by Annalyn Andriyenko

Created on: August 30, 2009   Last Updated: August 31, 2009

So you want a dog for comfort, loyal ship, and if you have a big family, another addition. Sure it might sound easy having a dog around but there are a lot of hardships that can come with it! It honestly is like taking care of another family member! There's a lot of concerns and steps you must go through before choosing a dog as a loyal pet.

Dogs are a serious investment, three things they need indeed are time, energy, and of course money. The basic needs that every dog has to have are definitely toilet training and obedience. It can be very frustrating toilet training a dog but if you get one as a puppy, this is a must. They also need to learn some obedience. This can be easy or downright tough, depending on the personality of your dog. You could even call in an obedience service if you're having too much trouble.

You must absolutely never leave them alone for too long. Dogs have such strong feelings towards other dogs, other animals, and people. They need to be around company or else they will get depressed and feel lonely. If you completely have to, only do it about 4 to 8 hours day because this can also lead them to their own devices, even after they have been trained to be obedient.

They must have their coat, short or long, it doesn't matter, be groomed daily. They also need their toenails clipped, and their teeth brushed regularly as well, probably about once a week, but no longer than that for their own comfort. Don't forget to give them a well balanced diet of all the nutrition they need. Big and small dogs need different diets, so you'll have to look into what's best for the breed you are considering. But all dogs need a balance of fats, high in proteins, and carbohydrates, these are the basis of every dog's diet. Plenty of water is definitely need, always refill a fresh bowl when it gets down to low or it's too warm.

A nice long walk daily or every other day is the best exercise for any breed. They get to be outside enjoying the sunshine and even get acquainted with other dogs out on walks. Don't forget your doggie poop scoop if you're going to a park or beach area! If your dog enjoys being outside a lot, you should have plenty of space with a big fence so they can't plan out any mischief. If your dog is small and could easily fit through a crack, provide an extra long comfortable leash and attach it to your house, it'll give them plenty of room to roam around happily.

Don't forget their bedding! They need it washed as much as a person's so be sure to keep it clean and tidy for them. Also be sure to buy them lots of toys and hide bones to chew on. Those can keep them busy for hours if you're just not up to for rough playing at the moment. There's also something people tend to forget about, and that is taking them to the vet. They need their bi monthly check up to see if everything is in order, also it's a good chance to get them neutered if needed.

So let's go over the vitals of what you need for your dog,

- A leash and collar for walks.

- Dog blanket and bed sheets.

- Doggie scoop for your own yard or going to public places with your dog.

- Plenty of tough toys to chew and play with.

- Quality dog hair brush, tooth brush, and nail clippers.

- Regular check ups at the vet's for worms, ticks, fleas, illness, injections, etc.

Hopefully this guide proved to be helpful in your choice of having a dog! They are great trustworthy animals, your choice won't be regretful in the least.

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