Dogs are man’s best friend, and so it behooves us to be worthy of that friendship in everything we do. Unfortunately, not everyone is a competent or confident dog owner, even if well-intentioned. This means that learning the practical skills and holding the correct mindset of care will be important to curate before you go out of your way to purchase a dog.
Of course, you don’t have to be perfect. You learn as you go in some respects, and so if you have the suitable home circumstance and enough funding to provide everything the dog may need, then you’re likely more than suitable to purchase a pet of this kind. However, there are insights that even the most attentive first-time dog owner should hold in their heart before beginning this process, because not only can this help your new, beautiful puppy settle into your home for the first time, but it can make this process much smoother, healthier and enjoyable for the both of you.
Remember, purchasing a dog is not just purchasing a pet. It’s bringing a family member home, and also meeting a friend who will become a best friend as the years pass by. With that in mind, please consider the following advice:
Research The Breed
Research the kind of breed you would like. Many people have an idea of what kind of dog they might like, but it might not be that their home environment is set up for this kind of puppy. Remember that dogs grow quickly and can sometimes become larger than you expect, and so considering the needs of your family can be important here. For instance, purchasing a greyhound as a house pet when you have multiple small children to think of around your house is hardly a good idea, as these dogs are so energetic, intense and large that this can be more trouble than it’s worth, despite the breed being beautiful.
Sometimes, maintenance can be an issue, too. For instance, it might be that you’ve long-dreamt of owning a Husky because of how amazingly beautiful they are, and yet these dogs are bred for hard work. They need to be exercised many hours a day for them to mature into their bodies carefully and subvert many health issues that can come their way. If you’re working a long-hours office job in the middle of the city and will likely be leaving the dog at home for most of that, you may not have the resources to provide this dog what it needs. This is why smaller dogs are often a good choice, or well-behaved dogs that can be easily trained and cared for such as labradors or golden retrievers.
Take time to research and understand the features of a certain breed and how you may best care for it. If you can do that, then you won’t be purchasing blind or for vapid reasons, instead you’ll be selecting a beautiful puppy more than suitable for your home.
Invest In Training
Investing in worthwhile training is also an essential element of careful puppy ownership, and can mean all the difference going forward. Dogs often learn their practices and respect for you in their puppy years, and it’s important to be seen as their owner, the one who holds authority. Additionally, helping them learn to conduct their business outside in your garden, as well as how to socialize with other dogs without intensive aggressive barking can be important. Training to this degree is primary, and the tricks come later. Ensure you find a trainer who has familiarity with the breed you have selected, because that will help the process go smoothly. We would also recommend attending this training regiment at least once or twice a week depending on your needs.
Understand The Diet
Puppies will often grow several times their size in a short amount of time, and it can be quite impressive to see this process occur. However, of course, good growth requires good nutrition, and this means understanding the caloric and nutritional requirements of your particular breed. We would also recommend investing in worthwhile food for your pet, if not the most premium option you can afford. Learning what you can and can’t feed them from your dinner plate as leftovers is also important, because sometimes a small gift may cause more trouble than it’s worth.
Additionally, solutions for dog diabetes can be found provided you look into the symptoms that can be found there, and ensure your pet enjoys regular checkups with their vet. Dietary considerations can turn a healthy puppy into an emaciated or overweight one, and so it’s best to tailor this as accurately as you can. Additionally, extra considerations such as tooth-cleaning treats can help them stay hygienic over time.
Regular Contact
In this post, we have used the example of a Husky and it being left at home throughout the day as something contrary to best practice. However, this is often felt iun all breeds, not just this most visually impressive and majestic type. If you cannot commit to ensuring activity in your house for most of the day, it’s important to assess if a dog is right for you.
Regular contact, be that a stay at home parent or another dog to keep them company after you are familiar with this one can be the key to purchasing a dog, as can small regular home-vacation periods such as the 9-3 weekly school attendance your children have. Regular contact can be defined by semi-regular activity in your household, your willingness to play and train the pet, and also to take them for walks and include them in family activities. If you can commit not only the finances but the time, which is arguably more valuable, then odds are you have the potential to invest in a new pet.
With this advice, we hope you can become a responsible first-time dog owner. Odds are that if you have the most well-meaning of intentions and can pay attention to details, you’ll shape up just fine.