So you’ve decided to buy a puppy? Dogs can bring joy, laughter, love, loyalty, protection and companionship into your life. However, there are a few things you need to be aware of before you choose the puppy you wish to bring into your home. Use the following checklist to ensure you purchase the puppy that’s right for you.
The Breeder
* Is the breeder experienced with the breed of puppy you are choosing? Can she answer any questions you have? Will she stand behind the puppy if problems arise?
* Has the breeder explained all the pros and cons of the breed you have chosen? Every dog has good and bad characteristics and the breeder should make you aware of them.
* Has the breeder insisted the puppy be enrolled in obedience school? Today many reputable breeders insist on this.
* Has the breeder offered you a starter kit? Many breeders offer customers a package when they purchase a puppy. It should include instruction on the care of the dog, at least one dog care book for the specific breed you are purchasing, a sample of the puppy chow that the puppy has been being fed, a list of supplies you will need for your puppy and information on obedience schools, dog trainers with experience in behavioral problems and veterinarians in your area.
* Has the breeder discussed crate training with you? The breeder should inform you on how important it is to crate train your puppy, explain how useful crates can be and instruct you on how to use the crate. Crates can keep your puppy safe from harm.
* Does the dog breeder have your puppy’s papers in order? You and the breeder should have a contract that you both sign, as well as a pedigree. Reputable breeders sell puppies with a spay and neuter requirement. This means you don’t receive your puppy’s papers registration application until the puppy has been spayed or neutered. All stipulations should be specified in the contract and explained to you so that you fully understand what your responsibilities are. There should never be an extra fee for your puppy’s pedigree.
* Be sure to check with the Better Business Bureau, or an equivalent to ensure the breeder that you are buying from is reputable.
Health
* When a breeder takes you to see the puppies, take note if they appear healthy and clean. Puppies should have bright, sparkling eyes, a healthy looking coat, clean ears and no odor. They should be active, frisky and full of life.
* Ask the breeder if the puppies have been de-wormed and vaccinated. If they have, the veterinarian would have issued a report stating exactly what was done.
* Ask the breeder if the puppies have been checked for hereditary diseases and conditions. Ask if the pups have been certified in these areas.
Socialization
* Are the puppies active, friendly and fascinated by people? Do they come running to meet you when approached? Puppies love being held, petted, played with and they should have outgoing personalities. If puppies shy away when you approach, buyer beware. You might want to consider choosing a different breeder.
* Is the mother dog attractive and friendly? Is she clean and does she look as if she is well cared for? By the time puppies are old enough to be weaned, the mother shouldn’t be overprotective of them or act in an aggressive way when you approach. If the puppy’s father is around, he should be friendly and greet you with ease. Never buy a puppy if either of his parents is aggressive. Dog aggression is often hereditary and you don’t want a dog that has a bad temperament.
* Are the puppies old enough to be sold? Puppies should not be separated from their litter until they are between 6 and 8 weeks old; 8 are best. On the other hand, puppies should have homes before they are 10 weeks old to prevent them from becoming dependent on their mother and siblings.
* Has the breeder begun to socialize the puppies? If the puppies have spent time with humans and have been given proper care, attention and training, it will be obvious in the puppy’s reaction to you. It’s imperative that puppies become socialized at a very early age.
Your Responsibilities
* Are you committed to the dog that you’re planning on purchasing for the rest of its life? Purchasing a puppy is not something to be taken lightly. You are committing to the care, training and health of the dog and to love it and tend to its every need. Dogs, depending on the breed and life’s circumstances, usually live 10 years or more.
It is your responsibility to make sure it is in good health and happy as long as it lives. A dog is not a toy that you buy and then toss it in the corner when you’re tired of it. Dogs are living things that have to be nurtured. They have to be cared for and take as much, or more, care as a child. Owning a puppy is a very serious commitment and not to be taken lightly. If you are willing to spend the next dozen or more years caring for your dog, then by all means bring one into your life. You will have a firm bond to each other and spend many happy hours interacting together.
By: Ian White About the Author:
Author Ian White is founder of Dog-Breeders.biz. This extensive online directory includes listings by private breeders, kennel clubs, and occasional hobby or family breeders. Those seeking dogs can locate and match with appropriate breeders. Dog-Breeders.biz automates the matching of dogs for sale with puppy wanted entries, with daily email notifications to all parties.
For more information about matching dog lovers with breeders visit http://www.dog-breeders.biz
Malpractice Lawyers
Puppy Broker: A Puppy Mill Reseller
Are you thinking of purchasing dog and considering buying a middleman instead of directly from the breeder? Buyer Beware! Here are some tips on how to educate yourself on determining if that person you are purchasing a dog from is reputable or really a puppy mill re-seller.
What is a Puppy Broker?
A puppy broker is someone who purchases bulk “lots” of animals to re-sell instead of breeding dogs within their own kennels. Since these dogs are not seen in pet stores, they can be passed off as quality dogs, or from champion lines, or whatever the puppy brokers wishes the buyer to believe. Someone selling an entire litter which they did not themselves breed is likely selling puppy mill animals. A reputable, contentious breeder would never sell puppies in bulk or in “lots”.
Puppy brokers, also known as puppy mill representatives, know well how to market themselves to potential buyers and will prey upon an individual’s lack of knowledge. They will pass themselves off as persons who care about the dogs and wish to protect the integrity of a given breed.
