Thinking about getting a puppy?
A dog is a life long commitment. Make sure you want a dog for the right reasons. Why do you want a dog?
*Getting a puppy quickly after a death of another dog
*Getting a puppy as a present for a person or child
*Getting a puppy on impulse
*Getting a puppy because it's cute
These may be signs that you aren't ready for a puppy.
Dogs are living animals. Although they don't think like humans they can feel pain, loneliness, anxiety, fear, frustration, and happiness. Dogs left alone for long periods of time have a higher risk of becoming aggressive, destructive, and depressed. Do you have the time for a puppy? Puppies are a lot of work. They chew, bite, run, bark, and get into things.They need daily mental and physical stimulation. Are you ready and educated on how to turn unwanted behavior into wanted behavior? Remember,there are millions of perfectly amazing dogs in shelters. Adult dogs are usually a lot easier to care for than puppies. Save a life and adopt.
Puppies can be a amazing experience. Learning to communicate with your puppy and enjoy hikes, bike rides, swimming, camping and life in general with a puppy can be the greatest feeling in the world. If you are looking to buy a puppy, make sure you get a puppy from a well respected breeder. Puppies from pet stores come from puppy mills. Please never get a puppy from a pet store or back yard breeder.
This video is a short documentary on puppy mills. Please never buy a puppy from a pet store or backyard breeder. If you do, you are supporting the suffering of these wonderful animals.
Luckily there are people who breed dogs for the better of the breed. Such breeders will have dogs that are AKC certified. There puppies will be well socialized to people and other animals. They will give a puppy away no earlier than 7 weeks of age. You will be able to see the parents of the puppies. They should be friendly and outgoing. Never get a puppy from a pet store or a "back yard breeder" It is your right to see the parents and area the puppies live in. Hopefully if not in the house, the puppies will have good area to live in. It should be kept clean, dry and safe. Puppies should have been around people and animals on a daily basis.
Research and see what breed of dog is best for you. A very active person should get a very active dog that can keep up with them. Daily hikes and runs may not be a good match for a bull dog. However a Australian cattle dog or a German shepherd might be a perfect match. Make sure you have the knowledge to successfullyfully train your dog. Trained dogs are less likely to end up in shelters. They are often safer and more fun to be around. They know their boundariesundries and they can respond well to new people, animals and situations.
Puppy consultation -50$
Feeding-How, where, when, and, most importantly, what to feed your puppy.House Breaking-The main objective is to take the puppy to an outside area for relief/elimination. Focus is on understanding your dog's habits and needs to streamline this process.
Socialization- Socialization teaches your dog social skills and is vital to the safety of your dog and the safety other people and dogs. Socialization is best done when the puppy is young. The skills he or she picks up will affect his behavior for life. A properly socialized dog will not be frightened or aggressive toward other dogs or humans.
Exercising- is important to your puppy's growth. There are different kinds of exercises for a puppy. Dogs will always try to keep up with you, to perform whatever you ask them to do. It is up to you to set the limits for your puppy.Obedience- Dog obedience training is a great way to fulfill some of your dog's needs including exercise, mental stimulation, knowing what's expected, positive social interaction, and a good relationship with its owner. Obedient and trained dogs result in happier dogs and are less likely to get into trouble.
Biting- Puppies must learn that biting people (including children) is not okay. It is important for you to control their biting when young. One way stop your puppy from biting you is through socialization with other puppies, and older dogs that have been socialized. Biting behaviors that are not corrected will only get worse in time. Harmless behaviors in a puppy can quickly become a dangerous and destructive behavior in an adult dog.
Shyness- is a temperament trait.Soothing a frightened puppy doesn't reduce the fear, it reinforces it. To help prevent fear-induced aggression, you must assert yourself as the one who's calm, in control, and in charge of the situation.
Barking- How you handle the situation depends on the cause of the barking in the first place.
Aggressiveness- There are different types of aggression. Aggression can be related to a dog's need for dominance, desire to guard an object, a person, or a place, or fear.
Destruction- Dog obedience training addresses and helps to eliminate destructive behaviors. A puppy or dog that is socialized and obedience trained will be less likely to exhibit behaviors of destruction.
