I hear from many friends when they are considering adding a four legged child to their homes or after they have started the wonderful journey. I was thinking when I was out for a walk with my two (Seamus is into his 7th month with lymphoma and is still kicking the cancer!)
I thought I would put a list together of recommendations.
1. Do your initial research. Look into the breed, size and characteristics that work for you AND your family and living situation. Are they good with children? How much shedding? Are they typically easy to train? Do you want to run/hike or put them in your purse? If you travel a lot with your pet, you may want to keep the dog under 50 or 25 pounds. Are you going to adopt (this is still a cost) or get a puppy from a breeder. RESEARCH THE BREEDER.
2. Determine where the dog is going to be when you are not able to watch it. I advocate crate training. You may want two crates. One for the bedroom and one for the main living area. I could put more but this link is excellent: http://www.inch.com/~dogs/cratetraining.html
3. Equipment suggested beyond the crate: Collar, standard leash, expandable leash with pack for holding treats/poop bags, bells for the door for potty training, brush for the breed (there are a difference), bowls, food (get the same type the foster family or breeder is using and then switch off), crate (I recommend getting one the size you are going to need when the dog is an adult), toys that are durable (kongs, rope toys, hardened bones), a pet gate for the back of an SUV.
4. Find a trainer. I have done both puppy group classes and private lessons. There are points to both. In the long run, I recommend a combination of both. Socializing a puppy with other dogs of all sizes is important as well as with children. However, I don't recommend sending the dog away for training. Part of who is being trained is YOU. Whatever method you choose, the most important thing is doing the homework. Work with your dog in 10-20 minute periods every day. I can recommend both Tom Dwyer in Brookline, NH or Christine Hillard in New Milford, CT.
5. Get to know your vet. Ask for recommendations from your friends that truly care for their animals. Beyond this, know where the closest ER is for your dog and do a dry run. There are no ambulances for dogs. You may have to drive there in the dead of night with one eye on an ailing pet and one on the road.
6. Pet Insurance. I HIGHLY recommend this. You have no idea what your blessed addition will develop or get into. Believe me. My rescue... developed positive heartworm, has eaten human medication requiring hospitalization, and now cancer. He has cost me thousands in care that would have been covered if I had invested in this earlier. This is especially important for puppies. I personally have had a great experience with ASPCA pet insurance. The important thing to talk to the insurance people about is existing conditions or prior conditions.
7. Walking your dog. As a small puppy you can't walk them too far. You want to be careful about their development. However, I think that walking your dog as often as possible is a key thing to having an awesome dog. They are exercised, socialized, and mentally stimulated. Beyond this, it is an excellent bonding experience.
8. Tags and ID. Check with your local community about licenses. Get a personalized tag for their collar. Pet's name, contact info. (cell number so if you are traveling), and the word REWARD. I also advocate chipping your dog. At least, you have a chance of getting your dog back if they wind up in a shelter. (Many will kill within a week.. especially in the South)
9. Food and Treats. Okay, I am a snob. Do me a favor. Read the package. Shopping for your dog food in supermarkets is like feeding at McDonalds every day. Don't do it. I am a fan of the Old Mother Hubbard brands and Canidade food lines. The food should be made in the USA and the fewer ingredients the better. The same is true with treats. The best treat is ice. They chew it and no calories. I am also a fan of putting peanut butter in the kongs and freezing them. Carrots and beans are also a great treat.
10. Figure out what you are going to do when you need to be separated from your dog. This is true if you go to work every day and for vacations. It is important to find someone to switch off with for pet sitting, a doggie day care, or a pet walking service. Great resources may be neighbors, teenagers, or others in your puppy class.
Finally have FUN! Being a parent to my dogs both living and over the rainbow bridge has been the most rewarding experience! They really add so much to our lives. I saw a bumper sticker yesterday " Who Rescued Who?" I smiled.
List of My Favorite Pet Resources:
Pet Insurance -www.ASPCApetinsurance.com
Training - www.gentlepersuasions.com
Grooming - www.amuddypaw.com
Pet Containment / Fencing - www.caninefence.com
Food & Treats -www.oldmotherhubbard.com
Food & Treats -http://www.canidae.com/dogs/all_life_stages/dry.html
German Short Hair Pointers & Training -www.2manydogs.net
Collars & Leashes - http://www.upcountryinc.com/
Fiona's breeder - www.k9goldens.com/
Brittany Rescue - www.americanbrittanyrescue.com
Brittany Rescue - www.nebrittanyrescue.org/
