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 pet 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."
Dogs are a fantastic edition to any family but like... Read More
Mum, dad, can we get a puppy? Its a plea... Read More
As we love to have a comfortable place to sleep... Read More
Peeing on the carpet, knocking you down, or stealing dinner... Read More
Many people are searching for different means to have pets.... Read More
If you are keeping tetras, chances are you are breeding... Read More
Boxer Dogs Information - What Are Boxer Dogs? Boxer dogs... Read More
Beaks, Bills, Face Knives, Beakers - whatever we want to... Read More
Like us, birds need variety in life. To be happy... Read More
Which is the noisiest species of all? Nope, not the... Read More
Sadly, there are several household items which we tend to... Read More
What Is ParvoParvo is a serious viral disease that can... Read More
Is A Boxer Right For You?Country of Origin: Germany ... Read More
This mysterious cat is originally from the country of Siam,... Read More
Did you know that dog toys are actually good for... Read More
Your dog's dental health is so important for his total... Read More
A crate is a valuable and useful training tool. Its... Read More
What if you want a Boxer, but cannot stomach the... Read More
There are thousands of local and online Pet Stores but... Read More
You may be hearing more talk these days about "Essential... Read More
What is Canine Hip Dysplasia?Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is a... Read More
The pet food industry, a billion-dollar, unregulated operation, feeds on... Read More
Since having a dog is such a common thing, do... Read More
The first thing to do when searching for a lost... Read More
A new puppy is a joyous addition to any home.... Read More
Cats are becoming increasingly popular as pets these days, and... Read More
The real apistogramma's come from southern America, they all have... Read More
Teaching your puppy crate training is the first and best... Read More
Whether purely for looks or for a bird's home, bird... Read More
It's important to understand your dog's sleeping habits and how... Read More
Many people feel that taking the time to train their... Read More
Dogs mature and age at much different rates, usually according... Read More
This is an old saying that many of us have... Read More
It's no secret that Americans love their pets. In fact,... Read More
So you'd like to know how to build a dog... Read More
Chihuahua Training is Easy! You may be wondering if Chihuahua... Read More
The shutting and opening door trick can be taught to... Read More
Any person, whether a minor or adult, having been bitten... Read More
Mum, dad, can we get a puppy? Its a plea... Read More
Nervous cats hide from people, they do not readily present... Read More
Wondering how to begin crate training your puppy or dog,... Read More
Of all the parasites a dog can catch, worms take... Read More
Five years ago this August a funny little puppy came... Read More
Just like humans, dogs are subject to diseases and illnesses.... Read More
The greatest benefits of ownership is knowing that your property... Read More
Kittens are and have always been adorable creatures. Of course,... Read More
Get to know your beloved dog better with these insightful... Read More
Author of Keep Fleas OffStill using all the chemicals you... Read More
Training your dog to obey commands is an important part... Read More
Some Dogs like Boxers unfortunately, are prone to several potential... Read More
Let's face it ? everything is cute when it's small... Read More
Whether you're a new dog owner or have had dogs... Read More
According to recent statistics, an astounding 65% of all U.S.... Read More
Over the last 20 years, vaccinations have generally been started... Read More
Dog Training CollarsHaving a pet means having to provide for... Read More
Having a cat allergy came as something of a surprise... Read More
Parasites are organisms that survive by feeding off of other... Read More
What should you feed your cat to make sure he... Read More
A dog that is feeling pain can often be highly... Read More
Training your dog can be time consuming and frustrating at... Read More
To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? That's become the burning... Read More
Beautiful as they are, Boston Terriers have some genetic traits... Read More
The first dog trick that is generally taught a dog... Read More
Pet friendly vacations and travel planning make sense -- after... Read More
Tired of cleaning the cat box? Here are some tips... Read More
It's been weeks since you went riding. Now you have... Read More
Pet |