A badly brought-up dog can end up dysfunctional and even a threat to people. Ensure that your puppy is securely housed and properly socialised from the start, urges Shane Brody.
An adorable puppy can be difficult to resist. But before you give in to temptation, ask yourself: what are the traits of the breed? Is it child-friendly, for example? What are its exercise requirements? What was the health status of its parents? Do you want it as a guard dog or a gentle family pet? These and other questions need to be answered truthfully, or you may come to regret your buy. Worse, you may end up with a dysfunctional, perhaps dangerous, animal that could become a problem for you or your neighbours, and even end up escaping and roaming the streets.
In addition to establishing whether your pet is a good fit for you and your family, you need to prepare the environment beforehand. Firstly, ensure that your yard is properly fenced in. You also need a strong leash, a comfortable bed and a kennel, a non-slip feed bowl, and rawhide toys.
The way in which you introduce the new dog to your home will help determine whether it will be a joy or a problem later. Here are some hints:
• Do not fuss excessively over your new pup when fetching it. It doesn’t know you yet, and too much fussing can be overwhelming and lead to its becoming overly excitable.
Esta historia es de la edición 17 November 2017 de Farmer's Weekly.
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Esta historia es de la edición 17 November 2017 de Farmer's Weekly.
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