Buying a new dog is more than simply finding the cutest puppy in the store and buying a bag of dog food. Acquiring a new canine is nearly as important as adopting a child. They need constant attention and love and buying the proper supplies can be as confusing as deciding what kind of dog to get in the first place. So I'm here to help you.
When you first walk into a pet store you will be bombarded by everything from designer clothes to dog food, and the salesmen are rarely any help. They're goal is to sell you everything you lay your eyes on. But in reality there are really only a few basic things you need to make your new family member comfortable and you a happy dog owner.
First and foremost, buy a book about your breed. All breeds are very different and have different needs and personality quirks. But at the same time, don't think of the book as the end all and be all of how your dog is supposed to behave. Like people, dogs each have their own personalities. The book is there simply to give you guidance.
Second, get a good collar. Make sure you can stick at least two fingers between the dog's skin and the collar. Also make sure you get a collar that allows plenty of room for growth. Some breeds grow very fast and you don't want to be replacing the collar every two weeks during your puppy's first year. Also, get a good training collar. These come in many, many sizes and types. The two most popular types are called the choke chain and the German pinch collar. But don't let the names scare you. These two training collars are the best for teaching your dog to heal and to walk on the end of a leash without jerking your arm out of the socket.
Both collars have their pros and cons. The choke chain is easy to use and doesn't "look" cruel. But you have to replace it as the dog gets bigger and depending on the breed, this can get very expensive. The German choke chain "looks" evil but as the dog grows bigger you can simply add additional links. But the biggest thing to remember with both collars is to "never" use the collar as your dog's everyday collar. Dog owner's can grow very lazy when using these collars and forget to check them. It's not uncommon for an owner to forget to check the collar and end up having to cut the collar off because the dog grew so big the collar would no longer fit over its head. Choke chains and German pinch collars are to be used for training purposes only.
The other supplies needed for happy dogs are simple:
* A weighted food and water bowl. Dogs, especially puppies, seem to have a fondness for playing in their dinner as much as eating it.
* A well made crate or dog house, depending on whether or not the dog will be an inside or outside dog; at least three leashes of varying lengths, used for training and walking purposes. The book you get will explain how the different sized leashes are used in training.
* Chew toys, chew toys, chew toys. Dogs, especially puppies, need to exercise their gums regularly and unless you plan on replacing your furniture, your expensive crown molding and your slippers on a regular basis, get your new friend a wide selection of chew toys.
* And finally, DOG FOOD! Despite what some animal rights groups would have you believe, dogs are carnivores. They eat meat. So check the ingredients. If corn and other types of vegetables is the first ingredient listed, your new four-legged friend is not getting what he needs. Look for chicken or beef to be listed as the first ingredient.
A few more supplies you will need as the dog gets older, but aren't necessarily mandatory when you first get your puppy include; a good brush, ID tag and dog treats. Treats are better utilized as just that ? treats. Instead of using treats as a training aid, substitute your dog's favorite toy. Trust me, after about a month you will discover what his favorite toy is.
And now for the supplies that might be fun to have. Squeaky toys are very cute in the store and your dog will love them. But they will get very old very quickly. Imagine this scenario. You've just walked in the front door from a long day at work. You sit down to watch TV and decompress and from the other side of the room you hear, "Squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak." That will get old very quickly.
And even though they're cute, please save your dog's dignity and avoid buying any clothes, designer or otherwise, for Fido. Have you ever really looked at a dog's face when he's wearing clothes? He's embarrassed. A good rule of thumb to use is this ? if you wouldn't be seen in public wearing it, don't make your dog wear it. Have fun with your new family member.
You may republish this article with full credit to the author and the 2 URL's hyperlinked.
Allen Shaw is a successful author who provides pet tips and information for dog supplies and dog supplies. "I am the news director at USA News Network and have been working as freelance writer for 2 years. I've been published in a few magazines, newspapers and websites and my specialty up to this point has been movie and music reviews."
Ashton group transportation logistics management ..Our Charlie's dog health was a very important issue to... Read More
Cute cat names? Max is popular, Lady a favorite for... Read More
Ever since the beginning of time there has always been... Read More
For a cat, scratching is a natural, necessary act. Besides... Read More
In a world of computer games, the Internet and shopping... Read More
Dog food is very important for the health of dogs.... Read More
Whether you are searching for something to say "Happy Birthday"... Read More
If you are having behavioral issues with your dog that... Read More
Eclampsia, or milk fever, is an acute, life-threatening condition which... Read More
Could a horse trainer, born about 154 years ago, teach... Read More
Your mind-set, approach and way of thinking (beliefs) are critical... Read More
Are you just starting to research the BARF diet for... Read More
Fleas have plagued dogs, cats, and their owners since time... Read More
Pets can enjoy the therapeutic effects of aromatherapy as much... Read More
If you decide you want a purebred, make sure it's... Read More
In order to add love and affection to their lives,... Read More
Flowerhorn Cichlids Flowerhorn cichlids is a hybrid cichlid that was... Read More
Many people consider their dog to be part of their... Read More
Dear Fellow Dog Lover,I assume you love your dog, or... Read More
Dogs, especially young dogs are very playful by nature.Play provides... Read More
Annual Vaccinations for Your Dog?Are they really necessary? - In... Read More
So you just loved that sweet little puppy that you... Read More
When I carried him home, he was this tiny little... Read More
For realistic tips for humans who are moving with cats,... Read More
Just like humans, dogs are subject to diseases and illnesses.... Read More
group transportation logistics management Highland ..The 6 Keys To Building A Life Long Partnership With... Read More
I have a business card burning a hole in my... Read More
For realistic tips for humans who are moving with cats,... Read More
Dogs come in many assorted breeds, shapes, and sizes. They... Read More
There are thousands of local and online Pet Stores but... Read More
Are you nuts? You think banging your finger with a... Read More
In horse training or natural horsemanship, Approach is nothing more... Read More
Grooming means taking care of the physical maintenance of the... Read More
Training CollarsTraining collars are a tool many pet owners utilize... Read More
Dog training is definitely not rocket science and is easier... Read More
Teaching your dog to heel is one of the most... Read More
I'd like to talk to you about pet vaccinations. I... Read More
Have a dog lover on your gift list? Want to... Read More
Stingrays will eat a wide variety of foods. Maintaining a... Read More
As you likely know already, horses have at least 10... Read More
Newer doesn't always mean better.Adopting an older dog may be... Read More
Have you ever wondered what a dog thinks, or if... Read More
The first thing to do when searching for a lost... Read More
Do you have at least one framed photo of your... Read More
If your feline friend could speak your language, here a... Read More
Buying a new dog is more than simply finding the... Read More
Parrots are becoming more popular as pets with each passing... Read More
The other day I was doing a research online for... Read More
Thunder storms affected pets differently. Some hardly notice them, others... Read More
When Lucky was starting to show signs of aging, we... Read More
Pet |