Where do you live, and is it going to be puppy or dog friendly? It is so important to make sure that your home will be ready and prepared to accomodate a new puppy or dog...not just because of location but also because of the size and breed of the dog too.
Many folks living in their own homes with their own private yards generally are able to have any type of dog they want (although not necessarily the one they should have), where as there are places like apartments and such that there is a size limit or only specific types of breeds that are allowed.
Also many places will expect you to pay a pet deposit that is nonrefundable...be sure you are prepared for any costs that may be incurred if bringing a puppy or dog into a home that is rented or leased and not owned.
If you are planning on getting a highly energetic dog that requires a lot of exercise, it is difficult to keep them in an apartment rather then a home with a fenced in yard - lower maintenance dogs are best.
All in all, the final thing to keep in mind is the size and type of your home before deciding which kind of dog you want to be a new member of your family.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
In The Beginning....HOW????
How do you expect your puppy or new dog to act in your home when it gets there? Many people don't realize that right along with housetraining, it is important to teach manners to puppies and dogs that are new to a household before they develop bad habits. This is crucial for all interaction and growth.
It is important to remember that each and every day will be a new learning experience, and whether or not manners and appropriate behaviors are learned is first and foremost the responsibility of every ADULT in the family. To say that it is counterproductive to have a child handle this responsibility is putting it nicely...it doesn't matter if a child has even pleaded and promised to love the new addition and has sworn absolute and utter devotion in showing it how to behave. The parents should be the ones to decide when the time is right to get a puppy or dog, knowing full well that they are ultimately responsible for the animal's well-being, it's training and it's positive joining with the family.
Mainly, it is wise to remember the first few weeks are the 'make it or break it' time...if allowance for schedule and time and patience isn't made to make sure proper training is given, many puppies or dogs end up getting kicked out into the yard, given away, or even dropped off at an animal shelter.
Believe it or not, young puppies even at the tender age of 8 weeks can learn to sit before getting a meal or a treat. They can learn to walk on leashes, have fun riding in cars, even to learn not to jump up on people when greeting them.
Remember that it will take gentle guidance, consideration of a puppy or new dog's fragile spirit, and most important, consistency.
Lastly, before getting a new puppy or dog, check into professional obedience training if you think you may need help in this area. The cost may seem high at first but in the long run it will pay off with the family having a dog that is truly a joy to be around, that has manners and won't chew on things it shouldn't, jump on people, beg for food or act like fire has been attached to his behind instead of a leash on his collar.
If you are pretty sure on HOW you want your dog to act once it comes home and you are prepared to make sure you do everything to encourage those manners and behaviors, then continue on to the next important topic in making sure your home is ready for your new family member...In The Beginning....WHERE???
It is important to remember that each and every day will be a new learning experience, and whether or not manners and appropriate behaviors are learned is first and foremost the responsibility of every ADULT in the family. To say that it is counterproductive to have a child handle this responsibility is putting it nicely...it doesn't matter if a child has even pleaded and promised to love the new addition and has sworn absolute and utter devotion in showing it how to behave. The parents should be the ones to decide when the time is right to get a puppy or dog, knowing full well that they are ultimately responsible for the animal's well-being, it's training and it's positive joining with the family.
Mainly, it is wise to remember the first few weeks are the 'make it or break it' time...if allowance for schedule and time and patience isn't made to make sure proper training is given, many puppies or dogs end up getting kicked out into the yard, given away, or even dropped off at an animal shelter.
Believe it or not, young puppies even at the tender age of 8 weeks can learn to sit before getting a meal or a treat. They can learn to walk on leashes, have fun riding in cars, even to learn not to jump up on people when greeting them.
Remember that it will take gentle guidance, consideration of a puppy or new dog's fragile spirit, and most important, consistency.
Lastly, before getting a new puppy or dog, check into professional obedience training if you think you may need help in this area. The cost may seem high at first but in the long run it will pay off with the family having a dog that is truly a joy to be around, that has manners and won't chew on things it shouldn't, jump on people, beg for food or act like fire has been attached to his behind instead of a leash on his collar.
If you are pretty sure on HOW you want your dog to act once it comes home and you are prepared to make sure you do everything to encourage those manners and behaviors, then continue on to the next important topic in making sure your home is ready for your new family member...In The Beginning....WHERE???
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
In The Beginning....WHAT???
What method of house training are you going to use that will best suit you and your household? This is the second most important thing to consider before getting a dog or puppy, but usually the most overlooked. Too many times house training has turned into a battle instead of a positive experience, giving the dog a feel of a negative environment from the moment it comes home.
To give an example, this usually happens when a child is, from the beginning, expected to handle all the 'potty' work, or perhaps promises to faithfully take on this chore. Then reality sets in, and they can't or won't do it all on their own, and tensions start to rise, setting a negative environment for the new dog or puppy.
