Sunday, May 16, 2010
Embarassed Dog Owners
3 Things That Embarrass Dog Owners
We all want to be proud of our dogs. That’s one of the reasons we get a dog. We love them and they become almost like a child in some cases. You can see bumper stickers that say “My Dog Is Smarter Than Your Honor Student.” How embarrassing is it then when your dog does something that makes you want to crawl into a hole? You’ve been telling people how smart, how cute, how wonderful your dog is and as soon as they see your dog he does something you hate.
1. Jumping on people. One of the embarrassing things some dogs do is jumping on people. Whether you’re out for a walk or your dog jumps on people when they walk in your door, this is embarrassing behavior. It’s a clear sign that your overly-enthusiastic dog seems to be out of control.
What can you do to stop the jumping behavior? One of the best things you can do to head off jumping behavior is teach your dog the Sit command when she is preparing to jump. It’s best to practice this in a confined area at first. Practice when it’s just you and your dog. Make sure she already knows Sit. When she starts to jump on you tell her to Sit. Depending on how excited she is it may take a few tries to get this right but it will work. Make sure you praise her and give her a reward she really enjoys, whether it’s treats, a favorite toy or lots of petting and attention.
Once your dog is reliably sitting when she starts to jump on you, you can practice having a friend or family member ring your doorbell or knock on your door. Your dog may get very excited again and prepared to jump on them when they enter. Practice having her sit before opening the door. Again, this may take some practice but your dog should get the idea that she is supposed to sit instead of jump. If nothing else, she should be responding to your command to Sit.
Eventually you will move on to the hardest part -- teaching your dog to politely sit when she has the urge to jump up on someone she meets in the street or elsewhere. This is an uncontrolled situation so you should always have your dog leashed when you’re out. Make sure that your dog gives you a perfect Sit at home when she has the urge to jump before you try this outside your home.
2. Lunging at Dogs. It’s very embarrassing, not to mention rather dangerous, to have your dog lunging at other dogs when you’re out for a walk. The best way to prevent this problem is by making sure that you socialize any puppy well from an early age. However, if you have a dog that is already lunging at other dogs or people, it’s a little late for socialization. You need to take steps to keep your dog from hurting anyone. You may want to consider whether you should be walking your dog in public and whether you are able to control him.
You should consider whether your dog could have any kind of veterinary condition causing him to lunge or behave aggressively toward others. Your vet may be able to find a physical cause for your dog’s behavior. If not, then you need to consider possible behavioral problems. If your dog lunges at other dogs (or people) on an ongoing basis then you may wish to ask your vet to recommend a dog behaviorist. They may be able to work with your dog and find the problem.
There are some things you can do yourself if your dog lunges at other dogs. Consider a properly fitted muzzle or head collar. A head collar such as a Halti or Gentle Leader is not a good choice for every dog but it does give added control over dogs that lunge and pull their owners. You should be careful about possible neck injuries to your dog when he’s wearing a head collar.
Avoid walking where there may be loose or stray dogs. Your lunging dog doesn’t need an added reason to pull on the leash.
Walk your dog in quiet neighborhoods and more controlled settings.
3. Constant Barking. One thing that frequently embarrasses people with their neighbors is a dog that barks constantly. If your dog is a nuisance barker and you’re outside yelling at him to shut up, the neighbors can become annoyed with both of you very quickly, especially when they’re trying to sleep.
Dogs often bark because they are bored, lonely or frustrated. But there are some dogs that seem to bark to hear the sound of their own voice. The best advice to deal with barking dogs is to make sure that all of their needs are being met on a regular basis. Take away their reasons to bark. Make sure that your dog gets lots of exercise -- tired dogs take naps. Make sure that your dog has plenty of fun toys. And, very importantly, spend time training your dog. Obedience training can help keep a dog mentally fit -- the opposite of boredom. Spending time training your dog also means that you’re spending time together. When your dog is having all of his needs met he will, hopefully, have less to bark about.
If your dog still stands in the backyard and barks at least he will have had a little obedience training
. When you tell him to “Come!” you have a better chance of him actually obeying you and coming inside where he will be quiet.
The Importance of Socializing Your Dog courtesy of Dog Articles
We all want to be proud of our dogs. That’s one of the reasons we get a dog. We love them and they become almost like a child in some cases. You can see bumper stickers that say “My Dog Is Smarter Than Your Honor Student.” How embarrassing is it then when your dog does something that makes you want to crawl into a hole? You’ve been telling people how smart, how cute, how wonderful your dog is and as soon as they see your dog he does something you hate.
