First Time Dog Owner?
Once in a while, everyone entertains the idea of getting a dog. If you made up your mind and you are ready to welcome a new member to your family, you need to consider certain things. Especially, when it comes to dogs. These lovely animals can bring a lot of joy, but they also come with certain responsibilities.
Choose the Right Breed For You
If you haven’t settled for a specific breed, take time to decide what type of dog will suit your lifestyle. Research both the physical features as well as the temperament of each breed you are interested in. Each breed differs not only in terms of size, shape, color and fur, but also in their temperaments.
Some dogs can be extremely active and need a lot of walking. On the other hand, smaller dog types get tired more easily. Make a research and align it with your expectations about your dog.
Do you prefer a breed that is easy to train? Or you simply want a loyal companion.
Examine the needs of each dog type. Also, think about your daily activities and how owning a dog would affect them. Let’s get it clear from the start – house cleaning is a must. Many new dog owners jump straight into the idea and then feel pressured by the endless obligations.
Are you a Lawyer who is Single works long hours, takes Lots of out of town Business trips and just wants to relax and unwind when you get home? A Border Collie Likely isn’t going to be a great match in this case.
Another Thing to Consider is WHERE you get your dog from. I am not getting into the breeder vs rescue argument. There is a need for BOTH and BOTH have their good and Bad establishments. Make sure you do YOUR due Diligence and be sure your supporting a reputable breeder or rescue. Does the breeder, do Puppy Culture? Social Puppies? Are they raised in Home or In a kennel in the yard. Does the breeder ask you questions to match Not only their breed to your lifestyle but the individual puppy to you? And so much more!
For rescues Do they do Home checks? Do they Have an application process. Do they have a Color System (most common) to match a dogs personality and temperament to potential adoption applications or can you walk right through and choose any pay and go?
Dog– proof Your Home
Just like younger kids, dogs can be very curious which might eventually lead to troubles. There are items around your home that constitute danger for your furry friend. The problem is many of these hazards are not as obvious. For example, a bottle filled with volatile cleaning product might turn into a chew toy. You need to Dog Proof from the perspective of a Dog.
Proper Welcoming
Changes are stressful, even for Dogs. Remember the 3-3- 3 rule It takes 3 days for your new dog to decompress. It takes 3 Weeks for your new dog to feel comfortable and learn your routine and it takes 3 months for them to build trust. We suggest Not introducing your dog to strangers right away. If you have children, explain to them how they should approach the new member.
Start the Training Right Away
Many Clients try to Liken their 8 week Old puppy to a human Baby! Oh its just to young to start training is the number one thing I hear. This is Farthest from the truth and potentially harmful for your pup! Weeks 8 - 16 are the Most important when it comes to Training and Socialization. During this time dogs are like Sponges and if you dont start working on those basics like toileting and primary house rules your pup very well could be learning bad habits that will be very hard to break after this period. Does this mean a dog wont learn after 16 weeks old NO! A dog any age can learn new things! Its will just be a longer Training process. Training will not only help build good habits, but it will strengthen your relationship with your dog.
Create a Schedule
The predictable routine will help you plan your time more effectively. Dogs are creatures of habit and they will get used to the regime quickly.This needs to include time for walks, training and socialization in order to create the best life for your new furry friend!
