Archive for the Category » Family Issues «

Friday, April 10th, 2009 | Author: admin

Puppies, especially when they are new to your family can be an exciting event in your lives especially if you have children. It is quite the memorable experience when you have prepared for a new puppy and chosen that special friend whether it’s from a shelter, pet store, or breeder and you bring it into the home for the very first time! Be sure to view these elevated dog feeders for your doggie right away.

As exciting as this event is, if you have children you must supervise every interaction between a puppy and your kids for at least the first few days following your puppy’s first days in their new home! To effectively provide positive socialization between your child and your new canine companion, follow these helpful tips! First, have your child sit on the floor with his or her legs crossed. Carefully and slowly bring the puppy to your child. Tell your child to lay out “their gentle hands” with palms down and knuckle side up so that puppy can sniff their hands. Be sure that you take a look at dog pajamas and cheap dog clothes for your puppies and older doggies.

Allow pup to sniff on their own time. This will require a little patience, but you should never force the puppy to sniff. Then the puppy is done sniffing(they will let you know) your child’s scent, gently pick the puppy up and place gently in your child’s lap. Let him or her pet the puppy, while always indicating they need to use “gentle hands” while doing so. Don’t forget to be encouraging to your child, this is a new experience for them as well! There a 2 things that your puppy will do. First the puppy may stay on your child’s lap, enjoying the pampering and attention they are getting. They may also fall asleep.

Second, he will leave to walk around and explore his new environment. If he decides to explore, let him do it while you are watching to make sure that he doesn’t get himself into any kind of danger. You will also want to encourage your child to not react loudly or feel badly if pup decides to do this because it is a good thing for them to look around their new home. Any child I don’t care who they are, weill be thrilled and amazed with their puppy and like with most children, they will want to grab their pup and pull them back onto their laps to cuddle with.

You as a parent and responsible dog owner must remind them to be gentle while petting. You will want to discourgage such things as grabbing, poking, or pulling at the new puppy as this could cause injury or fearful and aggressive behaviors. If puppy suddenly bolts from your child’s lap, remember that this little guy or gal may still be going through separation anxiety from being away from its mother or wants to explore their new surroundings.

If your child feels discouraged by this behavior and feels that their puppy “dislikes” them, just reassure them that the puppy is like a baby and wants to explore their new home and may be missing its mother! Boost your child’s confidence by reassuring them that by them giving the new puppy it’s space that they are doing what is best and making their new friendship stronger! After letting your new puppy have another look around their surroundings, gently pick them up again and place them in your child’s lap.

To keep them there, give them one or two of their favorite treats that you’ve brought with you. If he starts to show signs of wanting to escape, show him the treat and have your child gently feed it to him. Your child should place the treat on their palm for the puppy to lick, not on her fingertips where the puppy can accidentally nip them while he grabs for the food. Being calm and keeping a low voice, and staying positive is a great way to create an exciting and long lasting friendship with your family!

Wednesday, April 08th, 2009 | Author: admin

Dogs are unique animals because they can immediately become a part of your family.You know this question is true if you have had your dog for a long time.The animal and human bond goes back to prehistoric times.

Imagine a prehistoric hunter finding a lost wolf cub in the woods and bringing the animal home to care for it. They might have found that the cub fit in quite nicely at home. To top it off the hunter probably found that the wolf was helpful for practical reasons as well.

Part of the reason for this is because wolves and dogs in general have similar social systems to those in the human world. They survive with the lead of an adult male who is dominant over all others in the pack. If the leader oversteps his boundaries then a strong and competent female will step in.

A pack of dogs has to work together just like your family works together in a group.Both sides have social bonds and loyalty. It doesn’t matter whether this family group or pack of dogs fight, they are always united and come together when it matters.

Dogs have numerous strengths.Many are superior hunters with a strong sense of smell. Their ability to survive on something as small as food scraps makes them ideal to have around whether you’re referring to ancient or modern times.

