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