Planning To Get a Pug? Here Are The Things That You Need To Know

If you are planning to get and own a pug, you are in the right place. This article will provide you some of the important things that you should know before getting a pug. Knowing these things will help you do some adjustments towards the needs and behavior of the pug. Hence, you can be a responsible and loving pet owner.

Pugs are smart

If you’re thinking that pugs are just purely cute and that they are not smart just like other dogs. You are wrong. Just because they don’t belong to the breeds of dogs who are considered as ‘work dogs’ doesn’t mean that they are not smart. Actually, pugs are smart and they can be trained easily just like any other dogs. They can be trained with skills such as tracking, agility, scent detection and even working with seniors. So if you are getting a pug, it is advisable to provide them with training and workout.

They love to eat almost anything

Another thing that you importantly need to know before getting a pug is that they are food driven. They do really love to eat almost anything. Some pug owners say that they have seen their pugs eat doughnuts, sticks, pasta noodles, gums and even lollipops. Pugs don’t give up their treat that easy if you are getting them to drop the food. So as a pug owner, it is advisable that you ensure that you don’t leave any food on the floor that they might reach and eat easily. You also have to be strict to their diet.

House train might be a challenge

Generally, pugs are not fond of inclement weather. This would mean that it would be challenging for you to get your pugs to the bathroom during a snowstorm or get them out the house during a very hot day. Hence, you should be patient in reinforcing any outdoor pottying. You have to encourage and train your pet to adapt to the weather condition regardless how much they resist. But in doing so, you have to keep in mind that pugs are only encouraged through positive reinforcement. Using punishment is certainly not advisable.

They love to follow you everywhere

If you easily get irritated by the behavior of dogs or pets in general that follow their owners everywhere, then probably, pugs are not the right pets for you. This is because pugs will follow you around everywhere. Whether it is in your bedroom, kitchen, living room, or in any other parts of your house, pugs will surely love to follow you. Yes, there are really clingy. So if you are fine with this behavior, you can get a pug as a pet.

Pugs are prone to health problems

Another important thing that you should know about pugs is that they are prone to health problems. Pugs in general usually get some health issues. Some of these include eye and nose fold care, breathing problems, food allergies, eye scratches and a higher than normal tendency to react to vaccines. This means that pugs are really high maintenance. You really have to spend some money on medicine and other things they need to make sure that they are healthy, safe and free from any health issues. You also have to bring your pug to vet regularly to have him checked.

They love some physical activities

If you think that pugs are couch potatoes and lazy, you are wrong. Yes, pugs enjoy naps but they do also lobe some activities like regular playtime and walks. So if you are quite busy at work or at your business, you definitely need to look for a dog walker because a pug cant hold its small bladder for that long. Giving your pugs some activities and playtime will also help your pet to have a healthy body. So make sure your pugs are active physically so they wont get health problems. Dogs being trained to electric fence are usually healthy.

They shed a lot

You also need to know that pugs do shed a lot. Hence, you should take time to consider removing or at least covering your couch, carpet, kitchen, chairs, clothes and bed. But the good news is, since pugs are smart, you can easily train them to shred on one place only. This will help you to get rid of the hassle of removing dirt on such items. But then again, make sure that you are using positive reinforcement when training your dog instead of punishment.

Overall, when planning to adapt a dog pet, it is advisable to do some research first about the breed in order to avoid heartaches and headaches. It is important to know all the important things about the behavior of the dog so you can easily adjust to it.