Having a dog is more a way of life than just simply having a pet. It is impossible to keep a dog in a house where one member of the family is allergic to dogs, or simply doesn't like them. A dog is a member of the family, and will demand to be treated as such.
A place for a dog
When a dog first comes into your house it is useful to set some ground rules as to where it can go, and where it sleeps. Although some people are happy to let dogs wander as freely as the rest of the family, and are happy to share their beds, it is a better idea to start as you mean to go on and keep bedrooms out of bounds. The easiest way to teach a dog that your bed is for you, is to get it a bed. It will quickly learn that this is its own territory, and it will be perfectly happy sleeping in it. A bean bag or quilt in a sitting room will also serve to give it an alternative to your chairs.
A place for a dog
When a dog first comes into your house it is useful to set some ground rules as to where it can go, and where it sleeps. Although some people are happy to let dogs wander as freely as the rest of the family, and are happy to share their beds, it is a better idea to start as you mean to go on and keep bedrooms out of bounds. The easiest way to teach a dog that your bed is for you, is to get it a bed. It will quickly learn that this is its own territory, and it will be perfectly happy sleeping in it. A bean bag or quilt in a sitting room will also serve to give it an alternative to your chairs.
Collars, leads and walking!
One of the benefits of having a dog is that it will encourage the family to take exercise. Most dogs need two half hour walks a day. When taking a dog for a walk you will need a collar and a lead. An identity tag with your contact details must, by law, always be on the dog's collar.
If you do not like walking, or do not have the time to spare, consider another pet instead. It is not fair to you or the dog not to give it sufficient exercise.
A garden
Dogs need to have access to a garden. If you do not have a garden you will find it an additional chore to take the dog outside regularly for its toilet. Gardens will need to be cleared of mess regularly to prevent health hazards to children, let alone muck being tracked in on their shoes!
Food
The cost of feeding a dog will depend on the size of the dog and the type of food you choose to feed. It is difficult to give an estimate, and the prices can range considerably. However, feeding even a large dog need not be too expensive if a good quality complete dried food is chosen. A Great Dane can be fed for just over £10 per week. However, it would be possible to quadruple this if tinned or fresh food is fed instead.
One of the benefits of having a dog is that it will encourage the family to take exercise. Most dogs need two half hour walks a day. When taking a dog for a walk you will need a collar and a lead. An identity tag with your contact details must, by law, always be on the dog's collar.
If you do not like walking, or do not have the time to spare, consider another pet instead. It is not fair to you or the dog not to give it sufficient exercise.
A garden
Dogs need to have access to a garden. If you do not have a garden you will find it an additional chore to take the dog outside regularly for its toilet. Gardens will need to be cleared of mess regularly to prevent health hazards to children, let alone muck being tracked in on their shoes!
Food
The cost of feeding a dog will depend on the size of the dog and the type of food you choose to feed. It is difficult to give an estimate, and the prices can range considerably. However, feeding even a large dog need not be too expensive if a good quality complete dried food is chosen. A Great Dane can be fed for just over £10 per week. However, it would be possible to quadruple this if tinned or fresh food is fed instead.
Vet Bills and Insurance
From the time you bring your new dog home you will start incurring vet bills. You will need to have your puppy vaccinated before he can go anywhere where another dog has been. He will also need to be wormed and probably treated for fleas. This will start a regular programme which must be followed for the rest of his life.
Although it is hoped that your pet will not fall ill, dogs seem to be similar to humans. Some only go to the vets for their annual vaccinations and check ups, others seem to be there every other weeks. Large breeds in particular are prone to arthritus and hip problems, some breeds have typical breathing difficulties. Vets bills can be very expensive, and the best way to keep both your pocket and your pet healthy is to take out pet insurance. Shop around for the best deals - there is a wide variety of costs for different breeds between insurance companies.
From the time you bring your new dog home you will start incurring vet bills. You will need to have your puppy vaccinated before he can go anywhere where another dog has been. He will also need to be wormed and probably treated for fleas. This will start a regular programme which must be followed for the rest of his life.
Although it is hoped that your pet will not fall ill, dogs seem to be similar to humans. Some only go to the vets for their annual vaccinations and check ups, others seem to be there every other weeks. Large breeds in particular are prone to arthritus and hip problems, some breeds have typical breathing difficulties. Vets bills can be very expensive, and the best way to keep both your pocket and your pet healthy is to take out pet insurance. Shop around for the best deals - there is a wide variety of costs for different breeds between insurance companies.
