Mary Allen
Getting a dog for the first time is a great adventure and at the same time a great challenge. Remember that a pet is a long-term commitment. Depending on the type of dog breed you choose, the choice will affect you between 10 and 20 years in the future.
Then making the decision to get a dog should not be an impulsive choice. Often when people impulsively take a puppy home from a pet store, the dog ends up in a dog home because many do not realize the consequences of becoming a dog owner.
Before You Get a Dog…
Make sure you really want a dog
Owning a dog is usually both fun and useful. But hundreds are also energetic, stubborn, and loud. You really need to consider whether you are ready for a long-term commitment.
Choosing a dog means that you are in principle voluntary to be a parent for the dog. You would not just give up your baby when you feel like it, would you? Cute puppies grow up to be adult dogs that can be destructive and require a lot of time and energy from you.
Look at many different breeds before choosing
Before you get a dog, you need to find out if you want a puppy or possibly an older dog, but above all which dog breed would suit you and your potential family best.
A puppy is always cute and funny, at the same time it has a lot of energy and will need a lot of attention and time. If you do not have that much time and energy to spend on your dog, you feel willing to train a puppy, maybe you should instead look at getting an older dog instead.
An adult dog does not need as much maintenance as a puppy, but it may have some habits that still need training. Most adult dogs are domestic and, especially when connecting an older dog, their energy level may be lower than that of a puppy.
In addition to thinking about whether you want a puppy or an adult dog, the dog breed that you want to adopt is an important aspect to think about. Each race has its own rewards and challenges. Do not just choose a dog because you like the way they look. Personality is a much more important factor to consider.
Once you have selected a breed, explore what you can expect when your new dog attaches itself to your household. Be honest with yourself about your lifestyle. For example, if your notion of relaxation is to lie behind the TV, do not get a dog that loves to explore and run outdoors.
Consider Promoting and Adopting
Promoting a pet before you join can be a great way to determine if you are ready for the engagement. Chat with your local shelter to find out if they have this option and what you can do if you want to adopt your dog permanently. The assumption is always a good choice.
Preparing for your new family member
Now that you have chosen to become a dog owner, there are some basic steps to follow to look after your new puppy.
Puppy protection
Almost the same as child safety. Your four-legged darling loves to explore and chew on everything. Make sure that the exploration areas are safe. In the beginning, it may be a better idea to keep your dog in a certain area of your house where it can not do too much damage or get hurt.
Make sure there are no poisonous houseplants around like mistletoe, poinsettia, amaryllis, and holly. Lock in detergents and medicines. Block access to elevated porches, balconies, and decks. Also keep the toilet lid closed, secure electrical cords, and remove any plastic materials.
You should definitely not leave the puppy unattended if it has access to your entire house. Buy proper chew toys and reward the puppy for chewing on the right things. Start exercising as soon as possible, it will definitely make your life with the new family member much easier.
Visit the vet
As a dog owner, you are legally responsible for the dog’s well-being. An important aspect of this is to regularly check the dog with a veterinarian. Among other things, a puppy needs a number of vaccinations so that he does not get sick.
Thereafter, you should visit your veterinarian at least once a year for a checkup. It is also very good to take out a dog insurance policy for unexpected more serious illnesses or injuries. Another important aspect to consider is any sterilization or castration.
What Should the Puppy Eat?
It not only means enough food, it means a well-balanced nutritional diet. You will notice that there are specifically formulated dog foods for puppies. The first year is the most critical. Your puppy’s teeth, muscles, bones, and fur will grow quickly. A puppy requires more daily calories than a mature dog. Be sure to read the product labels to ensure that your puppy has the right balance between fat and protein.
Whole feed
If you buy a bag of dog food in the store, it is usually so-called complete food. This means that the food contains everything your dog needs. The most complete feeds available on the market today are excellent.
Homemade
If you want to cook your own food for your dog, it is possible to learn, but it is very important that you first learn a lot about dogs’ needs and how the composition of the food should be. Dogs do not have the same nutritional needs as humans and the relationship between certain nutrients is very important for the dog to feel good. This is especially important for puppies and pregnant and lactating bitches.
Do I give my dog the right food?
To determine if your dog is eating right, look at your dog – is he healthy and alert? Is the coat in good condition and does the dog seem to be feeling well? If you can answer yes to those questions, you can state that the food you give your dog works well. If, after all, you are still unsure, you can turn to your breeder for some advice that applies to your particular dog.
Also, stick to the recommended serving size and feeding schedule. Do not give your puppy any leftovers, bones, or large snacks between meals.
Teach Your Puppy to Obey
You should train your dog immediately. Dogs are herd animals and strive to become the leader of the herd. Therefore, it is important that you let your puppy know who is deciding. You must set and show clear boundaries from day one. At the same time, your way of raising the dog must find a balance between firm and gentle upbringing.
Therefore, reward your puppy with a lot of praise, at the same time as it occasionally needs tangible reprimands. Dogs love confirmation and attention, the more you notice that the puppy is doing something right, the more it will trust you. a big secret behind a nice and well-behaved dog consequence. If the dog receives the same treatment from you all the time, it knows what is expected of it. In the beginning, your puppy will need to go out after about 20-30 minutes. Do not forget this as an accident can then occur. Take the puppy out to the place where you want it to go and use a command like “go and pee”. Remember to offer plenty of praise when it obeys.
Some people even train their dogs to make their “needs” in the flower beds, which eliminates the need to pick afterward. If you do not mind the extra “fertilizer” and have the luxury of actually having a garden, this is recommended.
Be Patient and Kind to Your Puppy
For your little puppy, the world is completely new, in the same way as a human baby. It has many new things to learn and experience. Even with the best training, you will have to clean up some bathroom accidents in the beginning and you must be prepared for a pair of your favorite shoes that you accidentally left on the floor to be destroyed. The more tempting things you remove, the more you reduce the risk of boring accidents.
It is therefore important to have a lot of patience the first time. With the right love and care, your dog will grow up and learn how you want it to act. In the end, all the hard work will be worth it.
You need to invest a lot of time in your dog, for example, for regular walks, at least three times a day. Dogs need a lot of attention and when they do not get it, they become very challenging to handle.
Are you considering buying a puppy? What challenges are you most worried about?