So you're bringing home that cute little puppy from the best breeder after doing all that research, or you found the most adorable "mutt" at the pound, where you were just going to look, you swore. And now you realize that you weren't as prepared as you thought. Maybe you're planning in advance for the new bundle of joy. Either way, we'll give you some valuable tips we've learned over the years of bringing home little bundles of terror ? I mean joy :)
Learn as much as possible about potty training, and expect none of it to matter, especially when you step in their deposits at 3 a.m. in the pitch black ? it WILL happen!
Buy the smallest bag of puppy chow you can find. Your dog will hate the first one, and the second one and the third one. Buying small will help you overcome the horror of the money you've just spent on the 7th brand of dog food in 2 weeks.
Strip naked or at the very least to a swimsuit before bathing your dog. You WILL BE WET. No way to avoid it, even in a 2 foot deep sunken bathtub. Personal experience talking here.
Prepare yourself for the fact that the toy you thought was SO COOL in the store, will be sniffed and promptly ignored until the end of time. Your dog will only like the toys that will drive you the most crazy. One of the favorites in our house (NOT purchased by us) is a big skunk with a plastic bottle inside. Inside said plastic bottle is a marble. Aaaaaargh. 'Nuff said.
That gorgeous dog bed you bought? You know, the one that cost almost as much as the new king size bed you got to accommodate the new dog? Yeah, the dog will rarely, if ever use it. Preferred dog beds in this house? Couches, blankets dragged to the floor, pile of clothes, carpets ? and of course, our bed, preferably leaving as little room as possible for the humans by stretching as wide as possible.
Training? What's that? Mine occasionally come when called, and usually sit when told, but that's about it. I've given up. Did you know that a dog can be flunked out of training school? Neither did I until it happened? to ME!
Fill in the blank: my favorite ______ will be chewed to death. Expect it. Embrace it. You will live it.
I think the biggest tip I can give to a new dog owner is to become a firm believer in Murphy's Law: whatever can happen usually will and at the worst possible time. Of course, if you'd like to avoid my jaded outlook on life with a dog, visit our website, http://www.a1-dog-info.com/tips -to-take-care-of-a-new-dog.htm for more tips to help you survive living with a dog.
Tara Pearce is the author and webmaster of A1-Dog-Info.com. Please visit us for all kinds of information about dog food, toys, health, books, supplies and clothes.
Many people consider their dog to be part of their... Read More
Herbology, basically, is the use of herbs in the treatment... Read More
Dogs are creatures of habit; and once they develop a... Read More
So you have a mature pair of discus fish that... Read More
It's beginning to get cooler and as such it is... Read More
Did you know that dog toys are actually good for... Read More
The answer is "no" if you are the type who... Read More
As our horses enjoy a longer life and many live... Read More
Pomeranians have tiny mouths and itty bitty teeth, but not... Read More
Tips to getting the right GoldfishGoldfish are a temperate breed... Read More
Cat arthritis is not a very common ailment among healthy... Read More
Some people are so attached to their pets that they... Read More
Training one dog can be hard enough, but two, now... Read More
MuttShack Foundation for Animal Foster and Rescue, claim that dogs... Read More
Find a vet, if possible, who specializes in small animals... Read More
An essential to your dog's health is his/her regular annual... Read More
A poorly trained dog is a nuisance and can even... Read More
Tired of cleaning the cat box? Here are some tips... Read More
You can't imagine the kind of varieties of Goldfish there... Read More
Location of your aquariumSo, you bought your very first fish... Read More
It's important to understand your dog's sleeping habits and how... Read More
Standing and walking on the hind legs are tricks that... Read More
Small dog breeds are great pets, but since their personalities... Read More
Ringworm is an annoying, highly contagious fungal disorder that is... Read More
Hopefully no one is pulling the leash. The ideal situation... Read More
How to Deal With Anxiety in Your DogAnxiety in dogs... Read More
If you have ever tried to take a picture of... Read More
Of all the aggressive behavior in dogs dog bites is... Read More
Cats are becoming increasingly popular as pets these days, and... Read More
Are you irritated by your dog's drooping ears or your... Read More
To the uninitiated horse owner, there are timely facts about... Read More
Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics, because the disease... Read More
Parachromis managuense has a bad reputation, just like many of... Read More
The cat backs up to the door, lifts the tail... Read More
Training your dog to obey commands is an important part... Read More
Without agility, the most muscular person in the world couldn't... Read More
Part 2: Protecting your petIf you own a cat, then... Read More
Making our lives better includes protecting our families, and also... Read More
Most pet owners have become very educated about their pet... Read More
Keeping fish as pets takes more than just feeding them... Read More
A former coworker has a dog that had begun itching... Read More
Bark CollarsMany pet owners become lost as to what to... Read More
For a cat, scratching is a natural, necessary act. Besides... Read More
A well-train dog usually leads a happier and healthier life... Read More
June is Disaster Preparedness for Pets month ? but if... Read More
My dad was an avid animal lover. We grew up... Read More
All positive commands should be spoken sharply and distinctly during... Read More
It was November and I had spent 3 months searching... Read More
Almost all communities in the U.S. require at least one... Read More
Training your dog to "sit" is probably the first thing... Read More
Pet Pet |