Getting a dog: what you should know
29th of june we are getting a golden retriever puppy. I'm very excited and so happy to have a new life in the family.
Choosing a dog is difficult. Our previous dog was also a golden retriever. We choose the same dog again. Why? Because goldens are really great. They are smart, kind, funny, gorgeous and a typical family dog that's good with kids. They also train quickly if you put effort in them.
First of all. Why choose to buy a dog if you can adopt? Well first of all, i would also adopt a dog later in my life. But i live with my parents and we all had to agree on buying ( we did adopt in the past and that wasn't a good experience) but when i live alone i will most definitely adopt one also. THere's nothing wrong with buying, if you buy a dog from a good human being and not from a animal abuser. You have to choose with your brains and your heart. If you don't think you can handle caring for a dog you should not buy one. If you plan to go on vacation and don't want to spend money on an caretaker / dogpension for the dog, then don't buy or adopt one. YOU DON'T EVER TIE YOUR ANIMAL TO A TREE (or something else) and leave it there forever, Comprendo?
What do you do when you get a puppy?
1. Go to the family that sells puppies. Ask important stuff (vaccination, family tree, health, age (when can it leave the mother),) In my case the puppy lives with his sibblings and parents.
2. If you can pick it up, bring a TOWEL or someting. This may sound weird but put the blanket on the mother dog and rub it against them for a few minutes. The towel will smell like the mother and the first nights will be easier for the pup.
3. Bring another towel for you car. Puppies do pee.... especially when they are under stress. I'm planning to take the puppy on my lap but i don't want a wet pants so i'm going to put myself under the blankets.
4. If you come home, put the puppy on the place where you want it to sleep. In my case it's his 'basket' ( that's really to big. A grown up man can sleep in it). Put the blanket of it's mother in there and the puppy.
5. Leave the puppy be for a half hour or as much as it wants. He/she is coming in a total new home without his family. He/she has to go on an adventure trough your house.
6. Give it a treat (dog treat) when it comes to you. It will link you with food. No it's not going to eat you but it will see you and think positive ( My pack leader has food!)
7. A dog is not yet trained to pee outside. This is not so difficult if you have a smart dog to train. But still, there's going to be a lot of pee and stuff inside your house. Sorry. Everytime you wake up the first thing you should do is put the puppy outside. Do this after his dinner/drink, when you come home. As much as you can. If it pees on the place you want you can give it a treat or say: GOOD JOB. Or something. If the dog pees inside NEVER PUNISH IT. A puppy doesn't know good or wrong yet. Don't make it afraid of you.
8. The first night the puppy sleeps alone or is alone at home it will make a lot of noise. But don't give in. It will go over. My dog will sleep downstairs, alone (with some birds but still). If you give in to his sadness he will never learn to be alone. You can do it in steps. If you go to work whole day, you can go outside for a moment and learn the dog you will come back. Do this a few times and make it longer and longer. He will learn that you come back. Everytime (hopefully).
9. Also, put your shoes away.
Well, hope you learned something about my list (it's experience so if i say something that isn't correct, please do say )
Other things you should keep in mind if you get a dog is the practical aspect.
Do you have time to walk everyday with your dog?
Do you want to spend a lot of money to him/her? (yes, animals are expensieve, but they are totally worth it!)
Have you got place for your dog?
Wich dog you want? A little one, a big one? With character traits you want?
Hope you find your pet!
Greetings
Namitjuh