"We insure our big dog with Sainsbury's, and our small dog with Tesco's - this has saved us £££ rather than insuring both with the same company!"
Joke.....
A man takes his Rottweiler to the vet and says "My dog is cross-eyed. Is there anything you can do for him?" The vet says, "Well, let's have a look at him." So the vet picks the dog up while examining his eyes. Finally he says "I'm going to have to put him down." "What? Just because he is cross-eyed?" "No, because he is really, really heavy." (joke courtesy of http://www.doggiesparadise.com)
A man takes his Rottweiler to the vet and says "My dog is cross-eyed. Is there anything you can do for him?" The vet says, "Well, let's have a look at him." So the vet picks the dog up while examining his eyes. Finally he says "I'm going to have to put him down." "What? Just because he is cross-eyed?" "No, because he is really, really heavy." (joke courtesy of http://www.doggiesparadise.com)
Time
Dogs need your time - a dog left alone for long periods of time may become destructive, it may become noisy and annoy the neighbours, or may mess in the house.
To be a good companion a well behaved dog is always the best to have - and this does not happen by magic. All dogs will benefit from being taken to dog training classes - as well as you being trained (lets face it, it's you knowing how to treat your dog that gets results, just asking him/her to listen to the trainer isn't going to get either of you very far!) it is a great opportunity for them to learn how to socialise. Not only will training classes take up a couple of hours of your week on their own, like anything else the most benefit will come from practicing at home.
If you like going away for the night, weekends or holidays you are either going to have to invest in a dog sitter or kennels, or make sure you can take you dog along with you. Unlike a cat, a dog should not be left on its own at home - even for a night!
Dogs need your time - a dog left alone for long periods of time may become destructive, it may become noisy and annoy the neighbours, or may mess in the house.
To be a good companion a well behaved dog is always the best to have - and this does not happen by magic. All dogs will benefit from being taken to dog training classes - as well as you being trained (lets face it, it's you knowing how to treat your dog that gets results, just asking him/her to listen to the trainer isn't going to get either of you very far!) it is a great opportunity for them to learn how to socialise. Not only will training classes take up a couple of hours of your week on their own, like anything else the most benefit will come from practicing at home.
If you like going away for the night, weekends or holidays you are either going to have to invest in a dog sitter or kennels, or make sure you can take you dog along with you. Unlike a cat, a dog should not be left on its own at home - even for a night!
Bad Behaviour
Whatever type of dog you have it is unlikely to behave like the perfect image you have in your mind. Some dogs don't come when they are called, some dogs don't get on with others which makes letting them off the lead in open spaces difficult. Young dogs and puppies may be destructive in the house or the garden (even well trained dogs find it hard to distinguish between your prize flower beds and the lawn).
Are you prepared to put up with bad behaviour, and either attempt to deal with it by training, or live with it? If you like your life to be predictable and well ordered then a dog probably isn't for you.
If, on the other hand, a lolling tongue, big eyes sparkling in a head cocked to one side obviously saying 'sorry I didn't understand the letter I just ate was a cheque!' then you probably will be very happy giving space to a canine!
Whatever type of dog you have it is unlikely to behave like the perfect image you have in your mind. Some dogs don't come when they are called, some dogs don't get on with others which makes letting them off the lead in open spaces difficult. Young dogs and puppies may be destructive in the house or the garden (even well trained dogs find it hard to distinguish between your prize flower beds and the lawn).
Are you prepared to put up with bad behaviour, and either attempt to deal with it by training, or live with it? If you like your life to be predictable and well ordered then a dog probably isn't for you.
If, on the other hand, a lolling tongue, big eyes sparkling in a head cocked to one side obviously saying 'sorry I didn't understand the letter I just ate was a cheque!' then you probably will be very happy giving space to a canine!
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Owning a dog - the commitment
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Quick links to info about dogs....
Dogs main page
Dogs - the good and the bad
Commitment to owning a dog
Dog or Puppy?
Pedigree or Not?
Quiz - are you ready for a dog?
Dogs main page
Dogs - the good and the bad
Commitment to owning a dog
Dog or Puppy?
Pedigree or Not?
Quiz - are you ready for a dog?