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While excitement and anticipation may be at the top of the list when
bringing home a new puppy, preparing for him should rate highly on the
list. Just as you would need to prepare a home when you have a baby, pet
owners also need to take special precautions when "puppy-proofing."
Before you start preparing your home for a puppy, you should take into
consideration the yard and garden. First, check fences and gates to be
sure there are no holes large enough for him to get his head stuck in.
Watch for litter and/or trash cans, which can be tipped over, giving your
new puppy the chance to eat things that he shouldn't.
And finally, know where you are treating your lawn and garden with pesticides,
and then forbid your puppy from going there. In addition, make sure that
all chemicals and other harmful products are put away out of your new
friend's reach.
Next, you will need to investigate your home and pretend that a small
toddler is coming to live with you! Like toddlers, puppies will find everything
new and exciting. They don't know when something is dangerous or can't
tell if that "interesting" remote control will get them into
trouble.
In addition, when preparing your home for the new puppy, you should keep
these tips in mind:
* Be sure all electrical and cable wires are either in a space your puppy
will not be or hide them under rugs or carpets. Do not keep wires where
your puppy could chew and gnaw on them.
* Just like a toddler, your puppy will explore every element, including
low cupboards. Just when you thought having a puppy was easier than a
child, he will learn to nudge those cupboard doors open! Consider installing
locks or sort through them keeping only safe objects in low areas.
So far, so good, right? Well, that's only if you remember that in reality
your puppy has the mind of a small child. Soon you'll be getting ready
for afternoon walks to the park, 3 a.m. trips to the bathroom, (more officially,
outside) and lots of cuddling. So, while preparing your home for your
puppy, think of him as a member of your family. Buy him a bed made from
plastic, which is more resistant to chewing. Line it with comfortable
bedding - washable of course - and then place it in a special place just for
him. Make sure it is placed where he will be safe and comfortable.
Preparing your home for your new puppy is a lot of work, so you may consider
buying a puppy pen until everything is taken care of. Just like a baby's
playpen, a puppy pen will offer an area for him to play without roaming
the house. By doing this, you are also saving your furniture and other
objects from being chewed on. (Don't worry - he'll eventually grow out of
this!)
Another important thing to think about when preparing your home for your
puppy is whether there are any stairs in the house. If you have an open
basement or second floor, use baby gates to confine his run area to prevent
harm. Babies and puppies alike are not aware of danger and don't realize
that they could fall down steps and hurt themselves.
The most important thing to think about while preparing your home for
the new puppy is that, just like a child, it will need cuddling, attention...
and there will definitely be a lot of wet kisses!
The Best Dog Breeds for
Families
There's nothing quite like the family dog. It's almost a slice of Americana.
In every cheesy fifties image of the Perfect American Family, we see a nice
little house with a white picket fence, Mom and Dad, two children (usually
a boy and a girl), and a family pooch happily prancing around the yard.
As clichéd as that image may be, the fact remains that people love
dogs and some families just don't feel right without a family dog.
When choosing a dog for a family, there are important traits to keep
in mind. Some breeds of dog are wonderful for families while others simply
don't have the proper temperament to deal with family life.
They may be too rough with small children, too needy of their own space
to deal with the incessant coming and going of a large family, or simply
too naturally aggressive to respond well to a family setting. Other breeds
are just perfect fits for family life. Here are some of the best dog breeds
for families.
Golden Retrievers
Originally bred as a bird dog (like most retrievers), the Golden retriever
is an amazingly loyal and very protective breed. They are perfect for
families that enjoy outdoor activities because they love to run, jump,
and play.
Irish Setters
Irish Setters are known for their pleasant personalities and their eagerness
to please humans. They were also originally bred as hunting dogs and can
serve well in this capacity, but it is their aptitude for companionship
that makes them a beloved family breed.
Collies
The Collie may be one of the breeds most easily associated with the qualities
of a family dog due to the popularity of the Lassie television programs.
Collies are characterized by a combination of intelligence and patience
uncommon in other breeds.
Boxers
Boxers look large and scary and have a deep, resonating bark that makes
intruders wary, but they are truly gentle, loving, and loyal dogs. Their
size may make families with small children want to wait a few years before
owning one, but they are a perfect family pet once the kids are a little
older.
Newfoundland
Remember the dog "Hooch" from the Tom Hanks movie Turner and
Hooch? This is Hooch, a big, friendly, loving pooch. They tend to slobber
and drool rather excessively, but the Newfoundland is a loving and protective
pet. Like the boxer, the dog's size may be of some concern, but it will
be hard to find a more loyal dog for a family than this breed.
Vaccinations and Your Dog
Although your new puppy will likely squirm and maybe even cry when getting
his shots, it is just as important for your dog as it is for your children
or yourself. In fact, by keeping up on your dog's vaccinations, you could
be saving his life.
