Collin and I got a new Australian Shepherd Puppy, Maya, in June. She is absolutely amazing. I miss her when I am away from her, and I am constantly surprised by her intelligence and sparkling personality. Having always wanted a dog, and always been the proud, loving owner of cats (they train themselves what they will do, and god help you trying to make them do anything else!) I have some important pointers for new dog owners like myself.
Ten things every dog owner should remember (and tell themselves OVER and OVER and OVER…)
1) Dogs don’t REASON.
They don’t “know they’re bad,” they don’t have a concept of “fair” and they don’t get revenge. Don’t anthropomorphize your pets. DON’T anthropomorphize your pets. (Do I need to say it again?) If you treat them like children or people with reason and logic, you are not doing them any favors.
2) All Dogs need something to DO.
You can teach your dog to do many amazing things, and you can especially teach your dog manners. If you don’t give your dog something to do it will find something to do, and I guarantee you won’t like it; such as barking, digging, scratching, whining, or chewing; which leads me to #3…
3) Dogs NEED toys.
If you don’t give your dog something to destroy, it will find something to destroy, and I guarantee you won’t like it. And don’t fool yourself; toys are for hiding, throwing around, getting dirty, and tearing up, so don’t get too attached to them.
4) There are no bad dogs.
People make dogs the way they are. With proper training, socialization, and attention, ANY puppy can grow up to be a good dog. Now, some dogs have been ruined by bad owners, but that is simply a tragic case of ruined potential. Your dog can be taught to be calm, obedient, respectful and well-mannered, and if you don’t teach them these things, you are a bad owner with an uneducated dog. Snarling is NOT playful. No one likes to have a dog that is not theirs jump up on them. Socialize, train, and above all, LOVE and LEAD your dog. You are its parent, and its friend, but you are also its teacher and leader. Don’t forget that.
5) Dogs are EXPENSIVE.
Expect to have on hand at MINIMUM $200 at any time for a vet check for something ingested, (or many things expelled. ew.) Spend quite a bit of money on toys of different textures, types and sizes, and other accessories. Don’t skimp on the toys; the more expensive they are, or the more often they change, generally the better they are at distracting your dog from your couch cushions.
6) Dogs need to chew.
I can’t emphasize enough how valuable it is having many, many (MANY) items around that are okay for your dog to chew. It strengthens their jaws, straightens and cleans their teeth, and again, distracts them from your couch cushions. If your dog chews on something you cared about, put yourself in timeout.
7) Your dog WILL destroy at LEAST one thing you care about.
If your dog has unsupervised access to your valuables, it’s your fault. The dog has no idea what an item costs, or how much it means to you. In fact, the more it means to you, the more it probably SMELLS like you.
8) All dogs go through really annoying phases.
Yes, ALL dogs. They are like humans, with an adolescent period when they are going to act like little, awkward, annoying turds, and you just have to deal with it, because after that rite of passage, you will have earned the right to a rewarding, long time relationship with a wonderful friend.
9) Dogs need attention.
If you don’t have time to spend with your dog, you don’t want a dog. It will get your attention one way or the other, and I guarantee you won’t like it.
10) Dogs need exercise.
If you don’t have time to exercise your dog every day, you don’t want a dog. I don’t care how “mellow” or “low energy” your dog is, if you lived in the house all the time, or a kennel, crate, or backyard, a walk would be the highlight of your life too. Don’t fool yourself into thinking your dog will exercise itself, because all you will end up with is a wound up, cabin feverish, disobedient, unhappy animal.