It is important to remember that puppies do not go to the bathroom inside because they are stupid or dumb or want to be bad. The do it because they are too young to have any type of control and haven't been taught how to have control. Overall, a little preparation can actually go a long way to avoid this tension and make the training process easier.
Below are some tips that can help make the house training experience easier to deal with for everyone involved.
1. When you get your new puppy, whether from a breeder, or a neighbor, ask and make sure they have already started some type of house training. For example, putting them outside every morning, after meals or naps to go potty and then praising them when they do a good job.
2. Buy an inside dog kennel and perhaps even a baby gate or two to help keep the new puppy confined when you are not watching them.
3. Always feed dry food, and if you prefer a brand different then what they are eating now, make the switch gradually, mixing the food over a period of time until they are completely eating and adjusted to the new food. Just switching foods will upset little tummies, even older ones, and can make for a sick and unhappy puppy or dog.
4. If you don't want it messed up, don't put a new puppy or pet in an area where you have carpet until fully house trained. This is a no brainer ~ tiled floor or hardwood floors are best.
5. Figure out a workable feeding schedule and stick to it, DO NOT get into the habit of leaving food out at all times. This encourages over eating and obesity and bad eating habits.
6. Always take out to go 'potty' immediately after eating in the place you want them to learn to go, make sure it is in the same area.
7. DO NOT play with the puppy until after the puppy goes 'potty'.
8. If the puppy doesn't go 'potty' within 10 minutes, bring inside and place in kennel for 10 minutes then take back out again. If for some reason they go 'potty' in the kennel, clean the mess promptly, and just be ready for the next time to go out potty.
9. When taking out to go 'potty' take them out of a leash to the place you want the puppy to go so that the puppy learns to do it under your control.
10. Realize that going 'potty' requires a schedule ~ first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and after every meal and nap.
11. Keep the area the puppy or dog goes potty in clean ~ pick up the poop everyday after they have taken care of business.
12. It's important to realize and know that failures in house training are HUMAN mistakes, not puppy and dog mistakes.
13. NEVER EVER punish for mistakes.
14. If you don't have the time or the patience for the rigorous schedule of house training, then perhaps now is not the right time to get a new puppy or dog. You can also take into consideration getting a dog from a rescue and adopting one that is already housebroken. However, you still need to be prepared to teach the new dog the 'potty rules' in your home, so time and pateince is still required. You can't just turn them loose and expect them to know what to do.
15. If a puppy reaches around 5 months or so, and is still having accidents inside, make sure there is not a physical or medical reason for this such as intestinal parasites, illness, or bladder infection that can cause the failure of recognizing the signal for when the puppy needs to go outside.
Really giving these tips serious consideration will help in preparing you for before you bring home your new puppy or dog. If you KNOW you are ready to accept that house training is a family activity, whether single or a parent with children in the household, then continue on to the next important topic in making sure your home is ready for your new family member...In The Beginning....HOW???
To give an example, this usually happens when a child is, from the beginning, expected to handle all the 'potty' work, or perhaps promises to faithfully take on this chore. Then reality sets in, and they can't or won't do it all on their own, and tensions start to rise, setting a negative environment for the new dog or puppy.
It is important to remember that puppies do not go to the bathroom inside because they are stupid or dumb or want to be bad. The do it because they are too young to have any type of control and haven't been taught how to have control. Overall, a little preparation can actually go a long way to avoid this tension and make the training process easier.
Below are some tips that can help make the house training experience easier to deal with for everyone involved.
1. When you get your new puppy, whether from a breeder, or a neighbor, ask and make sure they have already started some type of house training. For example, putting them outside every morning, after meals or naps to go potty and then praising them when they do a good job.
2. Buy an inside dog kennel and perhaps even a baby gate or two to help keep the new puppy confined when you are not watching them.
3. Always feed dry food, and if you prefer a brand different then what they are eating now, make the switch gradually, mixing the food over a period of time until they are completely eating and adjusted to the new food. Just switching foods will upset little tummies, even older ones, and can make for a sick and unhappy puppy or dog.
4. If you don't want it messed up, don't put a new puppy or pet in an area where you have carpet until fully house trained. This is a no brainer ~ tiled floor or hardwood floors are best.
5. Figure out a workable feeding schedule and stick to it, DO NOT get into the habit of leaving food out at all times. This encourages over eating and obesity and bad eating habits.
6. Always take out to go 'potty' immediately after eating in the place you want them to learn to go, make sure it is in the same area.
7. DO NOT play with the puppy until after the puppy goes 'potty'.
8. If the puppy doesn't go 'potty' within 10 minutes, bring inside and place in kennel for 10 minutes then take back out again. If for some reason they go 'potty' in the kennel, clean the mess promptly, and just be ready for the next time to go out potty.
9. When taking out to go 'potty' take them out of a leash to the place you want the puppy to go so that the puppy learns to do it under your control.
10. Realize that going 'potty' requires a schedule ~ first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and after every meal and nap.
