The First Dog In Your Life
The decision to get a dog is a responsible step, and preparation for the arrival of a pet requires a balanced and rational approach. Before buying a puppy, it will be useful to find time to study the theory, and then in practice you will definitely get a sea of positive emotions, and your pet will grow up healthy and well-mannered.
This article is a kind of “curriculum” – it is intended to help those who have decided to get a dog for the first time to understand the variety of advice on caring for a puppy and raising it.
How to prepare for the arrival of a puppy?
First, you need to decide for what purpose you are getting a dog. Will it be for exhibitions or breeding? Or do you need a loyal companion who will make you happy and welcome you home? If you live in a private house and want your pet to be a good guard, then you should pay attention to breeds that have been bred for protection for centuries.
Keep in mind that not all dogs have guard abilities, and this does not depend on their size: a dog can be large and calm, or small but loud. If you want to get a friend-hunter, then be ready to reinforce the hunting instinct with regular training.
When getting a companion dog for a lonely elderly person, make sure that the pet is not one of those who need long active walks. If you are getting a puppy for playing with children, it is better to give preference to patient breeds.
Once you have decided on your goals, think about what breeds of dogs will be comfortable in your home. For example, many hunting breeds are poorly suited to living in cramped apartments. The same applies to large dogs – in a small apartment, tightly packed with furniture, large dogs will not be very comfortable. The conditions in a country house are completely different. There you can afford to have a large dog (or even more than one) without fear that it will be cramped.
Dog care
Taking care of a pet means paying attention to its diet, health, responsible upbringing and grooming. Depending on the breed and type of coat, the dog requires different care.
Some need to be brushed every day, and also regularly taken to the groomer and bathed . Others only need to be wiped with a towel occasionally. Others need to be taken twice a year for trimming. Some dogs shed noticeably, and their owners have to spend more time cleaning the house, while others do not shed at all. Before choosing a particular breed, you should evaluate your strengths and readiness to properly care for your pet.
To care for an animal, you need to buy a whole set of items – from bowls and a leash to toys. It is better to take care of this in advance and buy everything before acquiring a dog, so that by the time it appears in the house, everything is ready.
When is buying a puppy a mistake?
Sometimes people find it difficult to take on the role of a puppy’s new owner, and they give it back or look for a foster home. To avoid this, you should soberly assess your capabilities and answer a few questions:
- Who will you leave your pet with when you go on vacation? Will you be able to take your puppy with you if you need to, for example, visit a loved one?
- If you are planning to have a baby, how will you feel about the baby playing with the dog? Will you be happy about it or will you have anxious thoughts and a desire to protect the child from the pet?
- Does your budget allow for food and veterinary expenses? Do you have an idea of how much you will spend on a dog?
- Will you be able to devote enough attention to your pet or do you have a busy and irregular work schedule?
- Are you prepared for the fact that something might bother your puppy, he might get sick, or just get bored and whine at night at first in a new place?
- Do you have the patience to calmly accept the puddles on the floor that will inevitably appear until the puppy gets used to the walking regime?
If you answered yes to all the questions, then you can safely get a dog; if you still have any doubts, it is better to think again, consult with friends who have dogs, or with breeders.
Life with a puppy. What you need to know in advance?
If you have decided to get a puppy, be prepared for the fact that during the first days of being in the house, it will sleep a lot. The rest of the time, the baby will be busy exploring the environment of its new home. Of course, it will do this with its teeth. It can reach the wiring or pick up an accidentally dropped tube of cream. To protect the puppy, many owners buy a large cage, some make an enclosure themselves. This is a temporary measure that will help protect the baby while it gets to know the world around it.
It is necessary to determine in advance the place where the pet will have personal space. There it will be safe: it will not interfere, no one will trip over it, and it will not be punished in this place.
You won’t be able to walk the puppy outside right away. At first, until all the necessary vaccinations are done , the baby should stay at home and avoid contact with other dogs.
Once the vaccinations are done, the puppy can be taken for a walk on a leash. The animal does not immediately learn to obey the owner, and therefore it should not be let out without a leash under any circumstances.
Meanwhile, you should start training your dog right away. The effect will be better if you work with your pet from an early age. Classes should be relaxed, in a positive atmosphere. Remember that hitting a dog is unacceptable. For disobedience, scold in a stern voice and deprive the dog of affection for some time.
A properly trained dog, surrounded by love, affection and care, will become a best friend and a real member of the family.
