o be aware of with male dogs is they can be prone to wandering/running off particularly if they pick up an interesting scent.

Female dogs on the other hand tend to be more placid and easier to manage. They will however need to be trained and treated consistently just like their male counterpart. One thing to keep in mind if you are a keen gardener with nice lawns - urine from females dogs will turn your lawn in to a green & yellow patch work quilt!

Dogs need company and stimulation. They love to play games, they like and need to get out for exercise and you need to spend quality time with them. If you are going to be out all day at work with no one at home or if you're not prepared to go out to walk them whe

For some getting a dog is the norm. They've had dogs before, they know what's involved, they know what to look for. But what if you've never owned a dog before!

This article doesn't attempt to cover everything that you need to consider before committing to your first dog but gives you insight in to key areas.

Dogs make fantastic pets but it is not uncommon for people to find things don't work out the way they expected. Sometimes people find they can't provide the level of commitment required, they may find the dog has serious health issues, they may not be able to control it.

The first thing to ask yourself is 'why do you want a dog'? Is it because the kids have been pressurising you or because everyone else you know has one. Be honest with yourself - if your going to get a dog YOU have to want it and be prepared to take full responsibility for it. I have had dogs and when our last one was put down I decided to have a break. The kids kept going on about how much they wanted another dog and how they would help walk it, feed it, groom it etc. Eventually I decided it was time to get another dog but it wasn't because of the kids it was what I wanted and guess what - the kids only walk it under threat of pocket money being stopped and as for feeding and grooming it well let's just say the agro involved in getting them to do it is not worth the trip!

So you're getting a dog because it's what YOU want now's the time to be realistic about what's involved.

If you're going for a puppy then your getting the best of the whole 'having a dog experience' but you're also taking on the biggest challenge. If you want your puppy to mature in to a well adjusted, manageable, well trained dog you need to put work in to achieve it and be prepared for the occasional hiccup such as a shoe being chewed, socks going missing and the inevitable mess! on the floor. If you have kids you'll remember how they could cause havoc at times while they were growing up well a puppy can be like having a whole gang of kids descend!

Get yourself a good dog training guide or even better see if there is a local group that you can join. Training groups can be great as you can share experiences on what's working and get help where things aren't going so well.

Male and female dogs are different and behave differently and you need to think about this.

Male dogs always need to know who's boss. They have a natural desire to be pack leader so they have to know that at all times YOU and every other member of the family have a higher status than the in the pack and there is no point in them challenging for leadership. This isn't achieved by being cruel nor is it achieved by pandering to your dogs every desire. It's achieved by being kind but firm and consistent. For example if you tell your dog to sit and it doesn't then you enforce it don't let it pass. Another thing to be aware of with male dogs is they can be prone to wandering/running off particularly if they pick up an interesting scent.

Female dogs on the other hand tend to be more placid and easier to manage. They will however need to be trained and treated consistently just like their male counterpart. One thing to keep in mind if you are a keen gardener with nice lawns - urine from females dogs will turn your lawn in to a green & yellow patch work quilt!

Dogs need company and stimulation. They love to play games, they like and need to get out for exercise and you need to spend quality time with them. If you are going to be out all day at work with no one at home or if you're not prepared to go out to walk them whe

e else you know has one. Be honest with yourself - if your going to get a dog YOU have to want it and be prepared to take full responsibility for it. I have had dogs and when our last one was put down I decided to have a break. The kids kept going on about how much they wanted another dog and how they would help walk it, feed it, groom it etc. Eventually I decided it was time to get another dog but it wasn't because of the kids it was what I wanted and guess what - the kids only walk it under threat of pocket money being stopped and as for feeding and grooming it well let's just say the agro involved in getting them to do it is not worth the trip!

So you're getting a dog because it's what YOU want now's the time to be realistic about what's involved.

If you're going for a puppy then your getting the best of the whole 'having a dog experience' but you're also taking on the biggest challenge. If you want your puppy to mature in to a well adjusted, manageable, well trained dog you need to put work in to achieve it and be prepared for the occasional hiccup such as a shoe being chewed, socks going missing and the inevitable mess! on the floor. If you have kids you'll remember how they could cause havoc at times while they were growing up well a puppy can be like having a whole gang of kids descend!

Get yourself a good dog training guide or even better see if there is a local group that you can join. Training groups can be great as you can share experiences on what's working and get help where things aren't going so well.

Male and female dogs are different and behave differently and you need to think about this.

