If you want to buy a dog but you have never had a pet before, you probably have plenty of questions and concerns. While owning a dog can be one of the most rewarding relationships of your entire life, dogs do require plenty of attention, work and responsibility.
Take a look around your yard and look for hazardous areas, holes in fencing, poisonous plants and other areas of concern. Decide where in your yard is the best place for your dog to go to the bathroom. Housebreaking is easier if you already have a designated outdoor spot for your pet. Keep in mind that even a rescue dog will need some housebreaking, as these dogs are often a bit nervous and unsure about their new home and must learn the rules of the house. So even if the rescue organization says the dog is house-trained, your pet probably will need a few days or weeks to truly adjust.
One way to make housebreaking easier and also to provide a safe place to keep your pet is by purchasing a dog crate. You can place the crate in a specific area of the house such as a spare bedroom or the laundry room and use this whenever you leave the house or to help with potty training. The crate shouldn't be too big, just large enough so that the dog can turn around comfortably. Dogs tend to like these cozy little spaces, which are much like the snug dens they lived in way back before domestication. A crate mat also can be purchased and this makes the crate a bit more comfortable.
These days, new parents spend many weeks baby proofing their home and yard to prepare for their new arrival. While it isn't as complicated to prepare for a new pet, doggy proofing is always a good idea. Dogs, especially puppies, enjoy chewing and when a dog is young or nervous, they often will chew on anything. So it is a good idea to keep your possessions off the ground, especially during your dog's first weeks of residence. This includes toys, books, shoes and other items. Also be sure to keep plants off the ground as many are poisonous and your dog might wish to munch. A dog also can be restricted, at least at first, to only certain rooms of the house. You can close doors to your office, closets and bedrooms and other areas where they might get into trouble.
When you first get a dog, they don't need very much. You will need water and food dishes, a collar or harness and a leash. It is also a good idea to buy a doggie bag holder for your leash so that you can clean messes up easily while you are out enjoying a walk. The crate and crate mat are another great purchase to consider and you might consider buying a dog bed, as well. Just make sure that the crate and bed are suitable for the size of dog you will be bringing home.
One of the first things you need to do when you bring your dog home is to begin dog training. The quicker you train, the happier the entire family will be. Dog obedience training not only makes life easier for pet owners, it also keeps your dog safe from harm. You can complete training easily and at home by purchasing dog training DVDs. The Dogs Way, for instance, includes 12 lessons on five DVDs, as well as a handy workbook and reminder cards that you can use when you head out for a walk. In just a few weeks, you will have a dog that walks properly on a leash as well as a dog that sits, stays and comes whenever you call. Your dog will be able to obey boundaries and not go rushing off after people or other animals.
Take a look around your yard and look for hazardous areas, holes in fencing, poisonous plants and other areas of concern. Decide where in your yard is the best place for your dog to go to the bathroom. Housebreaking is easier if you already have a designated outdoor spot for your pet. Keep in mind that even a rescue dog will need some housebreaking, as these dogs are often a bit nervous and unsure about their new home and must learn the rules of the house. So even if the rescue organization says the dog is house-trained, your pet probably will need a few days or weeks to truly adjust.
One way to make housebreaking easier and also to provide a safe place to keep your pet is by purchasing a dog crate. You can place the crate in a specific area of the house such as a spare bedroom or the laundry room and use this whenever you leave the house or to help with potty training. The crate shouldn't be too big, just large enough so that the dog can turn around comfortably. Dogs tend to like these cozy little spaces, which are much like the snug dens they lived in way back before domestication. A crate mat also can be purchased and this makes the crate a bit more comfortable.
These days, new parents spend many weeks baby proofing their home and yard to prepare for their new arrival. While it isn't as complicated to prepare for a new pet, doggy proofing is always a good idea. Dogs, especially puppies, enjoy chewing and when a dog is young or nervous, they often will chew on anything. So it is a good idea to keep your possessions off the ground, especially during your dog's first weeks of residence. This includes toys, books, shoes and other items. Also be sure to keep plants off the ground as many are poisonous and your dog might wish to munch. A dog also can be restricted, at least at first, to only certain rooms of the house. You can close doors to your office, closets and bedrooms and other areas where they might get into trouble.
When you first get a dog, they don't need very much. You will need water and food dishes, a collar or harness and a leash. It is also a good idea to buy a doggie bag holder for your leash so that you can clean messes up easily while you are out enjoying a walk. The crate and crate mat are another great purchase to consider and you might consider buying a dog bed, as well. Just make sure that the crate and bed are suitable for the size of dog you will be bringing home.
One of the first things you need to do when you bring your dog home is to begin dog training. The quicker you train, the happier the entire family will be. Dog obedience training not only makes life easier for pet owners, it also keeps your dog safe from harm. You can complete training easily and at home by purchasing dog training DVDs. The Dogs Way, for instance, includes 12 lessons on five DVDs, as well as a handy workbook and reminder cards that you can use when you head out for a walk. In just a few weeks, you will have a dog that walks properly on a leash as well as a dog that sits, stays and comes whenever you call. Your dog will be able to obey boundaries and not go rushing off after people or other animals.
About the Author:
Garrett McMahan enjoys watching dog show. To get more information about how to train a dog on a leash, or to discover dog training DVD online, please go to the TheDogsWay.com site now.
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