Ciren
Well-known member
before i ask any questions i would like to state clearly that when i am ready to get a dog i will sign up with one of the rescues, allow them to conduct a home interview and pass on any references they may want.
the thing is i have never owned a dog and whilst my husband grew up with them, i will be the primary owner and i want to be sure i do a good job.
i have quite a few questions so please bear with me.
i do not work and am at home most of the time, but we do go out on weekends sometimes all day and we are not sure it will be appropriate to take a dog with us. as long as i made sure the dog was walked properly before we go out and when we get home would it be okay to leave them at home (with food/water obviously)?
i have heard some horror stories about kennels, but my step dad used to leave his boxer at them when he and my mum went on holiday. are they really that bad or is it ok to leave dogs there?
how hard is it to train a dog to the point you can happily take them off the lead? (i am not afraid of hard work and persistence)
i have been reading alot today about training dogs and they say using food treats is a good way to start. this may sound daft but what sort of food? or does it come down to what the dog likes? also how would i know that i wasnt over feeding them by treating them? would cutting down what i feed them in a bowl be okay if i was using food as part of the training?
thats all i can think of but any advice/guidence would be appreciated. already today someone has made a suggestion to me that i simply hadnt thought of and i have been looking into.
the thing is i have never owned a dog and whilst my husband grew up with them, i will be the primary owner and i want to be sure i do a good job.
i have quite a few questions so please bear with me.
i do not work and am at home most of the time, but we do go out on weekends sometimes all day and we are not sure it will be appropriate to take a dog with us. as long as i made sure the dog was walked properly before we go out and when we get home would it be okay to leave them at home (with food/water obviously)?
i have heard some horror stories about kennels, but my step dad used to leave his boxer at them when he and my mum went on holiday. are they really that bad or is it ok to leave dogs there?
how hard is it to train a dog to the point you can happily take them off the lead? (i am not afraid of hard work and persistence)
i have been reading alot today about training dogs and they say using food treats is a good way to start. this may sound daft but what sort of food? or does it come down to what the dog likes? also how would i know that i wasnt over feeding them by treating them? would cutting down what i feed them in a bowl be okay if i was using food as part of the training?
thats all i can think of but any advice/guidence would be appreciated. already today someone has made a suggestion to me that i simply hadnt thought of and i have been looking into.