Puppy Articles

If you have a dog it is important to provide a safe environment for your pet. There are many things you can do to ensure your dog is safe from harm at home and when you take it with you places. These things include locking up the trash, cleaning, and more.

When a pet is injured it can cost hundreds of dollars at the veterinarian in order to treat your animal. A vet can cost you as much as it does to see a doctor. This can be frustrating, especially if you cannot afford pet insurance. Most veterinarian visits are due to owner’s not providing a safe environment for their pet. Here are a few ways to protect your dog from injury.

Locking up your trash is very important if you want to keep your dog safe from harm. If a dog smells something good in the trash like leftovers for dinner it may tear your trash apart to get to what it smells. Trash usually contains harmful items that can harm your animal. You may have detergents or chemicals that can be harmful to your animal. The best thing you can do is put a locking mechanism on your trash can so your dog cannot easily open the lid. There are plenty of trash can types you can choose from. The important factor is that your dog cannot go through the trash when it smells food or other items it things it wants to eat. This will also save you time in not having to clean up the mess also.

Cleaning is very important when it comes to owning a dog. Maintaining a clean yard and inside of your home is extremely important because your dog could become injured. If you have broken glass in your yard it could cut its paws severely. It is common for a yard that needs to be raked to contain stickers that can get all over the dog. These can be very painful to an animal when they want to lie down and hard to get out. They may even have to be cut out of your dog’s hair if you have a long haired dog. In order to ensure your dog is safe in the yard you have to rake it and keep it free from debris.

Using a leash is another thing you need to do when you keep your dog from getting injured. Many people like to let their dog run free but this is where problems occur. Your dog may be fine but you don’t know if the other dog in the neighborhood will hurt your pet. When you use a leash you are protecting your dog and the other dogs in the neighborhood too.

There are many ways you can keep your dog safe from harm when you own a pet. These things should be taken seriously because you want to ensure you don’t have a big vet bill that you cannot afford. Make sure your dog doesn’t have access to the trash, there is nothing dangerous in the yard, and keep your pet on a leash and all of these things are even more important if you only have a cheap pet insurance policy in place.

There are many ways a biting dog could ruin your life. You may be the owner of the dog or the recipient of a bite. The different ways include a lawsuit, injuries to you, injuries to a child, and even losing your pet. Teaching your dog not to bite will prevent any of these things from happening.

If you have a biting dog then it could cause you many problems. Your dog may love its home and love you but no one else. You may not take the dog out enough in public so it has no idea how to act around others. When a stranger comes to your home and your dog is extra protective then it may be inclined to bite. This is common when you call a technician to your home for the phone company, a plumber, electrician, or some other stranger. Your home needs to be a safe environment for public service personnel and people you bring into your home. If your dog bites them then you may be looking at a serious lawsuit. This could cause you to lose your home and all of your assets.

If your dog bites a child you may be looking at some big liabilities if the injury is too severe. Most authorities will force a pet owner to have their dog euthanized if it bites a child and it doesn’t matter how bad the bite really is. Any dog that bites can be dangerous. Not only could you have your dog taken away from you and killed but you may even be looking at a lawsuit from the family members. If the injuries are too severe or your dog was supposed to be restrained and it was not you may be looking at criminal charges. No one wants to go to jail because their dog attacked another person or a child. If you only have a cheap pet insurance it might not help you at all.

Many people have no fear of animals. They think they are immune to dog bites and all dogs love them. It is the one time they are not paying attention that a dog lets the person have it. Being bit by a dog can ruin your life especially if the bite and attack changes your appearance. You may work in a public relations field where your appearance is everything. If your appearance is ruined due to a dog attack you will be looking for a new line of work. This can be difficult if all of your experience and training is in the one field.

A dog bite not only affects the owner but it also affects the recipient of the bite and hopefully the bite is not too severe. People love their pets and no one means for something like this to happen. The thing you need to remember is that there are too many people out there just waiting for their opportunity to sue another person for negligence of some sort. You can pratically cover yourself with a premium pet insurance but the best solution is to teach your dog how to be kind and that it is not okay to bite. Never play with your dog and allow them to bite while playing. Then the dog will not understand.

