Buddys Dog Joke- Even more Shorties

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.

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"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man."~Mark Twain

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Just when you think life is a bitch, it goes and has puppies.

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Some days you're the dog; some days you're the hydrant.

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Some days you're the dog, some days you're the hydrant.

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"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."~Unknown

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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.

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.

The 8 Basic Rules for Puppy Playdates

The 8 Basic Rules for Puppy Playdates

Puppy playdates can be enjoyable for everyone involved. You and other owners can watch as your four legged family members make new furry friends and the puppies love all the pleasures of sniffing, nipping and chasing their fellow canine companions. However, there are some basic rules that need to be followed if your puppy play dates are going to be a success. Here are the 8 basic puppy playdate rules:

1. Leave your leash at home. Puppy playdates are a great way to socialize your new pup and this is best done without a leash. If you feel that your pooch is not trained well enough to be let free, find a puppy playgroup that is held in a fenced area where even if your pup decides to run, he will not get far.
2. Expect the unexpected. While participating in puppy playdates, it is important as the owner to expect, and accept the unexpected. There is a good chance that while playing your pup could roll in another dog’s mess, ruin new toys, mark territory and even eat the inedible.
3. Rough play is normal. Puppy playdates will often include a good rough wrestle or two between puppy playmates. Try hard not to interfere, and recognize that even if your pup seems to be bullied, it is all in the name of good fun.
4. Don’t combine playing with training. Many new puppy owners will make the mistake of using their puppy playdates as an opportunity to train their dog. This is not wise, or productive. Your pup will not be interested in you when surrounded by new energetic friends. Training sessions are best kept for times when you will have your pup’s full attention.
5. Let nature takes its course. Though some puppy actions can be embarrassing they’re all completely normal and natural for your pup. Sniffing, biting…and yes even humping are all part of puppy playdates and should not be considered wrong or rude.
6. Keep your opinion to yourself. Owning and training a puppy is very similar to raising children. It is wise to keep your parenting advice and opinions to yourself. After all, what fun is a puppy playdate if the owners can’t get along?
7. Bring enough for the class, or leave it at home. You’ve probably heard this before while in school, but the same goes for puppy playdates. Food and treats can cause aggression when only given to one or two puppies.
8. And finally the last and most important rule; have fun! Even when your puppy is small he will be aware of your mood and behavior. If you are unable to relax and enjoy your puppy playdates then neither will he.

Puppys First Socialization Experience

Dear Joey,
We just got a new puppy. When should I let him around other animals?
No Name Left

Dear No Name,

My Momma wrote an article about this so I'm including it below. It should answer your questions about puppy socialization.

Puppy's First Socialization Experience

Do you want your pup to grow into a friendly canine companion?

Knowing when to socialize your puppy is the first step!

The biggest mistake which most inexperienced dog owners make is that they wait too long before socializing their puppy. You may feel, as do many new puppy parents that your furry friend is too small, too scared or too fragile to be socialized with other dogs.

However, the truth of the matter is, puppies should be socialized as soon as they are healthy enough to do so. Meaning, after your pooch has had his shots and been completely dewormed he should be introduced to as many different dogs as possible. Knowing when to socialize your puppy is vital and will ensure that they’re not afraid, aggressive or timid in the future.

In addition to knowing when to socialize your puppy it is also important to know where. One of the best places to start socializing your little guy is in a puppy playgroup or off-leash dog park. This is the ideal place for two main reasons. For one, the other dogs are for the most part going to be friendly and inviting to your puppy. If they were not well trained and properly socialized themselves, they would not be partaking in a dog playtime. Secondly, an off-leash area will allow for your puppy to observe, as well as encounter different instinctual behaviors, such as rough wrestling, barking, playful growling and games of chase.

Watching other dogs interact and play can also be beneficial to you, the new puppy owners. When socializing your puppy it is extremely important for the owners to stand back and let the puppy fend for itself. Chances are, your pup will be welcomed with a lengthy sniff or maybe a nose-nudge or two, but then the other dogs will soon realize that he is much too small to play or run and the introduction will come to an end.