1. Jumping on people. One of the embarrassing things some dogs do is jumping on people. Whether you’re out for a walk or your dog jumps on people when they walk in your door, this is embarrassing behavior. It’s a clear sign that your overly-enthusiastic dog seems to be out of control.
What can you do to stop the jumping behavior? One of the best things you can do to head off jumping behavior is teach your dog the Sit command when she is preparing to jump. It’s best to practice this in a confined area at first. Practice when it’s just you and your dog. Make sure she already knows Sit. When she starts to jump on you tell her to Sit. Depending on how excited she is it may take a few tries to get this right but it will work. Make sure you praise her and give her a reward she really enjoys, whether it’s treats, a favorite toy or lots of petting and attention.
Once your dog is reliably sitting when she starts to jump on you, you can practice having a friend or family member ring your doorbell or knock on your door. Your dog may get very excited again and prepared to jump on them when they enter. Practice having her sit before opening the door. Again, this may take some practice but your dog should get the idea that she is supposed to sit instead of jump. If nothing else, she should be responding to your command to Sit.
Eventually you will move on to the hardest part -- teaching your dog to politely sit when she has the urge to jump up on someone she meets in the street or elsewhere. This is an uncontrolled situation so you should always have your dog leashed when you’re out. Make sure that your dog gives you a perfect Sit at home when she has the urge to jump before you try this outside your home.
2. Lunging at Dogs. It’s very embarrassing, not to mention rather dangerous, to have your dog lunging at other dogs when you’re out for a walk. The best way to prevent this problem is by making sure that you socialize any puppy well from an early age. However, if you have a dog that is already lunging at other dogs or people, it’s a little late for socialization. You need to take steps to keep your dog from hurting anyone. You may want to consider whether you should be walking your dog in public and whether you are able to control him.
You should consider whether your dog could have any kind of veterinary condition causing him to lunge or behave aggressively toward others. Your vet may be able to find a physical cause for your dog’s behavior. If not, then you need to consider possible behavioral problems. If your dog lunges at other dogs (or people) on an ongoing basis then you may wish to ask your vet to recommend a dog behaviorist. They may be able to work with your dog and find the problem.
There are some things you can do yourself if your dog lunges at other dogs. Consider a properly fitted muzzle or head collar. A head collar such as a Halti or Gentle Leader is not a good choice for every dog but it does give added control over dogs that lunge and pull their owners. You should be careful about possible neck injuries to your dog when he’s wearing a head collar.
Avoid walking where there may be loose or stray dogs. Your lunging dog doesn’t need an added reason to pull on the leash.
Walk your dog in quiet neighborhoods and more controlled settings.
3. Constant Barking. One thing that frequently embarrasses people with their neighbors is a dog that barks constantly. If your dog is a nuisance barker and you’re outside yelling at him to shut up, the neighbors can become annoyed with both of you very quickly, especially when they’re trying to sleep.
Dogs often bark because they are bored, lonely or frustrated. But there are some dogs that seem to bark to hear the sound of their own voice. The best advice to deal with barking dogs is to make sure that all of their needs are being met on a regular basis. Take away their reasons to bark. Make sure that your dog gets lots of exercise -- tired dogs take naps. Make sure that your dog has plenty of fun toys. And, very importantly, spend time training your dog. Obedience training can help keep a dog mentally fit -- the opposite of boredom. Spending time training your dog also means that you’re spending time together. When your dog is having all of his needs met he will, hopefully, have less to bark about.
If your dog still stands in the backyard and barks at least he will have had a little obedience training
. When you tell him to “Come!” you have a better chance of him actually obeying you and coming inside where he will be quiet.
The Importance of Socializing Your Dog courtesy of Dog Articles
Monday, May 10, 2010
Dog Socializing
The Importance of Socializing Your Dog
Once your dog has learned how to handle being in a public environment and how to behave, he can then be introduced slowly to other dogs and allowed to make other canine friends by allowing them to smell and greet each other (this is best done with both dogs on leashes so that you can quickly pull them back if one or the other becomes aggressive or displays dominant behavior. You may know the behavior and temperament of your own dog, but you might not necessarily know that of the other dog).