Import Brokers
A trend among puppy brokers is to present dogs as quality imports which come from “healthier, studier” European lines. Such claims of lines being healthier are often false and these may be dogs purchased from overseas puppy mills. The only way to safeguard against possible medical problems is screening for genetic defects within a breeder’s program. Ask for health clearances and get them in writing.
The actual trip from Europe is very hard on the dogs. It is now being said that for every three dogs imported in this manner, two die. Many die either in flight or shortly after arrival. Stories of puppies dying shortly after being purchased are far to numerous.
How to Identify a Puppy Broker
There are two factors which allow a puppy broker to do business: your ignorance and your impatience to have a dog of a certain breed. If you want a quality, healthy dog, do not allow these things to be used against you! Educate yourself and be patient! You could pay for your impatience for the next 15 years.
What to Look For:
Puppy brokers always have dogs available. How is this? If they don’t have one in stock for you today, they will have one for you shortly. They just happen to know of a great litter from champion lines about to be ready for new homes! Use common sense! Breeding is not an overnight process! Quality breeders have waiting lists for their dogs and puppies are often sold prior to the actual birth. How has this broker found you such a great dog on such short notice?
Meet the Dam
Always meet the dam of a litter and pick the puppy up on location where the dogs are kenneled/live. If a seller will not allow you to go to the actual property where the dogs live, be very suspicious. If they hesitate to allow you to meet the dam, they either have not bred the dogs themselves or the dam is not who they claim. The sire is commonly not on property, but you always have the right to contact the sire’s owners. Be warned: they will go out of their way to cover the fact they themselves are not the actual breeder of a litter and may outright lie about this.
Champion Dog Lines - Maybe Not
Is the seller claiming your potential puppy is of champion bloodlines? In the internet age, it has become common for puppy brokers to take photos of champion dogs from the sites of reputable kennels and claim that these are the parents of their puppies. Often the actual owners of the sire and dam have no idea that their dogs are being used in this way. Contact them. If a puppy broker will not give you contact information, search the internet and get in touch with them yourself. Good breeders will not hesitate to speak to you about their litters. We can not stress enough how often this happens.
References
Check references. Those selling dogs should be able to produce a list of references from breed clubs, previous purchasers and at least one vet. Contact all references! We have found re-sellers of dogs who are negligent on severe medical attention which their personal dogs need, have poor reputations to being banned from breed/sport/show clubs, or do not give puppies vaccinations but sell them at too early of an age to avoid “unnecessary” expense.
Before You Buy:
Please do not support this growing industry of puppy mill re-sellers. There are many ways to determine if you are purchasing from someone wanting to make a quick profit. Do your research, ask breed/sport/show clubs, which often have online forums, and make an educated decision on where your puppy will be coming from.
By: Layla Dean About the Author:
About the Author: Layla D. is a animal lover and contributor to
georgia-dog-friendly.blogspot.com .
This article may be reprinted in full so long as the resource box and the live links are included intact. All rights reserved. Copyright Layla D.
Injury Lawyers
Everybody knows that puppies are among the cutest and most adorable animals in the world. Perhaps this is because they are not only beautiful but also truly tender and accessible for us. Besides, being able to breed a puppy is always an emotional task that requires not only effort but also love, tenderness and patience. This is why puppies deserve to have a cute name in order to enhance their natural cuteness and uniqueness as well and today we are writing this article to help you out with the choosing process. Please join us now and discover the best and cutest puppy names in the world.
You can begin by looking up among names that refer to specific physical characteristics. Some of the examples are Blackie, Inky, Pepper, Brownie, Chip, Cocoa, Toasty, Coco, Frosty, Snowy, Snowflake, Dinky, Bonsai, Peanut, Shorty, Stumpy, Biscuit, Nacho, Sandy, Souffle, Twinkie, Amber, Almond, Apricot, Foxy, Ruby, Curly, Oreo, Patch, Silky and Spotty. All of them make reference to different colors, markings and size and will perfectly adapt to your puppy’s general appearance.
Food is another great source from where to find some of the cutest (and most delicious!) names. Here are some possibilities: Apple, Bagel, Bean, Brie, Crumbs, Honey, Popcorn, Pip, Spaghetti, Taco, Toffee, Twix, Vanilla, Burrito, Candy, Cherry, Chunky. Finally, we suggest you to look for some other cute options among nature related names: Bear, Bamboo, Cane, Comet, Firefly, Panda, Pearl, Powder, Star, Sunset, Wombat. As you can see, the options are endless and we have only mentioned a few in each category. Finding a cute puppy name is truly easy. You only need to choose your favorite one and make your adorable happy for the rest of his life.
By: Jakomo Dupont About the Author:
Bedding Sets
This article explains in plain English the fastest way to stop your puppy dog biting at your clothing, hands or other body parts. If you have “tried everything” or simply have no idea what to do, the answers are all here and made easy. Methods are humane and pet-friendly, utilizing positive reinforcement and ‘time-outs’ instead of spanking or scolding.
All puppies will bite and chew your body parts or clothing. It is just what puppies do. Their sharp, needle-like teeth can cause quite a lot of pain, and clothing can easily be damaged. It makes sense that we want to teach puppy that this is unacceptable as quickly as possible. What’s more, if puppies are allowed to continue this behavior, by the time they are adolescents or adults they could cause some serious damage!
That’s not to say that having a puppy’s mouth on you is necessarily a ‘bad’ thing. Puppies need to learn what we call ‘bite inhibition’, which is a soft, inhibited bite. Why? All dogs will bite under certain circumstances, particularly if taken by surprise. The dog that learns bite inhibition can bite without causing any real damage.
