Microchipping your dog is not mandatory but something you should consider if you want to improve the chances of finding your dog if he ever gets lost. According to the American Humane Association, more than 10 million pets are lost each year, and only about 17% of lost dogs ever find their owners. Some say that dog ID tags on collars are sufficient enough but I can also tell you that those tags can fall off or become damaged if the dog manages to get it snagged on a shrub or tree branch or get is stuck between rocks.

Microchipping you dog is a safe and effective way to permanently identify your dog. The process involves implanting a microchip between the dog's shoulder blades under the skin (in the scruff of the neck) with a needle and special syringe. The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice. It very rarely causes any bleeding or serious complications and can be implanted within minutes. Most dogs do not seem bothered when the chip is being implanted and feel little to no pain.

The microchip is housed in a glass capsule that is made to be compatible with living tissue so no adverse reactions will occur after the implant. It can sometimes move from the original implant spot which is not a problem, but the newer microchips are designed to prevent this from happening or at least reduce the amount of migration. The microchip only contains a unique alphanumeric code that is permanently stored on the chip so it does not need batteries and this allows it to last for the life of a dog and be very small in size. The microchip does not need to be ever recharged or replaced.

To get the chip implanted it can cost anywhere between $25 and $80 depending on where you go. Humane societies and shelters usually charge less than veterinarians. The chip itself costs around $10 (this fee is included in the implanting of the microchip) and you also have to pay a one-time registration fee (usually around $20) to organizations like the CKC or AKC that will keep your information and the microchip data in their database. Your total cost will be the cost for the implanting of the microchip plus the one-time registration fee - $70 on average. 

The American and Canadian Kennel Club support microchipping and offer programs for registering microchipped dogs and providing a database of all microchipped dogs that is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Here are some links from the AKC and CKC that cover microchipping of dogs that are registered with those clubs: AKC CAR and CANADACHIP Recovery.

Once you lose your dog, he will be able to be reunited with you since most shelters have scanners that use radio waves to read the microchip and retrieve the data (a unique alphanumeric code) stored on them. If your dog has a microchip, the shelter will be able to get your information from the database and call you to let you know that your dog is with them. If your dog did not have a microchip or a tag, he would have to be found a new home or even euthanized in some cases.

The more ways of identification you provide to the person or shelter that finds your dog, the better the chances that your dog will be returned to you safe and sound. Never let your dog roam free and make sure that someone knows where your dog is at all times. Dogs are known to be good diggers and leaving one in the backyard unattended can lead to him digging a hole below your fence and running onto the street which is very dangerous. Keep your records updated when you change your address and phone number so that the microchip database will also contain the new contact information.

This question is asked way too often. My answer is: "It all depends on what you are looking for." Adopting from a shelter or a breed rescue can be equally rewarding as buying from a responsible or reputable breeder but there are some major differences between the two that should be considered.

When you buy a puppy from a responsible or reputable breeder, your puppy is health tested and you get a health guarantee. If your puppy develops a genetic disease or illness within the first few years of his life, the breeder will be there to help you giving you invaluable information on how to properly take care of your puppy and provide financial support by covering your veterinarian bills. When you adopt a dog from a shelter, you do not get this kind of support. If your adopted dog got seriously sick, you would have to cover the expenses yourself and would have a very few people around you who could offer you advice based on their expertise.

Puppies from responsible purebred breeders are also bred for temperament and when buying a puppy of specific breed, you already know what you are getting and what to expect from this dog breed. If you are looking for a dog with specific traits or a working dog, then a purebred dog would be your choice. Adopting a mixed-breed dog or puppy from a shelter usually means that you do not know their temperament very well ahead of time which can lead to problems when it comes to training and socializing your dog. I say adopting a mixed-breed dog since most dogs in shelters are mixed-breed dogs. The percentage of dogs in shelters that are purebred is 25% according to the HSUS 2008 estimate. However, this does not mean that you cannot find purebred dogs or puppies in shelters. It just means that you may have a harder time finding one at your local shelter. If you really want to adopt a specific breed of dog and your local shelter does not have one, then you can also look in shelters outside your area code.

