Dog Owners Manual
By:Gabrielle Samuels
Breeds
1. Sporting
2.Miscellaneous
3.Working
4.Hound
5. Terrier
6. Herding
7. Toy
8.Non-Sporting
Some things that'll help you, at least, narrow down you search to one or two groups would to ask yourself:
- Are you an active person?
- Do you just want a lap dog?
- Are one of your activites hunting?
- Do you have other pets?
- Do you live with another person?
- Do you have children?
- Do you live in an apartment or a house?
- Do you want a tiny dog or a giant one?
**The link provided will help with narrowing down specific breeds that are compatable to you envionment**
The link that was provided helps with what's compatable with you and they way your enviornment is, but remember that when you find your dog, with a little work, then it'll work out in the end
Some helpful info that'll Assist You!
Reproduction
If your dog is going to be a new mommy, then here's a few tips:
- Get a little area ready for the babies and birthing proccess. After a while the mother will stay in that area for quite some time so make sure it's comfutable!
- You need to make the dicition if you want to keep the puppies or sell them. If selling is chosen choose how much or if you're just going to give them away
- Get the supplies need to begin feeding these pups. You'll also need to collars to remember who's who
- HELP! if it's your frst time doing this, then get the guidence of a freind who has or you local vet
If you don't worry so much then alot of things will go smoothly and you'll have a few more people in your family
Trick or treat you dog
Some quick things that might help with a new dog is that, yes, treats can work wonders, but if you buy a clicker from an animal store, it'll have better resuilts then giving your new pet a treat every time they obey. And if you're not willing to pay for a clicker that you might use only once, then use a pen that would make the "clicking" noise.Patience is key
Another helpful tip is to STAY PATIENT, even though that sounds easy now, it wont be so easy to stay calm when you're teaching your dog how to fetch for the past hour or two and they dont fetch, instead they stay or get the stick and walks away with it. There are many hours of the day do you might want to pace out everything in order for you to teach your dog the ways of a trained pet. A great sugestion is to train you pet for about an hour and then let them rest or go about their usual buisness and comence with the training after awhile; it all works out in the end.
Dicaplen
If your dog is bitting then treat them like a child, put them in the corner or outside untill you feel as though they've learned their lesson. Another technique to use with a misbehaving animal is to put you pointing finger and middle finger together and tell them in a firm voice "no, no" and if they don't lisgen then pat them on their nose and they'll learn not to misbehave. You also have to be dicaplened not to run to their side and say sorry when they wimper after you say no. Just remember it's for everyones benafit if your dog is trained and knows it's bad to tackle the elderly women from across the road or to bite the toddler next door.
PATCIENCE IS KEY!!!!
Feeding, Exercise and Training!
Food
The food you feed your new pet all depends on its current conditions, age and even its breed. For example, if you just got a puppy that has a tendency to fall over when it eats and it's a greyhound(from the hound group) then you'll need a dry puppy food that has a formula that's high in protien and maybe even meat. Here are a few questions to think of when you're chooing the right food for your best friend:- What's their age, are they a puppy, adult, or senor?
- Can their stomach digest dry food or the ones that come from a can?
- What group do they land in?
Exercise
Of course exercise is important, but with some breeds it's more of a fun time and others it's what the doctor ordered. Some dogs, like the dalmation or the D\doberman pinscher, love to go out for a long run or go for a nice hike but then again there are dogs that are prone to obesity and even breathing problems, who are also couch potatoes like the pug. So with couch potatoes it'll take a little more work to get them up for a run then those that are more active, but luckly they are dogs that can be both like the french bulldog.
Your exercise methods don't need to be insane like making them hike a mountain every other day, but not so little like walking around the house. Just going out for a quick 5 minute run every day works just as well as running a marathon every monday. You need to remember, though, that work out timme can also be play time. Walking to the near by park and throwing a toy around is a good option as well.
Training
Depending on what type of dog you have it'll be easy for you to train your new pet the basics and the more advanced moves. The main thing is to be persistant and patcient with them. They have to learn how to be obedient and not so stubborn. You also have to pace them and not rush into teaching them how to sit then the next day try to teach them how to play dead, just pace things out and you'll be fine.
Grooming and Care
Now, with a short haired dog, things won't be so expensive and time consumin, but non of the less should require the same amount of attention. You should still brush their coat constantly, at least once every week, in order to brush out their under coat. They still need to be bathed and they still need a spa day ever so often.
Another thing is if and when you take your dog to the spa, then they're able o have some fun by getting their nails clipped and painted, teeth brushed and (only for long haired) get their hair done with curls and bows.
Common Health Problems
LARGE DOGS:
- Hip Dysplasia- this is one of the most common health problems that comes from owning a large dog. There is, unfortunatly, no actual correct treatment that could compleatly help your larger than life dog, but you could go through surgery or just watch their eating habits and excersie regerments. If they eat healthy and hardy and don't exceed their normal body weight then there won't be alot of weight put on their hips, therefore lifting away some of their pain ( and for now on, don't really touch them there).
- Bloating- This is a very uncomfortable condition that happens because of their diet. It can result from eating alot more than usual or even exercising right after eating. This can be trated through surgery, but as soon as you find out your dog is bloating or as soon as you suspect they might be bloating, get them to the hospital because the sooner the better the resuilts will be after the surgery.
- Cataract- This is a common eye problem with larger breeds that can be the resuilt from a poor diet, trauma to the head, diabetes or it can even be through their genetics. If you see a blueish discoloration or ulceration then go to the hospital for help.
- Heart Problem- Heart problem with dogs happen frequently with larger breeds. If your dog ever becomes limp of unconcheous then take them outside for fresh air. This can help because there might be a blockage with their blood flow to their heart and the freash air will help greatly. You just need to make sure their drinking water is always fresh and their diet dosen't consist of treats, bacon and whatever you drop while cooking.
- Ear infections- The signes of an ear infection can be if you dog os constantly messing with their ears and/or if there's a strange smell coming from you dog that you're not use to. If these are happening consult a veterinarian and they'll help find out the problem and the solutions. You are able to prevent ear infection if your're always cleaning you dogs ears.
SMALL DOGS:
- Skin Problems- This can be trigered by a specific food or allergins through touch, taste or inhailing these things( it can also be trigered by a bite from a flea). The most obviouse thing is to constantly clean and brush you dogs hair and making sure you either use a flea collar or flea shampoo to keep their skin and hair healthy. Also talking to your veterinarian about allergies will help you know what to keep you pet away from.
- Teeth Problems- As smaller dogs begin to age, they are of higher risk of tooth decay or teeth infectionis. Brushing their teeth and giving them hearty food will help them keep their teeth shiney and in tip top shape.
- Hypoglycemia- This is a condition that means your pet has low blood glucose(sugar) and is in dire need of it. Some sympthomes includes glassy eyes, limpness/rigidness and stagering gait. The cost of not treating this is not a good one, which includes segures and even death. If you suspect you dog might have this then you need to get sugar in their mouth and head to the hospital. Once it's been identified and treated some things you can do is change their feeding schedual and being careful about the ingrediants in their food.
- Urinary Problems- If they're having urinary problems then it might because of their enviorment(it could be making them uncomfortable), but it could also be a chance that they have a bladder stone. Take you dog to the vet to make sure it's only because they feel uncomfurtable in their envionment instead of the bladder stones.
****TAKING YOU PET TO THE VET REGULARLY WILL HELP DETECT ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS AHEAD OF TIME!****