Dogs Are People, Too!
| How To Choose A Puppy When considering How To Choose A Puppy, you may be surprised at the how extensive those considerations will be. Number one on the list is commitment! Are you ready to commit the next 10-15 years to your new house guest? That's the life span of most dogs. Some shorter, some longer. That means 10-15 years of feeding, walking, grooming, making trips to the vet, training...all in all, a HUGE commitment. Are you ready for that? See Tips For Selecting A Pet. Can you afford the cost associated with a dog? Figure food, shots and vaccinations, apparel (more on that later), grooming supplies, collars and leashes, kennels...you can see it can be quite extensive. See Can You Afford A Pet? When selecting a breed of dog you'll need to consider where you live. If you are on the top floor of a high rise apartment you won't want a large active breed. Likewise, a small toy breed won't be advisable as an outdoor farm dog. Select a breed that fits your own lifestyle. Where you purchase your puppy is another touchy subject. Many people think a pet store would be a good place to start. We think it to be one of the worse places! Pet stores tend to stock pets that are cute so they sell quickly. The health of a pet is of little consequence to the pet store...only that the puppy sells quickly. Now, we admit this is only a typical situation and there are obviously some reputable pet stores out there. If you are bound to do business with a local pet store do your homework first. Research the store's history and try to talk to customer's that have bought pets there. You can also purchase direct from a breeder. A breeder can answer questions about your new dog and some breeders will already have initial vaccinations done. Quiz the breeder about such matters. Our favorite place to acquire a new pet is from your local animal shelter. Any new pet from a shelter must be spayed or neutered. That's a plus! Just be care of a couple things. Check the dog closely for fleas and ticks as the close contact within the confines of an animal shelter can be conducive to the spread of the little rascals. Check the eyes and nose to make sure there is no excessive mucous. Also, pick a puppy that will come to you willingly without much coaxing. You'll know he is friendly and looking for a good home. If you've read this far, we believe you are ready to provide that good home to your new pal. |
| "Will you be my momma?" |
| Raising A Dog With Children Usually, Raising A Dog With Children is very rewarding. Dogs and children can form a bond of unconditional love and devotion. It's not a guarantee, though! Some children just don't like pets of any type. Don't try a force the issue. Before you bring home a new puppy you should see how your children interact with dogs of friends and family. It' simply another consideration as we mentioned in the previous article. As for actual pet care, well let's put it this way...HELLO, MOM!! Even though a small child may get a boost of confidence or self esteem from "thinking" she is the keeper of this living, breathing member of the family, mom or dad must be responsible for the actual well-being of any pet. Most kids can begin to assume more responsibilty for pet care around age 9 or 10. The problem is, that's also the age when they may begin to lose interest in a pet because of extra school activities. Don't bother threatening the child about not tending to the pet. That will only provoke guilt and ruin the high self esteem established earlier. Instead, sit down as a family and work out a schedule that doesn't interfere with school activities. Not only will the pet get needed attention, but you are helping the child learn to plan their daily activities! Another marvelous advantage to owning a pet! Just a couple other reminders. Be sure to keep all of doggie's medication well out of the reach of the youngins'. Not only can some be quite lethal,(heartworm medicines for example), but many are small enough to cause a toddler to choke on. While most dog biscuits and treats are not harmful in general for human consumption, they will tend to crumble and can cause choking for the smaller kids. The same applies to the pup's toys. Make sure they are not small enough for a toddler to swallow! Babies and puppies love to share! Raising A Dog With Children can be a wonderful experience. A little common sense will make it even more rewarding! |
| Doggie Wardrobe Mom's always want their youngin's to be fashionable. The four legged ones are no exception! But, there are more reasons than fashion to keep a sweater handy for little fido! Dogs that spend most of their time indoors really do need a wrap to go outdoors if you live in an area with a severe winter climate. And, remember most dogs have very little fur on their tummies. Be sure and get a sweater that covers this area, too! If there is snow or ice on the ground you may want to consider some type of bootie, too! Wipe that smirk off of your face! We know a dog's feet are tougher than ours, but indoor dog's pads get tender and booties will help in any extreme weather condition. Another time your dog may nees special clothing is following surgery or after it has been shaved. A dog that is recovering from surgery, or that has been closely shaved will need temporary protection from outside elements, winter or summer. To get your dog accustomed to wearing his new Doggie Wardrobe remember it will be a learned behavior, just like any training session. First time you may put a sweater on Queenie for just a few minutes. Next time, leave it on a little longer and offer a snack or reward while praising the dog with phrases like, "Good dog, outside...sweater...outside." Soon enough, Queenie will associate her sweater with going outside and getting a treat when she gets back inside. So, as you can see, a Doggie Wardrobe is for more than fashion. It is actually a must! More dogs |
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Other Important Information
Don't Poison Your Dog!
Training Tips And Ideas
Housebreaking
Start A Pet Business
Dog Training Secrets
Don't Poison Your Dog!
Training Tips And Ideas
Housebreaking
Start A Pet Business
Dog Training Secrets
