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A Dog Is a Companion for Life
If you're thinking of acquiring a canine friend, you may have lots of pleasant thoughts associated with pet ownership that are not necessarily logical or rational reasons. You may like the look of a certain breed, for instance, or you may want to fill an empty void left by another person. What you'll really need to ask yourself is, can I afford the time, patience, training, and emotional and financial investment needed to give this pet a proper home? You'll also want to examine why you are choosing a dog instead of, let's say, a cat, bird, or fish. Dogs are more like people, but like people, they are also more dependent on your care. In return for your devotion and good care, however, you will receive the following health and emotional benefits:
So, where do you start? There are 150 breeds to choose from that are recognized by the American Kennel Club. Do you require a purebred with certain traits, or would you consider a mixed breed that may be hardier? Do you have the space for a large dog, or would a toy companion be more suitable? Do you have time to train a puppy, or would you prefer a full-grown animal? There is also gender and spaying or neutering to consider. Should you go to a breeder, a pet shop, or a shelter? The answers to these questions depend on your needs, space, lifestyle, limitations, and preferences. You will have to explore these issues and talk to people who own pets and who sell or distribute pets to make decisions that will more closely match your goals. You should be able to narrow down your choices based on these questions, but keep in mind that more than one dog may be right for you.
Dogs are selected more for companionship today than as working partners. Few who live in urban or suburban areas would choose a dog for his or her hunting or herding abilities, nor would it be fair to keep such an animal cooped up in tight quarters. You may need one who will not stir up allergies, however, through excessive shedding, and you may not want one who will develop certain costly medical problems like hip dysplasia. Personality and activity level are major factors in choosing a dog who's right for you. Looks and breed are also important considerations, but should not be the only factors when making such a life-altering decision.
The next step will be to choose from where you will get your dog. If you want a purebred, ask for referrals to a good breeder. Another good source for finding a particular breed is a breed rescue association, which is dedicated to ensuring that its breed will find a good home. Pet shops are tempting, but you cannot find out the breeding lines or medical history. If you purchase a dog from a pet shop, have your vet take a look at the dog first. Humane societies, shelters, and pounds also do not shed much light on personal or medical history, but you will be rescuing an animal, often a good one, from possibly being euthanized.
Now that you've chosen your new dog, there are things you will need to have for daily maintenance. Food and water dishes; a cage, crate, or dog bed; a collar and leash; a nametag; toys and chew toys; grooming supplies and healthcare supplies; housetraining pads if training your dog "to go" indoors; and books on puppy care and behavior. Find a veterinarian with whom you will have a good working relationship for the next 15 years!
Keep your dog on the same diet that he or she was receiving before you became the owner. If you make any changes, do it gradually. Start with dry food and serve it dry. Get the best food you can afford and that is suited to your dog's life stage, health condition, and nutritional needs. Grocery store foods are the cheapest and lowest in quality. Premium foods are a higher grade and can be found in grocery stores, pet stores, and veterinarians' offices. Healthy foods are the highest quality and are purchased from the manufacturer or online. Your dog should have bright eyes and a shiny coat and be energetic. Make sure your dog is vaccinated against canine parvovirus, distemper, and kennel cough, and later, rabies; gets flea and tick prevention; and annual and as-needed visits to the vet. Add a heartworm preventive and/or a heartworm medication from your vet. Use dental pads to clean your new pup's teeth before graduating to toothbrushes and toothpaste. Use ear pads to keep your dog's ears clean.
Your new dog should be socialized as soon as possible. Take your dog with you wherever you go to get him or her used to different people, animals, and situations. Have guests come to the house to get your dog acquainted with new people and their pets. Enroll your puppy in obedience training classes. Patience, repetition, and consistency are necessary for teaching your dog to follow commands. Gesture for the behavior you are looking for before teaching your dog the word for it. Make sure everyone in the household uses the same short command. Do several short repetitions throughout the day. Don't lose your temper! Praise and reward the dog with a treat when he or she follows. Do not punish but speak firmly at the time you see a misstep occurring. Make sure the dog understands the command and what is expected at all times. Remember that puppies have a short attention span. Complete the training so that you are satisfied your dog knows everything you want him or her to know. This takes time and patience. Give your dog plenty of exercise to relieve anxiety, boredom, and mischief-making behavior. Do not make a big production of your comings and goings and gradually increase the length of time spent away until your dog adjusts to certain periods of absence. On the other hand, do not leave the dog unattended or caged for lengthy periods of time.
Here are the stages of development of your puppy, so that you can be prepared for certain behaviors. At 3-5 weeks of age, your pup is developing his or her senses and interacting with littermates and mother. Teeth are coming in and he or she can eat solid foods. At 5-7 weeks, the puppy is ready to be weaned but is still attached to littermates. This is the time to socialize with humans. At 7-9 weeks, the puppy may suddenly exhibit fear of activities previously handled with ease. It is best to avoid traumatic experiences, but train with basic commands and housebreaking at this time. Socialization classes usually take place at 8-12 weeks. The vet may arrange for "play dates" with other owners and their pets at a similar stage of development. It is important to socialize dogs at the appropriate time so that they do not become timid or aggressive in unfamiliar situations. At 9-12 weeks, the puppy is ready to bond completely with his or her human family. At 13-16 weeks, your dog will see him or herself in a hierarchy with other animals and humans and will start chewing on things as a result of teething. He or she is showing independence and may not follow commands and will need to be leashed in public places. After 16 weeks, your puppy will enter a second chewing phase out of curiosity and a sense of exploration. He or she also will show sexual urgings and will need to be neutered or spayed at this time.
If you keep activities and expectations geared to your dog's developmental schedule, there will be few surprises and a healthy bonding between you, your dog, and your family. This is a win-win situation in which everyone experiences a successful relationship for years to come and the intrinsic rewards of pet ownership will be everywhere apparent.
