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Are you planning on getting your first-ever dog, but want to know everything you need to know before you bring it home? Are you nervous about bringing a dog home for the first time and want to know what you might need to care for it?
Picking the right dog is a big decision. It’s not just about what type of dog you want, but also how much time you are willing to spend caring for it. If your lifestyle is hectic and unpredictable, then maybe a high maintenance breed like a Golden Retriever would be too much work. Perhaps an easygoing pup, like a Labrador, would suit your needs better. If you’re energetic and active most of the time, ABCs Puppy Zs suggest that an affectionate and intelligent Goldendoodle would be a great choice for you.
Dogs are known for being man’s best friend – they can provide companionship, excitement and unconditional love that humans often don’t have the capacity to give at all times in their lives. But before deciding on which type of pup to get, take some time to think about what kind of lifestyle suits you best. Here are a few things you should know as a first-time dog owner before getting a dog.
Training Methods Depend on the Dog
Before you get a dog, you need to know that they are a lot more than just a friendly companion to cuddle with in the evening, they actually require quite a lot of work. One of these things that you need to do is train your dog.
Training is important when it comes to making sure your dog is friendly around guests in your house, knows when to protect you, and even knows fun tricks like ‘sit’, ‘lay down’, and ‘roll over’. But when it comes down to it, training your dog is all about controlling their behavior.
There are plenty of different ways to train your pup, from using treats and trying things over and over again, to using a clicker to get them to do things on command, and other methods such as using toys or other things the dog may like.
Some Dogs Need More Exercise
The next thing you need to know is that every single dog needs to get exercise every single day, in some way or another. They are kept in a house or apartment all day long, and it is important to let them get out and about and to run around a bit.
Whether you chase them around the garden, throw a ball around with them, let them play with other dogs at the dog park, or the most popular one, take your dog for a walk, exercise will always be important.
Different breeds require varying levels of exercise. For example, smaller dogs will likely get as much exercise as they need by running around the house, but bigger dogs will need to be able to run around outside.
Health Problems
Just like humans, dogs can have health problems too. A lot of health problems in dogs come from their specific breed and the fact that these health problems have been bred into the dogs. For example, German Shepherds will often get hip dysplasia and Yorkshire Terriers are born susceptible to liver problems. In other cases, dogs may develop IVDD, also known as Intervertebral Disc Disease, which can manifest with symptoms that span from neck and back discomfort to a reduction in mobility or sensation in both the front and rear limbs. Explore the range of products available at WiggleLess to help your dog ease the pain.
With that said, these health conditions are manageable with proper care, medication, and diet. However, you should be prepared for all the trips to the vet when your pup gets older. Fortunately, with Bivvy’s reliable dog health insurance, you can protect your dog in case of an injury or illness despite congenital or hereditary conditions. Coverage includes emergency care, hospitalization, diagnostic treatment, and prescription medication. This gives you peace of mind and allows you to care for your dog’s health without breaking the bank.
Various kinds of disorders can occur in senior dogs, such as incontinence, urinary tract infections, and gastrointestinal disorders. The extra care kits like softer-chew foods, treats, vitamins can help your senior dogs stay healthy. As well as being useful to senior pets, dog diapers can cover any inconvenience caused by the above-mentioned disorders, medicine side effects, or surgical wounds. If your dog is over the age of five, contact your veterinarian to understand any possible symptoms.
Puppy-Proof Your House
When you get your first pup, something you need to be prepared for is the fact that it is just like having a baby. Or rather, a toddler. They will get into everything, start chewing things, jump on your furniture, and more.
This can be annoying, but it just takes some training and some patience to coach them out of it. You can also make an effort to puppy-proof your house and make sure that it is safe for your new companion. You don’t want the dog to chew on things that could make it sick or that it shouldn’t be eating, and you don’t want it to get ahold of things that you don’t want it to destroy.
Consider All the Costs
Last but not least, you need to consider all of the costs involved in getting a dog. Getting a dog is not just a once-off payment after buying or adopting one. There are other consistent costs such as buying their food, getting them treats, and even getting them toys for enrichment.
Another important thing that you need to keep in mind is that dogs need to regularly go for booster vaccinations, and if a dog gets sick it will need to go to the vet. Vet appointments can get pretty pricey, so you need to know that you will be able to look after your dog and afford it properly.