In this article, I'm going to discuss the choices and preparations you need to make if you're bringing home a dog or puppy for Christmas. The decisions you make could prove to be either the best decisions for you and your new four-legged friend, or an absolute nightmare! There are sure to be things that you simply haven't thought of.
First things first... what you can expect
Since your new dog or puppy will be untrained at this point, you can expect toileting on the carpets and floors, biting, ripping, barking at night, as well as chewing on the furniture. This, of course, could lead to tons of stress and expense, and the dog being returned with a classification of "too difficult to handle."
However, with the correct approach, getting a dog for Christmas will be a decision that you will be glad you made for many years to come. Yes, it's the proper training, not the dog, that makes all the difference in the world.
Here are the things you must consider up front:
1. Choose the right dog!
When considering getting a dog for Christmas, think about a dog that would suit both you and your lifestyle. Ask yourself, "Would I really prefer a dog or a puppy?"
For instance, an older dog's character and personality is easier to see so you can tell, for example, if the dog is on the lazy side or is a real firecracker!
Another good thing about older dogs is you won't have the headaches associated with 'potty training' which is very time-consuming and requires almost your constant presence.
Other things to think about are the size of the dog (strength and feeding), the amount of shedding (cleanup), as well as the amount of energy your dog will have. Please take your time in making this decision.
2. Time commitment
The time requirement needed for a dog varies considerably from dog to dog and also varies over the dog's lifetime. As you would expect, more time is needed for young dogs and puppies up to age 2. Older dogs tend to be content to just sleep and lie around all day.
How much energy a dog or puppy has is vitally important to consider when making your choice of dog because you also have to keep in mind how much exercise your new dog will need.
For example, if you bring home a high energy Border Collie or Boxer dog, they will need more exercise than a St. Bernard or Pug. High energy dogs require as much as three half-hour walks or runs each day. Lower energy dogs, of course, require much less of a time commitment. Be sure to match YOUR energy level with the dog of your choice.
3. Prior setting up of the home
One thing you do NOT want to do is what many new dog owners do... bring your new dog or puppy home and then realize that you need to construct a fence, close openings in an existing fence, or put other safety measures in place to keep the dog or puppy from escaping from the yard. If your dog can't run around the yard, this can prove to be extremely stressful for both you and the dog and therefore should be taken care of first before the new dog arrives.
Other important things to consider are...
If you're bringing home a puppy, you will need to provide a small area for containment. Consider purchasing a puppy pen or cage or create a safe place where your puppy can sleep or go when you simply need a break. This could be a washroom, bathroom, or laundry room.
Also consider getting some chew toys or other items that would be safe for your dog to chew.
Decide early which areas will be okay for your dog and which will be considered out-of-bounds. While training your dog, you'll want to keep any possible destruction or damage to an absolute minimum.
4. Remember that training begins as soon as you arrive home
Here's a word of caution: Don't be fooled! Dogs can often seem tame when you first get them and then completely change when you get them home. For the greatest chance of success, prior preparation and planning is not only crucial, but smart!
Getting your new dog home first and then looking for problems is what most people do and later regret. This lack of planning only helps your dog to develop bad habits that you'll spend unnecessary time and energy working to correct.
If you follow the advice in this article, getting a dog for Christmas will be a decision that will bring you and your new dog or puppy much joy, happiness, and love for many years to come.
Source:http://ezinearticles.com/?What-You-Need-To-Know-If-Youre-Getting-A-Dog-For-Christmas&id=8157093
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