Hi welcome to my site – Puppy and Dog Training! First I just want to tell you that I am not a dog trainer but I have own dogs for at least 50 years. I have owned mainly Dobermans since the late 70’s and right now we have a Doberman and a German Shepherd. On this site we will examine different methods of training your dog.
Many people nowadays prefer a more gentler way to train dogs. Gone is the notion that if you have a big dog you are going to need to use a prong collar or a choke collar.
People are beginning to realize that their dog would twist themselves into a knot for you. You don’t need to hurt them to make them listen but you do need to interact with them. How much time you can spend with them will ultimately decide how you train your new puppy or dog.
Dogs also need a lot of stimulation and as resourceful as you may be there are plenty of toys that can help. Different types and breeds need different types of toys. For example if you have a herding dog one of those big balls in your yard that they can chase around is great whereas a chihuahua much prefers a small plush squeaky toy. The more stimulation the puppy or dog gets from the toy the better!
Whether you adopt an older dog or bring home a puppy both will benefit from training. An older dog can come with a set of different challenges depending on their background. For example if you adopt an older dog from a shelter they usually have some background with them as owners who turn them in must give a reason why they are surrendering their dog. Most owners are honest.
We will also look at the different breeds of dogs which varies-if you look at the CKC they recognize 187 different breeds and the AKC recognizes 200 breeds. That’s a lot of different dogs in all shapes and sizes.
Deciding to get a dog is a big decision and there are many factors you should carefully think about before you purchase your dog or puppy. I guess the first thing you need to decide is whether you are going to get a puppy or an older dog.
Getting a puppy is like getting a blank slate. They don’t know anything and it is up to you to teach them everything. Even housebreaking comes with decisions – should I use a crate or put papers by the door and that is just the beginning
An older dog may come with some behavioural issues and unless you have some experience with dogs with behavioural issues you will probably need to seek the help of a professional.
Another thing to consider is the size of the dog you wish to get. If you are a person who is constantly hiking, swimming etc. and you are wanting to share these activities with your dog then you might consider one of the larger breeds.
Then there is the cost of owning a dog. If you decide to adopt the shelter will charge an adoption fee and they will normally spay or neuter your pet before you can bring them home. If you decide you want a purebred you can pay a lot of money for a purebred puppy plus they usually come with conditions. For example one of the things most common on these contracts is a “no breeding clause” . A reputable breeder who is trying to improve their breed will definitely have this in their contract.
When you buy a puppy ask if you can see both the parents. This isn’t necessary but a person who cares for their dogs will usually know who the daddy is. Many reputable breeders even use frozen semen!
Another cost to consider is what does it actually cost to feed this puppy and what does it take to keep them healthy. Regular vet visits become the norm. They need vaccinations and heartworm medications on a regular basis and what do you do when they hurt themselves and need emergency care.
As they age they can develop many of the same illnesses that we can such as arthritis and diabetes just to mention a couple. Treating a dog with an illness like previously mentioned can be expensive. Many new pet owners are looking into pet insurance to cover unexpected accidents and illnesses.
Another factor to consider when getting your new pet is whether you want a dog with long hair or short hair. A long hair dog needs to be groomed either by you or professionally on a regular basis. So ask yourself are you ready to take on the grooming yourself or pay for it to be professionally done. Again possibly another expense!
There are officially 7 groups of dogs. They are the Sporting Group, the Hound Group, the Working Group, the Terrier Group, the Toy Group, the Non-Sporting Group and the Herding Group. Consider the 700 breeds that fall into those different groups. Now consider all the mixed breeds out there. You definitely have a lot to choose from!
The best advice I can give you is to do your research. Find if the breed of dog you like is compatible with your lifestyle and your pocketbook. If you want a purebred but can’t afford a puppy there are many breed specific rescues that are worth checking out.
Puppies and dogs are a lifetime commitment. They are not something you can just discard at a later date. As they age they will slow down and may require more medical intervention. This is normal and it is something you should be expecting and prepare for. And this last thing that I leave with you I want you to really think it over before you buy a puppy or dog!
“The single greatest cause of death in dogs under one year of age is not Parvo, it’s not Distemper, it is lack of obedience training and 93% of training and behaviour problems can be solved using a series of simple dog training techniques.”