What size dog should you choose

What kind of dog should you choose for your lifestyle and family? Different kinds of dogs are suitable for different kinds of people. If you live on a farm, a toy poodle might not be suitable for you. A border collie or lab might be a better choice.

Small Puppies

Who should get a small breed of dog? These little guys are great for apartment dwellers, single people with out young children, and older people. Tiny puppies do have some challenges as they are more fragile than their larger counterparts. You need to be aware of where they are at all times as not to step on them. These puppies also tend to crave human companionship and want to be with their human "parents" as much as possible. They can become despondent, destructive and neurotic if left alone too much. There also may be house training issues.

The upside is that your dog food bill will be on the low side. Small dogs make wonderful companions and will provide endless fun and enjoyment.. Small puppies are very portable and are often accepted in places where larger dogs are not.

Some great small breed puppies to consider are Yorkshire Terriers, Silky Terriers, Malteses, Mi-Kis, Toy Poodles, Coton de Tulear, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Bichon Frises, Chihuahuas, Mini-Dachshunds  and Haveneses.

Medium Sized Puppies

Medium sized puppies grow up to between 20 and 40 pounds. These sturdy  little pups are usually great for kids and do well in most environments. They are great for small houses and small yards. They tend to be easier to housetrain than smaller pups. They do require more exercise than the small guys and often have more energy. They make great family pets. They do better if they have a job to do or they can become destructive.

Some good medium sized breeds are the Dachshund, Miniature Poodle, Chinese Shar-Pei, Border Collie, American Eskimo Dog and the French Bulldog.

Large Puppies

Large breed dogs are great for families with lots of space and lots of energy. These guys are between 40 to 75 pounds when full grown. Large breed puppies are great with children but they may accidentally hurt young children in their rambunctiousness.

These big lugs like to work and need a job to do. They need to be socialized at an early age as to not be a danger to people or animals. They also need to be trained at an early age.

Large breed puppies will grow up to make great watch dogs and protectors of your family. They do need a lot of space and lots of exercise. And they do eat alot too.

Some great large breed puppies to consider are the Akita, American Staffordshire Terrier, German Shepherd, Collie, and the Boxer.

Giant Breed Puppies

Sometimes large just isn't large enough. Giant breed puppies may be just right for you. They warrant  a lot of attention just by their huge size. They can get up to 200 pounds!

They too need a lot of space, early socialization and early training to make a great, safe pet.

Although they eat a lot too, some breeds don't eat as much as you would think due to their slower metabolisms. A big downside to these giants is they often have short life spans compared to their smaller counterparts.

Some great Giant breeds are the Mastiff, the Irish Wolfhound, the Great Dane, the Black Russian Terrier, and the Leonberger.

Hopefully this article will give you some insight to which breed is right for you. Please leave a comment if you have any questions or comments.

How to choose your breeder and puppy

Personally, I think a mixed breed puppy is the best option. They have less health problems, are usually smarter and much cheaper. But I know many prefer a pure bred puppy.

The second option is to look to rescue groups for your desired breed. You can do an online search for your breed + rescue group and see what's available. Or go to petfinder.com. Unfortunately they often have many more adult dogs than they do puppies.

The third choice is to find a reputable breeder. You can check to see if your local area (again do an online search) has a club in your desired breed. Call or email them and ask for recommendations.

I don't recommend ever getting a puppy from a pet store. Not only are they over priced but they usually come from puppy mills.

Once you have found a breeder, make an appointment to see the puppies. Be wary of a breeder who will not let you see the puppy's parents or the puppy's living conditions.

Another thing to consider is whether the puppies and parent dogs seem to like the breeder. Do they show them affection or cower in fear?

Ask the breeder to see the puppy's paperwork. You want to see the AKC registration, the puppy's pedigree and all the medical records regarding the puppy. The puppy should have been checked out by a vet, wormed, and depending on it's age, it should  have started it series of vaccinations. Also ask if the breeder offers a written health guarantee and what the time limitations are on it.

When picking out a puppy, ask to see the whole litter and check out how they interact with each other. You want a playful puppy but not one that is overly aggressive towards his siblings.  Do not pick the shyest or most timid puppy either.

Check the puppy over. It should have bright eyes without discharge. It should look lke it's well fed. Lightly pull a little bit of it's skin away from it's body and see if it bounces back or just hangs.

Once you find a puppy you are interested in, ask if the other puppies can be put away. You want to see how the puppy reacts towards you without the distractions. Will it play with you? Is it curious about you or does is shy away?

