Are You Ready to Take Care of a Dog?

For the longest time, I’ve been wanting to take care of a dog but because of two personal reasons (lack of space & insufficient budget), I decided to postpone my plan and get a dog when I’m really ready. Are you ready to take care of a dog? Ask yourself these questions before making a BIG decision:

Do you have time? If you don’t believe that dogs need love and attention, then you should not get a dog at all. If you find it hard to keep up with your schedules and you’re not home most of the time, it wouldn’t be right to have a dog and just to leave it lonely and bored at home. Dogs that are often neglected can develop behavioral problems. Like people, dogs need to socialize too!

Do you have the budget? Taking care of a dog can be costly, especially for larger breeds. You need to set aside enough budget for your dog’s daily food consumption, dog supplies (dog soap, dog shampoo, toothpaste for dogs, dog toys, dog treats, etc), vaccinations, and regular medical check-ups. Some breeds may need specialized grooming attention. So ask yourself, does your budget allow you to take care of a pet?

Do you love or like dogs at all? Some people want to own a dog merely to protect their homes from burglars. But a dog is not a security device. Like people, dogs need to be treated with love and care. Again, dogs that are not properly trained and cared for may become aggressive or violent. This could pose a serious danger to your family. So if you're getting a dog for the wrong reasons, forget about it.

Is your family ready for a dog? If you have kids, it’s important that they understand what is involved in caring for a dog. Having a dog at home can be a great training for children –they learn that animals should be taken care of and they learn that having a pet is a responsibility. However, never leave your kids alone with your dog or puppy as they could unintentionally hurt the dog or it can be the other way.

Essentials of Successful Dog Training

Dog training can be an exciting, enjoyable and rewarding experience for both the owner and his pet. It allows the dog and master to bond closer. Most importantly, the dog learns how to behave well and the owner is relieved of unnecessary stress and trouble that a bad behavior may cause.

The simplest tricks that you can teach your dog are the Sit and Stay commands. These are also essentials of good behavior. As your dog progresses, more complex tricks can be introduced. But before a dog owner can successfully train his pet, he must first educate himself. Here are the essentials of dog training:

Essentials of Successful Dog Training

• Teach the Right Tricks
• Give the Right Rewards
• Practice, Practice, Practice
• Stay Positive

Teach the Right Tricks

An important point to remember is that different dog breeds respond differently to training. Also, not all dogs like to do the same tricks. Some dogs love to entertain people but some dogs prefer to be left alone. Some dogs love to play fetch, others don't. Thus, learning about your dog's personality based on its breed is the first step to effective dog training.

Give the Right Rewards

Rewards are a must for dog training. All dogs love to please. They love to know if they're doing the right thing. Rewards can be verbal praises or treats, or both. Again, different dogs like different treats so it's best to find out which one is your dog's favorite. Remember, only reward your dog if he is behaving correctly. If not, the best way to show your dog that you are not pleased is to ignore him.

Practice, Practice, Practice
Train your dog one step at a time. Spend a few minutes of training, EVERY DAY, until your dog learns the trick. Regular practice is better than occasional, long sessions. Focus on one trick until your dog can master it.

Stay Positive

Successful dog training relies on positive reinforcement. Don't expect your dog to learn in an instant. Some dogs may progress faster than others. Don't give in to frustration. Avoid using a harsh tone of voice or yelling. Never hit your dog, even when he seems to be not listening to your commands. With dog training, patience is a virtue.

Why Dogs Chew Things

Chewing is a natural dog behavior. However, some dogs chew excessively to the point that it can be annoying and destructive. Dogs chew objects for different reasons. Here are some of the most common reasons why dogs chew:

Chewing is common to puppies who are teething. Like human kids, puppies also feel discomfort or pain in their gums as they develop teeth. Thus, dogs gnaw or chew on objects to somehow alleviate their discomfort.

This is supposed to be a temporary stage that all dogs go through. To help a pup get pass this phase more easily, you can give him dog toys that are especially designed for teething. Ice cubes or a frozen wash cloth may also help soothe the discomfort of teething.

Older puppies may also get into the habit of chewing. At this stage, puppies may already have grown teeth which can be very sharp and blunt. Some dog owners may tolerate biting when playing with dogs but this can be very dangerous, especially in puppies, because even a gentle bite can cause a skin puncture or wound. Therefore, dog owners must completely discourage their pets from biting or chewing.

What about excessive chewing? If your dog is past the teething stage and still has the habit of chewing objects or belongings, this could either be a sign of boredom or fear. Dogs that are left alone for long hours may turn to the habit of chewing or even destroying belongings.

The best way to deal with this is to spend time with your pet. Take your dog for walks regularly- either in the morning or in the afternoon- whichever fits your schedule. If you’re at work most of the day and your dog is left alone, put things out of your dog’s reach and replace it with dog toys that he enjoys. When you get home, be sure to give your dog some attention.

A dog who is afraid or who is experiencing anxiety may also chew on things. In this case, you need to know the cause of your dog’s fear or anxiety. Usually, you can help a dog recover from his fear through desensitization process.

Another factor is the dog’s personality. Like people, dogs also have different personalities. Some dogs are more active than others. Some thrive for attention while others are quiet. Thus, a dog may chew on your belongings to attract attention.

Even negative attention such as anger can encourage a dog’s undesirable behavior. In this case, the best thing to do is not to pay attention to your dog when he’s behaving badly.

Pay attention and complement your dog only when he’s behaving well. Eventually, your dog would realize that chewing things would not get him the attention he wants, and would stop.

Dog owners should not tolerate this behavior because not only is it unpleasant and destructive, it can also be dangerous for your dog’s health. A dog may chew and swallow sharp objects that can damage his internal organs. If your dog has an uncontrolled habit of chewing, seek professional advice from a certified vet.