Of course, the wolf pack that prehistoric man would have found isn’t quite as gentle and kind as the dogs we keep in our homes today. Wolves had just the rough type of personality that suited the prehistoric people, just like dogs suit our families today. It is our own domestication of dogs that makes them more and more suitable to living the family lifestyle with each passing generation of dog.

This meshing of dog culture and human culture is very strong. It doesn’t matter what kind of dog you have or whether it’s primarily a companion or a working dog, it is a friend that will stick with you for life.

You might not use the dog as you primary means of survival like some groups did years ago, but it’s likely your dog has its own role. Some of the roles dogs take on today are:

* Herding stock
* Detecting illegal drugs
* Leading the blind
* Guarding homes
* Rescue services

Beyond those extraordinary roles your dog can develop a special, emotional bond with you and the other members of your family. Whether you’re ready to have a good time or need some extra comforting, your dog will be there.

In order for your dog to thrive you must nurture and care for it. As long as they are receiving the nourishment they need and the attention they deserve you can count on having a friend for life.

Get more information about dogs.

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Tuesday, April 07th, 2009 | Author: admin

When you first introduce your dog and cat for the first time, more than likely the cat will be the first to run away out of fear. The cat may perceive your dog as a threat. In very few circumstances though, it may be your dog that retreats if you have a small breed dog or a poorly socialized dog. Small dogs that may have had a previous encounter with a cat that went badly will cause him or her to runaway and be fearful of the cat. There are various results in how a dog will behave with the new cat at first introduction. You may need to get some dog accessories online to help tame the situation. For some dogs, they may get in a predator-prey kind of mindset, meaning they see the cat as prey. Then you may have a dog that will take a less aggressive approach and just be curious about the cat.

This is tricky though, because this curiosity can either be playful or can turn aggressive depending on how your feline friend reacts to your dog. Your dog may start by playing as it would another dog or puppy but your cat may not interpret this kind of play as harmless friendly behavior. The cat in question may become defensive which can cause your dog to counter with aggression. On the flip side, there are some cats that they fall in love with a dog upon first glance especially if their wearing dog dresses or pajamas for dogs! It’s true, they are relaxed when the cat is about and view this animal as the ultimate play toy.

In these cases, if the cat reacts the same way towards your dog, your work is done! Unless you are an animal psychic or intune with your animals more than they are, there is no way to predict on how your dog and cat will take to one another. If you are still not sure about how this initial meeting, then follow these rules of engagement! For starters, be aware that the manner in which you introduce your dog and cat can either create a long lasting friendship or it can result in one or both being injured as a result of a fight. Usually it is the cat that is the injured party. It is extremely necessary that you start this introduction slowly-with babysteps.

The success of a friendship of your cat and dog that allows them to co-habitat together in the home, really depends on friendly familiarity! Make sure that when you ready to start the introduction, always be on your best guard for your cat’s safety! Another good guideline is that you should never leave them alone together until they are compatible with one another. When you cannot be there to supervise them, keep them separated in different areas of the home. You are going to feel like a babysitter but hang in there!

It is extremely necessary and crucial to the success of friendship and harmony between your dog and cat that they have you guide them through this process. In truth, however it can take as little as a matter of days to months for them to learn to tolerate each other. What is important that you maintain your patience in this difficult adjustment for both animals and help guide them with the goal being that they will eventually be forever friends!

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 | Author: admin

There are many reasons why people drop or abandon their puppies and dogs at animal shelters. Sometimes its because they didn’t do their research on the breed and the dog was too much for them. Too many times, puppies are given as gifts such as at Christmas and as soon as the new wears out and the kids tire of taking care of the puppy, off to the shelter the little guy goes!

Other reasons include trouble with house training, messy grooming needs, noisiness, not getting along with other pets or children, hyperactivity, biting, or destructiveness. Should any of these behaviors befall your newly adopted friend, please do find a professional trainer that specializes in shelter dogs to help you to stop these behaviors and don’t take them back to the shelter! They can be helped! It just takes patience and time and love! You will also need to pick up some dog accessories such as some bulk dog treats for your new doggy so he can have plenty of treats.

