My Future Dog

My Dogs Now

I have always grown up with a passion for animals. I especially love dogs and horses. Right now, my main focus is on dogs, especially because I am currently pursuing a degree in Dog Grooming at my local technical college. I’ve always had dogs and loved being around them. My family, with whom I live with, has a Pekingese and a Tibetan Spaniel. The Pekingese is “my” dog but of course, in the end, after I move out they will stay with my parents.
Raising our dogs we never really took them out in public or spent a whole lot of money on spoiling them. They always had the “bare necessities,” such as a collar, a leash, dog food, treats, toys, and beds. Since we never took them out of the house, we rarely took them to the vet, therefore they never received their vaccinations.
However, last summer (2010) I started working at a Veterinary Hospital as a kennel worker. Being an employee, I got discounts on vaccines so I got the dogs vaccinated and started taking them to work with me and taking them out in public. I bought them new harnesses and leashes as well.  However, being that my dogs are not used to being out in public, they both act a little strange. My pekingese loves car rides (which is awesome) but when I take her to the dog park, she only walks around and pees instead of meeting and playing with other dogs. My Tibetan Spaniel, on the other hand, did not do well at all in the car at first. She would throw up and/or poop during the ride. I finally got her to where she can ride for longer distances and remain calm. But she acts even worse around dogs, she’s not aggressive by any means, but she gets extremely nervous around other dogs, so she drools like a waterfall and has no manners when it comes to pooping in public. She’s pooped and walked at the same time on the sidewalk several times, leaving a trail of droppings behind us. Because of her nervousness in public, I try to avoid taking her to public places (because, quite frankly, it is embarrassing). That being said, my dogs are not very well socialized and they do not have proper leash manners (by that I mean they pull) & they don’t know critical commands such as “come” and “stay” etc.  I also decided to explore all the different foods out there for dogs, especially after a lady came to work to promote Purina dog food and offered a 3 month weight loss program for staff dogs using their dog food for free! After that, dog food became an issue. My dogs loved that weight loss food, but we can’t really afford to spend that much money on a special bag of dog food as well as my work doesn’t sell it. So the dog food shuffle began. We’ve tried so many different brands and textures of dog food & my blond dog will get bored with the food & will barely eat it. I’m constantly on the hunt for good food that they will like and that is good for them. After researching dog food I discovered that corn, wheat, and soy, which are found in MOST dog foods, are actually not good for dogs. Dogs in general are actually allergic to it. I try giving my dogs good food without those ingredients but they are just not that interested. So, the dog food shuffle continues.

My Future Dog
 
Getting on to the point of this blog, I just want to jot down some thoughts of how I would like to raise my own dog differently from the way my parents raised our dogs. I didn’t become aware of all these social and health things until the family dogs were about 8 years old…a little late to be socializing and training.
When I get my dog, whatever breed it may be, I will get it when it is somewhere between 6 months and 1 year old. I would want it to be a female small - medium dog. At its young age we would go in to training classes where she would learn to be potty trained, leash manners, and basic commands such as “sit,” “stay,” “down,” “come,” “heel,” “leave it,” etc. I would hope that she becomes an obedient and loyal dog who always wants to be with me and looks to me for guidance. I would start her on good food with good ingredients and a well-maintained diet which would continue and adjust to her growth and lifestyle. I will socialize her at an early age, taking her to dog parks, doggie day cares, and local canine friendly events. She will travel with me for hikes, camping trips, walks, and any other adventure. I would hope she has a great sense of adventure and fun with plenty of endurance and stamina. I hope that she loves to play in the water too, which I will also do my best to teach her at an early age. She will always get all her shots as often as she needs them so that she can stay healthy and happy. I will train her at an early age to accept her teeth being brushed daily. She will have tasty treats, comfy beds, a pretty collar & leash. I would hope that from all the socialization she does well with strangers, other dogs, and other animals. She will receive the best of care and get brushed, bathed, and groomed often. She will be my best friend, my soul mate, my companion.

Your Feedback

If you happen to read this blog, Awesome!! LOL If you’d like, please tell me the story about you and your dog/pet and your relationship together! I hope to hear from other animal lovers like myself!! ^_^