Is it hard taking care of a dog?

Question

My family wants to get a dog but we don't know what we need to do besides feed it!

Answer 1

Feeding a high quality food (you will not find this at a grocery store), exercise, walking them based on energy level and age, socializing them to as many different people/places/ things as possible, training, training costs, hair shedding on furniture, grooming daily , paying a groomer for some breeds, barking at things or for attention, barking when you want to sleep chewing up things, cost of replacing chewed up things, cleaning up after them, vet care, vet costs, emergency unplanned vet fees, boarding if your out of town, taking them out to potty numerous times a day even more so with pups, potty training, cleaning up when you allow them to make a mistake, being right on top of them 24/7 when they are not crated (until the earn your trust), having to be consistint and creative and never using brute force or smacking to discipline, additonal costs like brushes, shampoos, collars, leashes, crates, toys, researching to understand their behavior, creating and keeping a feeding/potty schedule, being prepared for a 10yr+ commitment, being there for them with love and affection so the dog knows it can rely on you.....Oh yea, patience....no more than a human baby.

Can be time intensive especially with a puppy but will result in a wonderful friendship for life.

Answer 2

If you don't know what to do other than feed it you need an education. Define hard! I love dogs, I understand they are a lot of work and a life long commitment. But since having a dog is such a pleasure to me nothing seems hard about it.

If I were you I'd start doing google searches on dog training and basic dog care so you at least have an idea if it sounds hard to you. If that all sounds like something you could do then decide what you want in a dog. Size, temperament, grooming needs, exercise and energy levels that fit comfortably into your lifestyle. When you have a clear idea on that, DO start researching breeds that fit into those needs. There will be differences within breeds that you should be aware of. A dog that's been bred to herd might want to herd you, or the children, or other animals...know the general breed behavior so you better understand the dog.

Happy hunting :)

EDIT:
What I was trying to convey is that some things, no matter how hard they may be don't feel hard if it's something you really enjoy or derive pleasure from. Good grief...

Answer 3

Learning how to take care of a dog, train a dog, feed a dog, respond to a dog can be hard. But once you have the knowledge and can put it to use. It is not hard to take care of a dog.
If you buy a dog and don't take the time to research and learn, then it is going to be hell taking care of the dog. But if you approach the whole thing with knowledge and educate yourself on your breed and everything necessary to properly raise and care for a dog.. You are far ahead of the game, and most people.

Honestly. Because you are even asking this, I think it's likely that you would be a good dog owner. Most people buy a dog spurr of the moment and then learn ( MAYBE ) as they go along. If you get your dog after educating yourself.. You will do much better than the average owner.

Answer 4

Once you've got your dog, the best thing you can do is take it to a vet for a checkup and guidance on care. This is also a good way to start building a good relationship with your local vet so you know who's there to turn to if you have questions.

Aside from feeding and daily exercise, dogs also need to be neutered at around 5-6 months of age - this is very important to protect their future health, it stops them from getting certain cancers and other health problems when older.

You also need to vaccinate the dog and treat it regularly (monthly) against fleas and worms. Again, this is something your vet can help you with.

Proper training and socialisation is very important with any dogs. You can enrol in puppy/dog training classes - you and your dog need to learn how to communicate in ways you both understand, so you both know your place in the relationship. The dog will also need socialisation with people as well as other dogs and animals, and children, in order to become a good member of society!

Good luck, hope you find a great dog that lives a long and happy life with you.

Chalice

Answer 5

Owning a dog requires a lot of time and patience, but it's also very rewarding. Besides feeding it, you need to be willing to exercise it regularly, groom and/or bathe it, play with it, take it to the vet, and train it to obey at least some commands such as sit, stay, and come. If you get a puppy, you will also need to house train it. This can take a few months and it probably will have some accidents in the house no matter what. Even if you get a dog that's already house trained, someone in the family will probably need to be able to come home during the day to let it out or walk it. Dogs that are bored or don't get enough exercise often develop behavior problems such as chewing things around the house, barking too much, or eating things that they shouldn't. I also recommend spaying or neutering your dog--this will make it less likely to stray, reduce its chances for some health problems, and avoid the possibility of surprise puppies (there are already more unwanted dogs than the shelters can hold--no need to add to them!)