Be sure that your dog and any other that he comes into contact with are current on all vaccines, including Rabies, Bordetella (for kennel cough. note –(Keep in mind that, like the flu virus for humans, the vaccine is designed to prevent against the most common strain, of which there many.) and all DHLPP shots. This will minimize his and other dogs health risks if one or both becomes sick. Remember that, just like people, a dog’s personality comes in all varieties, some dogs may never be able to get along together because and they just aren’t compatible with others. If the first few tries are unsuccessful, take heart, it doesn’t mean the end of the road. Keep trying until a match is found that gets along well together.
Not giving a dog the opportunity to play and interact with other dogs is like having a child and not allowing them to play with other children. This can create behavior problems later in life as they have never been given the opportunity to develop social skills. There are some dogs that just can’t figure out how to socialize and play with others and in this case, they may do best by themselves. You can assist this type of dog and encourage him to play and interact by getting involved in the play yourself. Silly though it may sound, I’ve gotten it to work. One way to assist the shy or fearful dog is through daycare, again, this is not foolproof and some dogs just cannot seem to develop social skills, but at least you would have attempted and hopefully brought him out of his shell. Ideally to be able to take your dog to dog parks and watch them play, socialize and make new friends of their own kind would be great.
They can wear each other out so that you won’t have a hyper or destructive dog on your hands when you get home or if you ever have to leave them home alone. There are young dogs of certain breeds that can mingle comfortably with plenty of others with no problem, but not all dogs are capable of such sociability. When dogs hit maturity, some are no longer comfortable mingling with unfamiliar dogs. Dogs use body language for communicating. Being taken from their mothers early, dogs are left to learn these skills from us humans, unfortunately we don’t communicate in the same ways, which leaves them to figure it out on their own, making it more difficult for them to learn. This is why we need to use caution in allowing our dogs to greet a new potential playmate or friend. The younger the dog the more friendly and pliable he is.
Close supervision will always be needed when he is learning to form new relationships with other dogs. A good parent would initially keep close watch on their young children as they meet new friends for the first time and observe the situation, monitoring closely for problems so that they could intervene when they sense a problem. Imagine being a mom or dad who is looking out for your kids while gradually loosening the leash of freedom. If your dog is being picked on or seems uncomfortable, you may need to come to his rescue. If he’s behaving badly toward others, you may need to remove him from the situation or use a brief “time out” if corrective action doesn’t work. When a puppy is scared to be around others, it shouldn’t be forced, however repeated attempts may bring success as we’ve learned from experience.
A dog that gets too excited and overwhelms others may need to be pulled aside for a brief period, in order to calm down. When playing, some dogs may appear to be fighting and it can often be difficult to interpret. Conflicting misunderstanding may lead to fights if close watch is not kept to keep both dogs in check. Some breeds tend to use growling in their play and others will full on wrestle while some just like to play chasing games and barking can also be a part of play. Crashing and running into each other is a means of play for some while other dogs don’t quite know what to make of it and may feel uncomfortable or threatened by this. Some will use greetings that others may find overwhelming or uncomfortable or even intimidating and threatening, like rushing to greet others and jumping, climbing and licking others, barking at them, or they may exhibit complete fear.
Mounting and other displays of dominance like holding his head above another dog’s head or biting the back of the other dog’s neck are undesirable behaviors and acts of power play and should be corrected immediately. On the flip side, some may show submissiveness in greeting such as lying down or rolling onto their back to show the other dog that they aren’t a threat. So many different temperaments in each individual dog, is why allowing our dogs to simply charge out and greet others may in fact be dangerous to one or both dogs, and why a slow cautious approach is best.
The Importance of Socializing Your Dog courtesy of Dog Articles
Once your dog has learned how to handle being in a public environment and how to behave, he can then be introduced slowly to other dogs and allowed to make other canine friends by allowing them to smell and greet each other (this is best done with both dogs on leashes so that you can quickly pull them back if one or the other becomes aggressive or displays dominant behavior. You may know the behavior and temperament of your own dog, but you might not necessarily know that of the other dog).
