A Stress Free New Year ( Pet Edition )

A stress free dog is a happy dog. And this just be the right moment to remind that another stressful part of the year ( for dogs particularly here in the Philipppines ) is yet to come. And most, i think, dont come, well, that well prepared and knowledgeable in regards to how much stress this event brings about our beloved pets. Swoooooosh...........kabooooom.......Happy New Year.

Firecrackers with sub atomic frequency, loud banging sounds and pollution are the perfect ingredients, ( to freak out most dogs ) unconsciously being concocted yearly here in the Philippines and some neighboring regions in preparation for the coming New Year. With some hide under beds, tables or anywhere they might feel safe and in some instances, under the sewers. Some manifest continuous agitation which leads to frequent howling, misbehavior, and with some even attacking their owners.

With all the unpleasant incidents stated above, which is plausibly avoidable at all times, one must learn to train their supposed to be dogs early in their life. Let me share some of the most basic steps, which my husband myself used to raise our own.

Know Your Dog Breed / Type

This is the most basic in owning or having a pet dog for the first time. Have time to research for the kind that suite your lifestyle. Small breed, basically needs more attention in terms of maintenance and grooming, but less difficult to handle. Most suited for households with a person or two who is always left behind. But a bit of caution, this kinda breed is possessive at times.

Medium breed are great for those with a semi active lifestyle, needs less attention in terms of grooming and maintenance and most are regarded safe even for households with kids. But as always, take caution, handling would be much more difficult due to a more stockier built.

Large breed dogs are mutually the same in terms of maintenance and handling and caution is always a topmost priority. If possible, acquire your dog from a known breeder. Avoid getting from puppy mills which tends to sell, offer dogs at a great discount.

Appropriate selection of breed is a starting point in determining on how well you can train your new pet.

Know Your Dog

As a puppy, most manifest traits that they can usually bring up to adulthood, so be mindful or much better to make a draft or records of your observation for future references. Potty training is essential in the first few days and weeks. Establish scheduled meal time, a time most likely you'll have time to even watch him or her while eating to correct any misbehavior you might notice. Have regular walk for them to release any extra energy that they might have. This can help avoid any unnecessary actions such as gnawing on just about anything, aggressiveness, or anything that might put your household in danger or you yourself in shame. Be mindful that walking also exposes them to different sound and distraction. Better understanding of any given situation and making them feel safe and secured would help a lot to build confidence as they grow.

Establish and make it a known fact early on whose the Master and whose the dog and not the other way around. In this manner, you'll have ease in instructing and training your pets. They should establish the notion that in case of threat or fear, they can count on us, their Masters, and not do things by themselves which in some case, leads to an awful situations.

These are only the basics, but for sure can help a lot. Some comprehensive and detailed approach are freely available on the internet.

Do' s and Don't s

• Do always remember that our beloved dogs highly depends on us, that they would grow up by the way we treat them.
• Do take full responsibility upon the day you've decided to bring home one, its not their choice, its yours.
• Do always make them feel loved. In my part, they can be the best buddies you'll ever had.
• Do always attend to their needs. Because you and I is all that they have.

And Don't Ever

• Hurt them. Even with a hundred or a thousand years of domestication, they still retain this natural predatory traits. Fear and abuse can certainly trigger it and could provoke aggresive attacks in defense of itself.

• Take them for granted. As I have mentioned before, we is all that they have.

There is still a lot of things to be learned and with each and every approach, make sure that you have foreseen any logical outcome it may produce. Giving and receiving a dog as a present for the holiday season is as great as having an additional member of the family, a new buddy, and a trusted friend.