| ming a dog or puppy into your home is certainly | | | | want to be able to get to the office quickly in the |
| exciting, but it is important for would be dog parents | | | | event something serious goes wrong. On a related |
| to prepare carefully. It is important to understand the | | | | note, be sure the veterinary office has after hours |
| needs of the dog and to prepare the home | | | | coverage for emergencies and that a vet will be on |
| environment accordingly. It is also important to | | | | call at all hours of the day or night. |
| properly train and socialize the animal so that he or | | | | Tip #6-Enroll in a Training Class Right Away |
| she will be not only a lifelong part of the family but a | | | | If you do end up adopting a puppy, it is a good idea |
| valued member of the canine community as well. | | | | to enroll him or her in a puppy kindergarten or similar |
| There are some things that every new dog owner | | | | training class as soon as possible. Getting training off |
| should know, and those important tips are the focus | | | | to an early start will have many benefits for both |
| of this article. | | | | two legged and four legged family members. For one |
| Tip #1 - Puppy or Adult Dog? Avoid a Snap Decision | | | | thing, young puppies will retain their training much |
| While many animal lovers automatically gravitate to | | | | more easily than older dogs, and many of them will |
| those cute and cuddly puppies, the advantages of | | | | find the classes lots of fun. |
| adopting an older animal should not be overlooked. An | | | | Puppy training classes also give pets and their owners |
| older dog can be a good fit for many people, and it is | | | | a great way to interact with one another in a casual |
| important for first time dog owners to consider both | | | | environment. All dogs will need to learn how to |
| puppies and more mature dogs. | | | | behave around other animals and other people, and |
| Some of the advantages of the older dog can include | | | | puppy training classes provide a safe environment for |
| a more settled personality, fewer potty training | | | | this type of learning. |
| issues and a calmer home. Older dogs can also be | | | | Tip #7-Seek the Advice of More Experienced Pet |
| less prone to injuries caused by well meaning but | | | | Owners Many people who grew up around animals |
| overactive younger children. | | | | forget just how difficult it can be to welcome a new |
| Of course older dogs can also come with deeply | | | | dog into the family. A new puppy or dog changes |
| ingrained training issues and other problems, and | | | | every aspect of the home environment, and that can |
| every situation is unique. The bottom line is that it is | | | | be disconcerting for new dog owners. It is a good |
| important to choose all the options in order to find | | | | idea for new dog owners to reach out to their more |
| the best fit you're your home and family. | | | | experienced family members and friends, and vice |
| Tip #2 - Be Careful Where You Buy Your New Dog | | | | versa. |
| It is an unfortunate fact that there are many bad | | | | The insights and experience provided by more |
| breeders out there, and it is important for all dog | | | | experienced dog owners can be invaluable, and can |
| lovers to steer clear of these unethical | | | | cut months off the learning curve for those new |
| businesspeople. Paying a personal visit to the breeder | | | | owners. From training tips to food suggestions, this |
| of your new puppy is a good start, but it is | | | | type of input is extremely important. |
| important to look around with a skeptical eye. If you | | | | Tip #8 - Let Your Puppy Play |
| can show up a little early for your appointment you | | | | Toys are more than fun; they are a valuable learning |
| may be able to better gauge the true nature of the | | | | tool for growing puppies. Make sure your new puppy |
| kennel. | | | | has plenty of chew toys to keep those growing |
| Look for signs of problems such as animals that | | | | teeth occupied. Puppies will also use their toys to |
| appear sick, cages that look too small, dirty cages, | | | | exercise and keep themselves fit, and of course pet |
| etc. In addition to these practical gauges, let your gut | | | | owners will enjoy watching their pets interact with |
| be your guide. If something doesn't seem right your | | | | their fun new playthings. |
| inner voice may be trying to tell you something. | | | | When purchasing toys for puppies or even for older |
| Tip #3 - Research Possible Health Problems from the | | | | dogs, it is important to choose only well made and |
| Start New dog owners, especially those with their | | | | durable products. Dog toys that appear flimsy will |
| heart set on a purebred animal, will need to be aware | | | | likely not last long with a rambunctious puppy around, |
| of the various health problems that plague certain | | | | and poorly made toys could even be dangerous. Be |
| breeds. From hip dysplasia issues with some larger | | | | sure to examine new toys for sharp edges or other |
| breeds to heart problems in some small dogs, it is | | | | defects, and look for signs of premature wear on |
| important to be aware of these possible heart | | | | existing toys as well. |
| breaking problems. | | | | Tip #9 - Choose a Great Food |
| So take the time to do some research about the | | | | The dog food industry is a highly competitive one, |
| particular health issues that can affect your chosen | | | | and many manufacturers try to keep shelf prices low |
| breed. Then interview breeders with that information | | | | by substituting inferior ingredients and adding fillers. It |
| in hand. Genetic tests exist for many of the most | | | | is important to read the list of ingredients when |
| common problems, and responsible breeders test | | | | choosing a dog food, and to solicit the advice of |
| their dogs and puppies prior to placing them in loving | | | | breeders, vets and other experts before making a |
| homes. | | | | decision. |
| Tip #4 - Think About Training Before You Bring Your | | | | It is also important to control the amount of food |
| Puppy Home | | | | available to your puppy or adult dog. While puppies |
| Training should be an integral part of any dog owner's | | | | will need plenty of high quality food to fuel their |
| life, and the time to research puppy training classes is | | | | growth, too much food and too little exercise can |
| before your new family member comes home. | | | | mean an obese and unhealthy pooch. Monitoring your |
| There are many different training options available, | | | | pet's weight and health is one of the best things you |
| from dog fancier clubs to special puppy kindergarten | | | | can do to ensure a long and happy life. |
| classes at the local pet store. It is a good idea to | | | | Tip #10 - Don't Skip the Checkup |
| carefully research the options and observe a couple | | | | If you buy a puppy from a breeder, it is important to |
| of classes before making a final decision. | | | | have your new pet thoroughly checked by a |
| Tip #5 - Find a Quality Veterinarian Right Away | | | | veterinarian within a few days. Many puppy adoption |
| All too many dog owners go looking for a vet when | | | | contracts actually require this initial visit, and a prompt |
| their pet becomes ill. It is far better to establish a | | | | examination will help you establish the |
| relationship with a quality vet from the start. When | | | | veterinarian-owner relationship that is so important to |
| looking for a vet, it is a good idea to ask for | | | | the long term health of your new family member. |
| recommendations from family members, friends and | | | | During the initial visit, be sure to ask about any |
| coworkers. These people can provide the honest | | | | genetic problems to which your particular breed is |
| feedback you will need to make an intelligent and | | | | prone, and ask about any available genetic tests for |
| informed decision. | | | | those conditions. The initial vet exam should include a |
| Many communities also provide independent research | | | | complete checkup and any needed vaccines. |
| on the quality of local vets, and these resources can | | | | Follow-up visits should be scheduled at least once a |
| be quite valuable as well. When choosing a vet, it is | | | | year to ensure that there are no unnoticed health |
| also important to consider their proximity to your | | | | problems. |
| home. After all, emergencies do happen, and you will | | | | |