Would you taste your pet's food?
These brave owners took a bite for some expert advice. Find out what to look for in your pet's treats, what size kibble is right for your dog and other important food facts.
2009-05-23
2009-05-22
How To Choose Dog Food - Pt 1 -
Have you ever wondered what type of food is right for your dog? Wet or dry? Active or Adult formula? One scoop or two? On The Petside helps pet owners with their pet food questions.
2009-05-21
Find Cute, Unique And Unusual Girl Dog Names
Female Dog Names: Find Cute, Unique And Unusual Girl Dog Names
Author: Richard Livitski
If you're like most dog owners, you've shopped for a dog using multiple avenues to find just the right one. By checking out the local shelters, pound, newspaper ads or even visiting friends who's family dog just had a litter, you finally found the right one.
Because it may not have made much of a difference to you whether it was a male or female, you wound up with a beautiful girl! Much like bringing home a newly born baby, bringing home a new puppy, or even a more mature dog you rescued from the shelter can be an exciting experience!
Until both of you get acquainted with each other, and you choose a name, you'll probably hear a lot of…Hey! don't go there!…Get your nose out of there!….Do THAT outside! around your house. So that's why it's important to choose a name early on, and one that will suit both your family and your dog.
That's why when it comes to choosing a great female dog name, taking the time to consider all name possibilities is important.
Although many owners will simply name their dog anything that comes to mind, be careful that the name you give her doesn't rhyme with something negative, possibly giving the neighbors kids something to taunt her with. Make sure also that the name doesn't sound like a common command, like Go, Stay, Sit etc. which will confuse her when it comes to training time. By taking these considerations, not only will your dog love you for it, but it will also avoid a mid-life name change!
What I've done with this article is to share with you what I feel are some of the better female dog names available in the doggie kingdom. Names that not only match a given dog's personality, but their appearance as well as names I felt just sounded cool. This list is by no means conclusive, just a way to get your creative juices flowing, as well as to start you off on the right paw.
Here's a few ideas…
Dog Names That Sound Small…
Bambi, Bugsy, Butterball, Button, Cuddles, Doodle, Gumball, Junior, Kewpie, Laptop, Munchkin, Nibbles, Nipper, Peanut, Peewee, Puddles, Putt-Putt, Squeaky, Squirt, Tinkerbell
Dog Names That Sound Big…
Big Shot, Boomer, Bruno, Grizzly, Hercules, Hulk, Jaws, Kahuna, Kong, Moose, Stallion, Wookie, Yukon
For Dogs That Are Black Or Chocolate…
Aurora, Coco, Ebony, Eightball, Espresso, Hoodlum, Luna, Midnight, Nighthawk, Phantom, Raven, Salem, Shadow, Star, Storm, Taboo
For Dogs That Are Blonde…
Amber, Autumn, Blondie, Chiquita, Daisy, Ember, Garbo, Goldie, Harlow, Meadow, Omelet, Paris, Sandy, Sahara, Savanna, Sunny, Zsa Zsa
Cool Sounding Names….
Aspen, Azure, Capri, Charisma, Denali, Java, Mahala, Maui, Mignon, Nirvana, Pirouette, Rio, Sahara, Sierra, Taboo, Tiara
Other Female Puppy Names Ideas…
Latte: Possibly a good name for a black dog.
Jalapeno: A good name for a dog with a sometimes fiery disposition.
Crouton: Another good name for a small breed. Maybe a Chihuahua?
Kahlua: I can see this name on a brown dog.
Caviar: For a dog with expensive tastes. Maybe a good Poodle name?
Bon Bon: I can see this as a good name for a small black dog.
It’s easy to find great female puppy names and considering that your dogs name will be used an estimated 15,000 times during her lifetime, isn't she worth taking a little extra time to pick a perfect name?
When Richard Livitski isn't busy chasing around his own dogs, or searching for other unusual dog names he's working on his website http://www.dog-names-and-more.com where dog names and puppy names in all shapes and sizes can be found.
Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_580567_54.html
About the Author: Naming dogs around the world is not only a passion for Richard Livitski, he's built a website dedicated to dog names... http://www.dog-names-and-more.com where dog names as well as other helpful dog related topics can be found.
http://www.dog-names-and-more.com
Author: Richard Livitski
If you're like most dog owners, you've shopped for a dog using multiple avenues to find just the right one. By checking out the local shelters, pound, newspaper ads or even visiting friends who's family dog just had a litter, you finally found the right one.
