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getting a dog
well im 16 and i really want a dog, a small one like a scotty dog or something like that. we've never had one, i live with my mom and my 13 year old sister. it would be alone during the day cause of like work and school but im assuming thats normal. it could sleep in my room, and i know it's a big responsibility. i walk anyways so i can take it with me, and i can feed it and i already know how to clean up after it. my moms just worried about it being alone. i want one so bad, what are some ways i could convince her? and does anyone have any advice for first time dog owners?
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Maybe give some free advice about: Pets?
I'm sorry but I have to agree with the person who advised against getting a dog if it's going to be home alone a lot. Dogs are pack animals and do not do well if they spend a lot of time alone. While a lot of people do leave their dogs alone at home for 8+ hours a day, it's really not a choice responsible pet owners should make. Again, this is not a popular view but you did ask...
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Well yes, It is okay leaving them alone for a few hours, Then when you come home give it lots of love, I reccomend putting fresh food and water outside and leaving the garage open and letting it roam outside but you will need an eletric fence which they really work, you would just have to buy alot of toys and give it lots of love when you come home and before you leave. or buy it a friend also.
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Leaving dogs home alone for a few hours everyday is perfectly fine. My dog likes being home alone during the day so he can sleep=]. Crate training is a good idea for puppies that are going to be home alone during the day so they dont have accidents in the house and so they dont ruin anything in the house. This, [Link](Mouse over link to see full location), is a great website all about crate training. After your dog has been home for the day alone or in his crate, he's going to need to go out for a walk to stretch his legs and get excersise, or if you have a good size, fenced in yard, you should let him run around for a little while.
Owning a puppy is hard work. You'r best bet is to get a puppy over the summer, so you can spend plenty of time potty training, leash training, bonding, and all that.
Also, as most people know, Frontline or a smiliar flea and tick preventer is pretty essential. A good bath should be given about twice a month, or as needed. A good brushing is needed around once a week for medium to long haired dogs.
But most of all, have fun with your dog=]. The companionship of a dog is like no other=]
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To be honest, if nobody is going to be at home alone with the dog then I suggest you don't one. Whether it is a new puppy (which you CANNOT leave alone AT ALL.) or a grown dog which isn't used to it's environment. It is only normal for a grown dog to be alone, one which has lived in the house for a while, and only for up to 6 hours because it needs feeding and walking.
As for tips: You may say right now that you will feed and walk it but a dog is a huge commitment. You need to buy the right food (and not the cheap, buy at the food store stuff. I mean the kind you buy at pet food express.) and the dog needs not only walking but to be taken to the dog park. It needs to socialize with the other dogs and if you ever plan on taking him places with other animals around you will need to vaccinate him that means, fleas & ticks, rabies, distemper, parainfluenza, i don't know all the necessary ones but there are a lot. Then there is the whole potty training which with smaller dogs can takes up to 4 months.
Having a dog really does take a lot out of your life, for instance vacations. You may want to take a vacation but what will you do with your dog? There are dog sitters who take care of your dog while you're gone but I would only trust the ones who you know personally and boarding up your dog is never a good decision because they are in a cage for most of the day. So I suggest you find a family friend/relative who would hypathetically be willing to take care of a dog.
There is so much about dogs that people don't realize, it's almost a second job. I don't live with my parents currently, I'm 19, but we had 5 dogs and 3 cats. Living on my own I have only a cat because he can be left alone all day because cats do not need to be socially with people as dogs.
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