So im thinking of buying a dog, i love animals but i have never have had a dog, so im kind of scare of what im getting myself into.
I know a lot of you guys have dogs so i would love to hear all the tips and tricks you guys can give me. Im also reading and watching a lot of stuff, but i hear its like a baby you can never be really prepared.
Im thinking of buying a black mini schnauzer.
If you're buying a young puppy and he's very small, put a little bell on his collar so you know where he is. It will stop you from standing on him lol. They follow you EVERYWHERE. When I first got mine I had to do that, and he also chewed everything. I bought a new pair of EXPENSIVE shoes one day, left them near the front door. Next morning there was only half a pair left. I had to make sure all electrical cords were out of his reach or he headed straight for them. He Chewed EVERYTHING. Also, a friend of mine had their 4 month old puppy die after he munched on one of their plants in the garden, I think it was a cyad or something like that, so that's worth looking into as well.
When you are house training him, after you have fed him and other times throughout the day, take him out to a spot in the yard you would prefer him to use. Take him to the same area every time. This will become his 'spot', otherwise he is going to start doing it ALL over your yard. He should have his own spot for food and water, try to keep his mealtimes the same every day and in the same spot, and have his bed in the same spot all the time.
If you get a dog that will need regular grooming, brush him from the very first day you bring him home, and be firm with him. Usually they think it's a game, but if you don't get him used to grooming when he's very young, you will have trouble with it later. You can train and teach a new puppy from as young as 10 weeks old. I taught mine to sit at 10 weeks. Use the reward system where you give him a little treat when he does the right thing for you. Puppy Pre-school is a great idea when he is a little older.
Do a few searches online, you'll find out all the info you need, and don't forget to take him to get a vet check when you first bring him home, even if the breeder shows you a report saying it has already been done. Good luck.
Thank you all so much for your answers!!!
The Black mini schnauzer its not really a very small dog its more like a medium size. They are incredibly smart and super fun, but at the same time they can be mellow and calm. Which its perfect because i have the idea of taking her to the office with me. But that also makes me more aware of the fact that i need to train her to behave quickly.
The fact is im a workaholic so i spend most of my day at work, so i either bring her with me or i prefer not to buy a dog at all.
So have any of you train your dog not to bark a lot? Have any tried the crate train system? (not the one of the small crate, but the one of an specific space where she spends a long time, till she learns to play with only her toys and potty train.)
A lot of great advice!!
I love dogs (cats too) and Im more in favor of adopting a shelter dog. I prefer a young adult dog, you will already know the temperament and be passed the crazy puppy stage. Although the puppy stage can be so much fun too, lot of work but FUN! But if you have your heart set on a specific breed (although you can find pure breed adult dogs to adopt), do your research when choosing a breeder. Like everything else, there are a good breeders and bad breeders. Stick with a breeder that specializes in a specific breed, ask for references. And avoid puppy mills. Generally dogs that come from puppy mills are not as healthy and they usually wont disclose any potential ailments.
If you do go the puppy route, be sure to "puppy proof" your home, much like you would do for children, child locks on cabinets, blocking any open electrical outlets, hiding electrical cords, etc. They can get into everything. And putting it through Puppy School is a good idea too.
Having a dog is a big commitment so make sure the breed fits your lifestyle. If you are a couch potato, you don't want an active dog lie a Border Collie. If you live in a small apartment, you probably don't want a Great Dane, LOL! And if you have small children, that is also something to keep in mind. Some dogs are great with kids and others can be territorial and be very jealous of kids. Please, DO YOUR RESEARCH!!
Having a dog is wonderful. Never will you be loved so unconditionally!! But it is a 2-way street. If you make the commitment, please remember that pets aren't disposable, something you just dump when the novelty wears off!!
Dog's are the best animal you can ever have the privlage to take care of. I have had a few different dog breeds. Lab's, Yorkie, Shitzu, Jack Russell Terrior, Pit Bull, American Bulldog, Puggule, Husky, and German Shepard. The most loving, loyal, and best listening dog's I have had, are a tie between my pit bull, Alice, and my lovable cuddle buddy husky, Snow(she is now 15 years old and acting like a puppy still ^-^)
I believe that the best companion dogs are larger breeds(even though some think they are lap dogs) but all dogs are great. As for getting a new puppy, it's best to bring it in to your work at a younger age to get fimilar with your piers. Also to get used to having two different spots to use the potty, one at home, one at work!
Best of luck!! And please please please, don't put a choke collar on the dog, I work at a shelter as a officer(similar to the ASPCA) and I see what they dog to dogs.
Everyone has given you excellent advice here...
Another thing worth thinking about is making sure that you have health insurance for your dog. Vet bills can be extortionate (I found that out the hard way)
Also, it's worth doing a little research into the health issues that may affect the breed of dog you buy... Schnauzers are prone to cataracts and have to be tested...
If you've not had a dog before, puppy training classes will be good for you and your dog and will also help you to socialise them with other dogs as well...
Good luck with it all!
Again thank you for all your input!
Now im re reading all the breeds they are and rethinking which one can actually be good for my particular situation. Maybe a basset hound that are more lay back and calm could fit better for me to bring to work, but then the bigger the dog the bigger the mess... I dont think i am the have a purse pet kind of person and the only small breed that i like is Yorkshire, but they are probably way more easy to take care of and handle.
Ok i think i have a lot to think about!!
EDIT: Ok erase Yorkshire from the list, just read about them and they are noisy and are prone to a lot of health issues!
Awwww so bloody cute they are the little frenchies.
Beside our working cattle dogs I have this beautiful French mastiff. She is so protective of me and will stand across the front of me whenever there a male near or talking to me, including hubby.
My best advice is to buy off a reputable breeder and do ur homework. Especially about the nature of the over riding energy levels the dog has.
That a need that has to be met or u will have a destructive puppy.
Ohhh she's beautiful.. look at those gorgeous eyes!
Have Patience.
Take the dog to training.
And train him/her to sleep in a doggie bed.
She is amazingly cute, calm and peeing and pooing everywhere hahahahha (not everything could be perfect) but so far I'm been good with the whole trying to train her thing! 
![http://www.lushstories.com/stories/reluctance/the-night-that-changed-my-life-1.aspx][IMG]http://i.imgur.com/WPPsy.jpg[/IMG][/URL]](https://www.lushstories.com/stories/reluctance/the-night-that-changed-my-life-1.aspx][IMG]http://i.imgur.com/WPPsy.jpg[/IMG][/URL]){kind=link}