Posts Tagged ‘puppy’

Finding a Dog 101 - Dogs are fantastic companions, and love you no matter what, but remember:

o Dogs DO take time! Remember, just like us, they are social animals who do not like being left alone. You can't just stick them out in the yard or leave them in the house alone all the time and expect everything to be all right. Many types of behavioral problems occur just as a result of this one thing. Do you honestly have ample time every day to spend walking, feeding, cleaning up after, grooming, exercising and playing with your dog? And dogs often live for ten to fifteen years, so enter into this as a seriously long-term commitment.

o Dogs DO cost money. There are food requirements which vary from dog to dog. They will need regular health care as well including: shots, wormings, check ups, etc. Some dog breeds will additionally need regular grooming. Puppies will damage things in your house from time to time - it's a fact. Finding a dog may lead to things being replaced more often. You will have to do more cleaning from time to time - shedding fur, etc.

o Dogs DO require ample space which can vary from breed to breed. Take the time to research ALL the requirements needed for all breeds you may be interested in. Do you live in an apartment? A duplex/townhouse or condo? A single family home? Do you have a securely fenced yard or access to a securely fenced in area for your dog to play in? If not, can you seriously make some other kind of suitable and realistic arrangements for your dog to get adequate DAILY exercise? Finding a dog requires a lot of forethought and planning.

1) Be Honest. Finding a dog can take some time. First of all, do you really want a dog? Is a purebred dog perfect for you? Or would you be just as happy adopting a dog from the local animal shelter or rescue organization in your area?

2) So you still really want a dog even will all the needs listed above in mind ...

If you can honestly answer all these needs mentioned above with a positive response then you're ready for step 2.

So now, you must now ask yourself:

Finding a Dog 101 - What breed of purebred dog do you want?

Research, research, research! Before selecting a purebred puppy breed you must first carefully consider many things about yourself and your family, such as: your exercise schedule, your own personality, your family and home situation, what you expect of your dog (watchdog, companion for your children, hunting, etc.), whether you live in a house with a fenced yard or in an apartment/duplex/condo, etc. You want to honestly match the dog's needs to yours as closely as possible for the best match possible. Finding a dog takes plenty of forethought and research.

For example, if you're athletically inclined, you don't want a doggie couch potato - a dog that has low exercise needs. If you're a couch potato yourself, you don't want a purebred puppy that needs a lot of exercise.

o First, DO NOT decide on any dog breed based on looks alone. When finding a dog take your time and do lots of research BEFORE making any new kind of new doggie addition to your family. The eight major purebred dog groups found in the AKC in particular (Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting, Herding and Miscellaneous) is a great place to start. Feel free to use the dog breed resources on our site as a good place to start as well. We offer many individual dog breed profiles including lots of in-depth information on many kinds of purebred dog...

Finding a Dog 101 - Next: Selecting Your Dog. Do you want an adult or puppy?

Almost everyone wants a puppy. Puppies are lots of fun and can be easy to train and socialize, but they require a lot of time and care. Adult dogs often require less care overall than puppies but may have developed some types of behavioral or socialization problems during their life. If you are more inclined to get an adult dog, one good choice to start with is a rescue dog, possibly from a local shelter or rescue organization. There are many shelters and breed rescue groups available which can be visited on the internet, via the phone or in person depending on your area and finding a dog in one of these places can potentially mean saving it's life. Sometimes these organizations may have puppies for adoption as well.

Finding a Dog 101 - Where is the best place to find a dog or puppy?

o First, consider adopting a dog from a shelter or purebred dog rescue organization. Way too many dogs are euthanized each year, and you might just find a dog - the perfect companion for you, at the local pound or through a rescue group for your favorite breed. And you saved a life in the process!

o Second, find a "real" breeder. A real breeder of purebred dogs usually belongs to a breed club for their specific dog breed as well as belonging to several other dog related organizations. Additionally, many purebred dog breeders may be involved in showing their own dogs or participating in other dog related activities as agility, lure coursing or herding events. Finding purebred dogs or purebred puppies here means you have a much better chance at learning about the dogs ancestors, breed health problems, littermates, seeing the actual living conditions the puppy was raised in, and have a resource for future questions and a new friend for the life of your new dog.

Other very important things to look for in a purebred dog breeder - do they: provide references; have a clean kennel with healthy, well-socialized animals; provide a pedigree and registration application form; give you written instructions on feeding, training and care; provide a written contract with conditions of sale and warranty; give you a record of vaccinations and wormings?