The American Kennel Club compiles a list of the most commonly registered dogs in each group on a yearly basis. Every year toy dog registrations continue to increase across the group; however there seem to be some definite favorites. Toy dogs are popular because of their small size and the increasingly positive press these dogs are getting, especially as celebrity pets. This list only includes the purebred, registered members of each breed; however there are a huge number of hybrid or designer toy dogs also sold each year, further adding to the numbers. 

Toy dogs, when properly bred and cared for, make excellent pets. Those that are bred to be smaller than the standard or those that are not trained, socialized or routinely worked with can be as problematic as larger dogs and just as aggressive. Good owners that are responsible with these dogs are constantly amazed at how loving, playful and full of fun these pint sized dogs can be.

The top five toy dog breeds include:

Yorkshire Terriers – always popular, these small sized dogs are both elegant in appearance and true terriers at heart. Their longer coat, steel blue and tan coloration makes this a very distinctive and easy to identify breed. They love to be around people and enjoy being close to their owners however they are also independent. Some can be prone to snapping and aggression, and may not be tolerant of children unless raised in a family. 

Shih Tzu – the lovely, long silky coat of the Shih Tzu makes this dog a great choice for someone that has time for routine grooming. The Shih Tzu has a tremendous amount of personality and is suited for households with both children and other pets, as long as they are trained and socialized. They are a dog that bonds with their owners.

Toy Poodles – a very intelligent, loyal and playful dog the Toy Poodle is a good match in most households. Some Toy Poodles may be prone to being very finicky eaters so be sure to start them out on a good, high quality kibble. Many breeders are now specializing in “Teacup Poodles” which are an even smaller breed version. Teacup Poodles are not recognized by the AKC and due to genetic problems in the downsizing of the breed need to be very carefully bred to avoid serious health problems. A Toy Poodle that is from a responsible breeder will typically be a healthy and very long lived dog. They are also a good match for many people with dog allergies. 

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel – members of this breed are true clowns, playful, energetic and highly bonded with their family. They come in a wide variety of colors and have a relatively easy to maintain coat. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has been bred as a companion dog and literally craves human interaction. They are good with kids and also with elderly people. 

Pugs – highly recognizable with their short muzzles, Bulldog-like body shape and tan and black color the Pug has been a popular toy breed for a long time. They can be stubborn and rather headstrong, but are also loving, loyal and an excellent watchdog. The Pug may snore and will need to be monitored in hot weather for breathing and respiratory problems. 

Choose a toy breed from a reputable breeder and avoid buying a puppy unless you have a chance to see both the parents as well as the health information for the breeding line.

Article by Karen Olson of Oh My Dog Supplies, your top spot to purchase dog toys online.

Not every dog, whether purebred champion or friendly companion pet, has a coat that is easy to maintain and keep looking great with just a simple pin brush or bristle brush. There are many different grooming tools and supplies on the market that can help any breed or mixed breed dog look their best. These tools also help out the owners since they make grooming easier and much less time consuming. Finding the right grooming tools for your dog isn’t difficult, you can consult with a groomer or even knowledgeable staff at your local pet supply store can be helpful. Talking to other breeders and owners about grooming equipment can be a great way to find out some tricks of keeping specific coat types looking exactly how you want them to be. 

Beyond the basic pin brush and bristle brush and comb the following grooming supplies can be a real asset. Remember they do vary between dogs so the coat type they work best with is also provided. 

Slicker Brush – this is a specialized finishing brush that is flat to convex on the front face of the brush. The teeth are very fine and short, allowing the brush to actually smooth the coat and remove even the slightest tangles from the top coat. Slicker brushes come in a variety of sizes for different types of dogs and they can be used on any coat from short to medium in length. They are not suitable for very long or very dense coats except on any shorter hair areas. They do not reach inner coats and are only used as a finishing step in the grooming process.