Be sure that your dog and any other that he comes into contact with are current on all vaccines, including Rabies, Bordetella (for kennel cough. note –(Keep in mind that, like the flu virus for humans, the vaccine is designed to prevent against the most common strain, of which there many.) and all DHLPP shots. This will minimize his and other dogs health risks if one or both becomes sick. Remember that, just like people, a dog’s personality comes in all varieties, some dogs may never be able to get along together because and they just aren’t compatible with others. If the first few tries are unsuccessful, take heart, it doesn’t mean the end of the road. Keep trying until a match is found that gets along well together.
Not giving a dog the opportunity to play and interact with other dogs is like having a child and not allowing them to play with other children. This can create behavior problems later in life as they have never been given the opportunity to develop social skills. There are some dogs that just can’t figure out how to socialize and play with others and in this case, they may do best by themselves. You can assist this type of dog and encourage him to play and interact by getting involved in the play yourself. Silly though it may sound, I’ve gotten it to work. One way to assist the shy or fearful dog is through daycare, again, this is not foolproof and some dogs just cannot seem to develop social skills, but at least you would have attempted and hopefully brought him out of his shell. Ideally to be able to take your dog to dog parks and watch them play, socialize and make new friends of their own kind would be great.
They can wear each other out so that you won’t have a hyper or destructive dog on your hands when you get home or if you ever have to leave them home alone. There are young dogs of certain breeds that can mingle comfortably with plenty of others with no problem, but not all dogs are capable of such sociability. When dogs hit maturity, some are no longer comfortable mingling with unfamiliar dogs. Dogs use body language for communicating. Being taken from their mothers early, dogs are left to learn these skills from us humans, unfortunately we don’t communicate in the same ways, which leaves them to figure it out on their own, making it more difficult for them to learn. This is why we need to use caution in allowing our dogs to greet a new potential playmate or friend. The younger the dog the more friendly and pliable he is.
Close supervision will always be needed when he is learning to form new relationships with other dogs. A good parent would initially keep close watch on their young children as they meet new friends for the first time and observe the situation, monitoring closely for problems so that they could intervene when they sense a problem. Imagine being a mom or dad who is looking out for your kids while gradually loosening the leash of freedom. If your dog is being picked on or seems uncomfortable, you may need to come to his rescue. If he’s behaving badly toward others, you may need to remove him from the situation or use a brief “time out” if corrective action doesn’t work. When a puppy is scared to be around others, it shouldn’t be forced, however repeated attempts may bring success as we’ve learned from experience.
A dog that gets too excited and overwhelms others may need to be pulled aside for a brief period, in order to calm down. When playing, some dogs may appear to be fighting and it can often be difficult to interpret. Conflicting misunderstanding may lead to fights if close watch is not kept to keep both dogs in check. Some breeds tend to use growling in their play and others will full on wrestle while some just like to play chasing games and barking can also be a part of play. Crashing and running into each other is a means of play for some while other dogs don’t quite know what to make of it and may feel uncomfortable or threatened by this. Some will use greetings that others may find overwhelming or uncomfortable or even intimidating and threatening, like rushing to greet others and jumping, climbing and licking others, barking at them, or they may exhibit complete fear.
Mounting and other displays of dominance like holding his head above another dog’s head or biting the back of the other dog’s neck are undesirable behaviors and acts of power play and should be corrected immediately. On the flip side, some may show submissiveness in greeting such as lying down or rolling onto their back to show the other dog that they aren’t a threat. So many different temperaments in each individual dog, is why allowing our dogs to simply charge out and greet others may in fact be dangerous to one or both dogs, and why a slow cautious approach is best.
The Importance of Socializing Your Dog courtesy of Dog Articles
Housebreaking
Housebreaking Your Dog In Four Simple Steps
Ask any dog owner what is the most important thing that their new dog learns and 9 out of 10 will say that they want their dog to be housetrained. The problem is that there are more dogs that are not housebroken than are. The reason for that is because many dog owners are not patient enough to train their dogs, so they give up.
Dogs actually do want to please their owners. They are pack animals and because you are the one that provides food and shelter you are the alpha dog; you are the pack leader. But you have to think like a dog and work with them. Housebreaking can be done in four simple steps as follows:
1) Restrict the area that your dog is allowed to freely roam in. This should be no more than the area that you can keep watch over. By limiting the area to what you can supervise you will be able to closely monitor your dog.
2) Be diligent about taking your dog out as you should. Puppies will need to go out more often than older dogs. Always be ready to immediately take the pet outdoors when he wakes up. This is a time that you count on that he will look for a spot to ‘go’. Dogs also ‘go’ after eating, drinking, and exercise. Once again, older dogs can wait much longer than puppies.