First, some theory. Don’t worry, it’s not long and boring!
If you have read my earlier article “Secrets of Dog Training Professionals - Operant Conditioning” then you will be familiar with the term ‘Negative Punishment’. Sounds awful, doesn’t it? But don’t worry, Negative Punishment simply means that behavior is decreased because we took something away as a consequence of that behavior.
A ‘time out’ is a Negative Punisher when the target behavior is decreased. Time outs are one of the most humane and pet-friendly punishments we can use, when used with thought and care.
Puppies bite at our hands and clothing because that is the way that puppies like to play. It is fun, and they enjoy our attention. They particularly like it if we try to fight them off of us. Have you ever seen two or more puppies playing? They like to fight each other with their mouths and paws.
Normally, other puppies teach our puppy not to bite too hard by squealing in pain. When we take our puppy from the litter, these other puppies aren’t around to teach proper bite inhibition any more. Some people advise trying to emulate a ‘puppy squeal’ to discourage biting too hard.
I don’t know why, but people just don’t seem to be very convincing with their squeals, so I don’t recommend it as a training technique. What’s more, some puppies seem to enjoy it when their human squeals and will get more excited, resulting in more biting. This is obviously not what we want puppy to do! If you can squeal and your puppy immediately stops biting, then this is an acceptable technique. Monitor the behavior long-term, though, to make sure biting too hard is decreasing.
A different, yet highly effective aproach is to say ‘ouch’ in a neutral tone of voice (not loud, not high-pitched and not angry) then walk out of the room, shutting the door behind you for 30 seconds. This marks the exact behavior you are trying to punish, then gives a time-out as a consequence.
It may take puppy a little while to figure out the link between his biting and the time-out, but the marker will make it clearer. It is important to say ‘ouch’ in a neutral tone of voice, and say it exactly at the moment that puppy bites too hard.
Notice that I said “exactly at the moment that puppy bites too hard”? We don’t want to discourage young puppies from biting altogether, this would be bite prohibition. We want to teach puppies to inhibit their bite.
Time-outs should not be excessive. A long time-out can be stressful and lead to other unwanted behaviors. 30 seconds is more than enough and seems to be quite effective. Don’t look back at puppy or try to push puppy away when you say ‘ouch’. Simply get up and leave, closing the door behind you.
If you have family or friends in the room then it might be easier to lead puppy out of the room and shut him out for his time-out. However, this doesn’t seem to be as effective to me.
Remember, it is only punishment if the behavior decreases. Continuing with a punishment which is unclear or ineffective is a waste of time and borders on abuse (although, it would be hard to do damage with a 30 second time-out). Consider your timing, consistency and whether or not there is anyone else in puppy’s life who is not following through with this protocol consistently. It is important that you explain the rules to anyone who plays with puppy.
If all else fails, seek professional advice. Most vet clinics are now offering puppy kinder classes using humane and pet-friendly techniques.
By: Aidan Bindoff About the Author:
Aidan Bindoff is Editor of
http://www.positivepetzine.com your helpful on-line resource for free positive dog training advice that works fast and that anyone can apply today!
Loan consolidation
Deworming your puppy is a critical part of his puppy care. 98% of all puppies are born with worms that they contracted before they were born from their mother.
There are many different species of worms which can affect your puppy’s growth and development. These worms are intestinal parasites, and contrary to popular belief, you probably won’t see them in the puppy’s stool unless they have a severe infestation.
The most common type of worm found in puppies are roundworms. Roundworms, as you might expect, are round, and a common description is spaghetti-like. These ascarids are very common in nature and can survive outside a host in a cyst stage for a long time. Grassy areas are common places to find any number of parasitic cysts.
Tapeworms are among the most difficult to get rid of. They are a flat, segmented worm.
The head of the tapeworm burrows into the intestine wall and segments break off and are expelled with the feces. You may see wriggling rice-like segments in the stool or dry sawdust-like flakes stuck in the coat around the puppy’s anus. Each segment contains thousands of eggs and ingestion will cause a recurrent infestation.
Fleas are the vector for the tapeworm. They carry the tapeworm from one host to the next. When an animal bites a flea, the tapeworm finds it’s way to the digestive tract where it sets up camp. Tapeworms can be very difficult to get rid of. Dislodging the head can require multiple de-worming attempts. If you do not kill the worm at the source, it can and will regenerate from the head.
There are actually very few medications that work against tapeworms. Many of which can be very hard on the puppy. Whichever medication you choose, you should be sure to consult your veterinarian before you use it. Drontal is the best general de-wormer on the market today. It is a wide spectrum de-wormer and does get tapes, most do not. If your puppy definitely has tapes, it is a good idea to follow up with a species specific dewormer. That is, one that just gets tapes.
When de-worming your puppy, you need to repeat it at least twice, three times is better still. The procedure needs to be done at two week intervals. To follow the life-cycle of the parasite. Most eggs will hatch in that two weeks. The first medication kills anything that is its adult stage, the follow up treatments kill anything that has hatched in the mean time. You can see why it may be advisable to repeat it a third time, just in case any residual eggs had yet to hatch or, any remaining adults laid new eggs.
It is a good idea to follow the final worming with a microscopic fecal exam done at your vet’s office a couple weeks after the final de-worming. Just to make sure no eggs are present. Your vet will need a very fresh fecal sample. Usually no more than an hour old.
