Posts Tagged ‘Dogs’
|Saturday, November 14th, 2009
Shih Tzu Puppy
Teaching a shih tzu puppy or a shih tzu dog proper socialization skills is vital to the safety of both your dog and other dogs and people with whom he comes into contact. A properly socialized shih tzu dog is a happy dog, and a joy to be around for both humans and animals. A poorly socialized shih tzu dog, or one with no socialization at all, is a danger to other animals, other people and even his own family.
Socialization is best done when the shih tzu puppy is as young as possible The socialization lessons a young shih tzu puppy learns are difficult to undo, and it is important to remember that the socialization skills the shih tzu puppy learns will affect his behavior for the rest of his life.
A shih tzu dog that is properly socialized will be neither frightened of nor aggressive towards either animals or humans. A properly socialized shih tzu dog will take each new experience and stimulus in stride, and not become fearful or aggressive. Shih tzu dogs that are not properly socialized often bite because of fear, and such a shih tzu dog can become a hazard and a liability to the family who owns it. Improperly socialized shih tzu dogs are also unable to adapt to new situations. A routine matter like a trip to the vets or to a friends house can quickly stress the shih tzu dog out and lead to all sorts of problems.
Socialization is best done when the shih tzu puppy is very young, perhaps around 12 weeks of age. Even after 12 weeks, however, it is important that the shih tzu puppy continues its socialization in order to refine the all important social skills. It is possible to socialize an older shih tzu puppy, but it is very difficult to achieve after the all important 12 week period has passed.
There are some definite do’s and don’t when it comes to properly socializing any shih tzu puppy. Let’s start with what to do. Later in this article we will explore what to avoid.
Socialization do’s
Make each of the socialization events as pleasant and non-threatening for the shih tzu puppy as possible. If a shih tzu puppy’s first experience with any new experience is an unpleasant one, it will be very difficult to undo that in the shih tzu puppy’s mind. In some cases, an early trauma can morph into a phobia that can last for a lifetime. It is better to take things slow and avoid having the shih tzu puppy become frightened or injured.
Try inviting your friends over to meet the new shih tzu puppy. It is important to include as many different people as possible in the shih tzu puppy’s circle of acquaintances, including men, women, children, adults, as well as people of many diverse ethnic backgrounds and ages.
Also invite friendly and healthy dogs and puppies over to meet your puppy. It is important for the shih tzu puppy to meet a wide variety of other animals, including cats, hamsters, rabbits and other animals he is likely to meet. It is of course important to make sure that all animals the shih tzu puppy comes into contact with have received all necessary vaccinations.
Take the shih tzu puppy to many different places, including shopping centers, pet stores, parks, school playgrounds and on walks around the neighborhood. Try to expose the shih tzu puppy to places where they will be crowds of people and lots of diverse activity going on.
Take the shih tzu puppy for frequent short rides in the car. During these rides, be sure to stop the car once in a while and let the puppy look out the window at the world outside.
Introduce your shih tzu puppy to a variety of items that may be unfamiliar. The shih tzu puppy should be exposed to common items like bags, boxes, vacuum cleaners, umbrellas, hats, etc. that may be frightening to him. Allow and encourage the shih tzu puppy to explore these items and see that he has nothing to fear from them.
Get the shih tzu puppy used to a variety of objects by rearranging familiar ones. Simply placing a chair upside down, or placing a table on its side, creates an object that your shih tzu puppy will perceive as totally new.
Get the shih tzu puppy used to common procedures like being brushed, bathed, having the nails clipped, teeth cleaned, ears cleaned, etc. Your groomer and your veterinarian with thank you for this.
Introduce the shih tzu puppy to common things around the house, such as stairs. Also introduce the shih tzu puppy to the collar and leash, so he will be comfortable with these items.
There are of course some things to avoid when socializing a shih tzu puppy. These socialization don’ts include:
Do not place the shih tzu puppy on the ground when strange animals are present. An attack, or even a surprise inspection, by an unknown animal could traumatize the shih tzu puppy and hurt his socialization.
Do not inadvertently reward fear based behavior. When the shih tzu puppy shows fear, it is normal to try to sooth it, but this could reinforce the fear based behavior and make it worse. Since biting is often a fear based behavior, reinforcing fear can create problems with biting.
Do not force or rush the socialization process. It is important to allow the shih tzu puppy to socialize at his own pace.
Do not try to do too much too soon. Young shih tzu puppies have short attention spans, and continuing lessons after that attention span has passed will be a waste of your time and your puppy’s.
Do not wait too long to begin. There is a short window in which to begin the socialization process. A young shih tzu puppy is a blank slate, and it is important to fill that slate with positive socialization skills as early as possible.