Are the breeders: interested in your qualifications to be an owner of one of their precious puppies (your home and family situation, etc); insistent that you take the purebred puppy to a vet for a check-up immediately after purchase; insistent that you continue with vaccinations and wormings on a regular basis; encouraging the relationship between you and the breeder as a continuing one; there for you on an "on-call" basis with ANY future questions or problems that you may have about you new puppy or dog?

Places to avoid when finding a dog:

o Pet shop. These poor puppies are often poorly bred and raised in the most terrible living conditions. You'll never get a chance to see the parents, littermates or the actual original home they were bred in and you will never know what kind of inherited health problems they have until way too late. Finding a dog here means a potential lifetime of health problems as well as the potential to carry on this awful practice of puppy milling by supporting the sellers of their animals.

o Backyard breeders. Typically these are people who own a dog but are not knowledgeable at all in the details about the breed, inherent health problems and risks, history of their dogs (other than their "papers"), etc. and think it will be "fun" or maybe even "profitable" to have a litter of puppies. Any dog breeders who lets you handle a very young puppy, shows signs of neglect (such as lack of water, and dirty conditions) in their kennel, are willing to sell a puppy under seven weeks of age are not looking out for the puppies best interest. Leave and find a reputable breeder asap! Finding a dog here also means many potential problems and no real support for your new puppy in the future.

We suggest you take your time when searching for your new canine companion. Call breeders, visit their websites if possible, contact parent clubs for references for reputable breeders in your area. The more research you do BEFORE you bring your new companion home, the better off everyone, including the new doggie, will be.

Debbie Ray, owner of http://www.pedigreedpups.com and http://www.total-german-shepherd.com is a lifelong animal lover and dog enthusiast. Interested in more dog information? Training and health tips? Thinking about getting a purebred dog? Interested in the German Shepherd Dog in particular? Need to promote your dog related website and get additional in bound links? Check out canine-hotline.com (dog only products store) for more dog supplies.

TRIXIE DOG CAR BOOSTER BED SEAT TRAVEL SAFETY PET PUPPY

• Luxury Small Dog Car Seat, measurements: 45 x 39 x 38,5 cm
• The car seat for dogs protects your upholstery against dirt and pet hairs. It is suitable for front passenger seat and separable back seats.
• material: nylon / imitated sheepskin, also usable as travel bed, raised seat suitable as extra compartment, enables your dog to look out of the window
• suitable for longer car rides, slit for safety belt, fast fitting and removal
• UK SHIPPING ONLY

THE CAR SEAT FOR DOGS PROTECTS YOUR UPHOLSTERY AGAINST DIRT AND PET HAIRS.

IT IS SUITABLE FOR FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND SEPARABLE BACK SEATS.

THE SEAT AND THE SIDES AS WELL ARE PADDED WITH CUSHY IMITATION FUR, WHICH MAKES IT SUITABLE FOR LONGER DRIVES.

THE SEAT'S BASE SERVES AS PLATFORM AND CAN BE USED AS TRANSPORT BOX AND STORAGE BAG AS WELL.

DUE TO ELEVATED SITTING POSITION YOUR DOG CAN LOOK OUT OF THE WINDOW DURING THE DRIVE.

A SMALL OPENING AT THE BACK OF THE CAR DOG SEAT ALLOWS A RAPID FASTENING AND UNFASTENING OF THE DOG'S SEATBELT.

THE INTEGRATED SAFETY NET ENSURES THAT YOUR DOG WILL TAKE A SAFE POSITION DURING THE CAR RIDE.

IN ORDER TO TURN THE DOG CAR SEAT INTO A TRAVEL BED OR TO ENSURE THE DOG AN EASY ENTRANCE, THE NET CAN ALSO BE TURNED DOWN.

CLEANING: THE REMOVABLE INLAY AND TRAVEL BED ARE WASHABLE UP TO 30° C.

THE BASE CAN BE WIPED OUT.

PLEASE NOTE: THE DOG SEAT DOES NOT PROTECT YOUR DOG IN CASE OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.

FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG'S SAFETY THE DOG HAS TO BE BUCKLED UP

Price:

More Dog Beds Products

Many people, who unfortunately misunderstand the concept of good crate training, believe that crating a dog for any length of time is cruel and they refuse to even consider it. In fact, a crate really is a wonderful tool when used correctly. Crate training can be fun for the puppy if you make it a POSITIVE experience. I firmly believe it to be the fastest and easiest way to potty train a puppy or even an adult, previously untrained dog.

