What are the most important things you need to know about having a dog?

Question

I think I know it, but I just want to check.... thanks

Answer 1

the most important thing to remember is that violence teaches violence and mistrust, and love teaches love.
Other than that, your dog needs your commitment to supplying GOOD nutrition, good guidance and training, good health maintenance, good grooming, and most importantly LOTS of love..
If you really love your dog, then all the rest will come naturally.

Answer 2

Patience, self-discipline, forgiving and commitment. You need to have enough patience to fully train your puppy as it grows into an adult. It will make mistakes, which is where being forgiving also comes into play. Your dog will get over a scolding very quickly, often times quicker than you can forgive the incident.

You need self-discipline in order to take the time everyday to train and play with your dog. You need to take it for walks, teach new words, play games, feeding, etc everyday, not just when you feel like it.

And commitment - you have to be in it for the long haul. It's not fair to the dog if you give up on it after a week, a month, or a year. Plan on keeping your dog up to 15 years.

Answer 3

You need to have love, time and money. The first two are obvious, but many people forget about the cost of having a dog. For the first year, there are many vaccines and vet visits. Fecal checks, spay or neuter costs, maybe even bloodwork. There's also casts of deworming, flea preventative and heartworm preventative (which both of these are either year round or seasonal purchases). There might be an emergency the first year (puppies not only can and will get sick, but the get into things they aren't suppose to!). There's the cost of licensing/tags, leash, collar, harness or such, grooming tools, groomer fees, dishes, toys, treats, food (a good quality will keep the dog healthier), training, maybe a bed and/or crate, etc.. You should know the characteristics of the breed you are getting so you know what to expect. You need to know that they need to see a vet if they are ill, you need to know that they rely on you solely for their food and water and training. They should not be hit or yelled at. When in doubt, ask the vet. If you love and care for your dog, you will get unconditional love back - never will they yell at you or hit you. They will love you if you forget to pat them on the head or tell them good-bye. They'll still love you after you have them spayed or neutered or even groomed and shaved down to nothing. They'll love you after you make them get their vaccines and when you don't give them a bite of your steak.

Answer 4

I'm an animal lover; I have two large dogs and four cats. The one thing I cannot stress enough is that ANIMALS COST MONEY. Being a responsible pet owner requires that you have the money to provide whatever your pet requires, including food, shelter and visits to the vet.

If you know that you wont be able to afford an emergency surgery or illness then a dog is not for you. Get a hamster instead.

Answer 5

Knowing how to care for the dog inlcuding what foods are appropriate, training for good manners and housebreaking, and when to take your dog to the vet for shots, worming, preventative meds and checkups. The most important thing to know is how to love your dog enough to make sure it is healthy.

Answer 6

TIME is the most important. Spend every minute you can with him or her. And if you want an old Indian trick passed down to me by my grandpa that works, when you get a puppy, open his mouth and spit a good wad of your spit in his mouth. He will be totally devoted to you. I raised wolves for many years, my personal companions were very devoted to me as the alpha. Only do it once, he will remember you as his family.(of course, I argued grandpa if anyone held me down and spit in my mouth I wouldnt forget them either) too bad that trick dont work on husbands.

Answer 7

By far the most important thing to know is YOU, and if you have the ability to care for, love, train, feed, shelter, and nurture him/her.

Answer 8

that they are a commitment for at least 10 years! They need love, food and exercise every single day for their whole lives.

Answer 9

well you need to care,love and comfert it walks are important feeding and watering you know the basics

Answer 10

read up on the dogs SPECIFIC breed,potential problems,hyperactivity,time running each day...etc...good luck