Have You Ever Thought About Getting a Dog Or Puppy?

By Carly

Dogs and Puppies

Have you ever thought about getting a dog or puppy?

If you do, there will be a lot of important things that you will need to know. Well one thing you need to know is that getting an animal and taking care of all your responsibilities is not a piece of cake! You have to care for them, feed them, and lots more!

What to look for

Choosing the right dog is most important, especially if you care what type of breed you want. You have to consider a number of things when you choose your perfect dog: its shape, size, color, and even temperament.

First decide if you want a pure breed. A pure breed is a dog that is exactly its kind such as a Labrador retriever. Or you may choose a mixed-breed. A mixed-breed is a dog that comes from different pure-breeds such as a Labrador, Husky, or Terrier mix. These are very important decisions if you care about what your dog may look like.

Another thing you should check is how they act or behave.

After all, you do not want a dog that does not fit your life style.

Make sure this dog or puppy you want is right! Take it out for a walk and see how it reacts to the environment. Some dogs may bark at other animals or people and others may stick right by your side. One thing you have to know is making a bad decision on a dog or puppy you want is not right. Imagine if you were the puppy in a nice home and all of a sudden you get sent right back to the pound. You wouldn’t be happy and neither would a dog. So make sure you have everything decided RIGHT!

I’m afraid to tell you this, but you need to make more decisions on where you want to get your dog or puppy. One decision is to get the dog at a breeder. When you go to a breeder, you should pay attention to the environment in which the dog was cared for and groomed. The most important thing is to make sure the environment is safe! Just imagine if you walked into the breeder’s home and she is smoking, the house is moldy, and all the animals are stacked up in small cages with their presents (poop or pee) if you see this type of mess, call Animal

Control immediately---you can make a huge difference in dogs’ lives! This should give you a good image on what a good household should be like.

On the other hand, imagine that you enter a different breeder’s home and you notice that all of the dogs are playing outside. You also notice that everything is clean. Instead of cages the dogs have comfy beds, and the puppies and the mother are in their nursery room (a room where the mother and her puppies stay until they are ready.) You could breathe a sigh of relief because all of the dogs are healthy and happy. This is an extremely good household. My suggestion is to get the puppies living in a household like that.

The other offer is to save the animal and get one at a shelter! Once you enter a shelter, you’ll notice that all of the animals are staring at you. All you’ll want to do is take all of them home! But, you should still pick wisely on your choice. If you do so then you will have your animal-friend to the end.

Finally, you could visit different websites online, which show photographs about different dogs available for adoption. For example, you can go to www.petfinder.com you can find hundreds of dogs to choose from!

Caring

Does your dog smell a little funny? Is its hair all knotty? Well some of these symptoms show that you need to give your dog or puppy a bath! The first thing you should do is fill the bathtub with room temperature water. Secondly take off all the collars and anything else that is on the dog. If this is your dog’s first time taking a bath, perhaps you should ask another friend or family member to help hold your dog down so it does not jump out of the tub. Thirdly carefully place your dog into the bathtub and pour some of the water on his/her body to let the dog to get use to the water. This usually takes a few minutes. But after awhile, you’ll notice that they will be relaxed.

Fourth, get some soap and gently put it on the dog, but do not forget to scrub the soap. (Make sure you get dog soap at a pet store. Then rinse the dog with clean water. Finally dry the dog or puppy with clean towels. After you finish this process, let the dog run around the house and give him/her a treat such as a little bar of food such as greens or other vegetables. When a couple of minutes pass, start to gently brush the dog. You may need your friend or family member to help hold your dog down, but that is unlikely. Brushing and taking baths are very important for your dog.

Check-Ups are absolutely important for your dog! If your dog is sick or hurt immediately call your vet and asks them what to do. If you have trouble finding a vet go to your local one or ask a friend to suggest a place. If your dog is not feeling well due to ditherier or vomiting try chicken and rice. This is a good cure for your dog. They will be healthy in no time! Seeing your vet is very important so get check-ups every single year even if your dog isn’t showing any problems.

Chow Time

You will need to feed your dog or puppy 2 times a day.

Depending on how much your dog weighs and how big it is, will depend on the how much food you will feed the dog. You can look on the back label of your dog’s food to make sure it is right.

Try out different food products for your animal and see if it is right for them. You might try Puppy Chow or Iams. You’ll know it is right for them when they eat it!

Treats! It is okay to give your dog treats occasionally but not too often. You can get treats at your local pet store or make your own treats. You can give your dogs treat such as carrots, radishes, cucumbers, broccoli.....and lots more! Feeding your animal is a very responsible thing to do, so make sure you will be responsible! Your dog will be happy if you do.

Fun Time

Is your dog slopping around the coach or better yet is your dog a couch potato? Well these behaviors are not healthy for your dog, so get up and get some exercise for both of you! There are lots of games you can play with your dog like fetch. This is very good for you and the dog because you both can run up the hill and down the yard. (Running helps their legs and works their muscles) If you think you should get some exercise too, then walk or jog with your dog every afternoon or morning! My final suggestion to tell you is you go to the park and meet with other dogs it is very good for your dog to socialize with other dogs! Getting exercise is important!

Doggy Proof

This section you might just want to read! When you leave the house makes sure everything is perfect! Let’s say you leave for the day because you have work. If you leave pillows on the ground or dropped your pen on the way out, this is NOT

GOOD! Your dog could swallow the stuffing or get poisoned from the pen. You should check the house before you leave the house every time!

Suggestion

 Walk around your house or do a 360

to make sure every thing is perfect

before you leave.

Do you have to watch your dog when it is outside?

Maybe you should try an invisible fence. The fence is

a wire that bounds the road and woods from your house. You have to shock the dog with a computer collar, but this could really help your dog. They can be free to run around without your supervision!

I hope you have learned a lot of things about dogs!