Vaccinations are injections of a small dose of a disease, which will
prevent your puppy from developing that very disease. Just like immunizations
in children, they are required by health departments and are the right thing
to do for your dog.
Two different types of vaccinations exist. They are a Killed Vaccine
and a Modified Live Vaccine. A Modified Live Vaccine is a live disease
being injected, after having been altered by the drug company to be unable
to cause the disease it is protecting against. In a Killed Vaccine,
the virus itself has been killed before any injection occurs.
Once vaccinations are given, your dog's immune system will recognize
the presence of a disease and will then create barriers or reinforcements
(antibodies) to fight it off, should it appear. These barriers only last
from six months to a year, which makes regular appointments extremely
important for your dog.
A few of the more commonly heard of diseases that affect dogs are often
at the top of a vaccination list. These include: Canine Distemper, Infectious
Hepatitis, Rabies and Corona Virus.
Regular vaccinations can prevent your dog from contracting these diseases;
however, you should still be aware of what they are. Canine Distemper is
caused by a virus that attacks the body and can be damaging to the dog's
central nervous system.
50 percent of dogs who contract this disease will have a fatal outcome.
It mainly affects middle-aged dogs. Puppies and older dogs are usually
safe from contracting it.
Another vaccination, which is important to your dog's health and should
not be confused with the human disease, Hepatitis, is Infectious Hepatitis,
which is a life threatening viral disease. It is transmitted through urine,
saliva and feces. All ages of dogs are at risk for this disease. Luckily,
it's not contagious to humans.
Vaccinations for Rabies are probably the most commonly talked about vaccine.
The disease itself is the most well known in animals and can quickly affect
humans through saliva and bites. Aggression, excessive salivation and
erratic behavior will follow the onset of rabies, although it may not
be as clear as "Cujo", the famous rabid-infected dog in the
movies.
Another disease that is commonly confused and which is important to be vaccinated against is Corona Virus. This disease affects young dogs and is usually mixed
up with Parvo, which is a totally different type of disease. Corona Virus
is contagious and is passed through feces ingested by another dog, causing
trouble with the intestinal system. This disease is usually treatable
before Parvo sets in.
As you can see, many diseases can affect, sicken, or even
kill your precious family member. Vaccinations are extremely important
to yours and your dog's health and it is your responsibility as a dog
owner to have regular visits with the vet. For all the happiness he brings
to you and your family, he deserves to be healthy.
Soft or Hard Dog Food - Which is
Best?
Sometimes, dog owners are faced with a dilemma regarding what type of
dog food to provide their dogs. Dogs themselves tend to prefer the moist,
canned types of food. They are more aromatic and naturally tempting to
the dog's palate than the dry kibbles that comes in a bag.
A dog's dental health, however, relies on the dog being able to chew
hard and crunchy items and dry kibbles dog foods serve this purpose well. What's
an owner to do?
Some owners make a two-pronged approach when selecting dog food for their
furry friends. They will mix a portion of dry food with canned, effectively
giving their dog the "best of both worlds." If you are feeding
canned food to your dog, you'll definitely want to supplement it in some
way with something that the dog can chew and crunch. Chew toys and dog
biscuits or treats can help to serve this purpose.
Remember that a dog's health depends greatly on the nutritional value
of its food. A dog is only as healthy as the food that it eats, in many
respects. The food you buy for your dog should meet its nutritional needs
as best as possible, whether it is dry or moist.
Unfortunately, when it comes to dog food you get what you pay for. Store
brands and generics tend to be made with cheaper ingredients and lots
of fillers. They'll feed your dog, but they may not be the best choices
for it. The more expensive brands like Science Diet and Eukanuba, which
advertise that they are "specially formulated" really, to a
certain extent, are. They will have higher quality ingredients and are
better suited to meet your dog's needs.
Truly, as long as you are providing a good method for your dog to work
out its choppers on a regular basis, it doesn't matter whether you're
using dry food or moist. During regular veterinary checkups, your vet will
examine the dog's teeth and will warn you if there is any issue that needs
to be corrected by providing a different type of food or some dietary
supplement.
The reason that dogs need to be able to chew on hard materials is twofold.
It strengthens their teeth and works out the muscles of their jaw, keeping
the teeth strong and the jaws powerful.
It also provides a form of dental care. Owners should brush their dogs'
teeth at least twice a week. If this is not possible, however, crunchy
foods like kibbles and biscuits act as a sort of natural toothbrush for
the dog, loosening plaque and tartar and cleaning the teeth.
Choosing the right food for your pooch is important, both for your dog's
nutritional needs and for its good dental health. If you prefer to provide
your dog the tastier soft, moist foods that come in a can, that's fine,
just make sure you're also providing something for Rover to really sink
his teeth into.