Because it may not have made much of a difference to you whether it was a male or female, you wound up with a beautiful girl! Much like bringing home a newly born baby, bringing home a new puppy, or even a more mature dog you rescued from the shelter can be an exciting experience!
Until both of you get acquainted with each other, and you choose a name, you'll probably hear a lot of…Hey! don't go there!…Get your nose out of there!….Do THAT outside! around your house. So that's why it's important to choose a name early on, and one that will suit both your family and your dog.
That's why when it comes to choosing a great female dog name, taking the time to consider all name possibilities is important.
Although many owners will simply name their dog anything that comes to mind, be careful that the name you give her doesn't rhyme with something negative, possibly giving the neighbors kids something to taunt her with. Make sure also that the name doesn't sound like a common command, like Go, Stay, Sit etc. which will confuse her when it comes to training time. By taking these considerations, not only will your dog love you for it, but it will also avoid a mid-life name change!
What I've done with this article is to share with you what I feel are some of the better female dog names available in the doggie kingdom. Names that not only match a given dog's personality, but their appearance as well as names I felt just sounded cool. This list is by no means conclusive, just a way to get your creative juices flowing, as well as to start you off on the right paw.
Here's a few ideas…
Dog Names That Sound Small…
Bambi, Bugsy, Butterball, Button, Cuddles, Doodle, Gumball, Junior, Kewpie, Laptop, Munchkin, Nibbles, Nipper, Peanut, Peewee, Puddles, Putt-Putt, Squeaky, Squirt, Tinkerbell
Dog Names That Sound Big…
Big Shot, Boomer, Bruno, Grizzly, Hercules, Hulk, Jaws, Kahuna, Kong, Moose, Stallion, Wookie, Yukon
For Dogs That Are Black Or Chocolate…
Aurora, Coco, Ebony, Eightball, Espresso, Hoodlum, Luna, Midnight, Nighthawk, Phantom, Raven, Salem, Shadow, Star, Storm, Taboo
For Dogs That Are Blonde…
Amber, Autumn, Blondie, Chiquita, Daisy, Ember, Garbo, Goldie, Harlow, Meadow, Omelet, Paris, Sandy, Sahara, Savanna, Sunny, Zsa Zsa
Cool Sounding Names….
Aspen, Azure, Capri, Charisma, Denali, Java, Mahala, Maui, Mignon, Nirvana, Pirouette, Rio, Sahara, Sierra, Taboo, Tiara
Other Female Puppy Names Ideas…
Latte: Possibly a good name for a black dog.
Jalapeno: A good name for a dog with a sometimes fiery disposition.
Crouton: Another good name for a small breed. Maybe a Chihuahua?
Kahlua: I can see this name on a brown dog.
Caviar: For a dog with expensive tastes. Maybe a good Poodle name?
Bon Bon: I can see this as a good name for a small black dog.
It’s easy to find great female puppy names and considering that your dogs name will be used an estimated 15,000 times during her lifetime, isn't she worth taking a little extra time to pick a perfect name?
When Richard Livitski isn't busy chasing around his own dogs, or searching for other unusual dog names he's working on his website http://www.dog-names-and-more.com where dog names and puppy names in all shapes and sizes can be found.
Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_580567_54.html
About the Author: Naming dogs around the world is not only a passion for Richard Livitski, he's built a website dedicated to dog names... http://www.dog-names-and-more.com where dog names as well as other helpful dog related topics can be found.
http://www.dog-names-and-more.com
2009-05-20
How to Choose Unique Boy Dog Names
How to Choose Unique Boy Dog Names
Author: Ling Tong
It is important to choose the right one of the many boy dog names for your male dog. You and your dog are going to be companions for many years so the name should reflect your relationship as well as the dog's personality. Some of the factors that you need to take into consideration when making this choice include:
- The name should be easy to say and consist of only one or two consonants.
- Male dog names usually contain hard consonants such as k, t and d because they are easier for the dog to hear.
- It should be a name the dog won't confuse with words associated with commands, such as Come, Sit or Stay.