Do Not Be One of These Owners

After the choice has been made and you and your new forever friend have already started the bonding process,and you’ve filled out the paperwork for the adoption, you should have already had tons of questions answered by yourself how you will care for your new beloved 4 legged canine friend! Will he be an indoor dog or an outdoor dog? Do you have the necessary sleeping equipment for the outside? Do you intend on tying him down or putting up a fence in the yard? Is he fixed already? If not, then do you plan on having him taken care of? Will he be living with other children? How about other animals? Also if you have an older or injured dog you may want to pick up a dog bed orthopedic, its great for your new dog.

You definitely do not want to be one of these owners that are ill equipped and are ill equipped for a dog. Knowing these things and having the right equipment from the start are the best and only way to insure that you are a responsible pet owner! I cannot stress how important it is to have your dog or cat spay/neutered! There are literally millions of dogs and cats that are homeless and are having unwanted litters. To help end the plight of homeless animals in shelters, make sure you have your cat or dog spayed or neutered!

Why should you look more towards animal shelters with strict policies? There are a few good reasons for seeking these places out such as: animal shelters can be extremely selective about the homes in which the dogs will be going to, animal shelters make occasional visits to the homes in which dogs were brought to after being adopted. Some organizations require certificates from a veterinarian that validate vaccinations administered and proof that neutering surgery was performed, and any dog or other pet that is adopted under these agreements are generally sent to good homes. These shelters want the very best home possible for the animals in their care and while one particular dog may not be a good fit for you, they will work to find you one that is!

Saturday, March 28th, 2009 | Author: admin

If you are looking for some dog pajamas or dog supplies be sure to view the resources provided to you right away.

One of the first responsibilities as a pet owner is to make sure your puppy or dog has identification tags or even a id microchip. Having identifying tags or chips provide you with assurance that should your dog wander away from home, get lost, or stolen that they can be identified and gotten back to you!

There are two basic types of identifying products you can try! First is the basic license or id tag with collar. Usually these can be custom made tags in an assortment of colors and styles and types of plastic and metals that have a dog’s name, owners name, address, and perhaps your vet’s name. The downside to the tags is that they can be easily removed by dog thieves and you have a slim chance of being reunited with your beloved canine family member.

The other type of id you can get for your dog is the microchip. Microchips have been around a long time and have come a long way. The microchips are today function with a 134.2kHz in order to conform to internationally used microchip systems. Microchips are surgically implanted under your dog’s skin between their shoulder blades. It’s typically painless. The microchip itself is programmed with all the identifying information that you as the owner supply. It is then uploaded and stored in a national database. It takes a special scanner to read the microchip’s information, but this type of identity marker is better than the tags because it can’t be just ripped off and discarded. Be sure to pick up some cheap dog clothes for you doggie today.

Another form of identification that is typically low cost is tattooing. This is where your veterinarian would tattoo the inside of the ear or on the stomach with puppy’s name and your phone number. The only cons are that tattoos can be altered or fade and you don’t want to have to re-tattoo every time you change your phone number.

Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 | Author: admin

If you are thinking about buying a small dog as a pet, remember that for the most part, they aren’t much different to a larger version. Having said that, there are certain points they need to be made aware of when looking after a small dog. Illustrated below are some points you will need to consider for the daily requirements for a tiny breed of dog.

Picking a Dog

Feeding:

Naturally you’re going to feed your dog daily, but the standard-size kibble at the grocery store may be too large for your dog to eat comfortably. Make sure that your dog gets a kibble which suits his tiny mouth and you could get these along with the premium brand of dog foods. Although if you feed you dog with canned food this should not present a problem.

