There’s no doubt that owning a dog is hugely satisfying. Of course, there is a huge amount of responsibility – exercising him, food bills, visits to the vet and poop scooping are just some of the aspects involved. It’s a labour of love but, in return for looking after him, your dog will lavish all the love and attention on you that you could ever want.

In fact, some owners love their dogs so much that they are tempted to breed them. The idea of having mini versions of your beloved pooch around the house is certainly attractive, but many people jump into it without giving full consideration to the issues involved. Here are some important questions to ask yourself before taking the plunge:

What are your motives for breeding your dog?

If you find yourself wanting to breed your pet because you think that puppies are very cute, or that you could make some cash from it, you really need to reconsider. Puppies may indeed be cute, but they do not remain pups for long. What would be an adorable litter will soon turn out to be mischievous house wreckers that will eat you out of house and home. As for making money, be aware that dog breeding can be expensive. The expenses that you can expect to foot include food, advertising for a stud dog or bitch, vet’s fees and equipment. This is just if everything runs smoothly – if there are any hiccups, they are sure to hit your pocket too.

Have you enough time to invest?

If your dog is to be a mother, a lot of time is needed to look after her as she approaches labour. You will need to be with her for the whelping, and this may necessitate a sleepless night or a day off work. Your dog will also need lots of care and attention, regular meals and frequent short walks. Your time will also be taken up caring for the new-born pups and taking them to the vet for their jabs.

Is your house big enough?

Unsurprisingly, whelping is a very messy endeavour. A whelping box is a must, and depending on the breed of your dog, will need to be large enough to be comfortable for a dozen pups. Your washing machine will also be working overtime as their bedding will need to be changed a few times a day. It’s also best if you have a large, uncarpeted floor that can be cleaned easily, and a garden or yard that is secure to let them play outside.

Do you know much about dog breeding?

Forewarned is forearmed. Dog breeding is something to enter with both eyes open; make sure that you learn everything you need to, such as what to do as soon as the pups are born, action to take should there be a complication during whelping and how to spot health problems before they develop into something nasty. Any gaps in your knowledge will endanger your pet, as well as her pups.

Do you know your legal obligations?

If you’ve gotten this far and haven’t been put off, you should be aware that you are required to get a licence to breed dogs from the authorities if you plan to make it into a business. This will usually involve a visit to your home to check that it is suitable for the purpose. Rules can vary, but it generally applies if you plan to breed several litters per year.

The post Questions to Ask Yourself Beforebreeding Your Dog first appeared on Puppy Blog.

One of the most enjoyable dog training experiences is that of training a puppy. For both experienced and first time puppy owners, it is a pleasantly rewarding experience. You watch your puppy grow, bond with you and learn all the things you are teaching him. If you want to involve a dog trainer, I always advice that you participate as much as possible in your puppy’s growth and training.

Puppy training should be started as soon as possible. Some people say you should wait until the dog is a year old but this is entirely wrong. Puppy training should start the moment it is weaned from the mother and brought to your house. The kind of canine citizen your dog becomes is dependent on how much you help him to be conditioned to the human domesticated world.

If your puppy is not trained, he will grow to become an unruly and generally uncontrollable dog. One that will be an embarrassment to you and your family. On the other hand if you guide and lead him properly, help to shape is character and behavior then you will have a dog that will bring the joy of man’s best friend to you and your family.

Your puppy will have to be given the following basic training to become a properly disciplined dog: House training, Crate training, Socialization, Stopping excessive backing, Stopping biting/chewing and General obedience (seat, walk, stop etc).

Your first responsibility is to create some free time for his training. Let it take priority in your schedule. Plan his meal time bed time and wake up time. Watch what he eats and avoid food that can upset him.

When you start obedience training, make sure he is rewarded only for good behavior so you will not reinforce unruly behavior. Dog training needs a lot of patience. At first, you will not get it right and your puppy will resist the training. But if you keep at it persistently, he will come around.

Be a gentle as you can with your puppy. Do not be hash with him. He doesn’t yet have the endurance of an adult dog and will require more rest and naps to grow and develop. So take it easy with the intensity of the training. Let him trust you from stage to stage. Gradually build his confidence in your leadership ability.

The post Do It Yourself Puppy Dog Training first appeared on Puppy Blog.