Article Title: 18 Things To Consider Before Selecting Your New
Dog
Author: Lamar Deane
Before purchasing a dog for a pet you must make a sincere,
thoughtful commitment. Try to match your desires to the needs of
the dog.
Before you start your search for a new dog there are the
following 18 things to consider.
1. Obligation and Dedication:
Owning a dog requires a long-term commitment. Adopting a dog on
impulse often ends in disaster. Dogs don't make very good
birthday or Christmas presents. The decision to acquire a dog
should be discussed with all family members.
2. Time:
Do you have the time to spend with a pet? Unfortunately, this
is not thought out and frequently overlooked, especially when
there are young children in the family. Puppies and dogs need
adult supervision and a five or six year old child is too young
to responsibly care for them. Do you have time to train a dog?
Taking time to train your dog is an obligation that must fit
into your daily schedule. If you can't spare the time in
training, playing, and exercising a dog maybe, you should
re-consider acquiring a dog.
3. Facilities:
Do you have a large enough space for a dog? An outdoor dog
needs at least a fenced in yard and a warm, dry doghouse. Do you
have the space needed for keeping a dog inside?
4. Cost:
Can you financially bear the cost of a dog? Not only the cost
of purchasing a dog should be considered but the cost of routine
health care, veterinary fees for annual vaccinations, food,
dishes, leashes, collars, beds, toys, etc.
5. Patience:
Owning a dog is a labor of love, but it takes ample patience
and persistence in raising one. Having a hot, quick temper that
flares up repeatedly isn't compatible with owning a dog.
6. Training:
You must give your dog at least some basic training (either by
you or a professional trainer) on behavior and manner or he will
be a liability rather than an asset. House-breaking, collar and
leash control, obedience is necessary training. Without proper
training your dog will be a nuisance and an embarrassment to
you.
7. Puppy or Adult Dog?
Depending on your financial situation, the age of children in
the home, and the amount of time you can dedicate to training a
dog.
Adult: Adult dogs have reached their full size, coloration, and
coat so usually what you see is what you get. Their
personalities are already established, however many of their
learned behavioral manners can be changed. Adjusting to a new
family and environment can be traumatic to older dogs.
6 things to consider when acquiring and adult dog.
I: Adult dogs most likely have had their vaccination shots,
although they may need boosters.
II: Spaying or neutering probably has been done, which will cut
down on your expenses.
III: With an outdoor dog thats fully grown, you have a good
idea what type of fencing and the size of the doghouse you will
need.
IV: Inside adult dogs are likely to be housebroken with
adequate manners.
V: Eating habits are usually already established in adult dogs,
but you may have to change them to suit your lifestyle.
VI: Usually adult dogs are accustomed to collars and leashes,
and may have had some obedience training. A grown dog with bad
habits will take patience and a great deal of time and effort
changing their conduct.
4 things to consider when acquiring a puppy.
I: A puppy in a household with children should be carefully
monitored when together. Petting and wrestling with a puppy is
great fun for children but puppies are fragile and their bones
break easily so make sure children understand this when playing
with them.
II: Housebreaking a puppy takes time and is particularly
tedious and aggravating for the uninitiated. Days or sometimes
weeks will be spent on cleaning up after a puppy before it is
housebroken.
III: Puppies are vulnerable to diseases not usually associated
with adult dogs. They must be checked regularly and will need
vaccinations and booster shots.
IV: Spaying or neutering represent additional expenses of puppy
ownership.
8. Male or Female?
The cost of raising a male or a female dog adds up to about the
same, although spaying a female might be somewhat higher than
the cost of neutering a male. One person may favor the
temperament of females, while another person prefers masculine
characteristics. Bringing a new male dog into a household that
already has a male dog may present an aggression problem, unless
they are raised together from puppy hood or are neutered;
however, neutering won't necessarily stop male aggression.
Females tend to be more gentle than males.
There are various reasons for wanting to share your life with a
dog; yet, wanting a dog to love is a small part of owning a dog.
You will want your dog to be happy in your home.
About The Author: For more information on different dog breeds
that fit your personality and lifestyle visit
http://bestdogbreed
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