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Before you can be a responsible dog owner
you must first:
THINK FIRST
1.
UNDERSTAND THE COMMITMENT
Dog ownership is not something to be entered into by any one
person or family lightly. It is a long term
commitment both emotionally and financially. If you are worried
about cutting costs when picking a new puppy or dog out for your
family, you should not be considering purchasing a new dog or
puppy
2.
TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR FAMILY'S LIFESTYLE
If you add a new dog to your family, it will become a part of
that family and will share the lifestyle you have. If your an
extremely active person or family you should get a dog that is
also active. If your a very neat person you may want to pick a
breed with short hair or a breed that doesn't shed as much. Most
dogs that do not shed much are breeds that need to be groomed.
If your lifestyle is slow and relaxed you want to pick a breed
that tends to be more low key.
3.
MAKE A LIST
After evaluating your family's lifestyle, make a list of dog
breeds that should match that lifestyle. Consider things like
size, activity level, grooming needs and temperament. Do you
have younger children? Is your family away from home allot?
Would you want to bring your dog with you? Do you want a lap dog
or a guard dog?
4. CHOOSE A BREED
Once you have made your list of characteristics, research the
breeds that best match those characteristics. Go to your local
library. Visit dog shows in your area. Go to the akc website at
www.akc.org.
5. FIND A BREEDER
Find a responsible breeder. Refer to our "Puppy Buying Guide"
for a description of a responsible breeder. Consider an adult.
Adults can make wonderful pets for those that do not wish to
train a young puppy. Many shelters and purebred rescue groups
have pure bred adults for adoption. Shelters usually are very
good about matching the right dog with the right owner or
family. AKC has a breeder referral service and many breeders
advertise over the internet. You must be VERY careful when
purchasing a puppy as your puppy will reflect the breeders work.
Its best to find breeders that have been active in their breed
for a longer amount of time. Be sure to ask many questions of
your breeder and expect to get checked out by your breeder. A
good breeder is very careful to assure their puppies go to the
best homes. Avoid back yard breeders and pet stores as most dogs
sold from these sources rarely conform to the standard of their
breed and many times are sold in ill health or with genetic
problems that show up after you purchase your puppy.
If you find a breeder you are very happy with, but they do not
have puppies at that time, consider waiting. Its best to wait
for a quality puppy then buy on impulse only to face problems
that can be devastating later on.
This page was created to give advise to
puppy and dog owners on proper nutrition and feeding practices.
Most of this information is based on the breeding as well
as articles, and information gathered from the many people
involved in dogs that I have had the pleasure of meeting and
knowing.
make the commitment
1. PICK YOUR PET
When the time comes to select your pet, listen to your breeders
referral as they know their dogs' best. Be sure to purchase
puppies that have had their litter registered with the American
Kennel Club if your buying a AKC breed of dog. Although papers
themselves are not an indication of quality, a pedigree is and
papers are necessary to guarantee that pedigree. Be sure to get
some kind of contract that guarantees the health of your puppy
at least until you can have your veterinarian check your new
puppy's health. Many breeders with dog breeds that have known
genetic problems will guarantee the puppy they sell against said
problems. They go to the trouble to screen their sires and dams
to help assure only the healthiest puppies are sold. If you
rescue a pure bred dog ask for as much information as possible
on the background of that dog or puppy. Sires and Dams that have
been cleared by the OFA will have that ranking on their
registration papers.
2. REGISTERING YOUR DOG
Many people that purchase a new puppy as a pet never register
that pet. This has no effect on your dog. But if you desire to
show your dog in any AKC event (the show ring, obedience,
agility, tracking etc.) your dog must be registered with the AKC.