- The name should be one that you won't be embarrassed using in public.
Other factors that you can take into consideration include the breed of the dog. Look at the type of coat the dog has and the size it will be when fully grown. A huge Newfoundland dog, for example, should not have the name Fluffy. Consider the origin of the breed as well. You can choose a German dog name for a German Shepherd or an Irish name for an Irish setter. You might want to consider the purpose for which you have the dog. If hunting is one of your interests and you intend to take the dog with you, then you can choose a name applicable to this kind of activity.
It really helps if you love the name you choose because you will be using it quite often. To avoid any confusion for the dog, make sure that everyone in the family agrees on the name. if you have one name for the dog and someone else decides to use another one because of a disagreement, this will only result in confusion for the dog.
There are numerous names for male dogs online on many sites. You can choose from names of historical figures or names of dogs that appear in movies and TV programs as well as popular and common names. It may take you some time to browse through the various names, but the result will be worth it when you find one that matches your dog perfectly. Some of the most commonly used names for male dogs of all breeds in the US are:
1. Jake
2. Max
3. Buddy
4. Bailey
5. Sam
6. Rocky
7. Buster
8. Casey
9. Cody
10. Duke
11. Charlie
12. Jack
13. Harley
14. Rusty
15. Toby
16. Murphy
17. Shelby
18. Sparky
19. Barney
20. Winston
You will also find lists of the most popular names in just about every country of the world. Some of them will be the same, but there are differences. For example, the popular names for dogs in Australia include Oscar, Monty and Zack as well as those mentioned in the US list. In the UK, some of the names include Pip, Piper and Spot. Napoleon and Bonaparte are two of the most commonly used names for large boy dogs in France.
For a huge database of boy dog names as well as girl dog names and other dogs names visit http://www.Names-For-Dogs.Co.Uk
Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_579822_54.html
Author: Ling Tong
It is important to choose the right one of the many boy dog names for your male dog. You and your dog are going to be companions for many years so the name should reflect your relationship as well as the dog's personality. Some of the factors that you need to take into consideration when making this choice include:
- The name should be easy to say and consist of only one or two consonants.
- Male dog names usually contain hard consonants such as k, t and d because they are easier for the dog to hear.
- It should be a name the dog won't confuse with words associated with commands, such as Come, Sit or Stay.
- The name should be one that you won't be embarrassed using in public.
Other factors that you can take into consideration include the breed of the dog. Look at the type of coat the dog has and the size it will be when fully grown. A huge Newfoundland dog, for example, should not have the name Fluffy. Consider the origin of the breed as well. You can choose a German dog name for a German Shepherd or an Irish name for an Irish setter. You might want to consider the purpose for which you have the dog. If hunting is one of your interests and you intend to take the dog with you, then you can choose a name applicable to this kind of activity.
It really helps if you love the name you choose because you will be using it quite often. To avoid any confusion for the dog, make sure that everyone in the family agrees on the name. if you have one name for the dog and someone else decides to use another one because of a disagreement, this will only result in confusion for the dog.
There are numerous names for male dogs online on many sites. You can choose from names of historical figures or names of dogs that appear in movies and TV programs as well as popular and common names. It may take you some time to browse through the various names, but the result will be worth it when you find one that matches your dog perfectly. Some of the most commonly used names for male dogs of all breeds in the US are:
1. Jake
2. Max
3. Buddy
4. Bailey
5. Sam
6. Rocky
7. Buster
8. Casey
9. Cody
10. Duke
11. Charlie
12. Jack
13. Harley
14. Rusty
15. Toby
16. Murphy
17. Shelby
18. Sparky
19. Barney
20. Winston
You will also find lists of the most popular names in just about every country of the world. Some of them will be the same, but there are differences. For example, the popular names for dogs in Australia include Oscar, Monty and Zack as well as those mentioned in the US list. In the UK, some of the names include Pip, Piper and Spot. Napoleon and Bonaparte are two of the most commonly used names for large boy dogs in France.
For a huge database of boy dog names as well as girl dog names and other dogs names visit http://www.Names-For-Dogs.Co.Uk
Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_579822_54.html
2009-05-19
Adopting a Shelter dog??
