Dog Health Questions: PREPARING TO GET A DOG?

Hello. I am preparing to get a dog. Should I practice with a stuffed animal before I go out and retrieve my new companion as a certain Yahoo Answers contributor has advised me to do several times? Or would reading up on dog training, general aspects of dogs, what to except, how to be a good owner, etc be a better road to go down in oder to prepare for my new pet? Thanks.

Dog Training Tricks - What Is The Best Dog Training Trick?

Recommended Answer:
yes read a book. Why would a stuffed animal help at all???

Top Dog Training Tips

• The first thing i would do is figure out what type of dog you would want to get a purebred or a mutt? The next step is to read up on that type of breed, like what they need for exercise, bathing, temperament, and more. Once you have those two things done look into maybe finding some classes you would be able to take your new companion with you to do basic training. Once you get the basics down all it is from there is to keep up with training and maybe try doing new things. Only you know if you will be a good owner. as long as you don't beat or neglect your dog then you are a great owner to them. I have two dogs that I rescued from the SPCA and I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world and no one taught me except for the basics. Both my dogs can walk without a leash, stay by my side, listen to commands the first time, protect my daughter and my self, and they love each other. No one can teach you that, you either have love for them or you don't. To see breed types this site below is a good site for learning information on all breeds.Also on the right side of the screen there are tips with dog training. Good luck and I'm sure you will do fine and love whatever kind of dog you get.


• Hey i agree that you are not ready for a dog .....yet.You should pick out a small dog breed one that is big enough you will not step on it and small enough that it will be easy to take care of. after that you need to do a lot of research on that dogs behavior and all that stuff.Next you should visit friends and families dogs maybe volunteer to watch the dog for a week.If you can handle interacting with the dog constantly,always feeding it,and cleaning up after that you should start the process of getting your dog.Look at local shelters and other places for your dog breed and pick one that is about 3yr old and is potty trained.


• The perfect way to prepare is to volunteer at a local shelter 1-2 times. It gets you closely interacting with them while your doing a morally great thing. Also read the dog books. it works.


• C._ All of the above.
  
  Practice with the stuffed animal, NOT A BATTERY ONE REMEMBER, just to be sure you don't release the rage on it like you do on most of your {((pointless))} questions.


• It's good to read about the dogs first and than training them lol


• do ur research
  thx for the points