Reminders on Being a Responsible Pet Owner Being a pet owner means consistency and committment...just like being a parent. Be willing to Invest your time, effort, commitment and love in your dog. 1. Make sure your yard is secure. This means all gates are locked, no holes exist in the fence, all iron gates are laced with chicken wire or some other type of close knit wire to prevent your pet from escaping. 2. Puppy Proof your home and yard. Just like child proofing, poisons are the number one killer of puppies, next to viruses. Make sure all chemical, cleaning agents, nail polish and removers, makeup, paints, thinners, plaster, powdered and liquid mixtures, people medications not meant for ingestion, snail bate and poison, rat poisons, etc, are kept either locked up, or well out of reach of your puppy/dog. Be careful not to use any fertilizers, insecticides, or other garden/lawn improvement supplies that are harmful to pets and children. 3. Swimming Pools are also a concern. Mostly, this breed loves the water. Puppies will fall into pools and drown. Even adult dogs need to learn where the steps in and out of your pool are, and practice getting in and out. Even better, to have your pool fenced. Only allow your dog into the pool with you supervising, and/or participating....just like a child. 4. Enroll, attend, and complete at least 2 levels of   obedience training, in a public facility, (such as Pet Smart   or Parks and Recreation)  starting at 4 months old. Go and train with your dog to prevent future problems. Your dog needs a job. They need mental and physical stimulation. They also need to be well socialized in public places. Training with your dog will not only help your dog become a welcome and obedient member of the family, but it will help the two of you,and/or your family members bond with the dog, and visa versa. We like PetSmart because it puts your dog in social situations , off your property, with a educated trainer available to help  teach  you and your dog the correct responses and choices. It is inexpensive and fun! 5. DO NOT LET YOUR PET OFF IT"S  LEASH  IN  AN  AREA NEAR PASSING CARS FOR ANY REASON. Until your dog has learned safety commands, which means to "come" on command, "stay, sit, wait". 6.  Vaccinate, vaccinate, vaccinate, prior to your pups 4th month to prevent deadly illnesses that pups are susceptible during their first year of life. Do not introduce your pup into public areas until all of it's vaccinations have been completed (not prior to it's 4th month). Have your vet put your dog on a yearly vaccination program to ensure your dogs health, and well being. Just like a child. License your dog at 4 months with your city or county. The license requires certificate of a rabies vaccination. Spay and neutered animals are much less expensive. 7.  Play time, and exercise with your dog is crucial to it's well being, understanding, and social learning on a daily basis. 8.  Allow them inside your home, be consistant with the rules of your house, such as whether or not they are allowed on furniture, etc. Be willing and ready to allow them inside during loud events such as 4th of July. 9. Unless you are going to show your dog in club affiliated shows (ASCA or AKC), or plan on breeding (to the same breed, and a registered animal), it is best to spay or neuter your animal. Every day in animal shelters, in any given county in the U.S., hundreds of  dogs and cats per day are put to death only because they cannot find a home. Doesn't matter is they are registered, purebred dogs or not. 10. Micro chipping your dog will ensure that if it's collar slips off, is chewed off, falls off, that your pet can still be identified as your animal. Since Hurricane Katrina, many cities and counties around the U.S. are now requiring that all licensed animals be micro chipped for identification purposes. In the event of a catastrophic disaster, such as a fire, earth quake, flood, etc, your dog will have a better chance of being reunited with your family, if it is micro chipped. Many Counties in California now have mandatory "micro-chipping" laws. See your vet for details. Make sure you fill out, and send in, the micro chip information after the procedure, otherwise your dogs micro chip is of no use to him or her...or you. For training referrals, visit your local PetSmart, Parks and Recreation catalog, veterinarian, CesarMilan.com or Dog Whisperer.com,  The Yellow Pages, or Internet. An 8 week training course in a group, for 1 hour a week, typically costs between $80.00 and $112.00 per level .  Private lessons usually run somewhere between $55.00 and up per session. Prices are subject to change, so check with your local store or training facility. Just  like children, your pet needs to be kept safe, healthy, and happy. This includes exercise, discipline and affection.....in that order...every day. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE A SALE .