Keeping The Peace – Life In A Multi-Animal Household
November 17, 2008 by Laura
Filed under Dog Ownership, Dog Training, Getting A Dog
Dyed-in-the-wool animal lovers seem to have a great deal of trouble limiting the nest to just a single animal. I know I do, with a dog and three cats sharing my life. If it weren’t for my very resolute husband and a smallish apartment, I have no doubt there’d be at least another dog in the mix.
When deciding whether to open your heart and your home to another pet, make sure to consider your current furry family member’s perspective. While many will thrive having the company of another, especially if they’re left alone for long hours at a time, others prefer being the only pet, either because they’re not particularly good players with other animals or because they don’t want to share your attention. If this is the case, then your current animal should have the deciding vote; after all, he’ll be the one living day in and day out with the newbie. Imagine if someone were to thrust a new housemate on you against your will!
How To Find A Good Dog Breeder
November 15, 2008 by Dog Service Network
Filed under Dog Ownership, Getting A Dog
So, you’ve decided to get a dog. You’re prepared to feed, exercise, train, clean up after, work through problems with, and love a dog every day for the next 10 to 20 years. You’ve evaluated your lifestyle and know exactly what sort of dog you’re looking for (e.g., a high energy dog to go running with, or a more sedate dog to lounge on the couch with), and you know that you need to seek out your desired characteristics in individual dogs, not breeds, because breed is no guarantee of temperament or likes and dislikes.
Because you know that about one in every four dogs in U.S. animal shelters is a purebred, you start there, because you want to do the right thing and help a homeless dog. You know that most dogs lose their homes because of “people reasons” like cost, lack of time, lifestyle changes (new baby, divorce, moving, or marriage), or allergies, and not because of something the dog has done. You’ve checked out the purebred rescue group for your breed, but still haven’t found “The One.” And you’re way too smart to buy a puppy from a pet store because you know that most of those puppies come from mass breeding facilities better known as puppy mills.
So You Want To Get A Puppy – Now What? (Part III)
November 15, 2008 by Tracy
Filed under Dog Ownership, Getting A Dog
Table of contents for So You Want To Get A Puppy
With about 500 dog breeds to choose from plus mixed breeds, how is one to choose? I can not possible mention all of the breeds so do your research there are some great books out there. My goal is to get you thinking and not just getting a puppy because it is cute or a popular breed, of a movie star.
What types of activity do you engage in? Are you active, the out door type or the quiet avid reader type?
First research the different breeds to see which one would be best suited to your needs. This will also help when looking at mixed breeds. I will mention some breeds in these articles but it is not by any means complete.
So You Want To Get A Puppy – Now What? (Part I)
November 15, 2008 by Tracy
Filed under Dog Ownership, Getting A Dog
Table of contents for So You Want To Get A Puppy
- So You Want To Get A Puppy – Now What? (Part I)
Many people think about getting or given puppies as gifts. I would highly suggest that before you get or give a dog or puppy as a gift to someone, make sure you or they want one in the first place.
In many cases basic dog ownership responsibilities are not discussed. Additionally, many are surprised by the extent of the responsibilities associated with dog ownership. One needs to understand what to expect as a dog owner before acquiring one. There are restrictions and tasks involved with dog or puppy ownership.
Puppy Comes Home, Now What? (Part IV)
November 15, 2008 by Tracy
Filed under Dog Ownership, Getting A Dog
Table of contents for So You Want To Get A Puppy
When your puppy comes home everyone is so excited. You have done your homework and have found the perfect puppy. You understand how to communicate leadership to your pup. Now what?
- Before bringing your puppy home take the time to decide what that puppy is going to be allowed to do as an adult dog and don’t let it do that activity as a puppy.
- Pick out your commands and make each one specific and be consistent.
- Puppy proof your home: cords not dangling, items left on the floor picked up, dangerous chemicals up and out of the way.
Preparation Before Getting A Dog
June 5, 2008 by Dog Service Network
Filed under Dog Ownership, Doggie News, Getting A Dog
So many people think it’s so easy to get a dog and do little reading on what type of breed is an appropriate match for their personality. This can lead to issues later on for a dog owner and therefore it’s important for people to do some reading before getting themselves a dog. A person will be able to avoid making a rash decision of getting a dog because it’s cute, but will be able to make an educated decision, because they already learned about the breed’s mannerism, how difficult or easy it will be to train a specific breed, and the responsibilities involved with caring for a breed.
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