3) When you take the dog out be sure to say whatever word or phrase you want him to associate with the deed. Just keep in mind that you may be saying this in public at some point in time so make it something that is not embarrassing. Taking your dog to the same place each time helps him to associate the spot with the deed. Do not play with your dog during these trips outdoors. He needs to understand that the trip has a purpose. When he finishes you should lavish praise on him, let him know he did good.
4) Repeat until your dog gets the idea and begins signaling to you that he needs to go out. If your dog makes a mess indoors it means that you were not monitoring as closely as you should have been. Never punish your dog for accidents. Simply continue with the training and expect that there will be a few accidents along the way. Some dogs continue to have occasional accidents but others will do anything not to ‘go’ indoors.
Many small breed owners find that the use of puppy pads works for their dogs. Rather than taking their little dog out the dog simply messes on the pad and it is disposed of. This also works for dogs that are left alone for long periods of time.
Housebreaking Your Dog In Four Simple Steps courtesy of Dog Articles
Ask any dog owner what is the most important thing that their new dog learns and 9 out of 10 will say that they want their dog to be housetrained. The problem is that there are more dogs that are not housebroken than are. The reason for that is because many dog owners are not patient enough to train their dogs, so they give up.
Dogs actually do want to please their owners. They are pack animals and because you are the one that provides food and shelter you are the alpha dog; you are the pack leader. But you have to think like a dog and work with them. Housebreaking can be done in four simple steps as follows:
1) Restrict the area that your dog is allowed to freely roam in. This should be no more than the area that you can keep watch over. By limiting the area to what you can supervise you will be able to closely monitor your dog.
2) Be diligent about taking your dog out as you should. Puppies will need to go out more often than older dogs. Always be ready to immediately take the pet outdoors when he wakes up. This is a time that you count on that he will look for a spot to ‘go’. Dogs also ‘go’ after eating, drinking, and exercise. Once again, older dogs can wait much longer than puppies.
3) When you take the dog out be sure to say whatever word or phrase you want him to associate with the deed. Just keep in mind that you may be saying this in public at some point in time so make it something that is not embarrassing. Taking your dog to the same place each time helps him to associate the spot with the deed. Do not play with your dog during these trips outdoors. He needs to understand that the trip has a purpose. When he finishes you should lavish praise on him, let him know he did good.
4) Repeat until your dog gets the idea and begins signaling to you that he needs to go out. If your dog makes a mess indoors it means that you were not monitoring as closely as you should have been. Never punish your dog for accidents. Simply continue with the training and expect that there will be a few accidents along the way. Some dogs continue to have occasional accidents but others will do anything not to ‘go’ indoors.
Many small breed owners find that the use of puppy pads works for their dogs. Rather than taking their little dog out the dog simply messes on the pad and it is disposed of. This also works for dogs that are left alone for long periods of time.
Housebreaking Your Dog In Four Simple Steps courtesy of Dog Articles
Pet Exercise
Dogs
Dogs can be great fun to exercise as they can get you out and about yourself. After your vet gives your dog a clean bill of health, start your pet on suitable exercise for beginners.
Just like people who aren't used to exercise, dogs should start off slow. Moderately paced walking and swimming are a good way to start - then let your pet build their cardiovascular and muscle strength without putting undue stress on their joints. A daily 10-15-minute walking or swimming session is a good start and you can build to an hour a day if your pet seems up to it. If, after a few months your pet can handle long, fast walks without fatigue, he could graduate to jogging with you.
Make sure that you watch out for the following:
Keep a close eye on your dog: watch for any unusual signs of fatigue or trouble breathing. If your pet wants to stop, let them. Dogs that overdo it can suffer strained tendons or ligaments or other orthopedic problems.
Safety first--keep your dog on a lead when you run. Even the best-trained dogs can run into the path of a car. And if you have to run when it's dark out, put reflectors on your dog's collar as well as on your clothes.
Try to run on dirt paths or grass as much as possible. Gravel, concrete, asphalt, cinders and road salt can irritate your pets paws.
If it's freezing cold or hot and steamy out, either keep your run short or play a little indoor fetch instead.
The more active your dog is, the more water he will require. Make sure your pet has enough fresh water before and after your run. If you're going for a long run, take some water along for both you and him.