Knowing when to socialize your puppy can be hard, and you’re not alone if you feel hesitant to introduce your small pup to the big world. But it is important to remember that a when a puppy is properly socialized, he has more of a chance of growing into a friendly, gentle and self assured dog.
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Win a Gift Card from Care A Lot Pet Supply

April is a great month for pets. In fact it is Britain's National Pet Month. But there are several pet holidays in the US too.  April is National Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month and National Pet First Aid Awareness month too. National Pet Day is on April 10th. National Animal Control Appreciation Week is April 11th to the 17th.  National Pet ID Week is April 18th through the 24th. Hairball Awareness Day is April 30th.

And National Kids and Pets Day is April 26th. In honor of National Kids and Pets Day, our friends at Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul want to help you celebrate by offering a cool gift! They are offering one of Bloggy Doggies' readers a chance to win a $20 gift card for anything you want at  Care-A-Lot Pet Supply.

It's only available to US residents and all you need to do to win is leave a comment  below and share a favorite memory of a childhood pet, or even a funny or touching memory of your kids with your pets. Easy enough? We will choose a winner at random.

I'll start with one of my own memories. When I was a very tiny girl, no more than 3; our dog Tippy had puppies. I was fascinated with watching her care for them. But somehow in my very young brain, I got things confused and could have sworn I saw Tippy pick up a puppy in her arms and carry it on 2 legs across the room like a human would do. I must have dreamed it or something but my parents got quite a laugh when I told them what I saw. Silly, huh?

Guide to Naming Your Puppy

Naming Your Puppy

As pet parents, one of the first things we do is pick out puppy's name. There are several things to consider when doing this.

Dogs are a lot like people in the fact that they each have their own personality. Take that into consideration, a long with any special physical characteristics when choosing a name.

Of course, your dog does not really care what you name him or her. The main thing to consider for your dog is to make the name easy to pronounce with preferably one or two syllables, three at the most. Do not make the name too similar to a family member's name. For example, my name is Cathy. When I was a child, we had a dog named Candy. Way too similar. Candy came when called by her own name or mine. Come to think of it, so did I.

If you have children, get their input when naming your puppy. They may want to name the dog after a favorite cartoon character or story book character. Helping with the naming of your puppy will help family members bond with it.

To help get you started with ideas on what to name your puppy, here is a list of the top 50 male and female dog names:

1. Max

2. Buddy

3. Rocky

4. Bailey

5. Jake

6. Charlie

7. Jack

8. Toby

9. Cody

10. Buster

11. Duke

12. Cooper

13. Riley

14. Harley

15. Bear

16. Tucker

17. Murphy

18. Lucky

19. Oliver

20. Sam

21. Oscar

22. Teddy

23. Winston

24. Sammy

25. Rusty

26. Shadow

27. Gizmo

28. Bentley

29. Zeus

30. Jackson

31. Baxter

32. Bandit

33. Gus

34. Samson

35. Milo

36. Rudy

37. Louie

38. Hunter

39. Casey

40. Rocco

41. Sparky

42. Joey

43. Bruno

44. Beau

45. Dakota

46. Maximus

47. Romeo

48. Boomer

49. Luke

50. Henry

Top female dog names

1. Bella

2. Molly

3. Lucy

4. Maggie

5. Daisy

6. Sophie

7. Sadie

8. Chloe

9. Bailey

10. Lola

11. Zoe

12. Abby

13. Ginger

14. Roxy

15. Gracie

16. Coco

17. Sasha

18. Lily

19. Angel

20. Princess

21. Emma

22. Annie

23. Rosie

24. Ruby

25. Lady

26. Missy

27. Lilly

28. Mia

29. Katie

30. Zoey

31. Madison

32. Stella

33. Penny

34. Belle

35. Casey

36. Samantha

37. Holly

38. Lexi

39. Lulu

40. Brandy

41. Jasmine

42. Shelby

43. Sandy

44. Roxie

45. Pepper

46. Heidi

47. Luna

48. Dixie

49. Honey

50. Dakota

Your puppy will not understand his name at first but it won't be long before he understands. You can help him do this by saying his name until you catch his attention. When he looks at you, immediately praise him. Sometimes include a little dog treat. This positive reinforcement will help your dog learn his name.

Once your puppy learns her name; you can train her in other areas. Try not to use her name when reprimending her. You want her to associate her name with good things so that she will come to you when called.