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Doggie Rules To Live By |
So you want to get a puppy.
Do you want to get the puppy from a Breeder? Or do you want to get the puppy from a Shelter or Rescue group? Do you want a companion dog? Are you getting Muffie for protection? Is Rover going to be the life long friend of your child? Or are you going to show Chance in the Confirmation ring? Do you want one dog or two? Do you already have a pet?
Personally, I prefer breeders. You get a support base for your dog, which includes taking the dog back if it turns out that Junior is allergic to dog fur. I like the idea of having that guidance to call, when something goes wrong with the dog. That is something you will not get from a shelter, but you might from a rescue organization. Breeders know their dogs, and the breeds they specifically are working with. They can guide you in your life with your new puppy.
On the other hand, not everyone can afford the prices that a breeder will charge for their dogs. Let's face facts, most breeders are not in it for the money. If they are, hang up the phone and call the next breeder on your list. But a breeder will ask for a decent sum of money for their dogs. Why? Because a breeder has gone to all the trouble of checking their lines to make sure that the puppies they do sell are healthy. They go to all the trouble of participating in the dog show world, which costs them money. Because they made an investment in their dogs, they do expect at least the opportunity to break even on their cash flow. Life in the pure breed world is not cheap or easy. Every breeder out there has a reputation, good, bad or indifferent.
A shelter dog on the other hand, does have benefits as well. For the most part they are already trained or are partially trained. Most shelter dogs are older, so you don't have to go through the trials of house breaking your dog. They understand the concept that wee-weeing on the carpet is bad. A shelter dog can be had for the price of whatever the donation price is for the shelter or rescue society. That donation price can be written off on your taxes. The shelter will recommend a veterinarian for you to use, if you don't already have one. You will be saving a life that is precious.
I have a few simple rules about dogs and responsible dog ownership.
Rule #1 Do your home work. Go on line and search websites for information on the dog you are looking for. You can also go to your local book store and brows the pet section. Don't forget to also look at the various training books, so that you are prepared for life with your dog.
Rule #2 Take your dog to the vet for a full examination, complete with shots and if it is called for, spaying or neutering.
Rule #3 Obedience train your dog. These are the basics of a dogs life. Sit. Down. Come. Stay. Much like Arithmetic, Reading, and Writing are the basics of a child's life. When you take on the role of a dog owner, you are basically taking on the role of a parent. A parent sends their children to school so that they learn basic social behavior, so that one day they can be a functional part of society. Well Obedience training is the school you send your dog through to learn basic social behavior. Obedience training your dog, will not hurt it. It is a means of establishing the social ranking in your house between you and your dog.
Rule #4 Socialize your dog. This means take your dog with you when you go shopping or go out to the park. Walk your dog around people and show them that they have a standard of behavior they must live up too. I don't care if your dog is good at home. Well guess what? Just because they do well at home, doesn't mean they are a social dog. Home is their safety zone, where they live. Where your reaction to people coming into your house dictates how they react.
Rule #5 License your dog. This is another safety measure. This means your dog is on record as your dog some where in a data base. This means that if your dog should be lost or run away, you have a means of identifying your dog.
Rule #6 Crate train your dog. A crate is not a punishment. It is a place in your house where your dog, knows they can go to relax and be safe. It is their room in your house. Yes, some crates are ugly and don't go with the decor, guess what? They have covers for that. They also have fancy crates that look just like furniture.
These are simple rules and suggestions that a person thinking about getting a dog, should consider. Life with a dog is not easy or cheap. But in the end it is very rewarding, and worth every penny.