Housebreaking a New Puppy
Although it doesn't sound like the most appealing job in the world, housebreaking
a new puppy will play an important part in bonding with the newest member
of your family. It will teach you patience and leave you with a better
understanding of what your puppy wants once he has learned. In addition,
he will learn acceptable behavior and exactly what is expected of him
to live happily and comfortably in his new home.
It's important to remember that, just like a small child, a puppy's attention
span is very short. When you teach a young child not to hit, he likely
won't learn the lesson the first time, but instead, gradually after you've
shown him repeatedly that it's not okay.
Similarly, you will have to be consistent with your dog when training
him. Also, when housebreaking your puppy, keep in mind that he is not
intentionally being a bad dog; he just has not yet learned what behaviors
are acceptable!
Start housebreaking your puppy with a simple feeding schedule. Give him
breakfast, lunch and dinner, just as you would yourself. By doing this,
you will be helping him become regular with his bowel movements. Once
he has eaten, wait 20-30 minutes and then take him outside.
Watch how long it takes before he is able to void. This will give you
an idea of how long to wait the next time you take him out. (Within about
a week, you should have his schedule down.) Try to never let him eat at
free will, leaving food in his bowl all day, because it will cause him
to have accidents and make house training all that much more difficult.
Despite the old rules of training a puppy, you should never hit, rub
his nose in his messes, or yell at your puppy. By doing this, you are
telling him it is bad to relieve himself at all! In addition, most dogs
respond negatively to aggressive and mean behavior and it has the opposite
effect - they regress in their training rather than advance.
Instead, while housebreaking your puppy, take him straight outside when
he has an accident. In addition, don't forget the praise! Every time he
"goes" where he's supposed to, praise him lavishly, and soon
he will begin to understand exactly what brings praise, and what brings
that disappointed face. During the process, don't forget that full control
of the bladder and bowels won't happen until 16 weeks of age, so don't
expect too much from your puppy in the beginning.
Also helpful in housebreaking a new puppy is to buy a stain remover/
odor relief spray. Household cleaners and sprays cannot be smelled by
dogs; only those made for animals will work. When an accident happens,
clean the mess and spray immediately. This will cover the odor left and
your puppy will not try to mark his territory there again.
Remember that housebreaking a puppy is a big responsibility that can
lead to you and your puppy sharing a special bond. Giving encouragement
and lots of love will make all the time spent worth your while!
Dental Care for Dogs
Some people don't realize that dental hygiene is as important for dogs
as it is for human beings. Just like in people, dogs' teeth can gather
plaque after eating. When plaque builds up and hardens, it becomes a coarse
brown substance called tartar. As tartar accumulates, it can work its way
under the gums and cause painful infections and gum disease. This goes
on in the mouths of dogs just like it does in people. You brush your teeth
every day, probably three times. What does your dog do?
Teeth Brushing for Doggies
Veterinarians recommend that dog owners brush their dog's teeth at least
twice a week to keep the buildup of tartar at a minimum. Most pet supply
stores carry specially designed toothbrushes and toothpaste just for dogs.
Remember that a dog's sense of taste and smell is far more acute than
that of a human and the zesty, tingly, mint taste of toothpastes for people
will be extremely awful to a dog. Try brushing Rover's teeth with Crest
just once and it will likely be the last time he lets you anywhere near
him with a toothbrush. Use the specially designed doggie toothpaste.
Dental Chew
Some people don't have the time or patience to brush their dogs' teeth
on a regular basis. If you're one of these, you'll want to care for Chopper's
choppers in another way. A dog's natural tendency to chew is a built-in
dental care mechanism. Dog biscuits break into small chunks when chewed
and rub against the teeth, providing a cleaning service. There is no substitute
for brushing your dog's teeth, but if you can't do that, make sure he
gets some sort of crunchy dog biscuit on a regular basis.
Mouth Diseases in Dogs
Dogs that do not receive proper dental care and do not have access to
crunchy teeth cleaning foods run the risk of several types of mouth disease.
These can be as mild as gingivitis (a gum disease that results in swollen,
inflamed gums) and as serious as a bacterial infection that can spread
through the dog's bloodstream causing damage to vital organs. You owe
it to yourself and your dog to take care of his teeth.
Doggie Dentistry
Dental services are available for dogs, just like they are for people.
A dog's teeth can be filled, capped, and extracted if necessary, just
like a human's. The best course of action, however, is to avoid the need
for such services by properly caring for your dog's teeth. If you can
avoid unnecessary pain and discomfort for your furry friend, you should
do so. Preventative doggie dental care can save you money as well. Doggie
dental procedures can be quite costly.
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