Adopting a fully grown shelter dog is usually not considered when a family decides to get a new pet. It may actually be the best choice for your family.
Eight Things to Consider When Adopting a Shelter Dog
Author: Roger Matthews
By - Roger Matthews
Adopting a fully grown shelter dog is usually not considered when a family decides to get a new pet. It may actually be the best choice for your family.
A fully grown shelter dog may already be house trained, trained in basic obedience and be past the teething stage. That means no messes in the house, no damaged furniture and a dog that listens to it's owner. That sounds like a dream dog to me. You'll also know what you're getting in your new dog regarding it's size, color, temperament and personality. There are fewer surprises and you'll have the advantage of knowing what you're getting before you get it.
If you're looking for a loving family pet a shelter dog just may be the answer. If your looking for a show dog it's probably not. I say probably because I've seen pure bred animals, with papers, in the shelter I worked in. It was rare but it did happen. Sometimes the dog out-grew it's family and sometimes it was disobedient or chewed up something in the house. Occasionally the owner just wasn't responsible enough to own a pet and it was just too much work. There were many reasons why they were brought to the shelter by their owners.
When shopping at the local grocery store, most people are picky about what they choose. There are many things they take into consideration before making decisions. They check the dates on perishables, squeeze the grapefruit and look for bruising. They make decisions based on color, quantity, packaging, size, fat content, calories and price. That works well for shoppers who want what's best for their families but for some strange reason some of the same people don't make the same kind of careful decisions when it comes to choosing a new family pet. A pet that may be around for ten or fifteen years. This is where the "cute" factor can really work against a pet and the family as well. The cutest dog in the bunch gets adopted and that usually means a puppy.
When you adopt a puppy, especially a mixed breed, you may be in for an unwanted surprise or two. When the dog becomes mature it may be too large or not look the way you thought it would. It's really a crap shoot. You can guess how big the dog will get but it's still just a guess unless you know the mix. Now mind you, I'm not speaking out against adopting puppies, it's a fine idea, what I'm saying is that there are benefits to adopting an older dog too. Besides the reasons mentioned above, you're also giving an older dog a second chance at a happy life. He probably deserves that chance.
A pet has to become part of your family, a part of your pack. He or she has to fit in well and be of the proper temperament and size for your family. Not taking those factors into account can have disastrous repercussions for both the pet and the family. I've seen it happen in failed adoptions and when families turned their pet over to the shelter. A family gets a puppy, the puppy is small, cute and manageable and then it quickly grows to maturity and is larger or more energetic than expected.
It wasn't long after becoming an Animal Control Officer that I began to believe that it wasn't a pet problem at all, it was a pet owner problem. After all, you can't blame it on the dog. The dog just wanted a home, a family to be a part of, in essence, a new pack. Choosing a pet carefully is very important for your family and the pet. Here are a few tips on what to do if you're interested in adopting a shelter dog.
(1) - Speak with your family and make sure they know the dog will be everyone's responsibility. Feeding, walking, training and loving your new pet should be shared between family members. If everyone is in agreement it's time to search for your new family member. Bring the entire family. You'll want to know how well everyone will get along. It's important that everyone in your family sees, pets and interacts with the dog if it's possible.
(2) - If you have other pets, bring them with you to the shelter and have them meet the dog you may adopt if you're seriously considering a specific dog. It would be a good idea to call the shelter first so that they're prepared. They'll usually be happy to work with you and help you find a dog that will be a great match for your family. You don't need to arrive at home with your new pet and find out there's a big problem. Do that at the shelter. It's best done outside the shelter with shelter staff present. In busy shelters this may be a problem which is why you should always speak with them in advance. All of the pets should be on leashes so they can be controlled easily if there's a problem.
(3) - Speak to anyone that has had contact with the dog. You can learn a lot from the staff members that feed and interact with the dog on a daily basis. After all, they're the people that probably know the dog best.
A good shelter will appreciate someone that makes a careful decision before adopting. The shelter staff wants the dog to find a new home. They certainly don't want to see a dog returned. It's depressing for the shelter staff to see a dog return after being adopted.
(4) - When you first visit your local shelter get as much information as you can on a dog you may be interested in adopting. Don't rush, take your time. Take a few days if you have to. It's an important decision and shouldn't be taken lightly. Use your best judgement when making your decision, not just your emotions.