Cats
Cats are a little bit different than dogs, they're designed for short, frequent periods of intense activity, rather than longer, slower-paced exercise sessions.
There are wide selection of toys you can buy to get your cat active, including "kitty trees" that will let your pet climb to the ceiling and mechanical animals that can be chased around the room. There are a few main ways you can entice your pet into activity:
Things that can be hit. Anything light that moves easily across the floor can give your cat a chance to practice hitting and chasing. Balled up paper works well. Just make sure that she's not batting anything she could chew up or swallow.
Things that can be chased. The end of a moving string should bring out the predator in even the most sedentary cat. Again, just make sure you pet doesn't swallow the string.
Things that can be climbed into. Empty boxes and paper bags are perfect for this. Remember plastic bags could cause suffocation.
Things that can be scratched. Scratching stretches and tones the muscles in your cat's shoulders and back. A scratching post--or even a piece of cardboard or carpet--can keep your pet active without your furniture taking the brunt.
Don't use your hand or fingers as "bait" or as the object of teasing. This teaches your pet that it is all right to scratch and bite your hands.
http://www.endsleigh.co.uk/home/pet/Pages/exercise.aspx
Dogs can be great fun to exercise as they can get you out and about yourself. After your vet gives your dog a clean bill of health, start your pet on suitable exercise for beginners.
Just like people who aren't used to exercise, dogs should start off slow. Moderately paced walking and swimming are a good way to start - then let your pet build their cardiovascular and muscle strength without putting undue stress on their joints. A daily 10-15-minute walking or swimming session is a good start and you can build to an hour a day if your pet seems up to it. If, after a few months your pet can handle long, fast walks without fatigue, he could graduate to jogging with you.
Make sure that you watch out for the following:
Keep a close eye on your dog: watch for any unusual signs of fatigue or trouble breathing. If your pet wants to stop, let them. Dogs that overdo it can suffer strained tendons or ligaments or other orthopedic problems.
Safety first--keep your dog on a lead when you run. Even the best-trained dogs can run into the path of a car. And if you have to run when it's dark out, put reflectors on your dog's collar as well as on your clothes.
Try to run on dirt paths or grass as much as possible. Gravel, concrete, asphalt, cinders and road salt can irritate your pets paws.
If it's freezing cold or hot and steamy out, either keep your run short or play a little indoor fetch instead.
The more active your dog is, the more water he will require. Make sure your pet has enough fresh water before and after your run. If you're going for a long run, take some water along for both you and him.
Cats
Cats are a little bit different than dogs, they're designed for short, frequent periods of intense activity, rather than longer, slower-paced exercise sessions.
There are wide selection of toys you can buy to get your cat active, including "kitty trees" that will let your pet climb to the ceiling and mechanical animals that can be chased around the room. There are a few main ways you can entice your pet into activity:
Things that can be hit. Anything light that moves easily across the floor can give your cat a chance to practice hitting and chasing. Balled up paper works well. Just make sure that she's not batting anything she could chew up or swallow.
Things that can be chased. The end of a moving string should bring out the predator in even the most sedentary cat. Again, just make sure you pet doesn't swallow the string.
Things that can be climbed into. Empty boxes and paper bags are perfect for this. Remember plastic bags could cause suffocation.
Things that can be scratched. Scratching stretches and tones the muscles in your cat's shoulders and back. A scratching post--or even a piece of cardboard or carpet--can keep your pet active without your furniture taking the brunt.
Don't use your hand or fingers as "bait" or as the object of teasing. This teaches your pet that it is all right to scratch and bite your hands.
http://www.endsleigh.co.uk/home/pet/Pages/exercise.aspx
A New Pet
There are many factors that should be considered prior to just going out and buying yourself a pet. These factors should not be considered lightly.
Be prepared for a commitment that will last the animal's lifetime. Pets may live as long as 15 or 20 years and prospective pet owners should be prepared to feed, provide shelter, and healthcare for the entire period.
Are you able to afford to take care of a pet? Pet food is not cheap, and cats and dogs often can have unanticipated medical issues and high vet costs.
Do you have the time to care for a pet? Dogs and, to a lesser extent, cats need time and attention to be house-trained properly and loved. People who have jobs that involve a great deal of time should consider very carefully their pet choice. Many animals, especially puppies and kittens, do not adjust well to being by themselves. Dogs constantly left alone can develop severe behavioural problems.