Tags: Dog, Dogs, Puppies, Puppy, Shih Tzu, Shih Tzu Puppies, Shih Tzu Puppy
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Friday, November 13th, 2009
Tibetan Terrier Siblings
When we talk about a dog being part of the family, it’s usually because the family took the time to socialize the animal when he was a puppy. The term socialization isn’t necessarily training, it just involves teaching the dog what others expect of them. There are many things that a new puppy should be taught if you want to end up with a great member of the family. These include:
Not peeing in the house. The idea that certain parts of your home make an acceptable place to relieve themselves should be strongly discouraged. It’s only through learning this behavior will your new found friend ever be considered trustworthy enough to be left alone in your home.
Don’t bite. While puppies are naturally curious and playful, biting should not be allowed. It’s during those first few formidable months that the pecking order of your family becomes established. A pet should never be considered alpha dog in the family but be subservient to all humans. This means that although roughhousing and playing around is fine, biting is definitely not acceptable.
Sit. While this is a learned behavior, having control of your dog is critical to them being part of your family. You don’t need a full-grown dog to charge the door each time the doorbell rings. You may however consider it a positive thing when someone comes to the door that your dog announces the visitor by barking then sits obediently at the door. This can add a measure of safety and put the visitor on notice that a dog is also home.
While there are many other behaviors, you can train your dog to do, socialization should start almost immediately. Showing your new puppy what you expect is easy to do, provided that you are a consistent teacher. The key to teaching your dog anything new is to realize that they have a very short attention span and they want to please you. This means that even during socialization or formal training, any effort to teach a new behavior should be fun.
When you first get a new puppy, it’s important that you keep them confined and under control. There’s no point in allowing bad habits to develop that will only need to be broken in the future. This is a good reason why allowing your puppy to potty or relieve themselves in the house on newspapers or piddle pads is not the best way to house train your dog.
Crate training works because it uses your dogs natural instinct of keeping the sleeping area clean. This, along with consistent visits outside and lots of praise will result in your puppy not only getting the idea of what makes you happy, but also helps with the socialization aspect of his young life. Visit the link below for more information on how to quickly house train your dog using the very effective crate training method.
While socialization and formal training may be similar, training looks for certain reliable actions from the animal. With socialization, we give your new best friend a lot of slack in doing the behavior.
Tags: Crate Training, Dog Training, Dogs, House Breaking, House Training, Puppies, Puppy, Puppy Training
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Wednesday, November 11th, 2009
Tibetan Terrier Puppies
Puppy training is very important, regardless if it is your first puppy or your 10th puppy. Training a puppy may also be easier than training an adult dog because a puppy doesn’t have any knowledge on previous training techniques or other issues. On the other hand, sometimes a puppy can also be more difficult to train simply because it may not comprehend what you are trying to teach or be too young to absorb the lessons.
Puppies are also easily distracted because everything is new to it. The environment, the people, the things around, the other pets – these are all distractions to a puppy simply because it is very curious about everything! With this in mind, it will be best to keep training sessions quick and short. Each training session should also ideally end on a positive note.
Socialization is important!
As a puppy, socialization is also important. Be sure to expose your puppy to other puppies, dogs and even pets. This will reduce any likelihood dog aggression as your puppy will know how to deal with its surroundings. Socialization training will help in educating your puppy on how to play with other dogs properly and how aggressive play with other dogs in the play group is not acceptable and will lead to punishment.
As the puppies play with each other, they learn what is appropriate (and what is not). All undesirable and inappropriate puppy behavior (hard biting or scratching) is punished by its siblings, by the puppy’s mother or both. However, in this day and age, many puppies are separated from their mothers (to be sold or adopted) before this natural socialization can take place.
Hence, this is why socialization and puppy training sessions are important. It may make a huge difference to your household and your relationship with your puppy and dog. After all, you would want a puppy or dog that is obedient and responsive to your commands.
You may begin socializing your puppy by taking a trip to the local pet store. Check to make sure if the pet store allows you to bring your puppy to get used to new sights, sounds and smells.
Positive reinforcements
Puppies should be rewarded for good behaviors and not rewarded for being a delinquent. Do not reward a puppy just because it has a cute behavior. For example, it may be cute when a puppy jumps on people, but this cuteness will wear off immediately if your puppy grows into a 100 pound dog! So it will be wiser to reward your puppy for sitting instead of jumping on people.
These positive reinforcements can also be used in potty training for a new puppy. For example, teaching a puppy to do its “business” on certain surface is a good technique. If your puppy gets used to pooping on gravel or asphalt surfaces, it will be reluctant to use other surfaces such as your home carpet as potty.