Intestinal parasites can cause many problems for the puppy. They can become malnourished, despite how much they eat. If they are always sharing their nutrition with their unwelcome companions they won’t grow well. They will be more susceptible to disease despite vaccines. They may have chronic diarrhea and vomiting and never reach their standard body weight or muscle mass.
Some species of intestinal parasites are transmissible to humans. Mainly children who have a less developed immune system and are more likely to be in the vicinity of the worms or eggs. Round worms especially can infect young children. Children inadvertently put their hands in their mouth or roll around in the grass with the puppy. It is possible, though less likely to contract other species of worms as well.
By: Laura Anderson About the Author:
Spa Resorts
There is nothing more frustrating than having a puppy who thinks they are dominant. Stop being embarrassed by your puppy’s aggression and dominance. Create harmony in your household by showing your puppy who is boss. The puppy must know that you are in control and his/her bad behavior must cease. Remember, you are the puppy’s master and there are steps you can take to regain that control:
Jul
4
It is best to start disciplining your puppy straight away so he learns at an early age how to be an acceptable member of your family.
It is important to be patient when dealing with a puppy. You need to find the best method that suits your puppy’s character, all puppies personalities are different, just like people. So what works with one puppy might need to be adjusted a bit to suit another.
The important rule to remember is to discipline your puppy for naughty or inappropriate behaviour and to praise him for the times his behaviour is appropriate.
It is also important to have fun with your puppy and to realise that he will go through all the stages of development that children do, so keep this in mind with your expectations of him. He needs time to learn how to behave acceptably so don’t expect him to adhere to your command the first time.
As the puppys master, you will want your dog to respect you and that does not mean that he trembles every time you walk into the room, that is fear, not respect. When your dog respects you he will watch you and will eagerly await your next command, he will want to please you. Respect comes from a number of ways you treat your dog. Too much discipline without showing any affection will create a fearful and sometimes aggressive dog. However, too much unearned praise will spoil your puppy and make it think it is pack leader and this will also cause problems with it’s behaviour. It is important to try to achieve a balance between the two.
Disciplining your puppy should never involve hitting him. This will make him either cower away from you all the time or it will turn him into an aggressive, troublesome dog. You should find a method which the puppy clearly understands and then praise him when he does good.
You must make your commands clear, direct and they should be given as soon as the puppy misbehaves, this is important so the dog knows why he is being corrected.
Obedience training builds a strong bond between you and your puppy. The key to successfully disciplining your puppy is to persevere with the training methods and don’t give up, the rewards will be worth it when you have a well behaved happy dog.
By: Annemarie Daniels About the Author:
Divorce Lawyers
Jul
3
There is much to understand in terms of caring for your Havanese puppy, including everything from their history to their grooming. The Havanese was not bred in the United States until about the 1970’s and it wasn’t until 1991 that the UKC recognized them. While the Havanese does make great show dogs, they are also wonderful house pets, ready to love and please the people around them.
But, for those not prepared, Havanese grooming can be somewhat of a shock if not properly informed ahead of time. The ideal Havanese puppy cut is a short cut and is best for those who do not plan on putting their dogs in shows, as this serves as the most practical choice in making it easier to brush and maintain the puppy. It is best to fully understand the different cuts for your puppy. With proper knowledge, you will have a happy, friendly, and well-trimmed dog for many years to come. But without, you could have a dog with matted hair, which ultimately leads to shaving. This is why the Havanese puppy cut is most preferred.
You will want to begin grooming your Havanese as soon as you bring your puppy home. This allows you to train your puppy very early on as to how to properly behave during cuts and daily grooming. This is to not only to prevent accidents from happening, but also to make sure that the grooming process is one that does not bring stress upon him or her. While those who want to have their dogs in shows will keep the hair long, this is a high maintenance look. If you are not planning on showing your dog, the Havanese puppy cut is probably the best for you and your little one.
Even with the shorter cut, you will want to keep up regular brushings as this promotes new growth of hair. It also helps their skin and coat when you brush them as the natural oils that are produced are spread about. Grooming your Havanese will also allow you the chance to inspect your dog’s skin condition. Whether there is a wound or fleas, these problems will need to be noticed quickly. With the Havanese puppy cut you will still want to brush them 3 or 4 times a week.
Knowing now that proper grooming is essential for a happy and well-trimmed dog, having the knowledge to actually achieve it is another thing. It is not hard at all but there are a few key tools that every owner of a Havanese should have on hand whether they have the Havanese puppy cut or not. Every house with a Havanese should have a flea comb, a pin brush, a small soft slicker brush, and or course a combination comb. With these tools, you will be able to keep your dog’s Havanese puppy cut in top shape.
But how does one go about achieving the puppy cut? It is actually a lot simpler then most people think. The key thing is to leave the ears and tail fully feathered as this gives the playful feel to the overall cut. And the rest is cut down to about one inch. These allows easier grooming and gives a soft look to your little friend. Both you and your puppy will be pleased with this style. It is also important when cutting that your puppy in placed on a towel or mats on top a steady table to prevent falls.
By: Fiona Kelly About the Author:
Having the knowledge about the Havanese puppy cut and puppy care as Fiona Kelly does, it is only natural that this passion is shared with others. Knowing that many people consider their dogs as another member of the family it is important to understand proper
Havanese grooming so that the puppy can have a coat that is clean and family friendly. This often means using the Havanese puppy cut. And while you don’t need a lot of
Havanese grooming supplies, there are a few that are a must have in order to keep up the Havanese puppy cut.
Mortgage Refinance
Jun
24
Here are 6 tips to choosing the best puppy food for your new companion!
