Are dogs really as hard to take care of as my mom says?I like them because they are always your companian.?

Answer 1

I have one. You have to do the following....every day:

1) Feed him. Once to three times a day, depending on the breed.
2) Be sure he has water available all the time.
3) Take him for a walk (a mile) at least once a day.
4) Let him out at least every 4 hours to relieve himself.
5) Play with him at least a couple times a day (30 minutes).

Weekly:

1) Groom him. Get out knots in his hair. Comb him out.
2) Clip nails if too long.
3) Clean his ears with an ear cleaner and cotton ball.

Can you do that? From the time you get him, for the rest of his life? That's what it takes. Anything less is not fair to the dog.

Answer 2

Having a dog is like having a toddler- except they never grow up.
They must be fed and watered, 2 times a day. Walked 3x or more per day, in rain, in snow, in sleet, no matter how tired or busy you are. Brushed daily. Taken to the vet. Taken to the groomer. Petted. Played with. Nails trimmed, teeth brushed. They can live 15 years or more. Imagine how old you'll be in 15 years, and all the things you might miss taking care of your dog. You can't go away on vacation without a dog sitter. You can't stay out all night if nobody is there to take care of the dog in the morning. And what happens when you go to college? Or move out of the house? Who takes the dog, you or mom? What if mom doesn't want the dog? You can't take it to college with you. I've seen dogs that were 12 years old be sent to the pound because of this. The kid wanted it, they left home, mom didn't want it... Dogs are not disposable. Don't get one unless you want to dedicate yourself to it every single day for the next 15 years or more.

Consider getting a job as a dogwalker, or petsitter, or groomer, etc. if you want to be around dogs. That way you can go home at night and not have that responsibility on your shoulders. And consider getting a pet that requires less work and maybe a shorter lifespan.

Answer 3

Dogs are NOT always easy to take care of, especially if you care for them properly. Pay special attention to what michelob86 and Alyssa J on up the board have to say. Everything they say is absolutely true, and they both bring up some very good points. My wife and I have 2 Siberian Huskies (although we love our dogs and consider them part of the family, I would NOT recommend this breed of dog for the inexperienced dog owner). One of our dogs recently received a 1-inch laceration to her left side, that required a quick trip to the vet, and 6-8 staples to close the wound. As a result, she has to be given antibiotics twice a day, and twice a day we have to put peroxide and neosporin where the staples are. She also has to wear a huge plastic collar (it looks like a lampshade) around her neck for the next 10 days that prevents her from chewing on the staples. This particular trip to the vet cost us $218.00. Fortunately, we have both of our dogs on an insurance plan through PetSmart, so the insurance covered some of the cost. Without the insurance, it would have cost us approximately $400.00. AND, if this would have happened at a time when PetSmart was not open, say late at night or on a Sunday or Monday, when the vet clinic/hospital at PetSmart is closed, we would have had no choice but to take her to an emergency vet. Our vet at PetSmart told us that the same treatment at the emergency vet would have probably cost us about $600-$700. So now, are you ready to deal with all that should something like that happen (hopefully it won't) to your pet? Are you ready for that kind of responsibility at your age? Pets are a big responsibility and a lot of work if you care for them properly. If you do decide to get a dog, do some research on whatever breed you are thinking of getting. That way you will have at least some idea of what you are getting into. Anyone that tells you dogs are easy to take care of (not to mention the expense) is probably not taking care of their dog properly.

Answer 4

Nope, dogs are easy, I have 3 long coated dogs (shelties) and they are hardly any work. Just give them a cup of food a day, keep their water dish full, and let them out and back in.

My dogs (except for our new puppy) are well behaved and I can leave them outside without supervision, when they are done with "buisness" they sit by the back door and wait to come in.

I also brush them once or twice a month, but mostly they keep themselves free of any matting and their coats stay claen and shiny.

Of course they can be annoying too, the smarter the dog the more it will bother you if it isn't getting mental stimulation so you have to work and play with your dog on a regular basis, but that is fun, so who's complaining.

Answer 5

they are difficult - time consuming to take care of - and costly too -
the problem is there are so many bad owners out there who dont look after their dogs - either dont walk it enough or dont take it to obedicence lessons then get mad when the dog is bored and becomes distructive
too many people cheap out on vaccinations, spaying or neutering and this is a HUGE problem

lots of people feed the cheap dog food then wonder why their pet has health problems at age 6 or 7 yrs....


dogs are hard work - they are a labor of love not to be taken lightly - they are a life time commitment

Answer 6

Yes, there is a lot to taking care of a dog. REgular exercise, training, feeding, grooming, ext.

Your mom is right. There is a lot to taking care of a dog. Just like a child. But it can be very rewarding.

Answer 7

Yes dogs take a lot of work, time, responsibility, and money. But in the end you get a great companion. However, in my case I really enjoy all the aspects of taking care of dogs and don't see them as chores.

Answer 8

next time your mom is doing something "generic", chew her. See how she reacts. clarify to her that the reaction she is having is an similar that you've been attempting to chat with the canines, yet that she were given contained in the way. this can help you her understand the position she replaced into incorrect. so a options because the p.c.. rank is going, you'll nonetheless be above the canines and want to have the canines understand this. you've a higher mind and opposable thumbs, so for you to be in a position to confirm out options to reveal your dominance and ability over the canines. If it would not artwork, chew your mom back yet harder this time.

Answer 9

The best kind of dog is a dog from the pound. It takes nothing to take care of but taking it out and jogging it. You'll need to jogg it every now and then and then you defenetly need to walk it.

ANY DOG UNDER TWENTY-FIVE POUNDS IS NOT THE WAY TO GO. MOST ARE QUITE YIPPY AND BARK A LOT.

Answer 10

Noo! Well it depends on the dog usally.. My little dog is simple to take care of.. feed it some food... give it some water.. Show it plenty of love and your done! But you gotta pottytrain it! Thats the hard part.. Good luck:P