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If you want to buy a pet or already own one,
this page is for you.
Before making up your mind
for a dog or a cat, ask yourself the right questions. For example:
-
What are the
real reasons urging us in owning a pet ?
-
Is this
desire selfish or is it shared by the entire family ?
-
Have we
discused the matter adequately ?
-
What are our
expectations of this pet ?
-
Are these
expectations reasonable ?
-
Can this pet
fulfill our expectations ?
-
Are our
living conditions compatible with the presence of a pet ?
-
Are we ready
to put in a lot of time and patience ?
-
Are we aware
that this is a long term commitment ?
-
Are we
ready to invest in the relationship without blaming the pet if it
doesn't turn out the way we
planned it ?
-
Are we aware
that this pet will only be what we want it to be ?
-
Are we aware
that this relationship, like any human relationship, will develop
with time ?
To these questions, we
should add:
Are we ready to give the
appropriate care for the well being of the dog ? Can we afford the
food and
medical bills ?
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Unlike the cat, the dog is
a social animal. He needs to live within a group and to know exactly
where he stands within this group.
This particular feature
leads to a dominant/dominated dog/human relationship, where the rules of
the game must be clearly specified and consistent. If you want a dog,
ask yourself these questions:
- Are we willing to take him out many
times a day, summer or winter, throughout his life?
- Will we be consistent with him in our
daily life ? ( Many behaviour problems often originate from the
master's inconsistency. )
- Are we willing to accept the damages
the puppy might do during the first weeks of his new life with us ?
If you answered yes to
these 3 questions above, you might consider getting a dog. But know that
breed does not ensure a particular social behaviour. Whether your dog is
a good companion or a destructive pet will depend upon the way he has
been treated.
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