We were talking about getting or giving a puppy or a dog and things one should consider before doing so. After all we do not want this pup to end up at the dog pound or a shelter and possibly being passed around from home to home, now do we? So now what?
Then what about dog training classes? How about housing and care for the new dog when you have to travel and the dog has to be left at home. This can be costly if you don't have someone who is willing to take care of your pet for you. Would this be an issue that you would have to consider?
Is this a time when you or the person who gets a puppy as a gift say, "This dog is such a pain. I can not go anywhere whenever I want too because of this darn dog." Or, "I can not stay out late or all day because of this dog. I miss having fun with my friends whenever I want to because this dog needs to go outside or be taken care of." Do not be too surprised this does happen and that is why a lot of dogs end up at dog pound or dog shelters.
Now what types of activity do you or the person that may get this lovely gift, engage in? Are we active, the out door type or a couch potato or avid reader type?
You may want to first research the different breeds to see which one would be best suited to your needs? This will also help you if you decide to get a mixed breed, for you will at least have it fresh in your mind the characteristics of different breeds. Also keep in mind that each pup or dog is unique and will vary one from the other. The breed characteristics will be a guide, but not necessarily written in stone. This is where testing the pup or dog comes in handy, more on that later.
If you are very active you don't want a less active dog like an English Bulldog, or Pug. You may find that a Sporting Breed like a Lab, or German Shorthaired Pointer, or a Working or Herding dog like a Border Collie may suit you better.
The same is true if you are laid back and less active you certainly don't want a Lab or Border Collie, they are apt to drive you crazy with all of their energy. If you don't allow them to vent that energy, you may find yourself with all sorts of behavior problems.
If you are really easy going and lack authority you don't want a more dominate breed like Dobermans, Chow Chow, Miniature Pincher, Puli, Rottweiler and such. A lot to think about isn't there, but wait there is more.
Pet owners need to properly care for, train, and handle their dogs. Get them use to having their ears cleaned, paws touched, and being brushed. It is also important to teach children how to behave around dogs. No teasing or pulling ears or tails or pinching or hitting the dog. Teaching both of these takes time and energy.
Dogs, for instance, have a multitude of talents. Puppies learn quickly and repeated behavior becomes learned behavior, good or bad. I would suggest that you determine what your puppy can and can't do as an adult dog, then would not let it do that as a puppy. It is easier to not even let a behavior get started then to stop it later on.
A few issues to think about and what they are actually teaching the dog are: allowing the pup on furniture or bed, socializing the pup with other people, places, and animals including other dogs, feeding the puppy at the table, responding to the puppy when it cries, barks, wants to play or be petted. Remember whatever your pup is doing when you pay it attention, that is the behavior you are reinforcing. Even if you think you are giving the pup a negative, because from the dog's perspective it is usually taken as attention.
Next we will talk about testing and naming your pup. Testing that pup can save you a lot of headaches and heartaches. Names are very important. Enjoy!
To discover more about the secrets and communicating with your dog and learning how to be his leader, sign up right now for Tracy Lenderink's FREE Ebook to find out how to do exactly that - Go to: [http://www.simpledogtrainingsecrets.com] Read about the exciting FREE bonus too!
Tracy Lenderink, has had a love and passion with special communication with dogs all her life. Tracy has spent over 40 years as an Animal Behaviorist, Trainer, and Seminar Speaker assisting pet owners with their problem and issues. It has been said of Tracy that she is a "Master in Creating a Bridge of Knowledge Between the Animal and Human Spirit."
No comments:
Post a Comment