Dog Care

Methods of containing them:

Every dog needs the following: regular exercise, an outdoor place for his potty needs, and an enclosed area which provides the animal with security. You need to be careful here as the large fencing used to protect a larger dog may just be too big for a small dog, since there are convenient gaps below and in between making it easy for the smaller dog to kneel down and escape through it. It may seem bizarre but it has been know for very large birds to actually take tiny dogs from their gardens. A simple answer to this problem is to construct an enclosed play area which should stop this from happening.

Dog Care

How to train the dog:

While tiny dogs aren’t any harder to train than large dogs, the consensus of many pet experts is that many of them end up spoiled. Be it a pocket or purse-fitting dog, remember that the small dog still belong to that species of animals which follow pack behavior, and incidentally the dog and not the owner leads the pack. It’s a wise idea to make sure your pet is thoroughly house trained, no matter how small and inconsequential the mess might seem when he misses. Dog experts also suggest you make your dog work for you, to keep him responsive to your rules. Never reward a dog with goodies or a meal till he has perfected your command for doing tricks or even simple jobs like sitting or fetching.

Grooming:

Keep in mind that grooming a small dog is slightly different to larger ones and cater for this. Firstly, as they do not get the same type of outdoor exercise that a larger dog does whereby their nails are trimmed automatically, tiny dogs require their nails trimmed on a more regular basTiny canines do not get the same sort of regular outdoor exercise on rough surfaces that controls their nail growth like a larger dog so they will need to be trimmed more often. As they are eating more canned food, their teeth will need to be brushed more regularly (at least twice per week) to eliminate unwanted and harmful deposits. The above makes it clear that it does not matter whether you are taking care of a small dog or a large dog the methods are pretty much the same. These may seem like inconsequential points but they can and will make a big difference to your pets health and happiness.

Monday, January 26th, 2009 | Author: admin

If you are traveling with your canine companion, Dog Parks are a great stop so that you and your beloved 4 legged friend can take a break from the road or motel room and enjoy some physical activity. Perhaps you are not at that juncture in your travel plans and you are looking for places that would be of interest to you and your dog, then consider stopping at a local dog park in a city that you are visiting or may be driving through. Some of the most wonderful dog parks are found across the United States and perhaps you may live close to one of the few that will be mentioned in this article about Dog Parks in the USA! You will also want to be sure to check out these cool dresses for dogs for your dog right now! You will not be able to go to the park without one.

The first dog park is the Robert L.Nelson Dog Park that focuses not just on your dog but you as well. This unique dog park is located in Goshen, Indiana. Located in the northern part of Indiana, you will find at Robert L.Nelson Dog Park a huge pavilion with an A Line roof that offers shelter from the heat as well as rain and other weather elements. You will also find a very comfortable setting with plenty of comfy chairs and tables for you to relax while your dog plays safely outside in a fenced in area. The Robert L.Nelson Dog park is a must for the weary traveler and their dog! The address for the Robert L. Nelson Dog Park is: 60376 C.R. 13, Goshen, Ind. Be sure to take a look at these dog pajamas they are great for your dog and they will appreciate it!

Friends Forever Dog Park is well known for it’s agility exercised themed dog park. This special dog park is going to provide your canine athlete a comprehensive amenities to stimulate their physical and mental abilities. The Friends Forever Dog Park stretches over 9 acres of beautiful landscape in northern Illinois that provides dog pools for hot summer weather as well as agility equipment and exercise platforms. These platforms and exercise equipment is for the dog who thrives on challenging and vigorous play. We are talking state of the art dog platforms, dog walks, dog jumps, weave poles, and A Frame. What you and your canine sportster are going to find at Friends Forever Dog Park is the ultimate in Agility and fun that is sure to make the rest of your trip enjoyable! This fabulous dog park is located at: 966 Rudy Road, Freeport, ILL. Be sure that you pick up some of these dog t shirts for your dog right now! Your dog will truly love it.