A calm environment
If you are bringing home a new puppy for the first time, it would be great if everyone in the family is present. It would also be best to make sure that the house environment is calm, unlike during festive or holiday seasons. Otherwise, there will be too many distractions and the puppy will not get the attention it needs.
Once a puppy becomes part of the family, it will need to learn more about the home environment. For example, if there are stairs, your puppy may not know how to climb properly. So as an owner, you will have to slowly build your puppy’s confidence. Start at the bottom of the stairs and slowly work up the steps day by day. Do not expect it to climb all the way to the top on its first day! In general, a wide stairway may be less intimidating for the puppy.
Tags: Book, Dog Training, Dogs, Free, Guide, Housebreaking, Housetraining, Obedience, Puppies, Puppy, Tips
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Tuesday, October 27th, 2009
The Golden Retriever is truly one of the most beautiful dogs on the planet.
They have a beautiful coat, an amazing face, a strong, sleek, and muscular body, a fantastic personality, a tail that never stops waging, and they are a joy to watch at work, when flushing a pheasant, swimming in the water, or chasing a Frisbee.
The Golden Retriever was originally bred as a hunting dog in Scotland, around 1908, but is now very popular as a house pet, a therapy dog in convalescent homes and children’s hospitals, and is used by law enforcement for drug detection.
Although they do not make very good guard dogs, they will bark loudly if a stranger approaches.
If you have children the Golden Retriever can be the perfect pet. Because of their natural nurturing instincts, and very gentle nature they make the perfect companion.
In 1974 President Gerald Ford made the First Family dog a Golden Retriever named Liberty.
If you are considering getting a Golden Retriever puppy, you need to find a reputable breeder that specializes in breeding Golden Retrievers.
There are plenty of pet shops and back yard breeders that are selling Goldens, that may have serious breed problems ranging from aggression, to hip and eye problems, and a host of other problems that may not be noticeable at the puppy stage.
A reputable breeder will check the blood lines of the parents carefully to make sure they do not have a history of these problems, before breeding. This will be your best chance at having a trouble free pet.
Training your Golden Retriever is not as hard as you may think. These are very intelligent dogs, and eager to learn. They want to please you, and hate to be scowled.
The first thing to remember is that puppies will be puppies, so don’t expect too much too soon.
You can start to bathroom train right away, but if there is anything around you care about within the puppies grasp like shoes, or your favorite slippers, I would put them away, because your puppy’s going to chew them if he gets them.
Give your puppy something of his own to chew. They are teething, and want to naturally chew things because their gums hurt. Make it clear early on that he or she is to chew what you gave them, and nothing else.
If you expect your Golden to respond to your commands, then you want to avoid confusing him. It’s easy to forget that they do not understand the English language.
They respond to certain sounds, or words, based on your body language, and tone of voice. The trick to making the training as simple as possible is to use a few basic words and stick with them.
If you want your Golden to get out of the trash, and you say “no” one time, and “stop” the next time, and then “hey” the next time, they never really get what you are telling them.
The six words that I have found over the years that work best are “NO” “SIT” “DOWN” “COME” “HEEL” and “STAY”. I find they work best if said without the dogs name. These are discipline words, and are better left by themselves.
It’s important that you show your Golden Retriever that you are the boss. You must establish that you are the leader to be successful with his training.
If you give one of your commands, and he does not comply, reinforce the command with a little different tone of voice until he complies.
If that still doesn’t work, don’t just walk away. That will send a bad message. Stick with it until you get the desired results. It will happen.
Never yell at your pet or hit them, or raise your hand in a gesture to do so. You also never want to use anything like a rolled up newspaper, or a belt, or any object of this type to discipline them.
This will only scare and confuse them, and loose their trust, which will make it much harder to achieve the results you are looking for.
If you use the word “No” Firmly, to stop him from what he is doing, or gently show him you want him to “Sit” or lay “Down”, or use the word “Come” when you want him to come to you, or say “Out” when it is time for her to go outside – I think you will be very surprised at how fast he or she learns.
Whatever words work for you are fine, as long as you keep them simple, and stay with the same words all the time I think you will get surprising results.
And don’t forget the most important word of all, GOOD. Using that word combined with boy or girl, or the dog’s name such as “Good Sammy”, can work wonders.
They learn to like that real fast. Saying Good Boy, or Good Girl, or What a Good Girl, with the right tone in your voice, combined with a pat on the head, a biscuit, or a rubbing of their belly, will practically send a Golden Retriever into orbit.
They are beautiful animals. Just be patient, and you will have a great friend for many years.
