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Steven_L
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PostSubject: Ready to have a dog?   Ready to have a dog? Icon_minitimeFri Oct 16, 2009 2:47 pm

Do you Have What it Takes to Be a Responsible Dog Owner?

Responsible dog ownership means more than just adoring your dog. It is a serious lifelong commitment that requires time and close attention. Before you get a dog, be sure you are ready to commit to responsible dog ownership. Don’t forget -- when Fido misbehaves, you are the one who will have to take the blame.

Can You Afford a Dog?

Basic dog expenses can range from $700-$3000 per year. Plus, consider all the little extras that you may want to splurge on for your pampered pooch. If your dog suffers from a health condition, you could be looking at spending several more thousand dollars per year. Consider purchasing pet insurance after you get your new dog – a large percentage of medical expenses may be covered. Then, make a monthly budget that you can stick to.

Is Your Home Appropriate for a Dog?

Pet-proofing is not quite the same as child-proofing. Our four-legged companions tend to be a bit craftier than kids when it comes to off-limits areas (especially those with edible components). You can hardly expect your dog to be fully trained on arrival, so there is bound to be the need for confinement and restraint. Do you rent your home? There is no reason renters cannot be dog owners, but you will need to work with the landlord. What about size? A studio apartment may not be ideal if you get a Great Dane. Do you have children or other pets? You cannot be certain everyone will get along.

Can Your Lifestyle Fit a Dog?

If you work very long hours or travel frequently, your lifestyle may not be appropriate for a dog. Though a social life is important to many people, do friends and dating take up the majority of your free time? Consider whether or not you are willing to make adjustments to your lifestyle to accommodate a dog in your life. If not, now is probably not the right time to get a dog. If you are willing to make changes, consider the time it will take to provide basic needs such as training, grooming, exercise, and veterinary care. Then, decide if you can make the time.

Do you have physical limitations?

A chronic health condition or injury can make it difficult to care for a dog - especially a larger breed. Be sure you have someone else who can help when necessary. What about dog allergies? Allergies can seriously debilitate a person, often resulting in the choice to give up the dog. If you or someone in your household has allergies, spend some time around dogs to see if the symptoms can be managed. It is simply unfair to give up a dog for this reason if it can be prevented. If you are disabled in any way, consider getting a specially trained assistance dog - then you will have a companion and built-in helper!

By Jenna Stregowski, RVT, About.com
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Eduardo
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PostSubject: Re: Ready to have a dog?   Ready to have a dog? Icon_minitimeThu Nov 12, 2009 3:50 pm

I don't have the money to keep my dog healthy, so we give him food that humans eat except for food that are poison to dogs.
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Steven_L
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PostSubject: Re: Ready to have a dog?   Ready to have a dog? Icon_minitimeThu Nov 12, 2009 9:33 pm

Eduardo wrote:
I don't have the money to keep my dog healthy, so we give him food that humans eat except for food that are poison to dogs.

There are many people that don't feed their dogs commercial dog food, and instead feed them meat, chicken, rice, etc. Just make sure you do research not only what kind of foods your dog shouldn't eat but also what your needs in his diet.
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Betterdog4u
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PostSubject: Re: Ready to have a dog?   Ready to have a dog? Icon_minitimeFri Nov 13, 2009 12:40 pm

Eduardo wrote:
I don't have the money to keep my dog healthy, so we give him food that humans eat except for food that are poison to dogs.
If you own a dog, you must provide a healthy and safe home for it. Part of owning a dog is making sure it stays healthy. A lot of food that we humans eat does not give our dogs the nutrition they need.

In compairison: imagine that your mom and dad could not afford to feed you properly. Example: Lets say that all they could afford was bread, crackers, bannanas onion soup mix. While each item is OK to eat, your diet would be lacking in a lot of the nutrition your body needs to stay strong and healthy. Dog foods are made with all of the things that dogs need to grow and maintain thier health.

If you choose to feed human food, you need to do much research to be sure that your dog gets ALL of the things it needs to be healthy.
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Betterdog4u
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PostSubject: Re: Ready to have a dog?   Ready to have a dog? Icon_minitimeFri Nov 13, 2009 1:35 pm

In addition to what Steven posted here are a few more things to consider:

How much time will you have to exercise your new dog?
Some smaller breed dogs can get by with a short walk, but others need to be walked or ran for an hour or more every day. You need to be honest with yourself and decide what amount of time you are willing or able to spend with your dog. Be sure to consider both, your physical abilities and your time schedule. If you'd like to own an active dog but your job keeps you busy 10-12 hours a day, you may not want to get a really active dog. Active dogs need to go for long walks or runs with you every day, not just on weekends when you don’t have anything better to do. An active dog would be miserable (and probably very destructive) during the work week if you can’t spend the time to exercise him properly.

