Dog's come in all shapes and sizes ? out of all the dogs you've ever met you've probably been more attracted to some breeds than others. Perhaps you had a dog when you were growing up and want the same breed for your children. But more needs to be determined than breed or size when choosing a family dog.
How do you choose? What do you need to know? Here are some questions you must ask when choosing a dog for family life:
How old are your children?
If your family is still young, especially if you still have preschoolers, it is prudent to consider whether your family should have a dog right now. Are you planning (or expecting) other children? Dogs require a fair amount of attention and if you have small children not only will you have less time to train or play with a dog, but you may have more difficulty trusting your dog or your children without your constant attention.
If you are still certain that you want a dog and you have the time, consider the training and age of the dog. Perhaps a well trained, older dog would be more suitable.
How much do you know about dogs?
Think taking care of a dog is a no-brainer? Well, if you have children you don't have the luxury of allowing your dog to train itself or wander the countryside. You must read or ask someone knowledgeable about the needs and training a dog requires.
If you're not up to the task you'll have to locate a trainer that will work with your dog as well as train you and your family how to deal with the dog. Many bad habits that dogs pick up come from lack of consistent training rather than the dog being troublesome.
Are you ready for the financial obligation?
To have a healthy dog you must plan for the costs of vet bills, vaccinations, flea and worm medication, grooming and training. Do you travel? Either you will need to arrange for care or pay for a dog sitter or kennel when you're away. Thinking of buying a large breed? Find out the food costs in advance ? if your budget is already tight you may be shocked at the cost of food for large dogs.
Do YOU want a dog?
If your children are young then hopefully you recognize that you or your partner must be willing to handle the burden of day-to-day care such as feeding, walking, training and cleaning. But what if your children are older and capable of more responsibility? You still need to factor in that the dog may live 10-15 years or more (depending on breed). Who will take responsibility for the dog when the children go to college or get married?
Owning a dog has wonderful benefits that you and your children will enjoy. Research continues to show that individuals benefit emotional and physically from owning a pet. But there is more to owning a dog than selecting the prettiest or most popular breed.
Shannon Emmanuel is a freelancer writer and the author of 'How to Choose the Best Dog or Puppy for Your Children'. Get a free report at http://www.best-dog-breed-for-children.com
Lincoln Stretch rentals Alsip ..Of the thirty-three terrier breeds (most of which were first... Read More
Your dog seems to be driving you up the wall... Read More
Let me begin by saying that I am not an... Read More
The trick of "sitting up" is easily taught to small... Read More
Allergies to dogs can strike anyone at any age, yet... Read More
My love of horses began at the age of 11... Read More
Man's Best Friend is a great companion around the home,... Read More
Parasites are organisms that survive by feeding off of other... Read More
You love your dog. You would do anything for your... Read More
Whether you intend to show your Westie, or keep him... Read More
A dog, like a human baby, experiences the world through... Read More
Like most dog owners, you probably take your dog with... Read More
The numbers will make any pet lover blanch with disgust,... Read More
When selecting the best dry food for your dog, why... Read More
Dog Travel SuppliesThe shopping part along for dog travel supplies... Read More
Over the last 15 years, I have raised nine orphaned... Read More
Dog's come in all shapes and sizes ? out of... Read More
Behavior can be a huge iisue with our pets. If... Read More
An essential to your dog's health is his/her regular annual... Read More
Let's face it ? Fido and Fluffy are an important... Read More
There are lots of ways a horse can go lame.... Read More
"Where's the harm? My cat seems to enjoy chocolate and... Read More
Would you put together a model plane without looking at... Read More
I'm a pariah among the dog fanciers in my community.... Read More
In horse training or natural horsemanship, Approach is nothing more... Read More
Western Springs shuttle limo ..Dogs should be living to age 20 or more. That's... Read More
Puppies need to go to the bathroom after they play,... Read More
Almost every dog owner will have to use some sort... Read More
Continued from part two.Epilepsy/seizure disorderWhen your Boxer is between 2... Read More
Is your bird a seed only eater? Did you know... Read More
If you are thinking of adding a feline to your... Read More
Are there so many great dog breeds out there that... Read More
Arthritis refers to inflammation or swelling in a joint. The... Read More
My wife and I have been married for 32 years.... Read More
Most of the diseases that threaten goldfish can be cured.... Read More
If you thought dog noses were just a source of... Read More
Horse training can be a relatively mysterious subject to people... Read More
There are three important litter box considerations to account for... Read More
Breeding tropical fish can be a lot of fun. Try... Read More
I was talking to a friend of mine today and... Read More
Gain some insight into how your favorite feline actually feels... Read More
Boxer dogs are an all around great breed, especially skilled... Read More
To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? That's become the burning... Read More
Maintaining your fish bowl can be difficult sometimes. However, your... Read More
What happens when we die? In our society, death is... Read More
Losing a family pet can be a traumatic experience, especially... Read More
Americans are more concerned about health than ever before, so... Read More
Twenty-six percent of the dogs at the six Los Angeles... Read More
What is Canine Distemper?Canine distemper is a highly contagios disease... Read More
Behavior can be a huge iisue with our pets. If... Read More
Pet |