(5) - Ask about the dog's history, medical records and temperament. The more you know about the dog the more informed your final decision will be. Find out as much as you can about the dog's shelter history. Ask if he or she has been neutered or spayed. You'll also want to know what shots and flea and tick treatments the dog was given. Ask if the dog has been adopted and then returned to the shelter. If the dog has been returned find out why. The staff will almost always know why a dog was returned.
(6) - Ask about the dog's appetite and either check or ask if the dog's stool looks normal. This can be valuable information especially if the dog has no medical records. There's a lot you can do to make a good, informed decision when adopting from a rescue shelter.
(7) - If the dog is a mixed breed ask the shelter staff what mix the dog is. This will give you a reasonably good idea how large the dog will get if it's not already fully grown. The shelter staff may know from the previous owners or they may at least have an idea just by looking at the dog. Either way you'll get some facts or at the very least, an educated guess.
(8) - Ask the shelter staff to allow you to meet the dog out of it's run or cage and get to know the dog a bit. It's very important and you can learn a lot in a short amount of time. If you feel comfortable with the dog it's also a very good idea to take it for a walk if the shelter will allow it. Just remember, any dog can be trained. If the dog isn't perfect, that's ok. You'll work together to improve.
Those 8 steps are good to keep in mind when adopting a dog from a shelter. Just remember, even an older dog can be trained with a little patience, love and understanding.
I'm sure you've heard the old saying "You can't teach old dogs new tricks". I've heard that saying many times and I couldn't disagree more. As an animal control officer I was often in charge of adoptions and taking care of the dogs and cats when I wasn't on patrol or on an abuse investigation. I spent a lot of that time training some of the older dogs in the basics to give them a better chance at being adopted. They learned quickly and some dogs already knew the basic commands. Dogs want to please, it's in their nature and with some patience you can teach an old dog new tricks!
Shelter dogs don't get a lot of one-on-one attention from people. They get some from the staff but it's limited. The staff is usually pretty busy and there are usually quite a few dogs to take care of so finding the time for one-on-one attention is difficult. So try to remember that a dog may be very excited when he first meets you. Spend some time with the dog so you can find out what he or she is really like. Spend that time with the dog and you may find that the dog is a lot different than your first impression would have lead you to believe.
If you do adopt a shelter dog be sure to visit a local vet as soon as possible. A healthy pet is a happy pet. If the dog has no known medical history then you have to start developing one. If there is a medical history then it's still important that the dog is current on all vaccinations and treatments. Let the vet tell you what the dog needs.
Good luck if you're considering adopting a dog from a shelter. I'm sure you'll be very glad you did. It's a great feeling to know you may have saved your new, best friend's life.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/eight-things-to-consider-when-adopting-a-shelter-dog-144741.html
About the Author:
Roger Matthews was an animal control officer and abuse investigator in NJ. He is now the webmaster at AnimalRescueGroup.com and a volunteer for Ben's Place, a dog rescue Group in Bonifay Florida. Publication of this article is permitted as long as the resource information remains intact and the links work.
Eight Things to Consider When Adopting a Shelter Dog
Author: Roger Matthews
By - Roger Matthews
Adopting a fully grown shelter dog is usually not considered when a family decides to get a new pet. It may actually be the best choice for your family.
A fully grown shelter dog may already be house trained, trained in basic obedience and be past the teething stage. That means no messes in the house, no damaged furniture and a dog that listens to it's owner. That sounds like a dream dog to me. You'll also know what you're getting in your new dog regarding it's size, color, temperament and personality. There are fewer surprises and you'll have the advantage of knowing what you're getting before you get it.
If you're looking for a loving family pet a shelter dog just may be the answer. If your looking for a show dog it's probably not. I say probably because I've seen pure bred animals, with papers, in the shelter I worked in. It was rare but it did happen. Sometimes the dog out-grew it's family and sometimes it was disobedient or chewed up something in the house. Occasionally the owner just wasn't responsible enough to own a pet and it was just too much work. There were many reasons why they were brought to the shelter by their owners.
