Facility

Keeping Your Dog Safe:

Your home can be an unsafe place for your dog. Plant's that are toxic can make a dog sick. Items places where a dog can pull them down can cause injuries and household cleaners and other chemicals can be ingested by

the dog and make them ill. Extension cords that are in the open can be a hazard to a dogs health and so can electrical items left plugged in. Dogs are curious creatures especially puppies. A home that has a dog in it needs to be dog proofed just like home with a baby in it needs to be child proofed.

A bored dog is a dog that will get into trouble. If you are gone from home a long time your dog will think of ways to get into trouble. You need to puppy proof your home so that when you are away or not paying attention to your dog they will not get into trouble or get hurt.

Some house plant can be toxic and if the dog chews on the toxic plant the dog can get sick or even die of poisoning. Keep house plants high up so that a dog can not chew on the house plants.

Heavy items like irons that are perched up on a table can be a disaster waiting to happen. A dog can pull on a cord or a cloth and cause the heavy items to fall on them causing injury to the dog. Keep cords and other items safe from being pulled down off of high places. Don't let cords or clothes dangle down they can causes temptation.

A live electric cord and a bored lonely dog do not mix. A bored lonely dog will look for things to chew on. An electrical cord is great especially for a puppy. Keep cords out of reach to prevent any accidents from happening.

Just like with small children you need to keep your chemicals and house cleaning supplies away from your dog or puppy. The can be interesting and chewable. Once the chemicals are in the dogs mouth the dog can get very sick or even die.

Keep your dog or puppy safe by making your home dog or puppy proof. Keep your dog or puppy entertained to keep them out of trouble and safe. If your home is safe for small children then it is probably safe for your dog or puppy.

Supplies:

There's the vet bills, the medicine, the training, the time to train and spend with them, which cannot be measured or given as an amount because it varies from dog to dog.

Anyway, once you get past all that, here goes:

Things you need once (or should only need once):
A crate, food dishes, a leash and a collar, brushes, toys, beds, a training class, tags or a microchip.

Things you'll need to keep buying:
food (usually monthly), shampoo, treats and chews, toys, grooming visits if necessary, vaccinations and booster shots, stain and odor removers and potty pads for potty training, different medications for sores, wounds and ticks.

Pups are a lot of fun, but a lot of work. Research the breed you are thinking about and see if it fits your life. Some dogs dig, some love to run, some are fighters and some are hunters. A dog that loves to run should not be kept in an apartment, as a dog that fights can be trained to be gentle but still may cause trouble around small children and other dogs (it may not be the dogs fault as children don't know how to act... I love pits, but even the most loving isn't always tolerable of pests...) Don't buy on looks alone: find out what you're getting into!

Training:

Obedience Training is one of the best things you can do for your dog or puppy... and yourself. Obedience training doesn't solve all behavior problems, but it is the foundation for solving just about any problem. Training opens up a line of communication between you and your dog. Effective communication is necessary to instruct your dog about what you want her to do. You can teach her anything from 'stay' (don't bolt out the door) to 'sit' (don't jump on the visitors) to 'off' (don't chew the furniture).

Dogs are social animals and without proper training, they will behave like animals. They will soft your house, destroy your belongings, bark excessively, dig holes in your yard,fight other dogs and even bite you. Nearly all behavior problems are perfectly normal canine activities that occur at the wrong time or place or are directed at the wrong thing. For example, the dog will eliminate on the carpet instead of outside; the dog will bark all night long instead of just when a stranger is prowling around outside; or the dog will chew furniture instead of his own toys. The key to preventing or treating behavior problems is learning to teach the dog to redirect his natural behavior to outlets that are acceptable in the domestic setting.

Obedience training is also an easy way to establish the social hierachy. When your dog obeys a simple request of 'come here, sit,' she is showing compliance and respect for you. It is NOT necessary to establish yourself as top dog or leader of the pack by using extreme measures such as the so-called alpha roll-over. You CAN teach your dog her subordinate role by teaching her to show submission to you in a paw raise (shake hands), roll over or hand lick (give a kiss). Most dogs love performing these tricks (obedience commands) for you which also pleasantly acknowledge that you are in charge.