Tracy J. Libby - The Ultimate Guide to Puppy Care and Training

Chapter 1: Selecting a Puppy

So you are thinking about getting a puppy. Or maybe you have recently acquired one. Either way, the rewards of dog ownership are immense. After all, they say that a dog is mans best friend, and a lot of studies indicate that owning a dog (or two!) can be good for your health. Lower blood pressure and increased exercise are noted benefits, as are unconditional love and companionship. Many owners refer to their dogs as family members, and many times , a dog is a persons only family. Hopefully you are, or soon will be, part of the 72 percent of US pet owners who consider their pets as part of the family. However, before you rush off to acquire a new puppy, you need to keep in mind that puppiesdespite their cuddly good looks and charming anticsare a lot of work.

A puppy is an enormous responsibility that goes well beyond simply feeding your four-legged companion. Your precious bundle of fur will quickly grow into an adult dog who will live with you for ten to fifteen years or longer, which is longer than some jobs, mortgages, and marriages last. Your puppy will depend on you for his food, water, shelter, exercise, grooming, training, and regular veterinary care. He will look to you to provide companionship and affection and to never put him in a position where he can get himself into danger . In return, he will track mud through the house, refuse to come when called, commit unspeakable acts against your personal property, and provide plenty of opportunities for public humiliation. The good news is, if you open your heart, your puppy will change your life. He will touch your soul, provide you with years of unconditional love, fill your heart with joy and devotion, and make you laugh harder than you ever thought possible. Breed-Specific Legislation (BSL)

Breed - Specific Legislation (BSL)

Some breeds, despite their intelligence and trainability, have been labeled as aggressive or dangerous. The image of certain breeds, perpetuated in popular culture, has created a negative and stereotypical bad-dog reputation for many breeds. When negative stereotypes run amok, breed-specific legislation and dangerous-dog laws appear. From small towns such as Manly, Iowa, to large cities including San Francisco, Denver, and London, politicians are mandating how dogs must be walked in public or contained on their propertyjust because of their breed. Worse yet, many cities have banned pit bull ownershipmaking it illegal to own a pit bull , a pit bull mix , or any dog that resembles a pit bull. Be sure to do your due diligence before you choose a specific breed. You may find yourself facing an eviction or, worse yet, confiscation notice for your four-legged friend.

The Right Dog for You

Acquiring a puppy on a whim is never a good idea. You must consider this decision carefully because you will be making a commitment to provide for all of his needs and to love him for his entire lifetime.

Responsible ownership starts with finding the right puppy to suit your personality, temperament, and living conditions. Think about all of the pros and cons of each breedbig or small, shorthaired or longhaired, energetic or low - key. You may be attracted to a particular breed, such as the turbo-charged Border Collie or one of the tenacious terriers. Maybe you have fallen in love with the shaggy coat of an Old English Sheepdog, the unique spots of the Dalmatian, or the petite size of the Chihuahua . Its important to note that size is not always an indication of energy level. Parson Russell Terriers, for instance, are small , but they are dynamite in a small package! On the other hand, Saint Bernards are large but not high - energy dogs.

While considering all of these unique breed characteristics, keep in mind that the puppy you choose could be around for ten to twelve years or even longerso you want a dog who is compatible with your family and suits your lifestyle, and vice versa. Small dogs do not always make great lap dogs. Some breeds, such as the Chihuahua, are too delicate for rambunctious toddlers. Many herding breedsespecially Border Collies and Australian Shepherdshave become popular pets because they are fast, energetic, and enthusiastic with type-A personalities. These dogs like to go, go, go, and thats terrific if you are equally energetic. However, all of this activity can be daunting , and your dream of dog ownership can quickly turn into a nightmare if your personality is bent more toward being a couch potato. If you prefer calm and quiet to boisterous and excitable, perhaps a slower paced dog, say, a Bulldog, is better suited to you.

Generations of selective breeding have yielded littermates that appear practically identical.

Do You Have the Time and Patience?

Be realistic about your circumstances and your expectations before you acquire a puppy. This point cant be stressed enough. How much time do you have? Are you already struggling to juggle work and family? If so, consider an aquarium rather than a puppy because puppies are hugely time - consuming. They require enormous amounts of attentionat all hours of the day and sometimes in the middle of the night. They can be inconvenient. They want to eat and potty even when you are, well, dog tired. They want to play when you want to nap .

Puppies need plenty of physical and mental stimulation. If left to their own devices, they will get into all kinds of mischiefbarking, chewing, digging, and peeing from one end of the house to the other. Dogs are social animals and often become stressed when left alone for extended periods of time. You will need to spend a lot of time playing with, training, and socializing your puppy by going places, meeting people, and exposing him to all sorts of different situations. Puppies can be expensive, too, because they need food, toys, bedding, training classes, leashes, collars, flea and tick control, vaccinations, and regular trips to the veterinarianthe list goes on and on!

A puppys early daysthe first sixteen weeksare critical for instilling all of the desired behaviors and discouraging unwanted ones. Bringing a puppy into your home if you do not have the time, energy , or patience is unfair and will result in a puppy who is at a higher risk of developing behavioral problems, as well as being denied the best start in life.

Where Do You Live?

Dogs need space to run, play, and explore their environmentto be dogs. Where you live and how much space you have will help you decide what type of puppy best suits your lifestyle. Or maybe help you rethink dog ownership.

Do you live in the city or country? Do you have a large yard or a small patio? Do you own your home or rent? Plenty of landlords, as well as some housing communities such as condominiums, co-ops, and active-adult communities, do not permit dogs or limit dogs to a certain size. Some even go as far as to ban specific breeds, such as pit bulls, Rottweilers, and Doberman Pinschers.

Will your puppy have access to a fenced yard? Do you need to install a new fence or reinforce the one that you have? Maybe you need to add a dog run to keep him safe?

Also consider the the size, as well as the breed, of your prosective puppy. Will the size of your new dog suit your children, as well as your home, furniture, and car? For example, a Great Dane is a big, but not super-active, dog that may do well in a large apartment or smaller house but might not fare so well in a studio apartment.

For most people, the benefits of owning a dog outweigh the cost and responsibility.

What Is Your Lifestyle?