- A loyal and constant companion
- A watchful and protective bodyguard
- A partner in keeping fit
- A stress-reducer and mood-enhancer, which is good for a myriad of health disorders, including - cardiac problems and its associated risks, seizures, and hypoglycemia, as well as loneliness, boredom, and depression
- A being you can care for who also cares for you; in other words, someone to come home to
So, where do you start? There are 150 breeds to choose from that are recognized by the American Kennel Club. Do you require a purebred with certain traits, or would you consider a mixed breed that may be hardier? Do you have the space for a large dog, or would a toy companion be more suitable? Do you have time to train a puppy, or would you prefer a full-grown animal? There is also gender and spaying or neutering to consider. Should you go to a breeder, a pet shop, or a shelter? The answers to these questions depend on your needs, space, lifestyle, limitations, and preferences. You will have to explore these issues and talk to people who own pets and who sell or distribute pets to make decisions that will more closely match your goals. You should be able to narrow down your choices based on these questions, but keep in mind that more than one dog may be right for you.
Dogs are selected more for companionship today than as working partners. Few who live in urban or suburban areas would choose a dog for his or her hunting or herding abilities, nor would it be fair to keep such an animal cooped up in tight quarters. You may need one who will not stir up allergies, however, through excessive shedding, and you may not want one who will develop certain costly medical problems like hip dysplasia. Personality and activity level are major factors in choosing a dog who's right for you. Looks and breed are also important considerations, but should not be the only factors when making such a life-altering decision.
The next step will be to choose from where you will get your dog. If you want a purebred, ask for referrals to a good breeder. Another good source for finding a particular breed is a breed rescue association, which is dedicated to ensuring that its breed will find a good home. Pet shops are tempting, but you cannot find out the breeding lines or medical history. If you purchase a dog from a pet shop, have your vet take a look at the dog first. Humane societies, shelters, and pounds also do not shed much light on personal or medical history, but you will be rescuing an animal, often a good one, from possibly being euthanized.
Now that you've chosen your new dog, there are things you will need to have for daily maintenance. Food and water dishes; a cage, crate, or dog bed; a collar and leash; a nametag; toys and chew toys; grooming supplies and healthcare supplies; housetraining pads if training your dog "to go" indoors; and books on puppy care and behavior. Find a veterinarian with whom you will have a good working relationship for the next 15 years!
Keep your dog on the same diet that he or she was receiving before you became the owner. If you make any changes, do it gradually. Start with dry food and serve it dry. Get the best food you can afford and that is suited to your dog's life stage, health condition, and nutritional needs. Grocery store foods are the cheapest and lowest in quality. Premium foods are a higher grade and can be found in grocery stores, pet stores, and veterinarians' offices. Healthy foods are the highest quality and are purchased from the manufacturer or online. Your dog should have bright eyes and a shiny coat and be energetic. Make sure your dog is vaccinated against canine parvovirus, distemper, and kennel cough, and later, rabies; gets flea and tick prevention; and annual and as-needed visits to the vet. Add a heartworm preventive and/or a heartworm medication from your vet. Use dental pads to clean your new pup's teeth before graduating to toothbrushes and toothpaste. Use ear pads to keep your dog's ears clean.
Your new dog should be socialized as soon as possible. Take your dog with you wherever you go to get him or her used to different people, animals, and situations. Have guests come to the house to get your dog acquainted with new people and their pets. Enroll your puppy in obedience training classes. Patience, repetition, and consistency are necessary for teaching your dog to follow commands. Gesture for the behavior you are looking for before teaching your dog the word for it. Make sure everyone in the household uses the same short command. Do several short repetitions throughout the day. Don't lose your temper! Praise and reward the dog with a treat when he or she follows. Do not punish but speak firmly at the time you see a misstep occurring. Make sure the dog understands the command and what is expected at all times. Remember that puppies have a short attention span. Complete the training so that you are satisfied your dog knows everything you want him or her to know. This takes time and patience. Give your dog plenty of exercise to relieve anxiety, boredom, and mischief-making behavior. Do not make a big production of your comings and goings and gradually increase the length of time spent away until your dog adjusts to certain periods of absence. On the other hand, do not leave the dog unattended or caged for lengthy periods of time.
Here are the stages of development of your puppy, so that you can be prepared for certain behaviors. At 3-5 weeks of age, your pup is developing his or her senses and interacting with littermates and mother. Teeth are coming in and he or she can eat solid foods. At 5-7 weeks, the puppy is ready to be weaned but is still attached to littermates. This is the time to socialize with humans. At 7-9 weeks, the puppy may suddenly exhibit fear of activities previously handled with ease. It is best to avoid traumatic experiences, but train with basic commands and housebreaking at this time. Socialization classes usually take place at 8-12 weeks. The vet may arrange for "play dates" with other owners and their pets at a similar stage of development. It is important to socialize dogs at the appropriate time so that they do not become timid or aggressive in unfamiliar situations. At 9-12 weeks, the puppy is ready to bond completely with his or her human family. At 13-16 weeks, your dog will see him or herself in a hierarchy with other animals and humans and will start chewing on things as a result of teething. He or she is showing independence and may not follow commands and will need to be leashed in public places. After 16 weeks, your puppy will enter a second chewing phase out of curiosity and a sense of exploration. He or she also will show sexual urgings and will need to be neutered or spayed at this time.
If you keep activities and expectations geared to your dog's developmental schedule, there will be few surprises and a healthy bonding between you, your dog, and your family. This is a win-win situation in which everyone experiences a successful relationship for years to come and the intrinsic rewards of pet ownership will be everywhere apparent.
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