Grooming Rake – opposite to the slicker brush the grooming rake is a combination between a brush and a comb, designed to reach deep into thick heavy coats and groom the inner layers. The grooming rake is an essential for any seasonal shedding breed as it will help speed up the removal of the dead hair from the coat and prevent matting and knotting problems. Dogs with very short coats or those with single silky coats will not need a grooming rake. 

Dematting Tools – these tools, sometimes called dematting combs, have longer, elongated, sharp, triangular blades that are typically serrated at the thick base area. The tools are useful in breaking up large mats in the coat. The tool itself needs to be used with caution as it does cut through hair and if not used properly can remove too much hair, resulting in patches of sparse hair or ragged looking coat on the dog. Medium to long coated and double coated breeds may need a dematting tool, especially during the heavy spring shed.

Detangling  and Conditioning Sprays – There are several different products sold through online or retail outlets that act as spray in detanglers and conditioners for the coat. If you routinely groom your dog these are the best option for dealing with minor tangles. While the detanglers are used with longer coated dogs, the conditioners can be used for any breed or coat type. As with any product for your dog be sure to test for allergies and only use specific sprays designed for use with dogs. 

Getting the right grooming tools can really make your grooming routine more pleasant. Besides the tools listed above you will also need high quality nail clippers, blunt ended scissors for trimming, dental care products and possibly dry shampoo for touch ups between full baths.

 
Article by Karen Olson of Oh My Dog Supplies, your top spot to purchase dog carriers online.

Potty training a puppy can be a very difficult time.  Puppies have to relieve themselves quite often and if they have not been trained yet this can be frustrating and messy.  Some owners cringe at the thought of potty training.  It’s difficult with children let alone animals.  However, a little bit of patience and a lot of love can go a long way.  You can successfully teach your dog where the proper place to go to the bathroom is without driving yourself nuts in the process.  

When to Start

As previously stated, puppies need to go to the bathroom very frequently.  It is typically recommended one starts potty training puppies very young.  Three to three and a half weeks is an excellent time to start potty training, as the puppy begins to be mobile at this point.  If you have purchased a puppy older than this that is not potty trained, he or she is still very capable of learning, it is just preferable to start younger.  

How To Start

Puppy potty training involves a lot of observation.  You must learn your puppy’s body language.  Typical signs of a need to relieve itself can be:  sniffing at the floor, circling, restless behavior, and returning to a spot that was previously used to relieve him or herself.  Watch for these signs to take action.  When you cannot watch your puppy, kenneling is generally recommended.  However, a new puppy show never be in a kennel for more than two hours as they simply cannot go this long without going potty.  If the weather is comfortable and your yard is fenced, consider putting the puppy outside.  

Training Methods

Once you have learned your puppy’s body language, consistency is key!  Use short words consistently to scold or praise your puppy.  Make sure the tone of your voice is very clear and consistent with your message.  An unenergetic “good job” means nothing to your puppy.  An emphatic, “Good Boy!” with belly rubs and lots of attention gets the message across.  Follow the puppy nonstop for the first few days and keep him in an area you would like him to potty when you start seeing those body signals.  When he or she goes in the right place, praise gently during and enthusiastically IMMEDIATELY after the puppy has completed.  Dogs live in the present and any praise or scold is associated with current actions.  They simply cannot comprehend punishment or praise for previous actions.

Accidents Happen

For some reason, a lot of people believe rubbing a dog’s nose in a soiled area will teach him or her a lesson.  This is completely false and does nothing but confuse and irritate the dog.  They cannot comprehend punishment for actions that are long passed.  This also goes for spanking.  If you catch the dog in the act, there is nothing wrong with either gently but physically moving him or scolding him during.  Conversely, when he goes in the right place, he must be rewarded with kind words, loving attention, and sometimes treats.  Be patient and keep stain remover on hand.  If the puppy has had an accident, chances are you missed a signal.  Learn from the mistake and keep at it.  It might take some time and a few containers of stain remover, but you can both make it!