1. The simple truth is, if a dog food is high quality and all natural you don’t need to feed a puppy food. Choose a food that is formulated according to the nutritional profiles of AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials) for ALL stages of life.
2. Always look for a good source of protein listed in the first 5 ingredients. The two best sources of protein are chicken meal and catfish. Most people don’t realize it but chicken meal has much more protein in it than regular chicken does because all the water has been removed. So chicken meal would be the best choice. Catfish is also a good protein source and has essential oils in it.
3. Just like humans, a puppy needs vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in their food. Good nutrition is essential to a puppy and what they receive in their first year can set the stage for their entire life. It’s also a great idea to give a nutritional supplement along with their food.
4. Remember to stay away from any food with corn, wheat, glutens, dairy or soy. These ingredients can be very hard to digest. A puppy food can say all natural and sound like a great food for your puppy (corn and wheat are indeed natural) but just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s necessarily good for them. Dogs can become allergic to grains like corn and wheat, so starting them off on these grains is not a good idea.
5.NO, NO chemical preservatives!There are chemical preservatives in so much food today and it is actually a “toxin” to the body. Foods with BHA, BHT and ethoxoquin should be avoided.
6. Stay away from by-products! If you don’t know what a by product is, it’s the “leftovers” after the best meat has been removed. This could include anything from chicken heads to intestines, etc. Very yucky thought! Many commercial puppy foods add these to their food………. So read your labels closely!
By: Candice Lee About the Author:
Television for Children
Jun
4
Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting experience! The puppy is excited, you are excited, but what about your older dog? You remember, the one who has been an only dog for years. It can be done and fairly effortlessly at that.
Dogs, for all their domesticity, still have a pack mentality. You, of course, are the alpha, or head dog. Your older dog will be the beta, or second in command. When bringing a new dog into the pack, your established dog may feel threatened. Be mindful of this. While you do want your newest addition to feel loved and welcomed, you also want your older dog to know that it is still loved very much and its position in the household is secure. There are a variety of things you may do to make this transition from a one dog to a two dog home go smoothly.
Go slowly! This is a brand new place for your puppy and a new situation for your older dog. Don’t rush them into any kind of relationship. Let the puppy explore. Allow them to get acquainted. I would advise here, to stay in close proximity when the dogs are just getting to know each other. Sometimes fights do break out and you won’t want either dog injured.
Spend quality time with each dog separately. This allows you to bond with your puppy and also shows your older dog that it is still an important part of your life. A caution here, don’t spend all of your time with them in separate situations. This may breed jealousy and ill will between dogs.
Play is important. Play with your dogs separately and also have playtime together. Make sure they have plenty of toys and chew toys. Once they begin having fun, it won’t be long until they are playing together and you are the one left out!
Reward good behavior. As mentioned, this is a new situation for both dogs. Reward them with playtime or treats so that they know that they are moving in the right direction.
This all may sound like a lot of work, but it truly isn’t. Once your dogs develop a relationship, your diligence will be awarded with twice the love!
By: Nikola Marshall About the Author:
Nikola Marshall lives in Oklahoma with her Boston Terrier and Chihuahua. She enjoys spending time with her dogs, scrapbooking, reading and volunteering. This article has been submitted in affiliation with
http://www.PetLovers.Com/ which is a site for
Pet Forums.
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May
16
“How big will my puppy get?”
The majority of all new puppy owners ask the question “How big will my puppy get?” To determine puppy growth rate, one has to consider a lot of variables to ever be able to get an accurate answer for any individual dog breed. And even then, you will only be able to get an average “puppy growth rate” range…or a “ballpark figure”.
But how does a person estimate how big their puppy is going to get? What you need to know is that puppies at different ages grow at different rates. The same way that puppies of different breeds grow at different rates. This makes it very difficult to pin point exactly to the pound, how big your puppy is going to be at one year. And, if it will continue to grow larger in it’s second year.
Determine Puppy Growth Rate
Generally speaking, here is one way to determine puppy growth rate. An adult dog will weigh about twice as much as it did when it reached 4 months of age. And the rule of thumb for the giant breeds, your dog will double what they weigh at 5 months.
So, before buying a puppy, a person really needs to do their research on the different breeds of dogs. You need to know if your new canine is going to reach 9 pounds or 109 pounds. You have to understand the puppy growth rate on the different dog breeds.
An average small breed dog, like a toy poodle will reach full weight by year one, at 8 pounds. A bulldog will reach 20 pounds at one year, and 35 by their second year. A larger breed dog, such as a German Shepherd will reach 70 pounds by year one, and 75 pounds by year two. And the largest breeds, like a Great Dane will reach 110 pounds by year one, and 130 pounds by year two.
What About Genetics?
But also understand that two male puppies from the same liter can also vary in size, the same way your two brothers can be very different in size. (I’m three inches taller, and fifty pounds lighter than either of my brothers)
This then tells me, that genetics can also play a big part in puppy growth rate. I have a slender, long legged toy poodle that was not suppose to get any bigger than her 6 pound mother. Instead, she had the genes of her mothers sister, and she topped out at eleven pounds. Just understand that puppy growth rate is an average estimate of what your dog will grow up to be. (And I wouldn’t trade my eleven pound poodle for any six pound poodle in the world.)
Raising Your Puppy
By: Larry Buhrandt About the Author:
Larry Buhrandt is a huge dog lover and writes about health concerns and helpful tips for your canine friend.