If you are looking for a puppy, then a shelter may not be the best place for you. Why is this? Puppies are cute when they are small so parents will buy them for their kids to play with. After a while, they may not have the time to properly take care of the dog once it matures and grows to be an adult. A dog that matures without being properly trained and socialized in his early stages of life can develop some serious behavioral problems. What some of them decide to do is to give the dog for adoption or try rehoming the dog as they feel that they cannot provide adequate attention to the dog. As a result, there are more adult dogs in shelters than puppies and you may have a harder time finding a puppy that you like.

Dogs in shelters in some cases come with behavioral problems. When you are getting an adult dog from a shelter, many times he will come with some previous history of problems and will require extra care and attention in order to successfully adapt to your family and the surroundings. This is not a problem if you are the type of person who is patient and is willing to devote their time to help this dog.

If you are on a budget and just want a dog to keep you company that you will love and care deeply about, then adopting from a shelter is a great idea. You will pay only for the vaccinations and health testing done on the dog/puppy, so your total cost for adopting a dog/puppy from a shelter will be in the range of $100-$200. This is a lot less expensive than buying a purebred puppy from a responsible breeder who may charge for their puppies anywhere from $700 to $5,000. The other expenses that include providing food, proper health care, and maintenance for your dog will be the same regardless of whether you adopt from a shelter or buy from a breeder.

As you can see, adopting from a shelter and buying from a responsible breeder both have their advantages. Adopting from a shelter means that you are helping save a dog that has been mistreated and this brings satisfaction to many people. You can also give a donation to your local shelter and help them be able to take better care of the dogs and also find all of them good homes. Buying a puppy from a breeder, on the other hand, gives you more choice when choosing your companion or working dog. Whatever you decide to do, do not let anyone tell you that you made the wrong decision. As long as you are a responsible owner and your dog gives you unconditional love and friendship, it does not matter from where your dog came, nor how much you paid for him.

Different people behave differently and have different needs and different minds. The same goes for dogs. Some dogs are calm and friendly by nature and will not show any aggression whatsoever while others can easily display their aggression, even when only slightly provoked.

What can you do if you get an aggressive dog or a dog that bites? There are a few options, but before you start seeking help from professionals, ask yourself: "Why does my dog bite or is overly aggressive?" If you already know the answer, then you can try training your dog to avoid this unwanted behavior. If your dog bites when someone tries to touch his toys or food, then either tell everyone in your household that they should not touch his toys or food (passive solution) or stand in front of him and firmly set your rules and show him that you are the leader and not him (active solution). If he shows aggression, take his food away for a while or his toys until he calms down. Show him that you mean business and that you will not let him treat you that way. You have to be patient and consistent at whatever you try to teach your dog.

If you have tried removing your dog's aggression yourself and it has not worked, seek professional help from a dog behaviorist or dog trainer. It is better than giving up on him and dumping him at a shelter where most likely he will get euthanized or put down because of his previous history of aggressive behavior and biting. The professional behaviorist may recommend to you to rehome the dog with someone who has more time to work with the dog and has more experience with your dog's breed. If you have small children, and the dog keeps biting them, the best solution would be to rehome the dog as small children do not understand things like adults do and may not be able to always follow our instructions regarding how to behave around the dog. I think that you will agree that rehoming is a much better solution for both you and the dog than euthanizing the dog that may still be able to live a happy life with someone else.

Even the dog that had been labeled as vicious and aggressive can find a good home with someone who understands what the dog's needs are and how to avoid being attacked by this dog. Some dogs may show aggression because they are bored and frustrated and need more exercise and mental stimulation. Some dogs may bite people because they have been traumatized in the past and are afraid of people. Some dogs may be ill or feel pain and, as a result, they will not be in the mood to be touched and may bite people who come too close to them. This is why an aggressive dog should be checked by a veterinarian before even hiring a professional dog behaviorist or trainer because if your dog is sick, they will not be able to help your dog. 

Whatever you do, consider you options and do not give up on a dog too quickly. Be patient and do whatever is in your power to help your dog overcome aggression and biting. If you are not successful after trying all of your options, consider rehoming your dog. Leaving the dog at the shelter to be euthanized is the last thing you should consider when all else has failed.