Choosing a Dog
Dogs are very needy animals. They are very sensitive towards their owners. I am sure most of you have heard of dogs tearing up a house when left along all day.
They chew in order to relieve boredom and stress, and to keep their teeth clean and healthy, so you should be able keep them healthy and happy with the right toys and training.
Dogs can get bored even when they have other dog companions and toys. They need the human interaction, and they need to be confident that you are the alpha dog of the pack who will take care of their needs. Then they are happy, healthy, won’t tend to bark, and will feel secure and well adjusted.
If you are not prepared to do some basic dog bonding and training, you will most likely end up instead with a badly behaved pet that will be a lot more work for you in the long run.
Most dog owners take their dogs out for a walk before work and after work for the exercise and play time. Depending on the breed, and where you are living, they may need even more exercise than this.
Some owners who work outside will often let their dogs come to work with them to keep them out of trouble in the home, but they also need to make sure that they keep them out of trouble when they are at large.
You also need to think about diseases and life span of a pet. Small dogs can live to 20. Large dogs can live as few as 6 years. 20 years can be a long commitment for anyone, but it needs to be taken into account. As does your own age! My 93 year old partly blind neighbor constantly trying to get hold of kittens and puppies at the pet adopt-athons is well intentioned, but not very sensible.
Certain dogs have breed specific health concerns you need to be aware of, for example Cavallier King Charles Spaniels have MVD, Mitral Valve Disease, so when getting one of these dogs, you need to have certification that none of their grandparents have had it, or you need to be aware that this is a health concern which could cost you.
Labradors and golden retrievers are very popular but as they age, they can develop hip problems, and if you live in a 3 storey walk up, you might find yourself with more problems than you can handle—80 to 100 pounds of trouble, to be exact. My friend’s standard poodle weighed 50 pounds-she could parely get it up and down 1 flight in its final years.
Naturally, we hope you will have good fortune with your new pet, but it is always best to have a few contingency plans in the event of the unexpected happening. Be prepared is a great motto for pet owners too.
Grooming your dog is also an essential part of pet care. It is an added expense, and time factor if you decide you would like to learn to it yourself in order to save money and bond with your dog. There are numerous books and videos which show how to breed a particular pet. Of course, they don’t all have to look show quality, but generally speaking, regular bathing and trimming is a good idea.
Dogs can’t be left, and if you work long hours, you will need to have a dog walker, or doggie day care to make sure they are not on their own too much of the day.
You need to take them to the vet for a regular check up and vaccinations. You also need to choose the right food for their breed and age.
Continues in Choosing The Right Pet For You Part 3