Found in the BlueGrass State of Kentucky, is Kenton Paw Park. Kenton is a step above the rest when it comes to an awesome dog park! Not only is it located in some of God’s most beautiful territory but it is a learning mecca of all things a good owner should know about the care of their canine! Kenton Paw Park provides lots of workshops and activities for you as well as your dog. When visiting Kenton Paw Park, be prepared to leave not only with a happy exercised dog but with more knowledge than you might of had before! The workshops and training classes are centered around the socialization of your pet. In addition to all the wealth of knowledge at Kenton Paw Park there are dinners and pool parties that the park hosts by local veterinarians and qualified trainers as well as calendar year round training workshops and activities. Kenton Paw Park is a great way to spend a day or afternoon. You can find Kenton Paw Park at 3950 Madison Pike, Covington, Ky.

Monday, January 12th, 2009 | Author: admin

Dog Parks have been around for quite some time and are wonderful places of beauty and enjoyment for you and your dog. These places are equipped with large areas and even come with some ammenities for both relaxation and physical activity that appeals for all breeds and sizes of dogs. There are atleast one Dog Park in most major cities across the nation. However, this trend is branching out to even smaller communities to acommidate local dog lovers. Below are listed the very best Dog Parks voted for their excellent layouts and wonderful advantages for all dogs! Before you go to the dog park you will want to check out some bargain dog clothes that you can pick up before you go to the park, so your styling. You can view a nice dog polo sweater and maybe even some thermal long johns for dogs for a great nights sleep.

For your small dog, The Bear Dog Park located in Roseville,California was voted the best Dog Park for small breed dogs. This unique Dog Park has a special enclosed area that is just for small dogs. The entire space measures almost 1 acre of land that has a walking trail around the perimeter. There is even lighting fixtures and doggie showers for nighttime fun. The address for Bear Dog Park is 1575 Pleasant Grove Blvd., Roseville, CA. This dog park definately caters to your small little guy or gal!

From just outside Columbus, Ohio, Alum Creek Dog Park has the best man made beach for dogs! You and your dog do not have to get in the car and travel to the seaside to enjoy the beach at Alum Creek Dog Park! This beach covers 4 acres of land that is adjacent to Alum Creek State Park’s resevoir. The beach was designed for dogs who love the water but is great for any dog with it’s calm, relaxing, and serene atmosphere. Alum Creek Dog Park features rolling hills and a beautiful forest that is going to provide many activities for your dog! The real attraction is the beach with it’s rock bed edge and cool inviting water that is a hit with dogs everywhere! The address for Alum Creek Dog Park is 3615 S. Old State Road, Lewis Center, Ohio.

Alongside the beautiful waters of Lake Washington lies the Warren G. Magnuson Dog Park. Located in Seattle,Washington this dog park is really a specially thought out place. Seattle is known for it’s rainy and wet weather and the Warren G.Magnuson Dog Park was designed to accomidate Seattle’s wet weather! Plenty of free open areas dot the landscape but what makes it adaptable for the weather is the winding trails and awesome footpaths that are constructed with highly compact gravel that keeps trails from becoming muddy in rainy weather.An added bonus is that all the trails are wheelchair accessible! The Warren G.Magnuson Dog Park is absolutely a wonderful day trip for your canine and offers a natural setting for them to exercise and to further bond with your pet! The Warren G.Magnuson Dog Park is located at 7400 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA.

These are just a few of the great places to enjoy with your beloved 4 legged friend and hopefully will inspire you to visit either of these or visit the one nearest to you!

Tuesday, December 30th, 2008 | Author: admin

Some of the best dog parks that are located in the United States can be found in both small rural communities, as well as large major cities such as New York, California, and Florida.

Be sure to view these dog crates.

Cedar Lane Dog Park: Best Dog Park For Hosting Social Events

All dog parks have a wonderful atmosphere, but the Cedar Lane Dog Park is specifically noted for its wonderful social setting. While the dogs are busy playing and running around, their owners can be found sitting amongst themselves, chatting and sipping on hot coffee, tea, and muffins, which are all provided by the facility.

You will want to pay special attention to these dog sweaters.