Read more Here
Apr
21
When you bring a new puppy into your home, it is important to begin training right away. If you wait to start, your puppy may pick up bad habits that will be hard to drop in the future. Although you may want your puppy to learn how to sit on the first day, those tricks will have to come behind potty training, biting, and chewing. When your puppy learns the meaning of “no,” training will become much easier. Although it’s not necessary to physically punish your puppy, you must remember to be stern, no matter how cute your puppy is. Puppy Training doesn’t always have to be unpleasant. With the use of praise and rewards, training can be a fun bonding experience for both of you.
The first step in training your puppy is teaching him the word “no.” The sooner he begins to understand “no,” the sooner he will understand everything else. During the first couple of weeks that your puppy is in your home, you may be tempted to make excuses for his behavior. However, if you don’t teach him where to go to the bathroom, and certainly where not to go, he will never learn. It is understandable that you want your puppy with you at all times, but carpet should be avoided like the plague until he has been completely housebroken.
Treats and rewards will speed up this process, puppies need motivation just like humans. Your puppy wants to please you, so when he sees how happy you are that he didn’t potty on the floor, he will want to do it again. As long as you are consistent with your training, he will be consistent in his understanding and progress.
You will be amazed at how sharp those little teeth are the first time your puppy uses your finger as a chew toy. Depending on how hard he bites you, it may really hurt. This is a problem because he does not mean any harm, he’s only playing, and your first reaction is going to be anger. Many times your first reaction is to hit back, and this is never the answer.
In the same way that a child who is abused regularly, your puppy will not obey you because it makes you happy, he will obey you because you terrify him. This is not a healthy relationship and it can be avoided by simply firmly scolding your puppy verbally as opposed to physically. The result to this technique is a mutual desire to make each other happy.
When you bring a puppy home, you may need to do a puppy version of child proofing your house. Puppies teeth just like babies do, and they will chew on anything they can get their hand on. This includes your favorite pair of designer shoes. It is important to show your puppy that you are upset about his behavior without scaring him by throwing a hysterical fit. Introduce him to the world of chew toys that are colorful, tasty, and inexpensive.
This way, your shoes are safe, and your puppy can always find something to chew on. He will enjoy having something that is exclusively his, and you will enjoy wearing your shoes sans holes. Puppy training can be simple and enjoyable if you are prepared for what’s to come before it happens. Your puppy is a lot like you, and he’s not trying to make you angry by biting you or chewing on your things. He simply doesn’t know any better, and it’s your job to teach him.
By: Kristi Ambrose About the Author:
This author is a HUGE fan of puppy dog training [http://www.puppydogtrainingusa.blogspot.com]
Niche Marketing
Apr
20
Previous dog owners are all very well aware of the unique bond that can be formed between master and dog. Previous dog owners could also tell you about the responsibility, the long term commitments, and responsible consideration for society and the people in it, when it comes to your dog. Of course most people, whether they have owned a dog or not, realize what a loyal and affectionate friend a puppy can be if treated properly and taught the difference between good and bad behavior. Choosing a new puppy, is not just a matter of the heart, but firstly a matter of the head when making this important decision. You need to logically consider things like how big the puppy will grow to, what potential health issues there could be, what the temperament of the dog will be, and how well that will fit into you and your families life style. Of the many important questions you should ask yourself before choosing a new puppy as a pet, probably the most important question is one you should ask yourself.
Puppy Expectations
That questions is, what exactly is it that you want from a dog. Or perhaps what are your expectations for this new member of your family. Your dog will in essence become a new member of your family. Are you willing to share your home, and your life with this very new, very dependent family member? Some people expect a dog to carry out a specific task as a new member of their family. Such as expecting the dog to become a watchdog. Dogs, regardless of size will almost definitely sound some kind of warning, when your home or family members are approached by a stranger. Of course if you have more exacting requirements, than just having a poodle that barks at the mailman, then there are several things to consider. Certain breeds are excellent for guarding family and property, but specific training and handling are required to train and teach a dog to behave in this manner. Perhaps your expectations revolve around competing in dog shows and other competitions. If so, consider why you would enjoy this, and perhaps talk with someone who has done this type of thing before. Perhaps you looking for a dog that can be a playmate, and confidante to younger members of your family. Having a dog can be a great way to teach responsibility to young and growing members of your family.
Do Some Doggy Homework
These are only a few of the possible expectations you may have for a dog in your life. The best thing you can do at this point, would be to sit down and carefully consider all the reasons why you want a new pet, and all the expectations you will have for the dog. Once you’ve done this, then you can start looking at the different types of breeds, and find the dog that will be right for you, your lifestyle, and your family. Happy puppy hunting.
By: Chris Campbell About the Author:
Babies
Apr
15
I think all new puppy owners have experienced the following at some point. They are showing off their new dog to their friends, perhaps trying to get him to do tricks, etc. However, the puppy has other ideas and starts to try and bump and grind anyone and anything in sight. Why do puppies do this, and can anything be done about it?
There are actually two opposing views on this subject. The more conventional view is that puppy humping is a demonstration of dominance behaviour. All dogs are pack animals, and your puppy is simply trying to determine their place within your family pack. If you observe puppies in a litter, it is not uncommon to see the males attempt to mount their litter mates whenever possible. Female puppies can also exhibit this behaviour, although it is not as common.
