THE
MUTT DOGS: |
|||
|
|||
|
Always look for a bright-eyed, alert dog with a cheerful disposition, especially when you are at the local pound or Humane Society. Try to pick a healthy dog, but be prepared to go immediately to the Vet and spend a few bucks curing some disease. Make sure he is free of all worms, including heartworms (but do not hesitate to treat for these) and make sure his shots are current. With that out of the way, it is a fairly simple task nowadays to keep them healthy. | ||
|
|||
|
Don't be afraid to train your dog with a lead and a collar! Call around and find a great obedience school in your area....everyone should be able to have a dog that will sit, stand, heel, and stay when you want them to. AND guess what? To come when you call them too! Believe it or not, your dog wants this too. A basic dog obedience book will teach you all you need to know. But going to class adds a little discipline for you, and shows you how your dog responds around other dogs and distractions as a bonus. Be FIRM, be FAIR, and PRAISE him when he does right. Teach him what "NO" means by only saying it when you mean it. And always remember what is cute with a puppy may not be so endearing when he weighs 95 pounds (like wanting you to carry him up and down stairs). And you will live happily ever after with your mutt. | ||
|
|||
|
Mutts have one thing in their favor....great hybrid vigor! When kept healthy, they usually live a long time. On the down side, you never know where their genes are coming from. Mutts at the pound do realize they are in danger, they smell the stress, and they really are grateful to be saved. They are usually there because someone couldn't cope with some habit they developed, or chose the wrong breed, or just got bored with the dog when it was no longer a puppy. The reward for saving them is their lifelong devotion and that look in their eyes you will always see that says..."My Hero". Show them you love them, give them a safe place to live, feed them every day, and you will have a friend for their lifetime. | ||
|
|||
|