Whilst owning and caring for any kind of dog is a massive commitment which will require a major amount of personal sacrifice in terms of time and money, owning and caring for a Boxer dog is an especially draining task. Boxers are genetically pre-disposed to contracting and developing a wide variety of different health complaints ranging from cancers, to heart conditions and increased allergies. 

Aortic Stenosis is a particularly common health complaint suffered by many Boxers. In some cases the effects are minimal allowing the dog to enjoy an active lifestyle with no interference.  More severe cases however can cause the Boxer’s heart to work much harder to pump the blood around the body thereby putting a greater strain on the heart. Typical symptoms include a shortness of breath, dizziness and a gentle swaying. If left untreated this may result in a severe shortening of the dog’s lifespan. 

This has deeper running consequences than merely a steep vet bill; you should be prepared for such risks and complications because you may find that your time with your pet is limited. Many boxer breeders now use a variety of tests to try and eliminate these defective genes (or at least limit them as much as possible) although the results haven’t been particularly effective. Current studies indicate that the average lifespan of a boxer runs at around between 10-12 years. 

Boxers are especially fragile creatures in their puppy stage. Although they are naturally athletic hounds with a great deal of stamina, owners of Boxers puppies should make sure that their pets do not overly-exert themselves as this can potentially cause severe damage to their joints.

While their bones ever developing, even the slightest degree of over exertion may potentially cause permanent and long lasting harm. That said, once Boxers reach maturity, it becomes imperative that they are given sufficient exercise and socialization with other dogs and humans otherwise they will become depressed, agitated and anxious.

Boxers are especially prone to heat and so whenever you are playing or exercising your Boxer, please ensure that you take proper care to avoid any potential issues. This includes giving the boxer sufficient time to recuperate, and providing refreshments.

To stop your puppy from biting, you should start to train it at an early age. The training may take a while,  but is no different from any other training. Though it may seem cute when your puppy bites, it can become a serious problem later when your dog is an adult, so it is important to discourage biting as much as possible.

To start, make sure your puppy knows that when it bites you, it hurts. When the puppy bites, let him know with a “No” or imitating another puppy by yelping. If your puppy repeats the biting shortly after this, repeat what you said to him and leave him alone for a few minutes. This usually sends the message to your puppy that it was playing to rough.

Also, allow your puppy to play with other dogs for it learn the difference between people and other dogs’ tolerance. Taking your puppy to obedience school is a good way to go at the age of six months or so.

Just remember- puppy biting may seem cute, but you don’t want a stronger, larger dog, biting people for real later in life do you? Stop it while you can!

With the ever expanding use of the internet in sales and marketing these days, it comes as no surprise to find that it is now possible to buy your household pets online. Buying an animal online can be extremely convenient and save you lots of time and money. Another reason to buy online is that it will greatly increase the variety of breeds available to you and if you are after a specific breed that is hard to come by the internet helps broaden the area of your search.

As with buying anything online, care must be taken to ensure the right precautions are followed to avoid being scammed or ripped off.

Here are some things you should look for in a website before payment…

The site should have contact details for the seller, including a home phone number and a postal address.

There should be up to date, clear photos of the puppy and the seller should be able to provide you with more photos if you so desire when you get into contact with them. A handy technique is to send the seller your name and get them to send a photo of them holding a piece of paper with your name on it with the puppy included in the photo. This at least proves they have access to a dog (Some scams involve people pretending to have dogs they don’t actually have)

One useful option to ensure that you receive the right puppy and that it is healthy is to use the Escrow service. This service allows the seller and the buyer to agree on the terms of the sale, the price, the length of time allowed for having the puppy examined and the shipping information. The service leaves the payment in a temporary account until both parties are happy with the transaction and then transfers the money to the seller.

Before purchasing a puppy you should do the following…

Check the experience of the seller and find out their breeding history. Does the seller breed puppies for a living or is it a one off sale? How many different breeds does the seller breed? ( more than 3 is cause for concern) Does the seller own the mother and father of the puppy? Is so, what is the history of the mother and father?

