New Family Member

Your new family member

A dog will do his best to please you and keep you smiling.

He will curl up with you when you are feeling down or need some serious relaxation.

He won’t hold your mistakes against you or prejudge you for your looks, faults or lack of know-how.

He’ll be your unconditional friend and will play ball with you as long as you wish.

He’ll forgive you for all your mistakes, never holding them against you later.

Sleeping at your feet and loving to please you, he will enjoy just spending time with you.

He’ll do his best to protect you, because you will be his master.

However, a dog also relies on you for everything—from his food, water, shelter, leadership, exercise, grooming, to his training, veterinary care, companionship and protection.

Know what you are getting into.

Are you prepared to spend the next 10-15 years of your life taking care of your dog? That is about how long your dog will live.

Can you afford the added expense of a dog? When you get a dog, it is a life-long commitment, and should not be treated like a piece of furniture that you can just “get rid of” when you get tired of it. After all, this dog will be part of your family. Would you get rid of your children because you were tired of them wetting their beds?

Are you prepared to accept the fact that dogs are not little humans and invest some time into learning how to properly treat your dog in order to keep him or her balanced?

Before you bring a dog into your home think long and hard.

Are you prepared for the responsibility?

Do you understand natural dog behaviour?

Do you understand what makes a dog tick and what it instinctually needs as a canine animal?

Are you willing to invest the time it takes?

A dog’s temperament is a direct result of the owner’s ability to understand him and give him what he instinctually needs as a canine animal.

The decision to get a dog needs to be carefully thought out.

Do you honestly have the time to take care of a dog?

Are you prepared to walk it every day?

Are you prepared to show the dog consistent leadership, putting your emotions aside and seeing it as a canine? Are you prepared to train it?

Some people think a dog is a dog. I hear them say they don’t care what breed of dog they get. Honestly think about it and do your homework. Think about your family as it is right now, and how it will be in the future. You will wonder once you have bonded how on earth you lived before??

Enjoy your best friend