Tags: Dog Training, Dogs, Golden Retrievers, Puppy Training
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Thursday, October 22nd, 2009
House training a shih tzu puppy is very important for the well being of both the shih tzu puppy and the owner. The number one reason that dogs are surrendered to animal shelters is problems with inappropriate elimination, so it is easy to see why proper house training is such an important consideration.
It is important to establish proper toilet habits when the shih tzu puppy is young, since these habits can last a lifetime, and be very hard to break once they are established. It is very important for the owner to house break the shih tzu puppy properly. In most cases, true house training cannot begin until the shih tzu puppy is six months old. Puppies younger than this generally lack the bowel and bladder control that is needed for true house training.
Shih Tzu puppies younger than six months should be confined to a small, shih tzu puppy proofed room when the owner cannot supervise them. The entire floor of the room should be covered with newspapers or similar absorbent materials, and the paper changed every time it is soiled. As the shih tzu puppy gets older, the amount of paper used can be reduced as the shih tzu puppy begins to establish a preferred toilet area. It is this preferred toilet area that will form the basis of later house training.
The Do’s of House Training Your Puppy:
Always provide the shih tzu puppy with constant, unrestricted access to the established toilet area.
When you are at home, take the shih tzu puppy to the toilet area every 45 minutes.
When you are not at home or cannot supervise the shih tzu puppy, you must be sure the shih tzu puppy cannot make a mistake. This means confining the shih tzu puppy to a small area that has been thoroughly puppy proofed. Puppy proofing a room is very similar to baby proofing a room, since puppies chew on everything.
Always provide a toilet area that does not resemble anything in your home. Training the shih tzu puppy to eliminate on concrete, blacktop, grass or dirt is a good idea. The shih tzu puppy should never be encouraged to eliminate on anything that resembles the hardwood flooring, tile or carpet he may encounter in a home.
Praise and reward your shih tzu puppy every time he eliminates in the established toilet area. The shih tzu puppy must learn to associate toileting in the established areas with good things, like treats, toys and praise from his owner.
Always keep a set schedule when feeding your shih tzu puppy, and provide constant access to fresh, clean drinking water. A consistent feeding schedule equals a consistent toilet schedule.
Using a crate can be a big help in helping a shih tzu puppy develop self control. The concept behind crate training is that the shih tzu puppy will not want to toilet in his bed area.
And finally, it is important to be patient when house training a shih tzu puppy. House training can take as long as several months, but it is much easier to house train right the first time than to retrain a problem dog.
The Don’ts of House Training Your Shih Tzu Puppy
Never reprimand or punish the shih tzu puppy for mistakes. Punishing the shih tzu puppy will only cause fear and confusion.
Do not leave food out for the shih tzu puppy all night long. Keep to a set feeding schedule in order to make the dog’s toilet schedule as consistent as possible.
Do not give the shih tzu puppy the run of the house until he has been thoroughly house trained.
House training is not always the easiest thing to do, and some dogs tend to be much easier to house train than others. It is important, however to be patient, consistent and loving as you train your shih tzu. A rushed, frightened or intimidated shih tzu will not be able to learn the important lessons of house training. Once you have gained your shih tzu puppy’s love and respect, however, you will find that house training your shih tzu puppy is easier than you ever expected.
Tags: Dog, Dogs, Shih Tzu, Shih Tzu Puppies, Shih Tzu Puppy
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Wednesday, October 14th, 2009
Last time we covered a bit of everything in a way. We covered many reasons as to why the walk is important to a puppies training as well as to his overall development. We said what a walk does for him. It’s important to know this because when go to on a walk with your puppy you need to know exactly what you are doing for him. This is important because when you raise and train a puppy you need to give him the tools to become a stable and happy dog when he grows up. You don’t want him to be unstable with regards to his behavior and his attitude. This important time in his life plays such a crucial role that it should almost be enforced when you first get the puppy. Another part of raising a puppy that we discussed was the aspect of roles between you and your dog. Roles are important because they simply establish what role you play with regards to him and what role he should play when it comes to you.
As much as the walk is important, both you and your puppy knowing your roles with respect to each other are just as important. The reason for this the walk is vitally important. Knowing each other’s roles is the first step to having a healthy and beneficial relationship. The walk only strengthens that but to have these kinds of effects between you and your puppy, you need to be consistent and you need to determined. The reason I say this is because there have been quite a few people who have started this with this same intent but as the time went by, their determination began to fade and they lost all their hard work.