The majority of new pet owners misconstrue the purpose of a dog crate. It is NOT used to punish a puppy; the puppy should deem the crate to be his safe haven. Once you recognize this fact, you will be able to utilize the puppy's den to your advantage and build up a proper potty training plan.

When you have a new puppy or dog, you will use a crate to limit his admission to the entire house until he learns all the house rules. A crate is also a secure way of transporting your dog in the car, as well as an opportunity to take him places where it may not be appropriate for him to run without restraint.

Giving the pup special "treats" is a perfect way to introduce him to his crate. The only time the puppy receives these special treats is when he is in the crate; the treats become associated with the crate. Thus, when introduced and used correctly, your dog will think of his crate as his safe haven and he will be happy to spend time there when required. Basically, you need to think like a dog for this to work: normally, a dog never chooses a busy part of the house for his hideaway. He usually selects a dark corner off by himself where he feels sheltered and safe; maybe under a table or chair or between furniture where he is able to see anyone approaching. So, use this concept to your advantage, now that you understand the dog's purpose for the crate is that it becomes his "den" you can move forward. Remember though, repetition is essential. Your puppy will not understand what you want unless you repeatedly show him exactly what is required of him.

A dog will never make his den dirty. If a dog is correctly trained to love his den, his instinct will be to keep it clean. This is the foremost reason why a crate works in potty training. A dog should always be at ease and safe in his crate and above all he always desires to have a clean environment. A crate must be a positive place where your dog can find security and pleasure. An attractive crate makes for a welcoming den - a comfy blanket, tasty treats, and a favorite toy help to make the pup comfortable. Also very important, the crate needs to be in a place where your dog will not feel as if he is part of the family and not isolated.

Always feed the pup/dog's regular meals somewhere close to his crate. This will also create a pleasant association with the crate. Some trainers recommend actually feeding meals inside the crate; this too is fine, but my personal preference is to keep food dishes outside. An exception to this could be with a adult dog who initially views the crate negatively; placing meals inside the crate will be a great encouragement to him accepting it. After the dog is eating his regular meals in the crate with no sign of fear or anxiety, begin moving the dishes outside.

To sum up: using a crate correctly, establishes restrictions for your dog when you are away from the house and unable to keep an eye on his behavior. A crate is also a safe area for your dog to be if you're having company and you have a less than social dog. Another surprising advantage: dogs who are afraid of thunderstorms or fireworks, often find refuge in their familiar crate/den.

Normally a puppy follows a very definite "potty pattern": when he wakes up in the morning; immediately after meal; when he wakes up from a nap; after he has been playing, or after it has been a while since he last went potty. At each of these strategic points, take the puppy outside to take care of his business. A puppy can not hold it a long time so you must be trained to anticipate his likely needs. Look at it this way, you need to understand that the better trained you become, the better trained your puppy will be.

The last two dogs I have crate trained personally were a six week old female Dalmatian puppy and an adult rescued (badly abused) female Dalmatian. I began the baby in a comfortable, plastic travel crate, while the adult dog was put in a much larger, fold down wire crate. Both crates were situated in the kitchen/dining room which is the most occupied area of the house.

With both dogs, the following schedule was set up and followed faithfully:

Early Morning: Puppy/dog woke up in her crate; I immediately took the puppy/dog outside to the part of the yard we had designated as her "potty area". Right from the start I began repeating "Quickly, quickly, quickly", so that she would straight away associate the command with going to potty. Immediately she obliged, I praised her bother verbally and with lots of pats. We then returned to the house and the puppy was given breakfast and the adult dog was given a biscuit. After breakfast we both went back outside for the puppy to go potty while the adult dog went for a walk. Both dogs were then allowed to play safely for a while in the house, then back outside, potty, praise, return into the house, and naptime in the crate.

Afternoon: Puppy/dog woke up again; time to go outside. I immediately began repeating "Quickly, quickly, quickly", and pretty soon both animals obliged almost instantly and they were rewarded with lots of praise. Back into the house for lunch. Puppy/dog ate lunch the again went outside with me and went potty; lots of praise, then back into the house for playtime. The puppy indulged in lots of activity, while the adult dog socialized with us and explored the house. I allowed this for a given amount of time, then back outside to potty, then back into the crate for naptime.

Evening: Puppy/dog woke up and straight away went outside. Verbally encouraged, then praised, they both quickly went potty and knowing that they had done what was required of them, straight away looked to go back into the house for dinner. Dinner was eaten - back outside. Family social hour - back outside.

