At what age should I start training my dog?

Your dog would greatly benefit from rules, boundaries and limitations immediately. Sit, stay, down and come are all very important and easy for your dog to learn. He/she will pick them up very quickly. Dogs as young as eight weeks of age can quickly and easily learn these simple commands.

Is my dog to old to learn anything?

No, in fact the old adage “an old dog can’t learn new tricks” is a myth. First take into consideration your dogs age and physical ability before trying something new. Any dog at any age can easily learn many new things if given the opportunity.

 

Is any one dog breed harder to train than another?

No, all breeds of dogs are very trainable. The key to having a good dog is proper training, starting as soon as you get your dog and continuing to reinforce what the dog has learned throughout his or her lifetime.

Should I get my dog fixed?

Yes. Among the many benefits your dog will enjoy from being fixed such as being happier, calmer and healthier, you will also enjoy lower expenses as fixed dogs and cats need to go to the vet less often.  As well, if everyone had their pets fixed we would see less of our tax dollars going to county shelters where 9.6 MILLION dogs and cats are euthanatized every year in the US.

In Onslow county alone last year the shelter took in over 8,000 dogs and cats and only adopted out about 1,000. The other 7,000 from that ONE SHELTER were euthanized.


Should I get a puppy or an older dog and where from?

Many people think that if they get a puppy it won’t “come with problems” than an older dog may or may not come with. However having a puppy is a lot of work. FREQUENT potty breaks day and NIGHT are required for all puppies. Also teething, your new puppy may prefer to chew on your favorite shoe rather than those chew toys. Puppies are much more maintenance than a dog that is just a year old. If you don’t want to deal with puppyhood, then an older dog (1 year or more) is a great alternative. Many rescue groups screen the dogs before they accept them and then put a lot of time and money into making each dog a great pet, then and only then do they adopt these dogs out. And they sometimes have puppies as well. Another alternative is the local shelter. Around here if you adopt from a local shelter you're saving a life.