your duty as a responsible pet owner to be prepared for this eventuality whenever you take your dog outside. Keep your dog on your property or on a leash. Do not let him wander around the neighborhood -- this is not safe for your dog or considerate to your community. In some communities, it is illegal. Discourage excessive barking. One of your dog's "jobs" (aside from providing nonstop adoration) is to warn against intruders. You will have to teach your dog what level of response is appropriate for your living situation. A dog in an apartment building, for example, cannot bark every time someone walks past your front door. Spend as much time as possible with your pup. Dogs need attention, and they also need companionship. Snoozing in a corner as you browse online or cook dinner is rewarding for your dog, too. When you can't be there, put on the radio or TV to keep your dog company. Never let your dog bite anyone -- even in play. Biting is a completely unacceptable activity. There is nothing "cute" about biting. If you don't make this clear from the beginning, you are failing to socialize your pet, and your pet will pay the price. Dogs who bite cannot live with a family. Unless you intend to breed your dog, spay or neuter your pup. It is better for your dogs' health and the community -- there are too many homeless animals as it is. Animal shelters feel so strongly about this that they often require you to pay for spaying or neutering a dog as part of the adoption process, or provide the service for a low fee to any pet owners in the community. Get a license and an ID tag. No matter how carefully you watch your dog, he may get lost. Quick identification of your pet increases the likelihood of a happy ending to a potentially tragic situation. A current photo of your pet would be helpful, too. Supervise dogs and children, particularly young children, at all times. No matter how "good" your dog is, you cannot anticipate her every response. The same can be said for children, particularly children who are not familiar with your dog. Designate an emergency contact in case of sudden illness or accident. Make provisions in your will, as well, for the care of your pet. Do not assume that people will take on this responsibility; ask friends or family if they are willing before you designate them to care for your pet in your absence.   Dogs need some space to call their own.