DOGSMinnie

Garth

Toby Baby Toby

• I love dogs. I have always had a dog around growing up. This summer I got a puppy all to myself. He is a hand full! I have never had to take care of a dog with out the help of real adults. I had so many questions while I was trying to raise him. Here is what I came up with.

My Experience

Me and my dogs

• Why do puppies sleep ALL the time?• How often does a puppy need to go out?• Why do dogs bark when there is nothing to bark at?• What kind of food should I feed my puppy?• Why do puppies chew on everything?• Do dogs really know when you are scared or sad?• How many words do dogs really understand?• What kind of shots does a new puppy need?• How much will a puppy cost?

Questions

Toby

• Most dogs sleep about fourteen hours a day! How much they sleep depends on the level of activity around them during the day. For puppies, any activity is a large amount. They need a lot of sleep to catch up. Dogs are also very picky about where they sleep. They like to be snuggled in a warm, dark environment. Dogs may sleep because they are bored. The older the dog, the more sleep he or she will need.

Let a sleeping dog lie

Puppies need to go to the bathroom several times a day. The main times are:

• right after waking up • after a few moments of excited play • after eating • after drinking • a few hours after the last time.A general rule of thumb for how long the dog can “hold it” is that a

puppy can go one hour for month-of-age plus one. Toby is 7 months old. He can “hold it” for about eight hours before having to go out. Every dog has a different sized bladder, so their time is always different. When beginning to house train a puppy, every hour is best to take them out. If you see the dog sniffing around, it is best to take them out to avoid accidents.

Puppy Potty Training

• Dogs do not bark at nothing! They are barking to tell you something. Barking is their way of communicating with you. “Babies cry and dogs bark.” When you think your dog is barking at nothing consider what their problem could be. Are they hungry, thirsty, playing, wanting to go on a walk, wanting to go outside? There is a reason for their “noise.” As their owner, we have to figure it out. Sometimes the dog will bark after you tell them no. It is their way of talking back. Toby does this often!

Bark! Woof! GRRR..

Garth

• A premium brand food will be best for the puppy. Compared to a grocery store brand or cheap brand, the higher priced food is going to have more nutrition and less fillers. Always look for a good source of protein. Puppies also need vitamins and minerals, just like people. Food with corn and dairy products are hard for puppies to digest. Food with by-products are not good for your dog. Dogs who get fed a high quality food are known to live up to five years longer than those who do not.

Dinner Time

• Puppies are very curious. They want to find out what fun things are around to play with. They do not have hands to pick things up to look at them. They use their teeth to find out what everything is. Giving puppies their own toys to chew on will keep them from wanting to chew on your personal items so much.

Chewing Problems

• Researchers say that dogs, and other non human animals, can sense certain emotions. They can tell when a person is sad, fearful, and angry. They cannot, however, feel secondary emotions such as jealousy. They do not have a sense of self that would allow them to do that.

Puppies know your emotions

• Many dogs can sit, lay down, and shake. If you have the patience, you can actually teach your dog over 100 words! The language comprehension of some well trained dogs can reach about the comprehension level of a three year old. Dogs rely on body language to understand many of the words that they know. They connect sound with gesture.

Can you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?

• Puppies need a shot for:– Distemper– Parvovirus– Hepatitis– Rabies– Parainfluenza – Bordetella– Leptospirosis– Coronavirus– Lyme

Time for a shotThese shots come in three rounds, each more expensive than the other. These may cause the dog to be sleepy the day they get them. Giving dogs a treat afterward will make them feel better.

Minnie

• Food and treats- $15/month• Shots- $200• Bedding and blankets-$35• Toys- $15/month• Replacement shoes-$25 per pair• Replacement computer cords(2)- $94 per cord• Collar and leash-$20• Food and water dish-$10• Time out cage-$50• Traveling case$25• Amount of love and fun you have with a puppy- PRICELESS

Puppy Expenses

• 4th grade:– 4.4.4 observe and describe that some source of energy is needed for

all organisms to stay alive and grow. 5th grade:– 5.4.5 Explain how changes in an organism's habitat are sometimes

beneficial and sometimes harmful.

There are not many indicators that match raising a dog, but I believe it is a very educational process. It is kind of like that assignment where students take care of a “baby” for a week.You learn trial and error, responsibility, and how to share. You also gain good sleeping habits, exercise tips, and learning you have to get your shots to be healthy. Dogs teach children, as well as adults, many new ideas. They may not matter to the state of Indiana but they are life lessons that all children need to learn to grow into a well rounded, healthy adult.

Indicators

• When I wanted a puppy, I did not know how much work goes into taking care of one. My parents always did that, not me. Garth even has caretakers at home. When I got Toby I was in shock of how much he needed. Puppies are expensive, but they are worth every penny!

Conclusion

• www.petplace.com• www.dogbowl.com• www.wagentrain.com• www.dogproblemsolutions.com• http://ezinearticles.com/?Best-Puppy-Food?-6-Tip

s-to-Choosing-the-Best-Puppy-Food&id=794841

• www.animals.howstuffworks.com• www.barkingbuddies.com• www.peteducation.com

Resources