When shopping at the local grocery store, most people are picky about what they choose. There are many things they take into consideration before making decisions. They check the dates on perishables, squeeze the grapefruit and look for bruising. They make decisions based on color, quantity, packaging, size, fat content, calories and price. That works well for shoppers who want what's best for their families but for some strange reason some of the same people don't make the same kind of careful decisions when it comes to choosing a new family pet. A pet that may be around for ten or fifteen years. This is where the "cute" factor can really work against a pet and the family as well. The cutest dog in the bunch gets adopted and that usually means a puppy.
When you adopt a puppy, especially a mixed breed, you may be in for an unwanted surprise or two. When the dog becomes mature it may be too large or not look the way you thought it would. It's really a crap shoot. You can guess how big the dog will get but it's still just a guess unless you know the mix. Now mind you, I'm not speaking out against adopting puppies, it's a fine idea, what I'm saying is that there are benefits to adopting an older dog too. Besides the reasons mentioned above, you're also giving an older dog a second chance at a happy life. He probably deserves that chance.
A pet has to become part of your family, a part of your pack. He or she has to fit in well and be of the proper temperament and size for your family. Not taking those factors into account can have disastrous repercussions for both the pet and the family. I've seen it happen in failed adoptions and when families turned their pet over to the shelter. A family gets a puppy, the puppy is small, cute and manageable and then it quickly grows to maturity and is larger or more energetic than expected.
It wasn't long after becoming an Animal Control Officer that I began to believe that it wasn't a pet problem at all, it was a pet owner problem. After all, you can't blame it on the dog. The dog just wanted a home, a family to be a part of, in essence, a new pack. Choosing a pet carefully is very important for your family and the pet. Here are a few tips on what to do if you're interested in adopting a shelter dog.
(1) - Speak with your family and make sure they know the dog will be everyone's responsibility. Feeding, walking, training and loving your new pet should be shared between family members. If everyone is in agreement it's time to search for your new family member. Bring the entire family. You'll want to know how well everyone will get along. It's important that everyone in your family sees, pets and interacts with the dog if it's possible.
(2) - If you have other pets, bring them with you to the shelter and have them meet the dog you may adopt if you're seriously considering a specific dog. It would be a good idea to call the shelter first so that they're prepared. They'll usually be happy to work with you and help you find a dog that will be a great match for your family. You don't need to arrive at home with your new pet and find out there's a big problem. Do that at the shelter. It's best done outside the shelter with shelter staff present. In busy shelters this may be a problem which is why you should always speak with them in advance. All of the pets should be on leashes so they can be controlled easily if there's a problem.
(3) - Speak to anyone that has had contact with the dog. You can learn a lot from the staff members that feed and interact with the dog on a daily basis. After all, they're the people that probably know the dog best.
A good shelter will appreciate someone that makes a careful decision before adopting. The shelter staff wants the dog to find a new home. They certainly don't want to see a dog returned. It's depressing for the shelter staff to see a dog return after being adopted.
(4) - When you first visit your local shelter get as much information as you can on a dog you may be interested in adopting. Don't rush, take your time. Take a few days if you have to. It's an important decision and shouldn't be taken lightly. Use your best judgement when making your decision, not just your emotions.
(5) - Ask about the dog's history, medical records and temperament. The more you know about the dog the more informed your final decision will be. Find out as much as you can about the dog's shelter history. Ask if he or she has been neutered or spayed. You'll also want to know what shots and flea and tick treatments the dog was given. Ask if the dog has been adopted and then returned to the shelter. If the dog has been returned find out why. The staff will almost always know why a dog was returned.
(6) - Ask about the dog's appetite and either check or ask if the dog's stool looks normal. This can be valuable information especially if the dog has no medical records. There's a lot you can do to make a good, informed decision when adopting from a rescue shelter.
(7) - If the dog is a mixed breed ask the shelter staff what mix the dog is. This will give you a reasonably good idea how large the dog will get if it's not already fully grown. The shelter staff may know from the previous owners or they may at least have an idea just by looking at the dog. Either way you'll get some facts or at the very least, an educated guess.
(8) - Ask the shelter staff to allow you to meet the dog out of it's run or cage and get to know the dog a bit. It's very important and you can learn a lot in a short amount of time. If you feel comfortable with the dog it's also a very good idea to take it for a walk if the shelter will allow it. Just remember, any dog can be trained. If the dog isn't perfect, that's ok. You'll work together to improve.