When you go on the walk you need to go with the intent of teaching your puppy what you think he needs to know with regards to the rules you want to set down. The purpose of the walk is not only for your puppy to go to the bathroom but for you to strengthen the bond between you as well as introduce him to the outside world. Even though that may be you need to make sure you maintain the pace. When you walk you puppy always make sure he walks next to you and not in front of you. This instills the fact that you are the leader of this walk and not him. If he pulls you make sure you stop him and let him know that you don’t want to be pulled. This is also where the consistence comes in. Every time he does something that you don’t approve of you need to make sure you reprimand him every time he does it. This shows him that his actions are not good and you don’t want him to keep doing this. This is just a basic walk though of what should happen during your walk but as you go along it will evolve based on your needs and his actions.
Tags: Dog, Dog Beds, Dog Training, Dogs
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Tuesday, October 13th, 2009
Often people wonder exactly when puppy training should take place. Well, the answer is as soon as possible. A puppy is able to learn things as soon as he can walk. And the earlier you start training, the more acceptable to it the puppy will be.
Training introduced at an early age will yield good results and cooperation; at a later age it will prove more difficult and meet with resistance. So, get your puppy started on the right track with some proper training, and he will become a welcome addition to your home.
A puppy’s brain grows and develops dramatically in the first six months of its life. This is a time where you can have an enormous influence on how he develops regarding his learning, socialization and emotional behavior. In fact, a puppy can start training as soon as he opens his eyes. Socialization training is very important to a puppy and it is sensitive to this during the third to sixteenth week of its life. It can prevent behavior problems, presented as aggression, at a later age. A well-socialized puppy will turn into a happy, secure dog. Initially, the puppy is around the rest of its litter. Handling by humans should start early also. As he grows he should be taken out, so he can continue to be around other people and pets. By spending time with your puppy through play, the puppy will develop a bond with you and will want to please you.
It is important to establish who is in control. A puppy that is allowed to roam as he wishes, with no limitations on behavior, will learn he is in charge. He will take signals from his setting as to how he should act. So, it is good to set restrictions. Start by setting up an eating area and his crate area. Get a crate just big enough for him to stand in. Too big a crate will allow the puppy to have an area to use as a potty. And house training is one of the first training areas you should address. Take the dog outside frequently so they have the opportunity to go outside. This way they will sense where they are supposed to go. If he messes in the house, clean it up, give him a firm ‘NO’, and take it outside. This way he will know where it should go. Try to keep his urine smell out of the house, as he will associate that with the potty area.
Puppies also love to chew on things. They will do this when they become bored. So play with your puppy and keep him entertained. Also provide him with plenty of chew toys especially if you catch him chewing on something he is not suppose to. It is also a good idea to start early in teaching the puppy not to bite people. While playing with the puppy, try to get him to bite you. When he does, say ‘ouch’ really loud to startle him and stop playing. After a few minutes go back to playing with him and keep repeating. He will get the idea.
Puppy training should be done routinely on a daily basis. And it should be consistent. Stick to the rules. And make sure the whole family does also. Dogs do have a short attention span; so make sure each session is short. It is also important to never hit the dog when he does something wrong. Instead, reward good behavior. He will get the point. Positive reinforcement for good behavior, and a firm ‘NO’ when he does something you don’t like, should do the trick.
Simple commands such as “sit”, “stay”, “down”, “come” and “no” can be taught the first year sometimes even by the 8th week. Their brains are like sponges in the early months of their lives. Say their name and commands often. They will learn through repetition. Reward them with treats initially to get them to follow a command. Later you can withhold the treats and instead offer a ‘good dog’ as a reward.
It is important during your training process, to have a great deal of patience with the puppy. You should never yell or hit your dog. Instead reward good behavior. They will respond better to this, than harsh words. Through proper training, and lots of love, your puppy will grow up to be a well adjusted, sociable, happy and obedient dog. And you will be a proud owner.
Halloween costumes ideas
Tags: Dog Adoption, Dog Allergies, Dog Breeding, Dog Breeds, Dog Grooming, Dog Health, Dog Training, Dogs
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Sunday, October 11th, 2009
Old Antique Historical Victorian Prints Maps and Historic Fine Art ———-. 1849 Hunting Season Feeding Dogs Puppies Antique Print One Page From The Illustrated London News C1850-1899, The Actual Date Is In The Title Or On The Page Itself. All Are Genuine Antique Victorian Prints And Not Modern Copies. Size Is Approx 15 X 11 Inches (Or 38 X 28 Cm) Or A Little Larger Depending On Year. If This Is Not What You Are Looking For Please Search All My Listings.