This routine WORKS. I will tell you with absolute honesty that in both instances, I didn't have to clean up a single "accident" with either animal.

At bed time, both animals had a last trip outside then were snuggled up for the night in their crate. When the puppy was very young, I set the alarm and took her outside once during the night. This nocturnal trip depends upon the age of the puppy and some babies may need to go out more than once during the night initially. This improves with age. Remember whenever he or she wakes you up in the middle of the night that your dog is reacting to your training and is actually doing the right thing by asking. Please be patient.

If you work, don't expect the puppy to wait 10 to 12 hours while you are gone. Make arrangements to go home for lunch, or have a neighbor or friend come over and follow the same routine of potty, praise, and play. As a puppy gets older and can hold it longer, the crate becomes less necessary. Just make sure that if you allow your dog freedom, he is still limited in a safe area. Check for electrical cords and unsafe "chewy" items. Better safe than sorry.

Remember, as your dog gets accustomed to his crate routine and enjoys the security of having his own space, never leave a puppy crated for longer than three or four hours at a time or an adult dog for longer than eight hours. If you crate your dog at night, you should make sure he has plenty of uncrated time during the day.

Even when the pup or dog is no longer confined to the crate, they continue see it as their "den", their refuge, and I keep it available to them with the entrance door propped open. Whenever they choose to go into the crate, make sure they are left alone; especially make children respect it as the pup or dog's private place. Dogs love their crates, when they remain available to them they prefer to use them, cuddled into their favorite blanket.

Crates are also a very useful tool to employ as a puppy becomes older and is going through the stage where it is losing its puppy teeth and chewing on everything. Then, it's a good idea to crate him whenever you are away from the house.

Proper crate training of a puppy shapes the puppy's behavior positively using his animal instincts to your advantage. Surely, this is much better than accidents on your floor. Remember above all else to be tolerant and consistent in your training. Love your puppy and give him lots of praise when he does it correctly. Dogs love praise; they thrive on it and positive reinforcement works every time.

Remember though, crate is NOT a magical solution. If not used correctly, a dog will feel trapped and frustrated. As an example, if your dog is crated all day while you're at work and then crated again all night, he's definitely spending far too much time in much too small a space. Also remember that puppies under six months of age should never stay in a crate for more than three or four hours at a stretch. They can't control their functions for longer periods.

If your dog whines or cries when crated at night, it may be difficult to decide whether he's whining to be let out of the crate, or whether he needs to be taken outside to eliminate. Try to ignore the whining for a few minutes. If your dog is just testing you, he will probably stop whining soon. Yelling at him or pounding on the crate will only make things worse and will definitely destroy the dog's confidence in your training. If the whining continues after you've ignored him for several minutes, use the phrase he's learnt to associate with going outside to eliminate. If he responds and becomes excited, take him outside. This should be a trip with a purpose, not play time. If you're certain that your dog doesn't need to eliminate, the best response is to ignore him until he stops whining. Don't give in, otherwise you will just teach your dog to whine loud and long to get what he wants. If you've progressed slowly but surely through the training steps and haven't done too much too fast, you will be less likely to encounter this problem. If the problem becomes unmanageable, you may need to start the crate training process over again.

You need to be certain the crate is the correct size for the pup/dog. If it is too big, the pup may try to use part of it as a bathroom and this is something you definitely need to avoid. The crate needs to be big enough to allow the dog to stand up and lie down comfortably. If you know your dog is going to grow into a big dog, then consider getting a divider so you will have the proper size crate in the beginning and it can grow along with the dog!

Location is also immensely important. You must be able to hear the pup. If the pup is whining, he probably needs to go potty and should be taken out. Remember the routine outlined above. The crate should be in a room where there is activity.

Crates may be plastic (often referred to as flight kennels) or collapsible, metal pens. They come in different sizes and can be purchased at most pet supply stores as well as online. All have pros and cons, including cost, ventilation, clean-up, etc.

C. Anne is the author of multiple articles related to the care and nurture of domestic pets. She is an advocate of training by "Positive Reinforcement" and a campaigner against all forms of animal abuse and exploitation.

To visit C. Anne's pet blog Click ==> http://4petsonline.com

Nothing is harder than working with a dog that is not working within your household. If you have a new dog that needs some training you might be asking yourself, what are the different types of dog training that you can use? Luckily for you, here is the best guide full of the best tips to use to your advantage! Before you know it, you will have the perfect dog!