If you are willing to commit to all this, however, I think you will find your dog to be a very loving and amusing companion. For me, the benefits are worth it!

Read more about what's involved in owning a dog here: http://www.akc.org/public_education/responsible_dog_owner.cfm

Find dogs for adoption in shelters near you here: http://www.petfinder.com/adopt.html

Shelters often have dogs that are already house trained and past the teething stage (though some dogs are just lifelong chewers and will need chew toys).

Read about different breeds here: http://www.akc.org/breeds/index.cfm?nav_area=breeds

Answer 6

If your not at home at least 3/4 of the day then you shouldnt get a dog. You need time commitment. You need to buy allot of stuff for your dog like
• Bed
• Kennel
• Food
• Water
• Toys
• Vaccines
• Collars
• Tags
• Shampoo
• Brushes and a whole other stuff.
Don't consider getting a dog a real drag and like you will be miserable and cleaning ALL THE TIME. Think of it as a good thing. You wont be its maid. You might just clean up a few here and there. But you need to bathe it water it feed it brush it and cuddle with it. Small dogs make smaller messes. Big dogs make bigger messes. Smaller dogs need less food less water smaller things. If you get a dog you will have good memories and you will have ALLOT of fun.

Answer 7

Taking care of a dog is not hard, but it is time consuming and a commitment of anywhere from 10 to 20 yrs depending on the breed and the age of the dog when you get it. Also, owning a dog can be expensive. You must commit to regular yearly check ups and vaccinations plus any medical issues that come up in between must be dealt with. The time commitment is the biggest - you must walk your dog every single day - 45 min to an hour. You must commit to training him so that he is well socialized and so that he does not become a nuisance to other animals or people. Its like raising a child. You can't just decide you don't feel like dealing with it one day and leave it to fend for itself - it cannot. It depends entirely on you for its food, water, health, safety, companionship, discipline, love and just about anything else you can think of. Now - is it worth all that?? You bet it is!

Answer 8

go to dog shows, look at the breeds, get to know them very well bfore deciding. Talk to people about the different kinds, what maintence is needed for a specific dog. They can be expensive, you need to learn about crate training so they don't destroy the house and yard...make sure you know the laws about what kinds you can have where you live (apts sometimes have size restrictions, insurance companies drop you for certain dog breeds, etc.) Good luck, if you can raise a kid a dog is easy! Get a couple of dog books, dogs for dummies is a good starter (no you are not a dummie, just the name of the book...) not all dogs need a daily walk, yard exercise is fine for some, this isn't that hard and realize that many of us are not home 80% of the time, running errands, working, etc. and the dogs are just fine, healthy, happy critters...

Answer 9

I wouldn't say it's hard...but it takes lots of time. There's much more to owning a dog than feeding it. There are also necessary expenses such as veterinary care and grooming. You will need to be able to dedicate time and love to a dog. If this is too much for your family, I would suggest looking at getting a different pet.

Answer 10

Good for you for asking instead of just getting one & not knowing what to do! The question you ask is debatable. I have been an animal rescuer for over 30 years. To me, it is not hard at all to take care of them since they can not do it for themselves.

To care for a dog, depending on whether you get a puppy or an older dog, a puppy is alot of work. The puppy has to be house trained not to go potty in the house, the puppy will need lots of toys to chew on & be trained that it can only chew on it's toys & not people shoes & stuff. It has to have it's shots & be spayed or neutered so as not to have puppies no one wants (there are PLENTY of those!) Puppies need lots of attention & love. They are like children. They will keep you up at night for about 2 weeks til it learns to sleep through the night.

Go to a shelter to find a dog. There are plenty there that need & deserve good homes. There are alot of sites you can go to to learn more about how to care for a dog. aspca.com, hsus.com, petplace.com, akc.com. Those are just a few sites. Go to these sites, look up breeds of dogs & how to care for them.

Good luck. A dog is a big responsibility. They deserve a good loving caring home. Thank you for trying to become a responsible pet parent! It is those that do not ask questions that are the bad pet parents. I think you will do just fine with a dog once you learn how to take care of one!

Oh and if you go to a shelter, some of them have classes on how to care for a dog too!