Dog Training Guides, Supplies, and More!

Welcome to Dogrealm.net, a site made by dog lovers, for dog lovers. We have guides on all kinds of dog-related topics. Whether it’s general information about dog breeds, to dealing with bad dog behavior, in-depth reviews on useful dog supplies like dog beds for your furry companion to sleep in, or toys to play with, we’ve got it covered.

If you are the proud owner of a new puppy, you should know that it is important to put her through some basic dog training while she’s still an impressionable pup! Click on any of the guides below to get started.

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Questions to Ask Before Getting A Dog

Before getting a dog, it is important that you know the answers to these questions. Getting a dog is a big responsibility, and the questions below are meant to help you understand what you are getting yourself into and whether you are truly up for it or not.

Does everyone in the house want a dog?

Don’t think of the dog as a pet; a dog is practically a new family member! Everyone in the family should be on board with getting a dog, because they will get involved at one point or another.

Does your household know how to care for a dog?

Many people decide to get a dog because they saw an incredibly cute, properly trained dog on TV or at a friend’s house and believe all dogs are like that. Unfortunately, dogs don’t always come trained, especially if you are getting a puppy; you will have to learn how to take care of and train them yourself, or hire a trainer to help you.

Training a dog requires lots of patience and kindness. We have many articles on the basics of dog training to help you get started. You can find out more from books, videos, animal shelter staff, veterinarians, and talking to other dog owners.

What is your family’s schedule like?

It is important that there is always someone looking after your dog, otherwise they get lonely and restless. In addition to that, what if they get hungry or need to potty? Dogs should not be left alone for very long. If your family is out the entire day and the dog is left alone, then you might come home to a mess.

How big of a dog do you want?

Did you know that there are five sizes of dogs: toy, small, standard (medium), large, and giant? Smaller dogs are easier to care for, and bigger ones require significantly more work. You will have to exercise them more, deal with more shedding, feed them more, and so on. In addition, you have to consider the size of your home. Big dogs need more space, ideally even a large field to run around in.

Is a dog allowed where you live?

If you live in an apartment or townhouse, you have to check that your building allows dogs. Even if dogs are allowed, there may be restrictions to the size of dog you are allowed. Furthermore, if your dog barks a lot, then your neighbors may get angry and complain, so you need to make sure your dog is properly trained.

Do you have a breed in mind?

Some dogs are more popular than others because of their appearance in a film or TV show. For example, when Disney’s 101 Dalmatians was released, dalmatians became an incredibly popular breed to own. But do your research!

Find out everything you can about the breed – are they difficult to train, do they shed a lot, do they have any significant health risks, and so on. Talk to people who own that breed to get an idea for what it is really like to live with them. Also, keep an open mind to mixed-breed pups!

Will your dog play well with other pets?

Particularly if you already own a pet, how will getting a new one change the dynamic, if at all? Not all dogs will play nice with other animals, such as cats for example. And if there is a large size difference between two pets, there is the potential for injuries to occur, even if they are only playing around. Make sure your home is a safe environment for all your pets.

What kind of personality does your dog have?

Dogs have different temperaments and personalities, even within the same breed! Some are nervous and shy, others are restless and excitable. Some dogs are sociable and love to be around people, others are fine with being left alone. Selecting a dog based on their personality traits instead of their appearance will result in a better relationship.

Can you afford a dog?

Owning a dog costs much more money beyond the adoption fee! Think about all of the supplies you’ll have to get, as well as the recurring costs. There’s pet insurance, license fees, veterinary care, food, dog beds, grooming equipment, and so on. You can expect these to cost around $1500/year! You may need to set aside additional money for emergencies as well.

Where should you get a dog?

You can get a puppy from a responsible breeder, or you can adopt an older dog from an animal shelter. Whatever the case, avoid puppy mills. Puppy mills are cruel places that breed a large number of dogs without regard to their living conditions, medical care, or socialization.

We recommend adopting a dog from a local animal shelter. Give an abused or abandoned dog a second chance at a better life. These animals desperately need care and love, because their previous owner kept them in poor conditions.

On the other hand, you may want to get a puppy. Puppies are cute, but they require significant time and effort to train and socialize. As a dog matures, their personality grows with them. If you adopt an older dog, you will have a better idea of how they will act compared to a puppy.

Are You Ready to Own a Dog?

For many of the reasons discussed above, adopting a dog into your family is a lot of responsibility. As his owner, you need to take care of him (as you would a family member) their whole life. That is 11 years, on average. What does “taking care” of them entail?

It means taking him out even if it’s wet and chilly outside, picking up his poop, waking up early just to let him out, and helping him through any medical emergencies. It’s not all frustration and hardships, though.

It also means cuddles, playing fetch, going on trips together, taking him to dog parks and watching him play with his dog friends, showing him off to your friends, or coming home to the excited barking and tail wagging of a dog happy to see their owner return.

Owning a dog is a lot of work, but we believe that if you put in the effort, it will be one of the greatest experiences of your life. Are you ready to own a dog?