| Unfortunately, it is still frighteningly common for people | | | | available in your house and the size that your dog will |
| to buy puppies for Christmas only to attempt to | | | | reach when fully grown. For example, a St Bernard |
| re-home the creature come January. Sadly, after | | | | puppy may seem ideal, but will it still be ideal when it is |
| Christmas is over, the novelty has worn off, as the | | | | an adult? |
| dog is making a mess all over the carpet and behaving | | | | - If you want to become a dog owner, bear in mind |
| in an unruly manner. Of course, it is not that the dog is | | | | that you will need to commit some time to training your |
| bad, it just hasn't been trained correctly. For this reason | | | | dog. As alluded to above, some people get a dog and |
| alone, it is advisable not to welcome a puppy into your | | | | expect it to train itself. If you are not able to spend |
| home during the festive season when, let's face it, life | | | | time teaching your dog to go outside to go to the toilet, |
| is a little hectic anyway. | | | | then you can expect to find puddles on your floor. |
| It is very common for parents to eventually relent and | | | | Training a dog isn't difficult, but it does require a |
| give in to their child's plea to get a puppy. However, | | | | commitment from an owner. |
| before welcoming any animal into your home it is | | | | - Come rain or shine your dog will need to get his, or |
| important that you consider the prospect very | | | | her, exercise. It is easy to forget that owning a dog is |
| seriously. If you're thinking about getting a dog, here are | | | | not all glamour. Even in the wind and rain, your puppy |
| just some of the things that you might like to mull over | | | | will need to be taken for daily walks. Often, dog |
| before making the commitment. | | | | owners find that animals who do not get enough |
| - Before considering getting a dog, it is important for | | | | exercise can display signs of frustration and |
| people to consider the welfare of the animal. Usually, | | | | aggression. |
| dogs dislike being left alone, some more than others, | | | | - Additionally, it is a good idea to think about family |
| so if all members of your family are at work or school | | | | vacations. As a family with a dog, you will need to |
| during the day, your dog could become very anxious. | | | | make a decision between choosing a vacation that |
| Typically, a dog's anxiety will manifest itself in actions | | | | can be enjoyed by your pet, too, and placing him, or |
| that may appear like bad behavior, such as chewing | | | | her, into boarding kennels for the duration of your |
| furniture, making a mess on the carpet and howling. It is | | | | vacation. Some owners find it difficult to leave their |
| not in the dog's best interests to be left home alone all | | | | dog in the care of others and some dogs find it very |
| day. | | | | distressing to be away from their family and home. |
| - Next, you might like to consider the expense of | | | | These are just a few of the things that you should |
| owning a dog. There will need to be numerous visits to | | | | consider before deciding to get a puppy. Of course, |
| the vet, especially when the dog is a puppy, for | | | | many other factors will affect your home and family's |
| vaccinations, spaying, neutering, worming etc. Obviously, | | | | compatibility with dog ownership. Therefore, it is |
| having pet insurance will help to pay some of the bills, | | | | important to carefully consider all that dog ownership |
| but you may find that some procedures are not | | | | can include. It is not advisable to make a rushed |
| covered by insurance. | | | | decision and provide your child with his, or her, |
| - When thinking of getting a puppy, consider the space | | | | Christmas wish if you'll later regret it. |