You should make sure you have viewed a health certificate that has been signed by a registered vet. This should show that the puppy has had it’s vaccinations and it’s general health is good.

You should receive a written money back guarantee which includes the breed, gender, age, and health of the puppy and the time of delivery.

Another concern when buying the puppy is the environment it has been brought up in before you purchase it. Whilst a health check will confirm that the dog is physically fit, it may not be reflective of the dogs personality or behaviour. Some ‘puppy mills’ are out to make money and have no concerns for the animal’s well being and the puppy may have emotional problems.

The following are some things to watch out for…

Be especially wary of puppies for adoption, that ask you to pay for the shipping. This is a common scam (often ran out of African countries), and you should take every precaution you can to avoid being ripped off. This isn’t to say that all puppies for adoption are scams, but you should definitely be cautious.

Deep discounts. If the price sounds too good to be true then it probably is. However, an expensive price does not guarantee a good buy. As different breeds change in popularity so too does the average price for them.

You should always make sure to speak to the seller over the phone rather than just rely upon email as it is much easier to run a scam via email than it is over the phone. 

Another consideration before buying online is the costs of shipping. Shipping a dog from within the United States generally costs between two and three hundred dollars. This, added to the cost of the puppy itself, equates to quite a high cost for a puppy. Another issue is whether you consider it morally right to ship a puppy. The puppy will be in a small confined place and by itself for the duration of it’s travel. For this reason many sellers have a pickup only policy. You should also never buy a puppy internationally, both for the dog’s well being and due to the fact that it is much easier to run a scam from overseas.

A puppy should be at least 6 to 8 weeks old when you buy it.

If all of these factors are considered whilst looking to buy a puppy online and you use some degree of caution, you should be the happy owner of a healthy new puppy.

The worst part about trying to pinpoint when a puppy is full grown is that there is no 100% across-the-board, correct answer.  Every single puppy is different, as are humans, and growing is different for each of them.  However, there are some solid, very general guidelines one can go by to have an idea of when your pup is all grown up.

General Timelines

It is important to remember that small dogs grow much faster than larger breeds.  Some large breeds can take up to two years to reach their full, adult size.  Pekingese or Pugs can reach their full size by about nine months.  A good general rule of thumb is that a puppy reaches his or her maximum size in the twelve to eighteen month range.  Again, this can vary from breed to breed and dog to dog.  By the end of two years, you should have yourself a full grown dog.  

Size

Generally, a puppy’s size develops a bit faster than the rest of him.  Check the web, your local library, or your veterinarian office for information on the expected full size of your puppy.  These should only be used as very general guidelines.  Often the most lovable pups can be the “runts” of the litter and never reach the full expected size.  

Other Physical Developments

A lot of puppies will have a fully developed skeletal structure before their internal workings are fully developed.  The brain as well as other vital organs like the lungs and heart will be well behind the skeletal structure in terms of development.  This means that rough horseplay and physically taxing medical treatments should be delayed until you know for sure that your puppy is fully grown.  For example, your veterinarian may recommend waiting to spay, neuter, or breed the puppy.  Always listen to your vet, as he or she can monitor that internal development.  Though one should never hit or physically punish a puppy, these things can be especially dangerous and even deadly in this delicate time of growth.  

Maturity

Maturity is an even bigger variable in puppy growth.  Some dogs are very hyper and immature for most of their adult lives.  Some puppies grow out of the childish antics quickly.  Watch for little signs.  For example, if your puppy used to tear about your favorite shoes if you left them on the ground and he has totally moved away from that habit, you might have a maturing puppy on your hands.  Check with your veterinarian for maturing advice on your specific breed.  

Training

One does not have to wait until a puppy has grown up completely to start training!  In fact, training should begin as soon as the puppy is mobile, which is typically around three to three and a half weeks.  This applies to potty training as well as leash or kennel training.  Just be careful you are not causing your puppy undue anxiety or stress by putting too much on him at once.  Be aware of his body language as well as his general demeanor.  Remember to have patience with your puppy and enjoy every moment of their development.