BRINGING A PET DOG HOME

BENEFITS OF HAVING A PET.

Perhaps, sometime or the other a thought must have crossed your mind of getting a pet dog as your friend, but your doubts and hesitation has kept this on the back-burner.

While most pet owners are clear about the immediate joys that come with sharing their lives with companion animals, be it a dog, cat, goldfish, parrot or a hamster, many remain unaware of the physical and mental health benefits that can also accompany the pleasure of playing with or snuggling up to a furry friend. 

And those who love animals will tell you, it’s impossible to stay in a bad mood when a pair of loving puppy eyes meets yours

So what are you waiting for? Let’s kick-start the process.

 WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU BRING A PET DOG HOME.

                           

Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us,

and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day.

It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them.

THINK FIRST:

   Dog ownership is not something to be taken lightly or casually, it needs to be carefully thought out. Bringing a pup or a grown up dog home is a life-long commitment as your pet will be a part of your family for the next 10-15 years.

Every family has their own needs, personality, house, space limitations, health problems, time limitations and of course finance. Considering all this, will a dog fit into your schedules and your family lives nicely and not make things difficult later?

A lot of research, considerations and thoughts should be taken before your pet joins you. Remember, dogs are social creatures, they love to be included in the family and the activities.

WHY DO YOU WANT A DOG?

   After an honest retrospect, I suppose you are now dead-set to adopt a pup or a dog. 

Answering these simple questions will help you select the correct size and breed of a dog.

     Do you want your dog for companionship or for guarding your household?

     Do you want a dog to play with your young children?

     Do you simply want some quite company or a company for elders at home?

     Do you want your dog to compete as a show dog?

     Do you want him as a partner for your daily walks and exercise?

     Do you want a therapy dog for someone physically infirm at home?

Do not select a dog purely on looks.

FAMILY DECISION.

   A puppy in a family is a responsibility of all. Everyone should interact and shoulder the responsibility together. Make sure all the people who share your home know about this new puppy and agree to accept it before you bring it home.

Inputs from all, specially elders in the family are important to make a right resolution.

   Don’t make the mistake of bringing a puppy home on the ‘spur of the moment’ or just because it’s ‘the thing to do’.

   Even gifting a puppy to someone, think, would that be an accepted or an unwanted gift?

 WHO WILL BE THE PRIMARY CARETAKER OF YOUR DOG?

   Decades ago, there was a simple answer to decide on your pet’s caretaker. 

Mom stayed at home and did the household chores. She raised the family dog too.

   Most families these days do not have that option. Adults go to work and kids head off to school. The family dog gets caught in between work, lessons, sports, household work and errands. 

One parent should be appointed as a primary caretaker to make sure the dog does not suffer in the shuffle. 

I PROMISE...

   Many parents get rail-roaded by their children to get them a puppy dog.

They cross their hearts and promise with tears in their eyes, they will religiously look after all the needs of their new friend.

   The fact is, in the life span of 10-15 years of a dog, your children too will be growing up in different life stages. 

It would not be fair to remind them of their promises made earlier and hold them responsible. It should be a life affirming act by all.

  

                                                                    

  
ADOPT OR BUY - A PUP OR A DOG.

Adopting a puppy is generally easier and cheaper than buying a “Pure-breed” puppy. Between the two, many thoughts might crop up in your mind on which to choose.

Whether you adopt or buy a puppy or a dog, remember your pet is likely live up to 10-15 years, certainly a life commitment to a new addition in your family.

So it’s well worth investing some time to be sure you are on the right track and not acting on your whim.

PUPS 

Puppies are really cute and charming bundles of joy. Just like a baby which needs all the care and attention, they will keep you busy.

   Remember, your puppy who has been separated from its mother and litter mates, would need your closeness to it by which a pup can start its socialization process with other people and animals, which is a first step of its training.

   The time to wean a puppy begins within three and four weeks of age, and preferably completes by seven to eight weeks of age. Puppies do need time to learn important behaviors from their mother and litter mates.

   Juvenile puppy period starts at age 10 weeks and lasts until puberty, a beginning of a sexual maturity. Puppies at this age have a strong desire to know or learn something and are a bit stubborn and eagerly interested to explore everything. 

And you won’t be disappointed when your pup learns to chew, makes a mess, starts pawing, biting, fighting and has accidents in the house.

   Set your alarm clock, this is an ideal time to begin training.

SENIOR DOGS.

  

   A dog falls into the “senior” category around age seven. Animal shelters are filled with healthy and active senior dogs. They too make great pets.

   Many presume an older dog could be a problem dog but frankly it’s the other way around.

   At an adolescence stage they have mature behavior and are mellowed and focus on life. 

   They know shoes are for walking and bones for chewing.

   They are not time consuming as a puppy, and you have more time to enjoy each other. Don't forget that they need homes just as much as puppies do.

   Senior dogs lose their homes for a variety of reasons, perhaps a death of a guardian, a new child arrival, loss of a job, or change in a work schedule.

    Dogs have mastered basic commands and they can be trained at any age.              

Older dogs are just as smart as younger ones.

                          

   An older Dog is ready to accompany you on a long walk. He will make a great work out partner, a loyal companion and perhaps a late night snuggle buddy.

                                                     

   Today with a change in life style, a few mindsets have a change of heart too, they discard or abandon their pets as the novelty or interest on a pet wears off.        

A few opt to change their breed to their fancy liking. Trust me, Dogs can detect your mood and resentments. They too have a bad hair day. Do not destroy his soul.

   I have a pure breed Doberman dog at home and a few mixed breed dogs on my farm. Believe me, we get a rich undivided happiness from both worlds

FOR ADOPTION...

 

   

 To be honest, I am a huge supporter of rescues and support adoption of mixed breed. They are healthier, aren’t high strung, they are friendly, protective, yappy, aggressive, active, obedient, beautiful and of course at times

stubborn – just like any pure breed.

An individual dog should be considered on his own merits without regards to his parentage.