Tags: 1849, Antique, Dogs, feeding, Hunting, Print, Puppies, Season
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Friday, October 9th, 2009
Puppies are such cute furry bundles of joy it is little wonder that most of us find them irresistible. The thing to remember though is that that cute furry bundle comes with a whole bag of responsibility and moreover some day that little furry bundle of fun will transform into a big furry bundle. The point to note here is that it isn’t enough to see a puppy and exclaim “ahhhh” and feel that covers all your future obligations and requisite requirements to becoming a dog owner. Nothing could be further from the truth!Before you go puppy scouting you first need to do some research on the type of dog breed that best compliments your personality. Another point to consider is that if you are getting the puppy for a child most of the responsibility of taking care of that puppy is going to fall on your shoulders, your child’s promises and good intentions notwithstanding.Choosing Your PuppyChoosing the right puppy for you and for your home requires a certain degree of insight to yourself. If you intend to have a long and happy relationship with your dog then you need to get a dog breed that will fit into your lifestyle and match your character. Thus you need to ask yourself a number of questions and be prepared to answer them with nothing less than stark naked honesty. Such questions include:• Are you an energetic/active person• Are you a couch potato• Is the dog going to primarily be a companion or pet• Do you live in an apartment• Do you have a backyard• Is the dog going to be a playmate for kids• Is the dog primarily for protection• Do you intend to exhibit your dog at dog shows• How does having a dog fit into your work schedule• How much time are you prepared to spend on grooming• Do you want a super affectionate dogThe above list is by no means all encompassing but certainly tackles some of the questions you should ask yourself before you eventually get your puppy. Think of these questions as primers to your quest for the perfect puppy dog!Get A Dog Breed That Compliments You And Your NeedsThe great thing about getting a dog is that there are well over 200 different breeds to choose from; and it gets better. Over a span of many hundreds of years (in some instances thousands) man has bred every and any type of dog to cater to practically any need he so desired. That means that somewhere out there is the perfect dog breed for you. Hence if you are little inclined to indulging in long arduous walks or are loathe to bouts of daily exercise, it makes no sense at all to get a dog that belongs to the sporting group of dogs, because such dogs invariably need a lot of exercise.In other words if your nature leans towards couch-potato hedonism then get a puppy that compliments your couch-potato lifestyle. Fortunately there is no shortage of dog breeds that possess such qualities. In a somewhat similar vein if your intended dog is for protection, guarding or some other form of service, it makes sense for you to choose a dog from the working dog breed group.Probably the single most common mistake that would-be dog owners tend to make is to base the appearance of a dog as the ultimate criterion for their selection. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with initially basing your choice of dog on the breed’s appearance but remember that looks tell you little if anything about any dog breed’s inherent character and nature. Take the Poodle for example; most people think that the Poodle is nothing but a show dog. However what they don’t know is that the Standard Poodle (this is the big variant which attains a weight of 65lbs plus and grows to a height of 21 inches and more) actually makes a very capable watchdog with a pretty convincing bite to remind you and anyone else inclined to forget that it is more than just a pretty face in a doggy world!Where To Get Puppies FromThere are a variety of places that you could get your puppy from, some highly recommended while others you should avoid at all costs for a number of reasons that will be explained shortly.1. Puppies From Reputable BreedersThese are people who raise dogs because they actually love dogs and are not in it for the money. Such a dog breeder:• Raises their puppies in close proximity to people and in a warm, safe comfortable and protected environment. The reason why it is essential that puppies be raised in close contact with people is so that they get accustomed and socialized to humans from an early onset which makes for a better pet.• Never breeds more than a couple of litters each year and restricts any one female dog to a single litter per year.• Screens their puppies and dogs for genetic or hereditary disease and other ailments and will supply you (the end-owner) with the relevant registration papers and certificates proving so• Would as a matter of course inquire about your lifestyle, where you live and what kind of experience if any that you have with dogs. They’ll ask you such questions not because they are nosey but rather to ensure that you are truly compatible and well matched with the dog that you are about to introduce as the newest member of your family. Remember, as stated before, reputable breeders are concerned about the welfare and well being of their dogs and want to ensure that their puppies don’t end up being abandoned by a negligent owner.Getting your purebred puppy from a reputable breeder will initially cost you more money upfront but will pay off in the backend because in effect what you are paying for is a guarantee of a puppy that:• Is well socialized• Has been screened for health defects and possible genetic disease• As an adult dog will exhibit the positive attributes and characteristics typical of the breed and not the unwanted traits that appear in poorly developed purebreds as a result of over breeding along the same generational lines2. Dog Rescue SheltersEvery year millions of dogs are euthanized in the United States alone, many of them being abandoned pets that cannot be housed in foster homes in a timely fashion before funds for their upkeep run out. A lot of those dogs in rescue shelters are purebred dogs that have been abandoned for some reason or other by their previous owners.Good Reasons To Get A Dog From A ShelterThere are actually a number of advantages in getting your dog from a rescue shelter and such reasons include:• You will pay much less for your new pet even if it is a purebred dog (typically you’d just pay the adoption fee which helps to keep the shelter open and is about $50. Getting your purebred dog from a reputable breeder would set you back anywhere from $500-$1500.