If you adopt a purebred dog or puppy from a shelter or pound,
you may be able to register that dog after applying to the AKC
for a Indefinite Listing Privilege (ILP) number. This ILP number
will allow your dog to compete in some AKC events.
get ready
I 1. PREPARE
YOURSELF
Get ready for your new canine family member BEFORE he or she
comes home! Be sure to ask for the brand of food your breeder is
currently feeding the puppy or dog. If you choose to change it,
do so after your new puppy or dog is acclimated to it's new
surroundings. Be sure to schedule more time at home if you can
for the arrival of your new puppy and try to keep visitors to a
minimum at first. Purchase a leash, collar, stain and odor
removers, puppy shampoo, toys, dog cage, beds, grooming tools
and training treats ahead of time. Schedule an appointment with
your veterinarian for a health check and any vaccinations needed
before you pick the puppy up. Be sure the breeder includes a
health record of any medications, wormers and vaccinations your
puppy or dog may have had. Vaccinations usually come with
removable labels for a breeder to attach to a health record. If
you do not see this ask your breeder for some kind of proof of
vaccinations. If the vaccinations were given by a vet, be sure
the veterinarian's contact number is included in the health
record.
2. MAKE A SCHEDULE
You and your family members should decide who will be
responsible for the care of your puppy. Be sure that everyone
gets involved and list responsibilities as feeding, walks,
training, cleaning up after the puppy etc.
3. DOG PROOF YOUR HOME
Just as you would with any new baby, you must dog (baby) proof
your home before your new puppy comes home. You might want to
get on your hands and knees and attempt to see things from the
puppy's or dog's point of view. Remember puppies feel anything
can be a toy. This includes your phone cord, wires, shoes,
tissues, furniture and just about anything else your puppy can
get to. Watch electrical outlets also. Buy gates for areas you
do not want your new puppy in. You may also want to set up a
containment system prior to your new puppy coming home. The
safest system is a barrier fence that will not only serve to
keep your puppy in your yard, but it will also keep other
animals including unfriendly dogs out of your yard. Radio
(electric) fences are available also but you should check with
the manufacturer as to when and if it would be safe to use their
product on a puppy. At the very least keep your puppy on a leash
or long leash when you are outside with it. A puppy or dog
allowed to roam loose will eventually run into a dangerous
situation that may cost that puppy or dog it's life. NEVER ALLOW
YOUR DOG OUTSIDE OFF LEASH ALONE.
BRING YOUR DOG HOME
1.
WELCOME YOUR NEW CANINE FAMILY MEMBER
Your finally brining your new puppy or dog home! Try to pick up
your puppy on a weekend to assure extra time with your puppy. If
possible take a few days off from work. Keep things quiet as
your puppy will need to adjust to his or her new home. Keep
visitors to a minimum. Don't plan on vacations soon after your
bring your new puppy home. Give your puppy time to adjust to you
and to the fact that he no longer has his littermates to play or
lay with. Name your new puppy or dog. Even if he already had a
name, after he or she is adjusted you can rename him or her
easily.
2. SCHEDULE VISITS WITH A VETERINARIAN
You should take your new puppy or dog to a veterinarian
immediately after you bring it home for a health check. While
you are there schedule your additional visits to complete any
vaccinations needed, worming or anything else your puppy may
need. Discuss the age your puppy will be spayed or neutered. All
dogs kept as pets should be spayed and neutered not only for
their own health and to prevent unwanted litters, but to help
assure behavior problems do not develop that might if your dog
is left intact. Be sure to schedule yearly checkups with your
vet to complete any boosters needed. Your vet can also offer
products to help battle fleas and provide important heartworm
medication and tests.
3. SCHEDULE AN OBEDIENCE CLASS
It is important to schedule an obedience class as soon as your
puppy has his or her vaccinations. Too many dogs are given up to
shelters and pounds because their owners neglected training.
Training your dog at a young age will help insure that he or she
becomes a valued and loved member of the family with good
manners! It also helps with house breaking and any other
behavior problem you may encounter. Kyleewood Kennels also
offers on line tutoring and behavior modification for a very
reasonable fee for those who feel they do not have the time to
take their puppy to a class. But, bringing your puppy to an
obedience class is the best for your pup and gives him or her a
chance to socialize with other dogs and puppies at an important
age. As always Kyleewood Kennels is happy to have provided the
information on this page. Please contact us for any further
assistance or with any questions you may have. You can reach us
by emailing:
info@kyleewood,com
or woobear98@yahoo.com.
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Writen By: Theresa
Copyright to: Theresa
This page is not to be copied without writen permission by Theresa of
Kyleewood Kennels |
©Silver
Shadow Dachshunds 2007 |
