Puppies look very cute and are a joy to the household. However, before you go out and adopt a dog from the local shelter, there are many things that you need to know. Bringing a dog into the house is a huge responsibility. You will have to care for the puppy as if it’s a baby. You will also need to spend a great deal of money during the training and grooming. Here are a few important things that you need to know before adopting a dog.
Buying Dog Food
You will be spending a lot of money on dog food. Dogs generally grow very quickly during the first year of their lives. They require considerable amounts of proteins, vitamins, and carbohydrates. You cannot feed your dog the same things that you eat. Instead, you will need to buy premium dog food to make sure that your dog remains healthy and active. Buying super premium dog food is pretty expensive, though you may be able to get bulk discounts if you make a large purchase.
Training
You will need to spend a lot of time with your puppy during the first five to six months. Certain breeds, such as Siberian Huskies and German Shepherds, require a lot of attention. If you do not spend a considerable amount of time with your dog, it will soon turn destructive. Your dog will start chewing on furniture and will begin howling and barking. Training your dog is a very difficult task.
The first thing that you need to do is buy premium dog treats as a reward whenever the dog does something that you are trying to teach. Dogs are very intelligent creatures. It doesn’t take them long to understand what you are trying to say. However, you will need to be very patient. It might take a while for the dog to interpret your actions and the tone of your voice. Many people start hitting their dog when it fails to do what they ask. However, dogs don’t understand punishments at all. Dogs won’t understand why you are hitting them.
The most important part about training your dog is to teach them that you are the leader. Most breeds are generally pack dogs. They look up to an alpha or a leader, so you need to assert your dominance. When the dog does something that you don’t want it to, just speak to the dog in a harsh voice. It won’t be long before the dog understands what you are trying to say.
Most importantly, you need to consider the breed of the dog. If you live in an apartment, buying a pug or a small breed is a great idea. However, if you have a large house with a spacious yard, you can afford to keep a bigger dog, such as a Husky or a Shepherd. These dogs are generally quite active creatures and love running.