• Most dog shelters have some degree of veterinary facility on their premises ensuring that dogs are neutered/spayed (commonly but not always) as well as treated for any ailments/diseases and screened for problems. All this is done at no extra cost to you, having been incorporated in the miniscule adoption fee.• The average dog from a shelter has undergone some level of housetraining which is a huge weight off the shoulders for any new prospective dog owner. Where Not To Get Puppies FromThere are two places you should avoid getting your puppy from at all costs and those places are:A. Puppy Mills: as the name suggest such places are devoted to churning out puppies in volume without due consideration to their welfare and well being. Puppies from puppy mills are raised in horrendous conditions, rarely if ever in contact with people and are removed from their mothers prematurely at the tender age of 5 weeks (which is much too soon). A consequence of such horribly conditions and a deprived puppyhood is that these dogs make for very poor pets. Moreover such puppies are far more likely to suffer from undiagnosed genetic disease as well as other ailments because it is a good bet that the puppy mills are certainly not bothered with such trivialities as the good health of their wards! B. Pet Stores: Next time you see that cute but sad-eyed puppy in a pet store brace yourself and walk on by. Why? Because pet stores are actually the sole reason that puppy mills still exist. Pet stores get their puppies from puppy mills or from for-profit backyard breeders, two types of establishment that aren’t concerned with: the pedigree purity, genetic disease, or emotionally and mental well being of the dog. Puppies from pet stores typically get there at about five weeks of age and are finally placed with an owner around 12 weeks of age. Conditions in the pet store may be better than those of the puppy mill but only marginally so. Much of the time the puppy is in isolation and has little if any human contact, which means that if you do break down and get that sad-eyed puppy in the window you are getting a dog that has next to no socialization skills and is almost invariably emotionally and mentally scarred! Besides by getting your puppy from a pet store you are in effect perpetuating this horrible cycle of canine misery.
More about the dog
Tags: Dog, Dog Breed, Dog Breeder, Dog Owner, Dog Rescue Shelter, Doggy World, Dogs, Pet Stores, Poodle, Puppies, Puppy, Puppy Dog, Puppy Mills
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Thursday, October 8th, 2009
You just brought home your new puppy, now, what should you feed him? There are a million types and brands of dog food, from canned to kibble. How do you know how much you should feed your puppy? For medium to large size puppies, they need to be fed a well balanced, quality, dry, puppy formula, 4 small meals a day, up to 4 months of age. They are growing so fast and using up so much energy, they need to be refueled frequently. From 4 months to 8 months of age, they should be fed 3 meals a day, and from 8 months to 12 months, feed 2 times a day. If puppies are started on dry kibble from the time they are weaned, they will have no problem eating dry puppy food.
Treats can be given in moderation, especially small treats for reward during training. Table food and leftovers should be avoided, although the occasional piece of apple or carrot is okay. Certain foods are not safe for puppies or dogs to eat. Most people know chocolate can harm dogs, but raisins, grapes, onions, garlic and certain nuts are also harmful.
It is important for large breed puppies to be fed a dry puppy food specially formulated for large breeds. Also, do not overfeed your puppy to increase or speed growth. This is especially important for large breed puppies because rapid growth causes improper skeletal development, which leads to bone and joint problems. A slower, steady growth rate is better. You should not encourage your puppy to become an oversized adult to make him look more impressive.
There are some key ingredients important for your pups diet. DHA, which is a fish oil has been shown to promote faster learning in puppies. Protein is important for muscle, skin, coat and organ development. Calcium and Phosphorous are needed in the proper ratio for teeth and bones to grow correctly. Omega-3 fatty acids help develop a healthy immune system.
Dogs do not naturally produce all the nutrients they require so a quality dog or puppy food is crucial for healthy growth and development. An all natural, human grade pet vitamin is also beneficial because it provides an important digestive enzyme lost during the processing of dog food. A quality pet vitamin also provides Essential Fatty Acids not produced in the body. A good pet vitamin also helps protect against allergies and immune disorders, such as Irritable Bowel Disease.
With the proper care and nutrition, your puppy will grow to be strong and healthy. You will be able to enjoy your new best friend for a long time.
