It can be an exciting and exhilarating time to receive a puppy or dog during Christmas.  Although it can be a great experience to own a dog as a companion, it also comes with responsibilities and necessities to form a long-lasting bond.

The following is a general spectrum of requirements of owning a dog and enjoying its companionship.

First off, deciding on the sex, size, and the breed of the dog can be a little adventurous and interesting.  Some typical questions such as how much does it shed, how big does it get, and how hard is it to maintain are generally asked among others.

One of the most important factors in giving or receiving a dog is indeed making time to spend with him or her.  Also, one has to be sure it fits his or her lifestyle.  Also, being patient during the adjustment period of a puppy or dog arriving into a new environment is vital.

Such things as making sure that the home and/or property is safe and secure for the puppy/dog is important as well.  For example, providing a crate and/or fenced property would not only make it safer but also easier to watch over the dog/puppy.  Also, especially during Christmas, one must make sure that there are no goodies such as chocolate (very toxic to a dog) that can be easily accessible. 

For identification purposes, a dog can carry a city and name tag in case it does get lost.  Microchipping is also used as a form of identification when a lost dog is found.

Another important responsibility in owning a dog is to have it groomed on regular basis as well as having it checked by your local veterinary.   Also, making sure that a well-balanced meal is given to the dog each time it’s being fed.  A good source of dry kibble with a bit of rice (starting slow with a small ratio) and vegetable juice (no garlic or onion) drizzled on top of the meal could be very appetizing for a dog.  Only COOKED MEAT, and no RAW MEAT, can also be used in the diet within moderation.

The importance of neutering and spaying a dog is also common when it is of an appropriate age to do so.

Dog obedience training is also very important in that it helps build a growing bond between the owner and the dog.  Having one’s dog obedience trained has many benefits.  For one, it builds a strong bond between the dog and owner.  Dog training not only increases the confidence and sets the boundaries of the dog, but it also gives it a job to do.  In other words, a dog that does nothing and sits there equals to boredom which leads to barking, chewing, jumping, digging, and may I say more? 

There are many dog trainers that use different methods.

The methods we use are proven to work only if one is consistent and patient with the dog obedience training.  We don’t use treats and neither do we use any form of aggression.  We use a “play and praise” method .  In other words, we use lots of motivation and positive reinforcement to help guide the dog as it learns and builds its confidence.

We wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.