How to Raise a Dog

by Jack W.

So, you’re thinking about getting a dog, right? That’s probably why you’re reading my Tiger Paw. You may assume that raising a dog is very easy. Well, you’d be wrong if you think that. Yes, you would be loving, playing, and showing off your new dog but owning one comes with many responsibilities. If you continue reading this article I guarantee that you will feel more at ease for this new experience.

Taking care of a dog is something to BARK about

Here are some things to know before getting a dog. You should know it costs a lot of money. You have to pay for the ACTUAL dog(s), the food, toys, and a bunch of accessories for them. If you buy your dog as a puppy I advise that you buy two spray bottles: one to get rid of the stain of dog pee and poo and one that makes the dog not bite onto everything.

Something else you should get is a doggy door so that your dog can go outside easily. If you don’t have a doggy door, then I recommend getting a bell you can hang on your door so if your dog has to get outside, then he or she can ring it by touching it with his or her paw. If you don’t get one of these two items, you might find some pee or poop in your house because your dog can’t tell you that it wanted to go outside. Another thing is to be prepared to get that pee spray bottle ready when you get home because dogs, mainly puppies, may pee when they haven’t seen you for a while.  I think this is because dogs don’t have a sense of time,  so they could feel it’s been a 100 years since they last saw you, making them so excited that they pee. You may have many sleepless nights training your dog to not pee or poo in your house. Dogs also need exercise. You could go to a dog park, trails, or set up a playdate with another dog. If you want to go to a really good dog park, I recommend Cat Rock Park in Weston, Massachusetts.  In conclusion, if you are planning to get a dog, you should know it takes a lot of work.

Man’s Best Friend

Dogs. Everyone wants one. Even if you don’t like them you, know you secretly do. They make us more active by being outside and enjoying life. You can play with them, go on walks and just give them love. If you have a tennis ball in your hands, your dog will always be ready to sprint after it and catch it in midair. They make us feel accomplished when we do activities with them. When we feel sad, dogs are the ones who make us feel happy again. Dogs are pets that we like to grow old with and are “man’s best friend(s)”. We humans love to spend time with them and have experiences with them. Also,  if you’re having a bad day, your dog will always be there for you.  I know my dog is. Your dog will also do some very funny and cute tricks. That’s why you should always have your phone ready to take a picture, just in case that once in a lifetime funny or cute thing happens. A dog can be your best companion in the toughest times.

It’s very difficult to decide which kind of dog you’re going to get because there are so many different breeds and things to consider. Some breeds are big, small, fast, or slow; some shed, some don’t; some are friendly and some like to be by themselves. The breed you choose depends on how much work you want to do. I believe that all dogs take some kind of effort to take care of and train. It’s your choice to decide which kind of dog YOU want. Dogs are man’s best friend, so go out there and get yourself one!

SOURCES:

http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/img15/pet-products/small-tiles/23695_pets_vertical_store_dogs_small_tile_8._CB312176604_.jpg

 

http://imgfave-herokuapp-com.global.ssl.fastly.net/image_cache/1397193394844734.jpg

 

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/52/12/48/5212484cfa89d733b0fb07b3510fa681.jpg

 

http://r.ddmcdn.com/s_f/o_1/w_1024/h_576/APL/uploads/2014/06/bad-dog-showsite.jpg

 

http://zen-dogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Bad-Dog-small.jpg

And the last source is………My year old, black labradoodle, Stella!