If you are living in a flat or an apartment you should make enquiries as to whether your building allows pets. Know your residence's guidelines before you get yourself a pet.
Make sure you or no one else in your family or the prospective pet owner has allergies. If you are unsure as whether you or your children are allergic to cats or dogs, this can easily be done by spending a period of time at the home of a friend with a pet.
You should be able prepared to either spay or neuter your animal. There are far too many pets on the streets and in various animal rescue shelters annually. Spaying or neutering your pet will help allow unwanted animals to find themselves new homes.
Think about older pets, when considering a new animal. They are often easier to train into a home environment as in the most part they will already be housebroken.
http://www.endsleigh.co.uk/home/pet/Pages/buying-new-pet.aspx
Be prepared for a commitment that will last the animal's lifetime. Pets may live as long as 15 or 20 years and prospective pet owners should be prepared to feed, provide shelter, and healthcare for the entire period.
Are you able to afford to take care of a pet? Pet food is not cheap, and cats and dogs often can have unanticipated medical issues and high vet costs.
Do you have the time to care for a pet? Dogs and, to a lesser extent, cats need time and attention to be house-trained properly and loved. People who have jobs that involve a great deal of time should consider very carefully their pet choice. Many animals, especially puppies and kittens, do not adjust well to being by themselves. Dogs constantly left alone can develop severe behavioural problems.
If you are living in a flat or an apartment you should make enquiries as to whether your building allows pets. Know your residence's guidelines before you get yourself a pet.
Make sure you or no one else in your family or the prospective pet owner has allergies. If you are unsure as whether you or your children are allergic to cats or dogs, this can easily be done by spending a period of time at the home of a friend with a pet.
You should be able prepared to either spay or neuter your animal. There are far too many pets on the streets and in various animal rescue shelters annually. Spaying or neutering your pet will help allow unwanted animals to find themselves new homes.
Think about older pets, when considering a new animal. They are often easier to train into a home environment as in the most part they will already be housebroken.
http://www.endsleigh.co.uk/home/pet/Pages/buying-new-pet.aspx
Dog Care
Your dog will give you a lifetime of unconditional love, loyalty, and friendship. In return, you pet will count on you to provide food, water, safe shelter, veterinary care, exercise and companionship. Take care of the following essentials and your friendship should be great.
Get your dog a decent collar and an ID tag that includes your name, address, and telephone number. No matter how careful you are, there's a chance your companion may become lost. This tag will greatly increase the chance that your pet will be returned home safely.
Make sure you comply with local rules regarding vaccinations that your dog may require. Your vet will be able to tell you this and help you to get your pet correctly vaccinated.
When you walk your dog, it is better to keep them on a lead. A dog should not be allowed to roam outside of your home or fenced yard. It is best for you, your community, and your dog to keep your pet under control at all times.
Give your dog proper shelter. A fenced garden with a kennel would be a bonus, especially for large and more active dog. This does not mean that you should leave your pet for long periods of time. Dogs crave companionship and should spend most of their time inside with their family.
Take your dog to the vets for regular check-ups. If you do not have a vet, ask your local animal shelter or a pet owning friend for a referral.
Spay or neuter your dog. Dogs tend to live longer having had such surgery and have fewer behaviour problems (e.g., biting, running away). By spaying or neutering your dog, you are also doing your part to reduce the problem of pet over-population.
Give your dog a nutritionally balanced diet, including constant access to fresh water. Ask your vet for advice on what and how often to feed your pet.
Enroll your dog in a training class. Positive training will allow you to control your pets behaviour in a safe and humane manner. It should also facilitate a great opportunity to enhance the bond you share with your pet.
Give your dog enough exercise to keep him physically fit (but not exhausted). Most dog owners find that playing with their pet in conjunction with walking them twice a day, will provide sufficient exercise. If you have questions about the level of exercise appropriate for your dog, consult your vet.
Be loyal and patient with your faithful companion. Make sure the expectations you have of your dog are reasonable and remember that the vast majority of behaviour problems can be solved. If you are struggling with your pet's behaviour, contact your vet or local animal shelter for advice.
http://www.endsleigh.co.uk/home/pet/Pages/caring-dog.aspx
Get your dog a decent collar and an ID tag that includes your name, address, and telephone number. No matter how careful you are, there's a chance your companion may become lost. This tag will greatly increase the chance that your pet will be returned home safely.