To those dog experts that subscribe to the dominance theory, the general consensus is that if the puppy humping is not harming anyone, do nothing. Given enough time, it will resolve itself on its own when your puppy understands his social standing (in your family, this should be at the very bottom). However, if it is still causing problems, you and other family members will have to demonstrate your dominant position by using “Sit” and “Stay” commands whenever your puppy starts to mount someone. If you do this for 2 months, and it is still an issue, you may want to consult a professional animal behaviourist. He may recommend having your dog neutered (if it isn’t already), or a comprehensive behaviour management program may be in order.
A newer view of the phenomena of puppy humping is that is has nothing to do with pack behaviour or dominance at all. Rather, the only thing it indicates is that your puppy is in an excited state, and is looking for a way to release that energy. The puppy humping you see is simply a motor pattern that your dog performs when in this state.
This concept rose from ideas on dog psychology. Dogs do not think like people. They live in the present, and can use past experience. However, dogs cannot comprehend how a present action will affect future events. So, in this view, they can use past experience to realize that puppy humping felt good in the past, and will feel good now. They cannot comprehend that humping another dog today will somehow affect his social standing in the future. This is beyond his understanding.
Whether this view has any truth to it at all, the solution remains the same. If your puppy is in an excited state and is performing objectionable acts, he needs to be calmed down by using “Sit” or “Stay” commands. If your dog doesn’t respond to this, place him in his crate until his excited state passes. Your dog should learn quickly that puppy humping will result in an automatic crating, which should curtail this behaviour.
In the end, almost all dogs will exhibit signs of puppy humping at some point. Although embarrassing, it is not really a problem so long as your dog is not hurting anyone. If you feel this behaviour must be curtailed, using the basic commands, as well as the crate, should do the trick. Good Luck!
By: David Nordmark About the Author:
Parenting Toddlers
Dec
18
Dog comfort is a big issue for your dog and getting it wrong can cause your dog to be grumpy, aggravated more easily, and in a worse state of health than if they sleep in a more adequate place, but what is perfect sleeping conditions for your dog?
Much research has been done on the way dogs sleep and what they find more comfortable and where it is best for it to be, but in this article we will only cut out the uninteresting bits and give you the best requirements for your dog.
Your dog will sleep an average of 11-12 hours a day, and as they get older that number will increase more because older dogs need more time to regain their energy back. If your dog isn’t getting enough sleep it may be because you’re not doing one of the following requirements of a dogs sleeping comfort.
To begin, the chosen area needs to be well away from drafts and doorways which could cause drafts and cold air to circulate around your dog, if your dog is cold any muscle and joint pains they have will worsen and make it hard for your dog to sleep.
For padding, you should ensure a really soft space that will help to support the body fully. Use a cushion or lots of blankets to make the padding, to again help any aching joint problems and give maximum support and sleep comfort to your dog.
The last issue is the placing of your dogs bed, dogs need to be easily accessible for the family to care for them, but they don’t like to have their routines broken all the time so keeping the dog bed in the same place is essential to keep you dog happy, if the dog bed is always moved it will cause them to be uncomfortable in their new surroundings and be overly aware of unfamiliar noises.
By: John Williams Dog TrainingAbout the Author:
For more information visit our dog training website at this link… Dog Training
Dec
16
There comes a time in most home families when the children get a bit older and their dog or teddy is no longer the best thing in the world to play with, every new friend or existing friend your children make seems to have a cute little dog, and its only a matter of time before your children are going to start pestering you for one. So what should you look for is your serious about getting a family dog?
For starters your dog will need to be able to take everything your children can throw at it, children often don’t have any idea of how to handle a new pet dog so don’t expect them to play gently all the time, unknowing children have a tendency to be a little rough wile playing with dogs so a dog breed that can take some rough playing is essential.
Different dogs have different personalities just like humans do so be aware of this when purchasing a new dog, just because a dog breed is normally playful, energetic, and nice , this does not mean the one you get will be the same. Being prepared to put in work and time with your dog is also essential with a family dog because dog’s often take the things your children tell it to do as acceptable when this may not be the case, so dog behavior training will be needed at some point.
After considering the previous paragraphs I’m sure you will be pretty certain on whether you still want a dog for your home or not, if you do then here are some suggestions on different breeds that you may want to consider.
Golden Retriever. The golden retriever is a good popular choice for families because of their active and loyal personality and a good all round dog.
Boxer. Although the boxer may look big and intimidating to some, the boxer is a very good family dog in that they love being around people, they take care of the family members, and are always willing to play.
Labrador Retreiver. An extremely popular pet in many households across the world, the Labrador is a very friendly loving dog that loves to play and be very active for your kids to play with.
Beagle. The beagle is a very sturdy dog that can take plenty of roughness and playing, and loves to be active and meet new people. A very excited and curious dog that is great for family life.
Boston Terrier. The terrier is a gentle, well mannered dog and enjoys a challenge. Boston terriers are very easy to train and make for great family dogs and friends.
Irish Setter. A very affectionate dog, the Irish setter is a very good choice for families due to its liking for children and constant happy playful attitude.
By: John Williams Dog TrainingAbout the Author:
For more information visit our dog training website at this link… Dog Training
Get Mortgage
Dec
13
Dog toys are essential to keep your dog occupied to stop barking problems, boredom issues and through teething times for your dog. Finding a good toy for your dog through these times is essential, leaving your dog with a bad chew toy that they don’t like will leave your dog with no option but to chew something else, there are many chew toys available so the choice is endless.
Dental health for your dog will be greatly improved by chewing toys so it is important to keep your dog interested in the toy choice you give them. Popular toys usually contain something that tastes good, smells good, some light up, and others make noises to keep you dog entertained. If the toy is fun for your dog then you can use it to reward your dog for good behavior or take it from them when they are bad.