If you decide you want to buy a puppy from this breeder, make sure you get a copy of all the records you looked at earlier at the time of purchase.  As soon as possible, get your own vet to check out the pup. You want to do this quickly as to not get too attached if there are serious health problems and you need to return the puppy to the breeder. Hopefully all we be fine and you and your new furry friend will have a long, happy life together.

Feeding Your Puppy

Now that your new puppy has come home with you,  you want to know how to feed him and keep him healthy Feeding your puppy is not rocket science but there are things you need to do to help your puppy grow up healthy and strong.

There is a wide variety of puppy food out on the market. Be sure to feed your puppy puppy food, and not adult food, until she is a year old.

Look for a food that says "balanced" or "complete" on the package.

It's not a good idea to change brands of puppy food. If you need or want to change it, do it gradually, adding a little more of the new food and a littl less of the old food at every meal.

Should you feed wet food or dry food? Dry food is easier to deal with. The dog's stools will be less runny and smelly. Dry food also will not spoil once opened and is usually cheaper. However, dogs prefer wet food. It just tastes better to them. It's really up to you. Some people, will add a little wet food to make the dry food more appetizing to the puppy.

Feed your puppy at the same time of day and in the same spot. Puppies younger than 3 months should be fed about 4-5 times a day. From 3 to 5 months old, the puppy should be fed 3-4 times a day. At 6 months, you can switch to twice a day.

Table scraps should be kept to a minimum, and treats should be used for training purposes.

Ask your vet if you have any concerns about your puppy's eating habits.

Start good feeding habits as soon as your puppy moves in,  to make your life together much easier.

Dogs really do eat anything

Today's guest post is by Ellie Smith of Pet Pals Direct.

Dogs really do eat anything

I recently read an article about Lola the underwear eating dog, who outrageously consumed three pairs of pants and developed a keen taste for all things unsuitable for a dog’s palate. The next temptation was chocolate brownies as the smell of freshly made, chocolaty delights proved simply irresistible. Lola devoured the whole lot along with the shattered glass of the container. Luckily the recently consumed underwear protected Lola’s stomach from cutting her – things could have been a whole lot worse.

This story actually brought back memories, as my border collie Meg decided to help herself to a whole packet of Nurofen (a painkiller) when she was only two years old. After a couple of hours running around the house like a maniac, my partner spotted the empty packet and panic stations hit. The tablets contained Ibuprofen, a non-steroidal drug that works as a pain relieving as well as an anti-inflammatory drug. When we rushed Meg to the vets we were told that her brain was abnormal from the chemical reaction and this had caused her to behave rather strangely. This reaction is most common when a dog eats slug or snail pellets. After a night of unpleasant surgery at the vets Meg recovered quite quickly but we were told that if she was any older her body may not have been able to cope with the shock.

So why are dogs tempted to everything that is not dog friendly?

• Dogs are scavengers by nature and may eat anything they come across
• A dog who eats something peculiar may be acting out of boredom, anxiety or dissatisfaction
• If your dog is left alone most of the day, he or she is probably bored and lonely

We need to remember the animal system is much more delicate to that of a human and these products can prove to be highly harmful.

The best advice I could give to people is to make sure you put all objects away out of pet sniffing reach and mischievous paws. Make sure you reward your dog on a regular basis and give him/ her lots of treats so that temptation of anything unfriendly is prevented. Regular attention and exercise also ensures your dog remains obedient and listens to your commands.

I would also recommend you cover yourself with pet insurance as immediate help from the vet can be extremely costly. We paid out over £300 (editor's note: the author said that they ended up spending about $1000 in total care) for Meg to have her stomach pumped which was a struggle to pay at the time.

Choosing a Vet for your puppy

Once you pick your puppy, one of the first things you need to do is to pick a veterinarian.  It's best if you do this before you even get a puppy if possible.

So, how do you find a vet? Ask friends, family and neighbors for recommendations. You can also call your local SPCA to see who they would suggest. They often know the area vets.

When you have a list of vets to consider, call for an interview.  It's not that uncommon so don't worry about it appearing strange. When you get to the veterinarian's office,  notice if the place looks clean. The staff should be friendly and knowledgeable. When talking to the vet, you should not feel rushed. The vet should actually listen to you and answer your questions in English, not medicalese.  Does the vet give you advice and tips on caring for your puppy? If you are able to see how the vet interacts with animals, notice how gentle he is with them.

You do want to find a vet that is reasonably close to you. But proximity isn't the only thing to consider.

Do you want a small 1 person practice or a large clinic? There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Small practices are more personable, know your pet more intimately and are often more flexible.  But they may be limited on the hours and days they are open.

Larger clinics mean more options both in the times available and probably have more services available too. But you may never see the same vet twice. He/she has little chance to get to know you or your pet.

