Friday, March 14, 2008

5 Steps To Successful Dog Ownership

Choosing the right dog for your lifestyle is crucial to successful pet ownership. There are five key steps to successful ownership:

1. Self-Appraisal: Know your personality, body type, and potential for leadership. Are you large or small, active or sedentary, extroverted or introverted, nurturing or distant, loud or soft? Be honest with yourself.

2. Choice of a Breed: Go through the breed profiles carefully and choose several breeds that most closely suit your personality and environment. Do not settle on just one; there will be several breeds that suit your situation.

3. Choice of a Dog: Take your time, and do not fall for the first puppy you see! Make sure you are totally comfortable with the breeder before you make a decision.

4. Training: Enroll your dog in a basic obedience class as soon as you can, whether it is a puppy or an adult dog. What you learn will be invaluable and may be the key to happy, successful ownership.

5. Commitment and Consistency: You must provide your dog with consistent leadership, guidance, and stimulation. Without these things both you and your dog will be unhappy. With them you will learn to appreciate each other. And that's what having a dog is all about.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

How To Give Your New Puppy As Much Attention Possible

Life can be busy. Between full time careers and outside obligations during off-work time, we must remember that our little puppy need as much attention as possible when we are at home with them. You should enjoy short play and training sessions hourly. If you cannot pay full attention to your puppy's every single second, play with your pup in his playpen, where a suitable toilet and toys are available.

Or, for periods of no longer than an hour at a time, confine your puppy to his doggy den, or short-term close confinement area, such as a portable dog crate. Every hour, release your puppy and quickly take him to his doggy toilet. Your puppy's short-term confinement area should include a comfortable bed, and plenty of hollow chew toys (stuffed with dog food).

It is much easier to watch your pup if he is settled down in a single spot. Either you may move the crate so that your puppy is in the same room as you or you may want to confine your pup to a different room to start preparing him for times when he will be left at home alone. If you do not like the idea of confining your puppy to a dog crate, you may tie the leash to your belt and have the pup settle down at your feet.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Developing Regular Dog Grooming Habits

Grooming should be started immediately in order to ensure that you know your dog's body and can spot any potential health problems, and to make the dog realize that he must tolerate grooming.

1. Each day during the first week, run a soft brush over his back and down his sides.

2. During the second week, comb out mats and get the comb down to the skin on the back and sides.

3. The third week, start working on the chest, tummy, tail and legs.

4. The fourth week, start on nails, teeth and baths.

5. Try to groom at the same time each morning or night, even if only for a few minutes. Your new dog will come to enjoy it, and the grooming will help the bonding process as well as establish dominance. It will also make the dog look and feel good!

6. Consult your breeder or a good groomer to find out how to groom your particular breed. Make sure he covers coat care, ear care, nail care and mouth care.

Monday, March 3, 2008

What Can I Do Daily To Keep My Dog Happy?

Some new dog owners may think that this is a silly question, but it is in fact a great one to ask! Why? Because the answer boils down to only three basic needs that – if kept up properly - is all you need to keep your dog strong, healthy, and happy.

1. Food: Give excellent food in two measured feedings each day. Pick up the food bowl when he or she walks away from it. If you have more than one pet, feed them at the same time but in separate places, so they can't see each other. This prevents competitive eating, which leads to obesity.

2. Water: Clean the bowl and refill with fresh water at least twice daily. Pets drink more when the water is fresh. This reduces wear on the kidneys and promotes strong immunity and long life. Rest room activities: Make it possible for your dog to get outside at least every few hours. If he or she can't urinate often, the risk of bladder and kidney disease will escalate.

3. Walks: Add a good brisk walk or other regular exercise and life will be near perfect for your dog as well as give you fresh air too.