Different Dogs enjoy different textures and tastes, you will need to find what your dog likes to chew and try your best to find a similar product but without it being as destructive to your house like their old toy, the table leg, was.
Avoiding tugging toys may be a good idea in some cases, more excited breeds of dog and puppies especially will get the message that tugging is fun for you as well as your dog, thus encouraging him to tug at you trouser legs when they’re in need of attention and curtains when they’re bored. Personally I would avoid theses toys.
When looking for a good toy for your dog, here are some good suggestions:
1. Look for a dog toy with something different like sound, taste, or lights.
2. Pick a dog toy that is tough enough to withstand your dogs chewing and biting
3. Choose dog toys that you think your dog will enjoy, using experience of what he normally chews is a good idea.
Remember that choosing a dog toy all depends on the dog in question, each dog will have different tastes and experiences of what they enjoy, something as cheap and simple as a tennis ball could be enough to keep your dog occupied for hours on end.
By: John Williams Dog TrainingAbout the Author:
For more information visit our dog training website at this link… Dog Training
Multi-IP Hosting for SEO
Dec
11
You may have seen many articles on the best and healthiest diet for your dog, but what foods should your dog not eat and what will help your dog’s health in the short and long term.
There are many different cases to look at when defining bad foods for dogs but there are guidelines that can be followed to prevent dog pests, dog diarrhea, and many other illnesses that can affect your dog. Routing through trash is another bad idea for your dog and if you discover this is a problem then it should be strictly disciplined.
So what should you avoid to maintain your dog’s immune system and keep their digestive system intact? Here are some bad ideas and health effecting foods that may harm your dogs health if you’re not careful. Please note that some dog food quality standards may have changed since the writing of this article.
Processed foods
These canned processed foods are nothing but bad news for your dog, after all the processing they are left with not much nutrients for your dog, the quality of meat is poor and other chemicals used in this food make for a bad dog diet and although some rare cases may exist it is generally best avoided.
Chicken Bones
Chicken bones, although you may suspect that it is ok to feed you dog on these leftover bits of meat can be harmful to your dog and when your dog chews the bone it can break and cause a choking hazard and mouth damage.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains caffeine which is considered bad for your dog’s nervous system and heart. And also contains sugar and sweetness that is not good for your dog.
Other Bad Foods
Citrus oil extracts, grapes and raisins, rotten foods and mushrooms amongst others.
Be sure to check labels and research anything you are thinking of feeding your dog before hand.
By: John Williams Dog TrainingAbout the Author:
Toddler Bedding
Dec
7
Your dog may be the best trained dog in the world, understand your commands perfectly, and you may think that your dog understands the roads and can cope with cars well, but there is always a chance your dog could get knocked over by a car and knowing what to do in this situation is vital.
As stated above, you may think your dog is well suited to roads and can avoid cars and know when and where to cross the road, but from a dogs perspective this is all guess work and learnt from previous situations and near misses. Even after many years of crossing roads and viewing cars, dogs can still get caught up in situations that are dangerous and harmful.
If your dog does become the target of a road accident there are certain rules that should be adhered to when arriving at the scene and these rules can be the basis of how much pain and how healthy your dog will be afterwards.
The first thing to do is not panic, if your dog is conscious and can sense you panicking then they will panic also which won’t help the situation. Common injuries of a dog being run over are cuts and bruises so there is a good chance your dog is fine.
Dogs should not be moved after a car incident and until you know and are sure of the injuries they have, should remain in the same place or moved using a few people and a sheet or blanket as a stretcher if totally necessary.
Always check their breathing, your dogs breathing may have stopped as a cause of the accident and will need respiration by holding the muzzle closed and breathing air through the nose. If there is any severe bleeding you will need to add pressure to stop the bleeding and then seek urgent medical treatment.
If you are not sure of the seriousness of the damages, then contact your vet and explain the conditions to get advice on how to deal with the situation properly.
By: John Williams Dog TrainingAbout the Author:
For more information visit our dog training website at this link… Dog Training
Auto Parts
Dec
7
The ‘no’ command is a widely used command throughout dog training and is used to tell your dog not to do something or to stop them in their tracks to avoid dangerous situations or general bad behavior.
I think of the no command as more of a training technique rather than a command and to perfect the technique you will need to be consistent for most of your time with your pet dog. The no command isn’t like other commands and is taught over several years rather than a ‘learn it and forget it’ dog training technique.
You can start to teach your dog the no command as soon as you see your cute little puppy doing something wrong for the first time, to most people the command will come naturally when they see their dog causing terror in the house and it will not be too hard for them to remember how to execute the technique.
The no command should come part and parcel with punishing your dog, the idea behind the no command is to teach your dog that ‘no’ means bad behavior and punishment, after teaching this command the end result will be that your dog should stop whatever they are doing when you say ‘no’.
So to make this command work you will need to enforce and recite ‘no’ in a very assertive way whenever you are punishing your dog or see your dog behaving badly that will result in punishment. By doing this your dog will associate ‘no!’ with being punished and making you the owner, unhappy.
If you do this consistently through your dogs earlier years, especially when your dog is a puppy and very impressionable you will gain respect from your dog and just saying ‘no’ alone will be enough to stop your dog in its tracks and save you punishing your dog.
By: John Williams Dog TrainingAbout the Author:
For more information visit our dog training website at this link… Dog Training
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