| Before you get a dog there are many factors | | | | animals. So you should be prepared to |
| to consider. First of all, you should | | | | educate yourself regarding dog training by |
| examine why you want a dog in your life. You | | | | reading, attending classes and consulting |
| must be willing to share your life with an | | | | trainers. There is no one absolute best |
| animal, care for it and be responsible for | | | | method to train dogs but generally speaking, |
| it. You also must be prepared for what a dog | | | | avoid methods that involve abuse like |
| will require.Dogs require exercise, | | | | hitting, slapping or yelling at your puppy. |
| discipline and affection, in that order. | | | | Choose motivators such as praise, treats, or |
| Notice that exercise is the most important | | | | play instead. There are plenty of excellent |
| requirement. If you're the type that has a | | | | trainers and training techniques out there |
| hard time getting up before noon on days off | | | | that employ methods that will leave you with |
| and you don't like to get off the sofa too | | | | a fun-loving, well-adjusted, loving |
| much, getting a dog probably isn't for you. | | | | companion.Dogs involve expenses. It's as |
| Even small, indoor "lap" dogs need exercise | | | | simple as that. Everything from vet bills to |
| and physical interaction. The key aspect | | | | dog food to toys to fencing in your yard will |
| here is that you need to actively interact | | | | take money. Be prepared to make financial |
| with your dog and make certain that they are | | | | commitments.Dogs require time. You will |
| getting the exercise they deserve.Many breeds | | | | probably be spending a minimum of an hour a |
| need intense exercise. If your idea of | | | | day interacting with your dog. Grooming, |
| exercise with your dog is a leisurely 10 | | | | feeding, playing, training and exercising are |
| minute walk, then a retriever for example, is | | | | just a part of this picture. You will need |
| definitely not for you. Retrievers are a | | | | extra time to clean up after your pet and you |
| breed that will require intense interaction | | | | will have to consider that leaving your dog |
| with hikes in the woods, swimming, running | | | | at home alone for long periods will have a |
| and fetching. This breed will better suit | | | | negative effect on him. Therefore you cannot |
| people who love the outdoors and are quite | | | | just pop out to a movie or restaurant |
| active.Something else that is very important | | | | whenever you feel like it because you have |
| to consider is that puppies up until two | | | | obligations.You must match your dog with your |
| years of age will demand your constant | | | | lifestyle. This point was touched on |
| attention and supervision. It's extremely | | | | earlier. Research breeds before you make a |
| similar to having a baby. You will have to | | | | decision. For example, if you know that |
| plan to feed your puppy at regular intervals, | | | | cleaning up dog hair will drive you crazy, |
| clean up various messes, ensure that that | | | | don't get a husky. Look at the amount of |
| they are given the opportunity to do their | | | | space you have in your home because some |
| business, provide them with chew toys, get | | | | breeds require much more space than others. |
| out of bed early on your days off, take them | | | | You must examine your situation and |
| out in bad weather and so on. It's not that | | | | environment to discover what breed would be |
| these are bad things, just part of the | | | | the most complimentary.Last but certainly not |
| overall picture.On an emotional level, you | | | | least, getting a dog requires common sense. |
| must realize this unavoidable truth. Dogs | | | | This common sense can be acquired through |
| have a fairly short life span compared to | | | | ongoing education, actively observing and |
| humans. You will fall in love with your dog, | | | | interacting with your dog, maintaining |
| become totally attached to him and one day | | | | vigilance and being observant. Being a dog |
| have to say goodbye to him or make the | | | | owner means being responsible. A dog is not |
| impossible decision to end his life. This | | | | a toy that can be merely put on a shelf and |
| can be too much for some people to take. One | | | | brought out when you feel like playing with |
| way to look at it is the love you shared | | | | it. Dogs are social animals that need |
| enriched both your lives so you were both | | | | exercise, discipline and affection. Provide |
| better off because of your relationship.In | | | | your dog these things and you will have a |
| this day and age most of us haven't had a lot | | | | truly wonderful companion. |
| of experience in living with or raising | | | | |