11. Keep the area the puppy or dog goes potty in clean ~ pick up the poop everyday after they have taken care of business.
12. It's important to realize and know that failures in house training are HUMAN mistakes, not puppy and dog mistakes.
13. NEVER EVER punish for mistakes.
14. If you don't have the time or the patience for the rigorous schedule of house training, then perhaps now is not the right time to get a new puppy or dog. You can also take into consideration getting a dog from a rescue and adopting one that is already housebroken. However, you still need to be prepared to teach the new dog the 'potty rules' in your home, so time and pateince is still required. You can't just turn them loose and expect them to know what to do.
15. If a puppy reaches around 5 months or so, and is still having accidents inside, make sure there is not a physical or medical reason for this such as intestinal parasites, illness, or bladder infection that can cause the failure of recognizing the signal for when the puppy needs to go outside.
Really giving these tips serious consideration will help in preparing you for before you bring home your new puppy or dog. If you KNOW you are ready to accept that house training is a family activity, whether single or a parent with children in the household, then continue on to the next important topic in making sure your home is ready for your new family member...In The Beginning....HOW???
Monday, March 9, 2009
In The Beginning....WHO????
Who is going to take care of the new dog?? This is the first, and probably the most important, of all the topics of what you need to take into consideration before ever bringing a new dog home. If you are single and will be the sole person taking care of "Fluffy", then this question is already answered ~ the job falls squarely on your shoulders. However, in families with children, many parents make the mistake of purchasing or getting a new dog with the expectation or exclamation that a child will bear the brunt of the responsibility.
Although children can be responsible for a dog's needs to a certain extent, it is more important to remember that a dog's need for attention and care are constant...a child's attention to that responsibility is NOT.
If a parent is not comfortable with the fact that they are, from the beginning, ultimately responsible for overseeing all of "Fluffy's" care, then it would be best to stop right there and not get the dog. Also, never get a dog just because a child wants one or because you think it might teach them a lesson in responsibility. Again, in the end, the parent is ultimately responsible for ALL care the dog recieves ~ good AND bad.
A dog deserves to be treated as a member of a family, with everyone encouraged to participate in his or her care. If you KNOW you are ready to accept this responsibility whether single or a parent, then continue on to the next important topic in making sure your home is ready for your new family member...In The Beginning ~ What???
Although children can be responsible for a dog's needs to a certain extent, it is more important to remember that a dog's need for attention and care are constant...a child's attention to that responsibility is NOT.
If a parent is not comfortable with the fact that they are, from the beginning, ultimately responsible for overseeing all of "Fluffy's" care, then it would be best to stop right there and not get the dog. Also, never get a dog just because a child wants one or because you think it might teach them a lesson in responsibility. Again, in the end, the parent is ultimately responsible for ALL care the dog recieves ~ good AND bad.
A dog deserves to be treated as a member of a family, with everyone encouraged to participate in his or her care. If you KNOW you are ready to accept this responsibility whether single or a parent, then continue on to the next important topic in making sure your home is ready for your new family member...In The Beginning ~ What???
In The Beginning...Who, What, How & Where???
So, you really think you are ready for a four legged furry friend, do you? There are some very important things to take into consideration and to really think about before you ever bring a new dog home, whether it be a puppy you are thinking about purchasing, a rescue from a local shelter you are thinking about adopting, or even one a friend wants to give you for free.
The next few days I will be covering four topics vital to making sure your home is ready for your family member before you ever bring him or her home. Please feel free to comment or ask questions if you have any!
The next few days I will be covering four topics vital to making sure your home is ready for your family member before you ever bring him or her home. Please feel free to comment or ask questions if you have any!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
THE BOND
As I start this blog off, I think first and foremost it is important to establish the undeniable importance and the strength of the bond between a dog and their human 'parent'. From the moment you set eyes on each other, the start of a bond has been planted and must be encouraged and nurtured as it grows.
Your dog, without a doubt, will depend on you for everything ~ from food, to shelter, to love and yes, even discipline. Initially, trust must be earned and bounderies set for there to be not only a happy bond, but a healthy one as well.
In this blog, I will cover many topics, however, it is because of the bond you and your dog share that will make sharing them possible. I would love to hear your suggestions and thoughts for future topics, as well as your comments to the information I will provide.
Remember ~ the love of a four legged furry wonder is wonderfully unconditional and indescribable...but for them to be as lucky for you to love them just as much, I believe, to them is priceless.
Your dog, without a doubt, will depend on you for everything ~ from food, to shelter, to love and yes, even discipline. Initially, trust must be earned and bounderies set for there to be not only a happy bond, but a healthy one as well.
In this blog, I will cover many topics, however, it is because of the bond you and your dog share that will make sharing them possible. I would love to hear your suggestions and thoughts for future topics, as well as your comments to the information I will provide.
Remember ~ the love of a four legged furry wonder is wonderfully unconditional and indescribable...but for them to be as lucky for you to love them just as much, I believe, to them is priceless.
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