Joseph M. Sabol is a world class Doberman breeder. Please go to http://petvitamins4u.com or to http://theroadhousedobes.com for further information
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_M_Sabol
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Tags: Doberman Nutrition, Doberman Puppy, Dog, Dog Health, Dog Nutrition, Dogs, Puppies, Puppy, Puppy Health, Puppy Nutrition
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Saturday, September 26th, 2009
Bringing home a Pomeranian puppy can be a special time as these little balls of fluff can steal your heart in an instant. But caring for a puppy is not all fun and games and there are certain things that need to be done to ensure your puppy grows into a happy healthy dog. If you’ve adopted your Pomeranian puppy from a reputable breeder much of his initial care will have been done for you and you will probably be given a good set of instructions as how to continue his puppy care. Here is the some of the things of concern when caring for puppies.
Vaccinations
Anyone that’s had a dog knows that they need to have vaccinations much like human babies to protect them from diseases. When you get your pupppy from the breeder, he should have already had his first set of vaccinations done by the breeder’s Veterinarian. you should record this information and bring it to your veterinarian so that he or she can schedule your puppy for any booster shots.
Worming
The initial warming on your Pomeranian should have been done before you picked him up, but there is probably some follow up that you will need to do. When you take your puppy for his first Vet visit you Victor Neri and will check his stool and we’ll let you know what further action needs to be taken. Sometimes puppies need to be wormed again after a few months. Worming is easy, your veterinarian will probably give you a liquid to give to your puppy which will kill the worms.
Dental
Pomeranians can be prone to dental problems, therefore it’s important to start good dental hygiene when your Pomeranian is still a puppy. You want to get him used to you brushing his teeth. I find that using a little that has rubber nodules that goes over your finger the best way to brush my Poms teeth. Be sure to use special toothpaste formulated for dogs which actually comes in a flavor that they like. When you start with your Pomeranian puppy, just start gently rubbing the toothbrush in his mouth just a little bit to get him used to it as time goes on he will think nothing of it and you easily be able to continue brushing his teeth when he is an adult.
Grooming
Pomeranians do need to be groomed so it’s best to get your Pom puppy used to this as soon as possible. Get them used to the brushing and, in particular the nail clipping. Your Pomeranian should be brushed every day in his nails clipped regularly. You also need to clip the hair that grows out in between the pads on his feet so make sure your puppy gets used to you handling his feet early on.
Feeding
Find out from your breeder what food they were feeding the puppy and be sure to continue feeding in this food as an abrupt change in feed can cause digestive upset for your puppy. If you don’t want to feed your Pomeranian this food, you can switch it out gradually. You’ll also want to find out what his feeding schedule was and keep to that gradually changing it to match with your schedule. Typically, you should be prepared to feed your puppy three times a day when you first bring him home.
Other Considerations
When you bring your Pomeranian puppy home, the first thing you should do is call your veterinarian and make an appointment so that you can get them started on schedule for booster shots and regularly yearly checkup’s. Another thing to consider is whether you want your Pomeranian to be neutered or spayed – if so, this should be done when they are around six months old and you’ll need to make arrangements with your vet for this. You might also consider having a microchip implanted in case you’re puppy gets lost as this may be the only way that someone can find that he belongs to you.
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Tags: Dog, Dogs, Pet, Pets, Pomeranian, Puppies, Puppy
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Tuesday, September 15th, 2009
What is involved in raising a litter of puppies? This is a question I am asked quite often. It is certainly a task that should not be taken lightly. That cuddly little puppy is going to be a full grown dog someday soon, and will have an impact on many peoples lives and you want that impact to be a positive one. (more…)
Tags: Dogs, Puppies
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Monday, August 31st, 2009
Age Specific
Choose food specifically made for puppies. As a general rule, it’s better to buy brand name puppy food rather than generic or low-priced food. Y (more…)
Tags: Dogs, Pet Care, Puppy, Puppy Care, puppy food
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Tuesday, August 25th, 2009
Puppy Housebreaking / Housetraining Procedures and Methods
Puppy housebreaking should start just as soon as you bring your new puppy home – and it is the best way to teach your purebred puppy to go outside when it has to relieve itself. How long does it take to do puppy housetraining? (more…)
Tags: Canine, Dog, Dog Breed, Dog Breeders, Dogs, Housebreaking, Pourebred Dog, Puppies.k9, Puppy
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Saturday, August 22nd, 2009
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Frontline products are highly recommended by veterinarians for flea and tick control for dogs and cats. For dog owners who want long-lasting, fast-acting flea, tick, and chewing lice control, Frontline Plus guarantees control on dogs aged 8 weeks and older. You only have to apply Frontline Plus once a month, so a 3-Dose supply will provide you with up to 3 months of convenient, highly effective flea, flea egg, chewing lice, and tick control. Frontline Plus kills up to (more…)
Tags: Control, Dogs, Flea, Frontline, Merial, Plus, Puppies, Tick
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