Does the vet offer Boarding services or overnight after surgery care should your pet need it?  How about grooming services? These thngs may or may not be important to you but it's good to know either way.

Find out where your vet stands on vaccinations. Some feel the dog needs every vaccine that is available. But more and more of them are going he "less is more" route and only give the vaccines that are absolutely necessary. I always ask for the 3 year vaccines whenever possible. Does your vet offer these?

Once you have found a vet and you take your puppy to her first visit, make sure to bring the puppy's medical records that you obtained from the breeder, shelter ot prior owner. The vet may also ask you to bring in a stool sample from your puppy too. Bring a list of questions that you have.

The first visit is the real test. You don't want to "vet hop" but if you feel uncomfortable with the vet during this visit, you can always find another if you need to.  Of course you need to ask yourself if you are uncomfortable because something seems "off" or because it's hard to see your fur baby getting poked and prodded.

You and your puppy will have a long term relationship with your veterinarian and his staff.  Do your part to make it a pleasant experience for all of you!

Top Five Signs Youre Too Into Your Pet

Today's guest post is by Paul Mann, founder of Fetch! Pet Care, a national franchise of professional pet sitters.

Top Five Signs You’re Too Into Your Pet:

1. Your Christmas card spotlights your cats — not the kids.

2. You formally invited your coworkers to your dog’s annual birthday bash.

3. You pick accessories to match the pet hair stuck on your shirt or pants.

4. You know your neighbors solely by their pets’ name.

5. Your screensaver at work is a picture of your pet.

Tips to Reduce Separation Anxiety

1. When on business or personal travel, leaving your pet behind can be difficult. Consider in-home pet care versus boarding or kenneling. In-home pet sitters can help maintain normal activities and allow your pet to be nurtured in familiar, safe surroundings.

2. All pet sitters are not created equal. Diligently check all of the company’s references – at least three should be voluntarily provided. It’s important to ensure that the pet sitting company is fully bonded and insured.

3. Prior to leaving, make sure your pet has plenty to play with. A new bone or toy will distract your pet from your absence and take their mind off your departure.

4. Leave your pet with an item of your clothing that has your scent to they can remember you and be comforted while you are away.

5. Make sure that you assemble a list of emergency contacts with your veterinarian’s phone number. If your pet has any health issues, inform the sitter of this properly prior to your departure.

Top 5 Puppy Training Basics

Here are five popular pieces of advice for new puppy owners who are struggling with puppy training basics. Stay consistent, stay determined, stay focused and most of all stay friendly!

1. Stay consistent. This means choosing a training method and sticking to it! Changing your training approach repeatedly will only cause feelings of confusion and frustration for you and your pup. Staying consistent does not only mean committing to a single training technique but also using the same tone when using vocal commands, the same hand gestures when signaling and a constant amount of positive reinforcement.
2. Stay determined. Even puppy training basics can be difficult. It is important to stay determined and committed to your dog’s progress. By putting the time into regular training sessions you will achieve greater obedience and a deeper bond with your four legged friend.
3. Stay focused. It is vital when training a puppy that your sessions are uninterrupted. Designate a time of day or the same evening every week to work on a new command or trick. Your puppy will be more likely to achieve training success when he is able to concentrate on you and your commands. Turn off the television, avoid visitors and try not having other family pets in the room while working together.
4. Stay generous. There is no harm in offering your puppy a treat as reward. You can actually use this time in training to enforce other minor obedience commands such as “sit” or “take nicely”.
5. Stay friendly. Your puppy will love spending time with you. Even if it is during a demanding and challenging training session. By enjoying yourself and making training as much fun as possible you and your pup will find that your once tiring owner/pet relationship has developed into a lifelong loyal partnership!

What You Should Know About Dog Training

Today we have a guest post from Nicole and your friends at Chazhound, the dog bed store; find cool dog toys.

Dog owners are increasingly realizing the benefits of proper dog training and are becoming more involved in training their dogs. Forget the expression “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”, dogs can learn at any age and with the proper patience and skills you can train virtually any dog. The important thing is to be clear and consistent in your training so as not to confuse your dog or puppy. Establishing trust with your dog is also very important as a dog that trusts you will do his best to please you.

Knowing how to handle your dog is very important and you will need to learn how to understand your dog’s behavior and language. You should also research your dog’s breed to understand any characteristics that are particular to that breed. The first thing you should teach your dog is that you are the pack leader or alpha dog in the house. One of the first things you may find yourself teaching your dog is how to be housetrained. Puppies generally get an idea of what’s desirable behavior and what isn’t if you use a lot of praise and reward. Harsh punishments will only succeed in confusing your pup and making him fearful of you.