Make sure you comply with local rules regarding vaccinations that your dog may require. Your vet will be able to tell you this and help you to get your pet correctly vaccinated.
When you walk your dog, it is better to keep them on a lead. A dog should not be allowed to roam outside of your home or fenced yard. It is best for you, your community, and your dog to keep your pet under control at all times.
Give your dog proper shelter. A fenced garden with a kennel would be a bonus, especially for large and more active dog. This does not mean that you should leave your pet for long periods of time. Dogs crave companionship and should spend most of their time inside with their family.
Take your dog to the vets for regular check-ups. If you do not have a vet, ask your local animal shelter or a pet owning friend for a referral.
Spay or neuter your dog. Dogs tend to live longer having had such surgery and have fewer behaviour problems (e.g., biting, running away). By spaying or neutering your dog, you are also doing your part to reduce the problem of pet over-population.
Give your dog a nutritionally balanced diet, including constant access to fresh water. Ask your vet for advice on what and how often to feed your pet.
Enroll your dog in a training class. Positive training will allow you to control your pets behaviour in a safe and humane manner. It should also facilitate a great opportunity to enhance the bond you share with your pet.
Give your dog enough exercise to keep him physically fit (but not exhausted). Most dog owners find that playing with their pet in conjunction with walking them twice a day, will provide sufficient exercise. If you have questions about the level of exercise appropriate for your dog, consult your vet.
Be loyal and patient with your faithful companion. Make sure the expectations you have of your dog are reasonable and remember that the vast majority of behaviour problems can be solved. If you are struggling with your pet's behaviour, contact your vet or local animal shelter for advice.
http://www.endsleigh.co.uk/home/pet/Pages/caring-dog.aspx
Cat Care
Although your cat may seem highly independent do not forget that they still require you to provide food, water, shelter, veterinary care and companionship. The following essentials will help to maximize you and your pet cats relationship.
Provide your cat with a collar and ID tag. There's always a chance your inquisitive pet may climb into the back of a van and an ID tag greatly increases the chance that your cat will be returned home safely.
Take your cat to the vets for regular check-ups. If you do not currently have a vet, ask your local animal shelter or a pet-owning friend for a referral.
Spay or neuter your cat. This will help to keep your pet healthier and will help to reduce the problem of cat overpopulation.
Give your cat a nutritionally balanced diet, including constant access to fresh water. Ask your vet for advice on what and how often to feed your pet.
Groom your cat often to keep you pets coat healthy, soft, and shiny. Even short-haired felines need to be groomed to remove as much loose hair as possible. When cats groom themselves, they tend to ingest a considerable amount of hair, which can lead to hairballs.
Set aside time to play with your cat. While cats do not need the same level of exercise that dogs do, enjoying regular play sessions with your pet will provide them with the physical exercise and mental stimulation they need.
Make sure the expectations you have of your cat are reasonable and remember that the vast majority of behaviour problems can be solved. If you are struggling with your pet's behaviour, contact your vets or local animal shelter for advice.
http://www.endsleigh.co.uk/home/pet/Pages/caring-cat.aspx
Provide your cat with a collar and ID tag. There's always a chance your inquisitive pet may climb into the back of a van and an ID tag greatly increases the chance that your cat will be returned home safely.
Take your cat to the vets for regular check-ups. If you do not currently have a vet, ask your local animal shelter or a pet-owning friend for a referral.
Spay or neuter your cat. This will help to keep your pet healthier and will help to reduce the problem of cat overpopulation.
Give your cat a nutritionally balanced diet, including constant access to fresh water. Ask your vet for advice on what and how often to feed your pet.
Groom your cat often to keep you pets coat healthy, soft, and shiny. Even short-haired felines need to be groomed to remove as much loose hair as possible. When cats groom themselves, they tend to ingest a considerable amount of hair, which can lead to hairballs.
Set aside time to play with your cat. While cats do not need the same level of exercise that dogs do, enjoying regular play sessions with your pet will provide them with the physical exercise and mental stimulation they need.
Make sure the expectations you have of your cat are reasonable and remember that the vast majority of behaviour problems can be solved. If you are struggling with your pet's behaviour, contact your vets or local animal shelter for advice.
http://www.endsleigh.co.uk/home/pet/Pages/caring-cat.aspx
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