Adding a family member.
You have decided to get a dog. This is not a decision to take lightly. If you have never had one before, it will be as much of a change as adding a baby to the family.
Time and effort is needed.
Puppies need housetraining and obedience. Older dogs will have to settle into your routine and may show nervous behaviours such as chewing or barking until they feel comfortable.
Putting things away.
Is your house toddler proofed? If not, you had better look around to see what treasures would be within puppy reach. Puppy reach is always six inches more than you would think. Puppies and young dogs, like infants, will put anything in their mouths. They can chew through telephone cords. Electrial cords must be inaccessible. They don't know whether the paper they are ripping apart is your shopping list or a $100 bill.
Adrienne Bordo 2006 All rights reserved.
