#hersheythenewfoundland

[hersheythenewfoundland]

Training on a Budget

I know not everybody has the kind of money it takes to get professional training done. So, here’s some tips on home-training your puppy on a budget!

Always remember, the #1 motivator for a puppy’s behavior is food, and the #2 motivator is play. Dogs love food, and they love to play. They learn by rewards, not by punishments/consequences. By using these two rewards strategically, you can encourage certain behaviors and discourage others, without incurring the cost of a big professional lesson.

Some places can charge upwards of $80 for an hour of training with your dog!! (I know, it’s insane.) Meanwhile, a good $15 bag of treats can last you several days if you’re clever with it. Make the most of every bite and you’ll be able to keep the bag going much longer than you’d expect!

If your dog is toy-motivated, it’s worth investing in a good reliable chew toy. Typically these will cost $20-40, depending on the size and quality, but they can be GREAT motivators for tricks and other behaviors that you want the dog to learn. If you’re worried about your budget, take your dog into the pet store and let them tell you which toys THEY like (once COVID-19 is over, of course)! 

[hersheythenewfoundland]

How Much Does It Really Cost to Own a Dog?

Find out how much it costs to own a dog, from food and supplies to veterinary care. Learn how to properly budget for costs.

Here’s a very interesting article I found summing up the monthly and yearly estimates of dog ownership costs. Of course, each category is highly subjective based on the lifestyle you’re looking for, and your capacity to reduce costs. Ultimately, the lowest MONTHLY cost is somewhere between $125-824, but the high range of that is including a lot of unnecessary costs and flexibilities that aren’t necessary. I’d guess a reasonable estimate of monthly costs is around $200-250. Keep that in mind, and make sure you’re keeping track of your expenses so you don’t get played for a fool!

[hersheythenewfoundland]

Vet Visits during Coronavirus

Hershey suddenly wouldn’t put any weight on her leg this morning, scared the crap out of me. (Don’t worry, she ended up being fine! Just has to rest up a bit.) It turns out, our local animal clinic WAS still open and even accepting walk-ins! We just pulled our car up to the curb and called them, and within a few minutes, someone came out and talked to us, taking Hershey straight from the backseat. All simple and convenient! They seemed 

Now, here’s the tricky part. The total (with X-Ray) ended up being $183... so yeah. Not exactly a shallow price point. I’m curious if any charges were added based on the necessity to stay safe and the use of medical equipment (the man who came out to our car was wearing an entire plastic face shield outside of his mask!) 

Still, if you’re scared to visit a veterinarian’s office during this COVID-19 pandemic, don’t be. They’re open! They’re professionals and they’re more than capable of making sure your little pal stays happy and healthy, while keeping all proper hygiene and safety protocols in check. :) Stay safe!!

[hersheythenewfoundland]

$27.99 at PetSupermarket

So, as much as I love Hershey, walking her can be a nightmare sometimes. She’s just so big and hyper, it’s hard to control her whatsoever. I’m sure all you X-Large Breed owners out there can relate!

I asked my local PetSupermarket about what I can do and the woman working there – who was super sweet and helpful – let me know that the collar was the problem. I was using a chain intertwined with soft leather, which I thought gave me greater control over her without hurting her throat or anything. Apparently, that’s not the case, and I actually could’ve seriously injured Hershey’s throat doing that!! Yikes! (Don’t fret, my vet confirmed that luckily, her throat is perfectly healthy so far.)

The PetSupermarket set me up with the Easy Walk Harness. I’ll be honest, at $27.99, I was a little hesitant to make the purchase, but she talked me into it. And it works like a charm!! Hershey has been SO much more well-behaved on walks, and I’ve been able to keep her away from all the bones and sticks along the way. Getting it on and off can be a tad bit annoying, as you can’t just leave the harness on when the dog is inside (she’ll chew through it), but it’s perfect for walks and dog park visits.

So, long story short: the Easy Walk Harness is a bit of a steep price, but you absolutely get your money’s worth with this thing. If you have trouble controlling your dog on walks, I’d absolutely recommend it. :)

[hersheythenewfoundland]

Shop Chewy for the best pet supplies ranging from pet food, toys and treats to litter, aquariums, and pet supplements plus so much more! If you have a pet-or soon will-you've come to the right place. Shop for all of your pet needs at Chewy's online pet store. FREE shipping on orders $49+, low prices and the BEST customer service!

For those wondering how I feed this monster of a dog, I use Chewy! Chewy.com lets you order dog food on an automatic repurchase plan (you can set the date), and it delivers straight to your door! Super convenient. Hershey has an automatic food delivery once a month, and it costs less than $50 for the whole month! Plus I don’t have to carry that heavy bag of dog food all the way out of the store lol. 

[hersheythenewfoundland]

Hershey at 3 months. Wasn’t she precious? <3