You will need to get familiar with the different types of dog training that you can use to your advantage. Due to the fact that there are dogs of different breeds and ages, you need to do your research. Figure out what our dogs problems are and you can tackle them one at a time.

You should not start your dog with complicated tricks and training methods. You will need to start with the simple basics so that your dog can learn slowly as well as effectively. Start with teaching your dog how to sit and lay down. Simply commands will surely help you out. Read the rest of this entry »

Many owners grow frustrated with their canine's inappropriate elimination. This defines a habit in which a dog will eliminate (i.e. urinate or defecate) inside the home. Assuming he is older than eight weeks and has been house-trained, this behavior is unacceptable. The challenge is curbing it.

In order to discourage your dog's habit of soiling your home, it's important to understand why he's doing it in the first place. There are several possible reasons, including a host of medical conditions, marking behavior, separation anxiety, and showing submission. We'll explore each of these factors in more detail below. We'll clarify the reasons your canine may be eliminating inappropriately, and offer a few tips to help you curb the behavior. Read the rest of this entry »

If you're thinking about bringing a new canine home for your family, consider adopting one from a shelter. You'll find shelters are filled with dogs that would make ideal companions if given the chance. Some are there because they became lost and were unable to find their way home. Others are there because their previous owners were unable to continue caring for them (e.g. they moved into an apartment with a "no pet" policy). A reputable shelter will take the time to make sure a pet in their care is a good match for you and your family.

This article will provide five important tips for adopting a shelter dog. The following suggestions will help ensure you bring home a healthy, happy, and affectionate canine. Read the rest of this entry »

One of the only ways your pooch can communicate is by barking. It is his main tool for conveying a variety of messages. He'll do it when there's a stranger lurking on your porch; he'll do it to let you know he needs to go outside; and he'll do it when he wants your attention. The problem is, excessive barking can rattle anyone's nerves, including your neighbors. To prevent them from becoming frustrated, and to preserve your own sanity, you'll need to take steps to curb your dog's behavior.

The first step is to realize why your canine barks. Once you understand the underlying triggers, you can implement measures to address them. That's where we'll start. We'll then offer a few savvy tips for modifying his behavior and enjoying peace and quiet in your home. Read the rest of this entry »

Training a puppy requires an extra level of patience and diligence. Puppies, by nature, are playful and slightly unruly. Controlling their activity and focusing their attention is often challenging, especially if you're trying to do so in an environment that offers distractions. The benefit is that investing the time and effort to train your pup helps him learn how to be a better companion to you and your family.

There are a few ground rules to follow when training puppies - and even adult canines. In this article, we'll explore four of the most important. Read the rest of this entry »

The reason that the vast majority of dogs are naughty is the indifference of their owners. The hunter, who buys a dog, saw no need to get good guidance on dogs training, and if he gets a book, he does not explore in depth enough. And most importantly, the dog owner must be able to correctly understand, to love, to learn how to "think like a dog," only under these conditions it is possible to achieve the desired result of dog. The majority of dog breeders, many thousands of them, because of its rigidity and inability to content themselves with ill-bred dogs rush at all and leading to masters at the leash for a walk. This breeder is difficult to correct and completely change their views, humanized dog; for example, that his dog is' just does not say, "she understands every word," "stubborn, it makes for evil," "she knows what offended" and so on. Read the rest of this entry »

If you have never owned a puppy before, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed with the sudden responsibility of caring for the wellbeing of your new pal. In this article you will learn about the basic health responsibilities you should attend to and how you can go about doing so.

Your puppy’s diet is first on our list. Puppies are on their mother’s milk until they are about six to eight weeks old. This weaning age is usually when breeders allow the puppies to be taken home by their new owner. Ask your breeder what the pup is currently eating and continue to feed him that. Usually they will be eating a soft canned food mixed with puppy milk replacer. Use less and less milk until your puppy is on pure canned food. You can do the same when switching to dry food by mixing in a little soft food and then cutting back a little each day until the puppy is on dry food only. Dry food is recommended as the best type of food for dogs as it has less fat content and keeps your dog’s teeth strong and free of plaque build up. This should happen gradually over the course of about 7 – 10 days. You should never feed your dog human food (i.e.: table scraps) at any time during his life. A dog’s diet requires a specific balance of certain nutrients and feeding your dog table scraps will upset this balance. Also remember to keep a water bowl filled for your pup at all times.

Read the rest of this entry »