Do you subscribe to any pet magazines? Okay, since you don’t have the dog just yet, I guess there’s no reason for you to. But, once you do get a dog, you should definitely consider subscribing to one. Or just go online and do some research on pet tips.
It is super important to look up the right and wrong ways to raise and train your impending pooch. Even those things that you think are perfectly harmless may not be that good. If this is your first dog, do yourself, and everyone else, a favor and do a little research first.
- Best Family Pet Care Tips
- Socialization Pet Care Tips
- Winter Pet Care Tips
Dogs are a lot of responsibility. If you have younger children, getting a dog can be a fantastic way to help them learn about it. But, if this is the first dog of the household, you need to be prepared to walk them through the care process throughout puppy-hood. As much as you are learning and growing, your kids and the puppy are doing so three times as much.
Teach them the importance of caring for their new pet, and how to do so. Even at eight years old, a child can understand and appreciate what it means to have another living thing depend on them. That being said, you should never put the child in a situation where the survival of the animal is wholly dependent upon the actions of the child. If the child forgets something and the pet perishes, not only is it cruel to the pet, but your kid will be scarred.
This is one of the most important tips. Socialize your puppy with other dogs as soon, and as often, as possible. You do not realize it yet, since you do not walk a dog, but when another person’s dog does not like other dogs, and therefore goes bonkers at the sight of your own, it is not a good thing.
Even if your dog is socialized, and another dog is losing its mind, your dog may react in kind. Do not be one of those pet owners who just drags their dog bodily away when they see another dog. Train your dog to be civil with other dogs, and train it to understand and obey simple commands. Your life will be exponentially easier.
As much as you prepare yourself when going outside, you need to prepare your pooch as well. Depending on coat length, your dog may need some form of coat or sweater. Fleece is good because it dries quickly. If your dog has sensitive paws, you can get little booties to protect from the cold asphalt. If you do not use dog boots, when you return from your walks, be sure to wipe your dog’s feet off well to remove any excess road salt. And make walks a lot shorter in the winter.
This is just a start. You should definitely invest much more time in researching how to properly raise a dog before committing to one. It can be a great learning and bonding experience for you and your family. You will never be happier or healthier than when you have a canine companion by your side. But please, remember to raise it the right way.