For those who have never had a dog before but are ready to adopt a furry friend, you might have quite a few questions. All dogs need a few important accessories that they will use every day, but before you head to the pet store, here are a few helpful hints.
Pet stores are filled with accessories, toys and doggie clothes, but most of these items are not essential to the maintenance and care of your animal. While you might be tempted by many items, in the beginning, it's best to stick with basic items that will be used every day.
You will need a set of dog dishes, a collar and a leash. For the dishes, there is no shortage of cute items, but the most important thing to do is fill them with healthy food and fresh, clean water. If your pet already is being fed a certain food, considering sticking with that food or ask a trusted veterinarian for advice. When it comes to water, simply add water whenever it gets low and consider giving the water dish a scrub every day as it often gets bits of food and dirt in it.
When it comes to collars, this is an issue of some debate among dog owners. In general, you need to carefully measure your dog's neck and select a good quality collar that fits snugly but it not so tight that it is uncomfortable. Some owners use a harness instead of neck collar, and this is a solid choice for dog breeds that tend to have a more slender neck or has a pushed up type of nose or breathing issues. Dogs such as pugs and Greyhounds, for example, do well with a harness. The leash needs to be long enough for a comfortable walk, generally about six feet long is fine.
Beyond these supplies, another highly important investment would be an obedience training program. Training truly should be one of your first considerations when you get your dog. Sometimes people simply wish to bond with an animal and feel training will inhibit the bonding process. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Training actually secures the bond and helps the dog understand what you expect, and you get to spend time together training which helps you both understand each other's temperaments. In addition, if your dog is untrained, they could be a danger to themselves or others. You need to feel comfortable that your dog will sit and stay, as well as not run away and come when called. Otherwise, they risk coming in contact with vehicles and even other animals that could cause them to become injured or even killed.
Most of us are unsure how to begin training and make it successful, so it's a good idea to purchase a set of dog training DVDs, such as The Dog's Way. This dog training program includes 12 easy-to-follow lessons to help teach all the basic commands, from walking properly while leashed to sitting, staying and lying down for an extended period of time. There are reminder cards that you can tote along on walks to help you practice skills, as well as a helpful workbook. In addition, if you purchase The Dog's Way, you will have access to a special website that provides training tips to help deal with many common dog issues, such as excessive barking and jumping.
Pet stores are filled with accessories, toys and doggie clothes, but most of these items are not essential to the maintenance and care of your animal. While you might be tempted by many items, in the beginning, it's best to stick with basic items that will be used every day.
You will need a set of dog dishes, a collar and a leash. For the dishes, there is no shortage of cute items, but the most important thing to do is fill them with healthy food and fresh, clean water. If your pet already is being fed a certain food, considering sticking with that food or ask a trusted veterinarian for advice. When it comes to water, simply add water whenever it gets low and consider giving the water dish a scrub every day as it often gets bits of food and dirt in it.
When it comes to collars, this is an issue of some debate among dog owners. In general, you need to carefully measure your dog's neck and select a good quality collar that fits snugly but it not so tight that it is uncomfortable. Some owners use a harness instead of neck collar, and this is a solid choice for dog breeds that tend to have a more slender neck or has a pushed up type of nose or breathing issues. Dogs such as pugs and Greyhounds, for example, do well with a harness. The leash needs to be long enough for a comfortable walk, generally about six feet long is fine.
Beyond these supplies, another highly important investment would be an obedience training program. Training truly should be one of your first considerations when you get your dog. Sometimes people simply wish to bond with an animal and feel training will inhibit the bonding process. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Training actually secures the bond and helps the dog understand what you expect, and you get to spend time together training which helps you both understand each other's temperaments. In addition, if your dog is untrained, they could be a danger to themselves or others. You need to feel comfortable that your dog will sit and stay, as well as not run away and come when called. Otherwise, they risk coming in contact with vehicles and even other animals that could cause them to become injured or even killed.
Most of us are unsure how to begin training and make it successful, so it's a good idea to purchase a set of dog training DVDs, such as The Dog's Way. This dog training program includes 12 easy-to-follow lessons to help teach all the basic commands, from walking properly while leashed to sitting, staying and lying down for an extended period of time. There are reminder cards that you can tote along on walks to help you practice skills, as well as a helpful workbook. In addition, if you purchase The Dog's Way, you will have access to a special website that provides training tips to help deal with many common dog issues, such as excessive barking and jumping.
About the Author:
Garrett McMahan loves watching dog show. To get more information about obedience training videos, or to discover the best dog training DVDs online, please visit the TheDogsWay.com website now.