Another owner-friendly dog park is Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Dog Park in Richmond, California. The Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Dog Park is renowned for its fascinating facility but also for it’s amazing extravagant amenities towards the owners of the beloved pets that come to Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Dog Park. This dog park comes equipped with a wash center for cleaning your dog after play or being in the mud and dirt. It also houses a retail shop that specializes in just about everything you could want for your dog. Still not sold? Point Isabel Shoreline Dog Park even has a cafe, Mudpuppy’s Sit and Stay, that has a large selection of food and beverages for you while your dog is out playing and having a great time or something to get while you are on your way home. Mudpuppy’s Sit and Stay Cafe just doesn’t have great food for you but also has a menu for your pampered pooch! Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Dog Park is a must do when traveling through Richmond, California for the ultimate in pampering both yourself and your dog! Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Dog Park can be found at 1 Isabel St., Richmond California.

Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Dog Park: Noted For Best Amenities For Dog Owners

If you are ever traveling through California with your dog, be sure to take a day and head to the Point Isabel Regional Shoreline Dog Park. This amazing facility is not only prestigious for its dog attractions, but also noted as having the best amenities for dog owners of all of the parks throughout the nation.

If you are walking in the park you might need some dog supplies.

Bark Park charges a small annual fee for their services but the guarantee is that your dog will be able to play and socialize in the most safest of settings and a qualified and experienced attendant is there to ensure that! Bark Park inside Snyder Park can be found at 3299 S.W. 4th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Sunday, December 28th, 2008 | Author: admin

Add A Furry Friend (dog) To Your Family

I believe most people will prefer furry friend (dog) and cats, but now the trend is also to raise exotic pets like monitor lizard, snakes, frogs, spider and so on. But still the first preference will be furry friend (dog) and cats.

For people who desire to own a dog but do not want or cannot have a large dog due to their living quarters, the dog to consider is the Lhasa Apso breed. This small dog breed is a wonderful little dog that does not have many of the other small breed characteristics such as excessive barking.

The Lhasa Apso originally came from Tibet. They were used as personal guard dog to the holy men in the temples, as well as to the noblemen, because of their very keen hearing plus their loyalty.

The Lhasa Apso is highly intelligent and could often tell whether friend or foe was approaching and alert their master accordingly. In the early days you could not purchase one. It had to be given as a gift by the Tibetan ruler.

What are the physical characteristics of these little furry friend?

They have long, straight fur that cascades to the floor. Their facial fur gives off an appearance of having a mustache and beard and should be darker in color.

The color of their fur often changes from puppyhood to adulthood, ranging from gold, cream, honey, smoke, dark-grizzle, slate, and multicolor which includes white, brown and black. The muzzle of the Lhasa Apso is of medium length. Their eyes are deep set and the fur from their head falls over them. Their tail is plumed and curls to fall over their back.

A Lhasa Apso male grows to a height of approximately ten to eleven inches, and they weigh around thirteen to fifteen pounds. The female Lhasa Apso is usually slightly smaller in size.

Very intelligent, active, affectionate, devoted, and assertive, they are very loyal to their family but leery of people they are not familiar with. A family with children should think carefully about getting one because this particular dog breed does not like to be mishandled. But this problem can be avoided by teaching children to love and respect the dog.

Lhasa Apsos need to be socialized very early so that they will adapt well to children and other pets.

They can be stubborn when it comes to training. They do love treats so motivational training works best. Do not give up on training your Lhasa Apso, as you do not want them to control your household.

While fairly free of most ailments and genetic defects that plague many dog breeds, skin conditions can develop if their coat is not brushed regularly to avoid parasite infestations. Other maladies that may affect your Lhasa Apso include hip dysplasia, kidney trouble, problems with eyesight, and very rarely, bleeding ulcers. This breed tends to live a long life, anywhere from twelve to eighteen years of age.

All in all, if you want a loving and loyal furry companion to warm your heart and your lap, you cannot go wrong with bringing a Lhasa Apso into your home. This furry little mop will entertain you and love you for many, many years.

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