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Writer's pictureVictoria Dog Obedience Training

Before you have a dog…

Choosing the right breed of dog is crucial to ensuring a harmonious and fulfilling relationship with your pet. It is important to consider factors such as size, energy level, exercise needs, and temperament when selecting a breed that aligns with your lifestyle. By making an informed decision and choosing a breed that suits your abilities and living situation, you can help prevent potential issues and provide the best possible care for your dog.


Behavioral issues in dogs often stem from miscommunication or a mismatch of needs between the owner and the dog. It is crucial for dog owners to educate themselves about their chosen breed's specific needs and behaviors, as well as invest time and effort into proper training and socialization. Understanding and meeting a dog's physical and mental stimulation requirements can help prevent behavioral problems and create a stronger bond between the owner and their pet. It is important for owners to take responsibility for their dog's well-being and seek professional guidance if needed.


Patience is indeed key when it comes to training and behavior modification in dogs. It is unrealistic to expect immediate results, as dogs require consistent practice and repetition to learn and improve. Regular training sessions, along with patience, perseverance, and positive reinforcement, can yield positive outcomes over time. Rushing the process or expecting quick fixes can lead to frustration and hinder the dog's progress. It is important to commit to regular and ongoing training to see visible improvements in a dog's behavior.


It would help if you thought about the following things before you buy a dog:


· Dogs are living approx. 15 years +/- 3 years

🟡 It depends on the size, the breed, lifestyle

🟡 Dogs are for the long term, not short term

· Can you afford it?

vaccinations

medications

yearly check-up

equipment (toy, bed, lead..etc.)

food

insurance

· Are you living in the flat or the house?

🟡 some breeds are not suitable in flat because they have too much energy or their size is not ideal for a flat

· How many people living together – do you have a younger child(ren)?

🟡 While many dog breeds are generally known to be good with children, it is important to consider the individual temperament of each dog. Some breeds may have certain traits or tendencies that may not make them the best fit for households with children. Proper training and socialization can play a significant role, but it is crucial to research and understand a breed's typical temperament before bringing a dog into a household with children. It is always recommended to consult with experts or breed-specific organizations to ensure the compatibility of a particular breed with children.

· How is your lifestyle? Are you an active or comfy person?

🟡 It is essential to consider a dog's activity level and exercise requirements before choosing a breed. Dogs such as Labradors and Hungarian Vizslas are known for their high energy levels and need regular mental and physical stimulation. Simply having a garden is not enough to meet their exercise needs, and neglecting to provide adequate exercise can lead to behavioral problems and dissatisfaction for both the dog and the owner. It is important to ensure that you can commit to providing the necessary exercise and stimulation before bringing a dog with high activity needs into your home.

· How are your working hours?

🟡 Some breeds are happy to be alone for long, but some of them need more contact with human or more exercise.

· Are you ready for the mess?

🟡 Puppies make a mess. That’s the truth, all of the puppies. They need time to learn the boundaries and toilet training, and it takes more than 2-3 weeks. The first year is the most challenging period when you have a dog, and it will be easier later. Dog training never-ending. It would be best to practice with your dog frequently to make sure it won’t forget the learnt knowledge. Be patient with your dog! Every dog is unique; they need variable time to learn.

· Check the information of the breeds

◼️ if you have breed(s) what you like, check first the following things about it(s):

🟡 temperament, size, daily exercise time, grooming,

🟡 Previous experience needed or not – some breeds are not suitable for first-time dog owners. If you don’t have experience and would like to choose one of them, make sure you will have help from a trainer for a start; otherwise, you will have a hard time with your dog.

🟡 Health issues – all dog has breed-specific medical problems; some of them cost a lot to treat. Check them before, we hope you will be lucky, and your dog won’t have any of those problems, but you need to be ready because it can happen with any dog. – it depends on lifestyle as well, but sometimes you can do everything correctly; however, your dog will have a problem.

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