Designer Dogs Need Proper Care and Training
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It’s a well known fact that designer dogs have become a sought after pet for many people. But, these dogs need all of the care and training you can provide.
This is a series devoted to designer dogs, you can read part one What Are Designer Dogs? here, part two Designer Dogs: Love ‘Em or Leave ‘Em here and part three Designer Dog Breeds: List and Traits here.
This article gives you some tips to help you care for and train your designer dog so that it is a happy and healthy pet.
Just like all working and pet dogs, designer dogs need proper care and training.
Designer Dog Care
Designer dogs are all shapes and sizes. Some are small and some are huge. Some require vigilant grooming but many don’t. Some are afflicted by genetic disorders (like dysplasia), but most aren’t. So, it’s important to research the specifics of your chosen dog’s breed and parentage. Here are a few general tips:
- Never get an unweaned puppy that’s under 8 weeks old.
- Know your chosen designer dog’s parental health and pedigree.
- Designer dogs are expensive so get all the papers and a receipt.
- Be fully aware of your dog’s potential for health issues as it matures.
- Always take your dog to the vet for regular check-ups and vaccinations.
- Never buy your designer dog online unless from a known, reputable breeder.
- Don’t get any dog from a pet store that acquires pups from puppy farms.
- Do not buy your dog from any puppy farm regardless of their status or reputation.
- Feed your dog a healthy, well-balanced diet providing plenty of fresh water.
- Exercise and play with your dog daily for good health and to prevent boredom.
- Bath and brush your dog for healthy skin and hair to avoid tangles, mats, and parasites.
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Designer Dog Training
Want to keep your newly acquired designer dog safe? Of course you do! This is an important part of your dog’s training. It is important for the dog’s safety, happiness, and well-being. Yours too!. Here are some helpful tips that will assist you in properly training your designer dog:
- Start training when your dog is a puppy to bond and form good habits.
- Use positive reinforcement, like healthy treats and loads of praise.
- Always be consistent with your commands, expectations, and praise.
- Don’t allow puppy biting as this can become a serious behavior problem.
- Let your dog be alone when it is eating and sleeping,
- Never use negative reinforcement or punish the dog in any way for disobedience.
- Enjoy obedience classes to learn basic commands and to socialize your dog.
- Be sure to let your dog get to know your family, friends and other pets.
By using these basic training tips, you can ensure that your designer dog will be happy, healthy, and well-behaved. Always research the needs, trainability, and temperament of your dog’s breed. and consult with a veterinarian or professional trainer if you have any questions or concerns.
Conclusion
Designer dogs are very popular among all sorts of people these days. Most of these dogs have come into existence over the last 40 years due to intense selective breeding. But, it’s important to know that dog crossbreeds have been around for centuries. They just weren’t recognized or labeled as “designer dogs” until lately. In fact, recognized purebred dogs all began at some point in time as the crossbreed offspring of two parents of different breeds.
To reiterate, these designer dogs are simply hybrids, or more correctly, crossbreeds between two different breeds of purebred parents. What differentiates these dogs from everyday mutts is the fact that the designer dogs lineage can be traced back to registered purebred parents while the lineage of “Heinz 57” mutts cannot be traced.
The unique traits of these dogs put them in high demand among dog owners. Many of these designer dogs are sold as hypoallergenic or as having other more favorable attributes than their purebred parents. But, there is no guarantee that they will be free of health or training issues.
Designer dogs often make awesome pets for many singles, couples, and families. However, these dogs are not for everyone. Some designer dogs need more grooming, training, or exercise than some people are willing to give them. Others may be too fragile for small kids or grow too big for apartment dwellers. This all too often means a lonely cage existence at a shelter–or worse, euthanasia–for many of these dogs. So, it is very important to consider all factors before deciding to get a designer dog.