Male dogs always need to know who's boss. They have a natural desire to be pack leader so they have to know that at all times YOU and every other member of the family have a higher status than the in the pack and there is no point in them challenging for leadership. This isn't achieved by being cruel nor is it achieved by pandering to your dogs every desire. It's achieved by being kind but firm and consistent. For example if you tell your dog to sit and it doesn't then you enforce it don't let it pass. Another thing to be aware of with male dogs is they can be prone to wandering/running off particularly if they pick up an interesting scent.

Female dogs on the other hand tend to be more placid and easier to manage. They will however need to be trained and treated consistently just like their male counterpart. One thing to keep in mind if you are a keen gardener with nice lawns - urine from females dogs will turn your lawn in to a green & yellow patch work quilt!

Dogs need company and stimulation. They love to play games, they like and need to get out for exercise and you need to spend quality time with them. If you are going to be out all day at work with no one at home or if you're not prepared to go out to walk them whe

o be realistic about what's involved.

If you're going for a puppy then your getting the best of the whole 'having a dog experience' but you're also taking on the biggest challenge. If you want your puppy to mature in to a well adjusted, manageable, well trained dog you need to put work in to achieve it and be prepared for the occasional hiccup such as a shoe being chewed, socks going missing and the inevitable mess! on the floor. If you have kids you'll remember how they could cause havoc at times while they were growing up well a puppy can be like having a whole gang of kids descend!

Get yourself a good dog training guide or even better see if there is a local group that you can join. Training groups can be great as you can share experiences on what's working and get help where things aren't going so well.

Male and female dogs are different and behave differently and you need to think about this.

Male dogs always need to know who's boss. They have a natural desire to be pack leader so they have to know that at all times YOU and every other member of the family have a higher status than the in the pack and there is no point in them challenging for leadership. This isn't achieved by being cruel nor is it achieved by pandering to your dogs every desire. It's achieved by being kind but firm and consistent. For example if you tell your dog to sit and it doesn't then you enforce it don't let it pass. Another thing to be aware of with male dogs is they can be prone to wandering/running off particularly if they pick up an interesting scent.

Female dogs on the other hand tend to be more placid and easier to manage. They will however need to be trained and treated consistently just like their male counterpart. One thing to keep in mind if you are a keen gardener with nice lawns - urine from females dogs will turn your lawn in to a green & yellow patch work quilt!

Dogs need company and stimulation. They love to play games, they like and need to get out for exercise and you need to spend quality time with them. If you are going to be out all day at work with no one at home or if you're not prepared to go out to walk them whe

great as you can share experiences on what's working and get help where things aren't going so well.

Male and female dogs are different and behave differently and you need to think about this.

Male dogs always need to know who's boss. They have a natural desire to be pack leader so they have to know that at all times YOU and every other member of the family have a higher status than the in the pack and there is no point in them challenging for leadership. This isn't achieved by being cruel nor is it achieved by pandering to your dogs every desire. It's achieved by being kind but firm and consistent. For example if you tell your dog to sit and it doesn't then you enforce it don't let it pass. Another thing to be aware of with male dogs is they can be prone to wandering/running off particularly if they pick up an interesting scent.

Female dogs on the other hand tend to be more placid and easier to manage. They will however need to be trained and treated consistently just like their male counterpart. One thing to keep in mind if you are a keen gardener with nice lawns - urine from females dogs will turn your lawn in to a green & yellow patch work quilt!

Dogs need company and stimulation. They love to play games, they like and need to get out for exercise and you need to spend quality time with them. If you are going to be out all day at work with no one at home or if you're not prepared to go out to walk them whe

o be aware of with male dogs is they can be prone to wandering/running off particularly if they pick up an interesting scent.

Female dogs on the other hand tend to be more placid and easier to manage. They will however need to be trained and treated consistently just like their male counterpart. One thing to keep in mind if you are a keen gardener with nice lawns - urine from females dogs will turn your lawn in to a green & yellow patch work quilt!

Dogs need company and stimulation. They love to play games, they like and need to get out for exercise and you need to spend quality time with them. If you are going to be out all day at work with no one at home or if you're not prepared to go out to walk them when it's cold and wet then don't get a dog get a goldfish.

Finally you need to consider vets bill. Having a dog like any pet carries a price if you want it to remain healthy and have a long happy life. You will need to take your dog for regular vaccinations and routine checks. You might also find you have to take for unplanned visits due to illness or injury. Pet insurance is available these days and it's well worth considering.

Ok hopefully this short article has given you some food for thought. I love dogs and would recommend them to anyone for the pleasure and other benefits they bring but you need to go in to it with your eyes open.

If you are interested in finding out more about dogs then check out www.need2knowabout.com where I'm currently in the process of adding a section on pets which will include some free ebook downloads.