How much training can you do?
Regardless of what kind of dog you decide to adopt, a trained dog will be much easier to live with. A well trained dog can go to more public places with you. This is because they cause less of a disruption. A well trained dog will also be more easily integrated into your life. Obviously a puppy will need more of your attention, while most older dogs have had at least some training and will therefore take less time to train.

Where will the dog live?
In the past few years a lot of individuals and professionals have adopted the opinion that dogs who live outside are more apt to be neglected and abused than those who live inside. They feel very strongly that all dogs should live in the house. Although most any dog will do well inside if it is given enough exercise, some dogs (given proper shelter and attention) are also equipped to live outside even in the coldest winter conditions or in the hottest summer conditions. Some perfect examples of this are the Labrador Retriever, the German Shepherd and the Siberian Husky. They all are capable of handling the cold weather, but don’t really do to well in the heat of summer because of their double coat of fur. If your new dog will be spending any time outside, you must consider your area's climate when you are choosing a breed. If your dog must live outside, be sure that it has adequate (enclosed, covered, maybe even heated or cooled) shelter, and make an extra effort to spend time making sure that your dog has enough food, water and shelter during severe hot and cold weather conditions.

How much grooming are you willing to do or pay for?
Dogs that have long or curly hair will require you to spend more time to keep their coat free of tangles and mats. These types of breeds will require a lot more time on your part to keep them properly groomed and if you can not do it yourself it will cost you more money to have a dog professionally groomed on a regular basis. Many of these breed types may require regular grooming every 6-8 weeks. Even short haired dogs like the Dalmatian, the Chihuahua and others that are fairly low-maintenance can go through periods of profuse shedding and their coats will need extra attention. No matter what breed you choose, all dogs need to have their nails, eyes, and ears taken care of on a regular basis.

What do you plan to do with your dog?
Are you looking for a watchdog, a loyal “fireplace” dog, or a running partner? Maybe you want an active and athletic dog that you can do things like agility training, hiking, herding or hunting. You might even be looking for a dog that you can train for Police Work, Therapy Work or as a Service Dog for you or a loved one. The reason you want or need a dog can really affect your breed choice because, for example, most toy breeds just don't make very good Police dogs.

What kind of past experience do you have with dogs?
Everyone has a first dog at some point. After all, we all had to start some where. But it’s important that you know that there are a few breeds that are not recommended for first-time owners. For instance, an older Dachshund is a lot easier to care for than a one year old Husky, a Bull Dog or a Border Collie.

Are there other family members in your home and are they all willing to teach, and care for the dog?
Adopting a dog should be a family decision and all family members should be a part of raising the family dog. Teaching children to properly care for and train a dog can make a lasting impression on them. Learning how to control and train a dog can help build self esteem and help them become better with people too.

from a betterdog4u.com
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Steven_L
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PostSubject: Re: Ready to have a dog?   Ready to have a dog? Icon_minitimeFri Nov 13, 2009 3:16 pm

Great article!!! That one deserves +5pts! Cool
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Betterdog4u
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PostSubject: Re: Ready to have a dog?   Ready to have a dog? Icon_minitimeFri Nov 13, 2009 3:33 pm

Steven_L wrote:
Great article!!! That one deserves +5pts! Cool

Wo hoo cheers and that wasn't even all of the article, that was just the edit of the stuff the OP didnt include!!!

Thanks for givin' me five!!!
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Steven_L
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PostSubject: Re: Ready to have a dog?   Ready to have a dog? Icon_minitimeFri Nov 13, 2009 4:02 pm

Betterdog4u wrote:
Steven_L wrote:
Great article!!! That one deserves +5pts! Cool

Wo hoo cheers and that wasn't even all of the article, that was just the edit of the stuff the OP didnt include!!!

Thanks for givin' me five!!!

LOL, no problem... I really gotta change the color the the "thanked" post....it looks ugly.lol.
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schnauzkyLVR
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PostSubject: Re: Ready to have a dog?   Ready to have a dog? Icon_minitimeFri Nov 13, 2009 5:53 pm

great info for first time dog owners or people thinking if they should get one.

SPeaking of dog's ...i want another one! hehe Smile
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