Once your dog begins to view you as his pack leader, he will do his best to please you, dogs love to please their masters and using a positive reinforcement method of training will be the best way of using this eagerness to please that all dogs seem to have.

If you feel you are unable to train your dog yourself because you don’t have the time or you lack the expertise and knowledge to do so, you may consider enlisting the services of a professional dog trainer. Ideally you should be involved in your dog’s training even if you don’t do it yourself. Being actively involved with your dog while he’s being trained will teach you how to understand your dog and how to deal with him properly. Always do your homework before hiring a dog trainer, ask for recommendations from friends and family who may have used the services of a dog trainer before and always choose a trainer who is certified or licensed. Don’t be shy about asking a dog trainer for a list of former clients. You can talk to these people to see if they were satisfied with the trainer’s services. A reputable trainer will never be averse to providing a customer list that you can use in your research.

Regardless of whether you decide to train your dog yourself or if you use a dog trainer, you should do your research to learn about the best options for your dog. Take some time to consider which training techniques you want to use on your dog and research trainers as well as their training facilities before enlisting their services. Bad training methods or disreputable trainers can cause your dog more harm than good, and an emotionally scarred dog may take a long time to rehabilitate.

How to Stop Puppy from Biting

Here are some tips and tricks on How to stop puppy from biting!
Ouch! Fido No biting!
As a new puppy owner, you will come across many challenges and frustrations, one of the most common being puppy biting and nipping. How to stop a puppy from biting can be difficult but there are a few things you can do to encourage better behavior and gentle play. Here are a few helpful pointers and tips:

• When your puppy bites, remove their mouth from whatever it is that they are nipping at and replace it with a designated puppy chew toy. This will help your pup become familiar with his own belongings and will encourage him to only bite his toys rather than fingers.
• If you have focused on a single vocal disciplinary command use this to discourage biting or nipping behavior. If your puppy bites, repeat your command, such as “no” or “no biting” in a firm and aggressive tone. Follow your command by removing your pup from the situation and place him in a quieter, calmer environment such as a dog bed or crate.
• If your puppy is having trouble learning not to bite, refrain from rough play or wrestling. Chances are your puppy is too young and innocent to know the difference between playful nips and painful biting.
• Try not to tap your dog’s nose or hold his mouth shut as a punishment for biting. This is unnecessary, and if anything will only encourage a defensive snapping reaction.
• Biting and nipping are normal puppy behavior, but if the behavior is not discouraged it will continue as the pup grows into adulthood. Remember, it is always easier to train a puppy then it is to “un-train” a full grown dog.

How to stop puppy from biting can be time consuming and frustrating. But as a new dog owner, it is your responsibility to train your new pal. You must use both training techniques and constant positive reinforcement to show him how to play gently and that biting is not acceptable behavior.

Dog Adoption – Know If It Is Right For You

Today's guest post is provided by David Duane Wilson from   Adopt Shelter Dogs

Adopting a dog is a big decision, you must be willing to commit your time and money for at least 10 to
15 years. In other words for the lifetime of your dog. Such a long term commitment may keep some
dog lovers from adopting. One of the best ways to find out if dog ownership is right for you is to
become a volunteer at a rescue club. There are many activities that you can help with such as, training
assistant, dog handler, and fostering.

When a dog is taken in by a rescue organization it is observed by a professional dog trainer and its
behavior assessed. Once in the opinion of the trainer that the dog is ready to start training and
socialization, the position of volunteer assistant trainer comes in to play. Under the guidance of the
trainer, you will begin to teach the dog basic commands and work with him. What an opportunity this
is for you. You get to learn the proper techniques of dog training while at the same time helping the
dog.

As the dog learns basic commands and demonstrates his willingness to socialize, he can be taken to
public functions and shown for adoption. As a handler, you will be responsible for taking the dogs to
public showings sponsored by the rescue club. Another task of the handler is the transportation of the
dogs to and from the vet. Fun for the dog and the handler is the important job of exercise and play.
Becoming a foster home for a rescued dog can be the most rewarding and fulfilling. The rescue club
will have you fill out an application and interview you. They will assess your home and yard and try to
match you with a dog that is right in size and activity level for what you have to offer. Some of the
rescue clubs will supply food, leash, collar, and other basic supplies that are needed. All you supply is
time and love.

You can volunteer for all three jobs or just do what you feel comfortable with. By volunteering you
can find out if dog ownership is right for you at little cost. You do not have to make that long term
commitment up front. In this process everybody wins, the dog is rescued, the rescue club operates at
lower expense and your community's stray dog issue is addressed. You can work with the dogs until
you find the special one that is a match for you and then start the adoption process.

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