Fluffy, drooly, yet pretty smart, dogs have earned the title for best companion over the centuries of loyalty to humans. People get dogs for comfort and companionship, as dogs have an innate ability to understand people’s emotions making it easier to connect on a higher level.
FH Ag Teacher Joann Pfeiffer has experience with dogs. She recognizes there are benefits to owning canines.
“Company and unconditional love, your dog will always love you.”
Pfeiffer stated she never really trained inside dogs, but farm dogs. However, she has some advice for training dogs in general.
“Just remember you’re the boss, make the mind and obey, you’re doing your dog a favor by teaching them good so that if something happens they protect, like having a good dog rather than one that chews the couch and things while you’re gone.”
From personal experience, I had a dog that was a standard poodle, good sized and he would chew everything up. So in my experience, it’s better to train your dog so that they will only chew on things you want them to chew, like squeaky toys or bones.
Wanting an adorable little puppy is very tempting as well, but Pfeiffer thought otherwise.
“If you’re a first time dog owner go adopt an older dog from the pound first, cause puppies are cute but more to manage and handle, lots of energy.”
Indoor dogs are temping too, but nothing wrong with outside dogs. Pfeiffer never really had indoor dogs; she’s raised cattle dogs her whole life.
“Working with cow dogs and getting them to stop chasing cows was incredibly hard because that’s all they ever wanted to do. They needed to grow, mature, and calm down.”
The last piece of advice she shared was pretty smart as something to think about if you’re wanting a furry friend for yourself, no matter what animal you want, honestly.
“Don’t get a dog or puppy unless you have the funds, and it’s also ten to 15 years of commitment.”
It’s very important to remember that animals like dogs are very hyperactive and require much needed attention all the time until they are well enough trained to obey and act right for the time you have them until the time they’re gone.