Those 8 steps are good to keep in mind when adopting a dog from a shelter. Just remember, even an older dog can be trained with a little patience, love and understanding.
I'm sure you've heard the old saying "You can't teach old dogs new tricks". I've heard that saying many times and I couldn't disagree more. As an animal control officer I was often in charge of adoptions and taking care of the dogs and cats when I wasn't on patrol or on an abuse investigation. I spent a lot of that time training some of the older dogs in the basics to give them a better chance at being adopted. They learned quickly and some dogs already knew the basic commands. Dogs want to please, it's in their nature and with some patience you can teach an old dog new tricks!
Shelter dogs don't get a lot of one-on-one attention from people. They get some from the staff but it's limited. The staff is usually pretty busy and there are usually quite a few dogs to take care of so finding the time for one-on-one attention is difficult. So try to remember that a dog may be very excited when he first meets you. Spend some time with the dog so you can find out what he or she is really like. Spend that time with the dog and you may find that the dog is a lot different than your first impression would have lead you to believe.
If you do adopt a shelter dog be sure to visit a local vet as soon as possible. A healthy pet is a happy pet. If the dog has no known medical history then you have to start developing one. If there is a medical history then it's still important that the dog is current on all vaccinations and treatments. Let the vet tell you what the dog needs.
Good luck if you're considering adopting a dog from a shelter. I'm sure you'll be very glad you did. It's a great feeling to know you may have saved your new, best friend's life.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/eight-things-to-consider-when-adopting-a-shelter-dog-144741.html
About the Author:
Roger Matthews was an animal control officer and abuse investigator in NJ. He is now the webmaster at AnimalRescueGroup.com and a volunteer for Ben's Place, a dog rescue Group in Bonifay Florida. Publication of this article is permitted as long as the resource information remains intact and the links work.
2009-05-18
Teach Your Dog to Fetch Things
Teach Your Dog to Fetch Things by Jeff Nenadic
Having a pet is wonderful as they can be your great friends and companions, and the best stress busters. They may not behave like us, but they do need attention, love, care, and respect. They need to be disciplined just like kids with patience, love and understanding.
If you want your dog to be well behaved and disciplined, you need to have its attention, to make sure that it understands what you are trying to say/teach. No use trying to tell your dog something if it is out of sight or ear shot, for if it isn't interested, it shall not obey and ignore your words; which means it is okay to ignore (a wrong signal).
Before you start teaching, your dog needs to learn to concentrate on you and what you are saying. A simple way to start is via the game of Fetch which can be played with a stick, ball, or cloth. The benefits of the game is that it is interesting, makes the dog learn to observe, understand and respond to you; plus the exercise, and fun that goes along with it.
Please note that your dog might take time to respond, and learn especially the independent and shy dogs plus those who aren't the type to fetch things. Hence, be patient. You shall need to pamper and shower them with love and attention after every session regardless of whether they did what you wanted or not. Remember they need to be trained just as you teach a kid anything new. Moreover, start training early to get better results.
You can start with some colorful thing (cloth/ball/stick) and grab your dog attention by dangling in front of it. If it responds by trying to lick/catch it, throw it at a short distance away from you. Whatever the dog does (sniffing/picking it up), praise it so that it realizes that it has done something good. If the dog picks it up, teach it to return to you through gestures (clapping/waving hands, calling its name) or anything else you think it shall respond to. Don't expect it to fetch or return at once, as taking interest and learning takes time.
You can increase its interest with colorful items, something that moves as movement generally attracts dogs. Get the dog to notice the object by moving/throwing the object, or just letting the dog feel/touch it. If the dog responses slowly, create interest like making it face a wall, so the object (ball) returns back to him.
As the session progresses, gradually increase the distance between the object to fetch and you. Increase the number of fetches until the dog actually picks it and runs away with it. Here, you need to redirect it back to you through a gentle tuck or nudge of the cord tied to its collar.
Hence, it might be tough in the beginning but it pays in the long run to be patient for once the dog learns to fetch and obey you, teaching new tricks or activities become easier.
About the Author
Written by Jeff Nenadic from My Dog Shop - check for current specials on chew toys online.
Having a pet is wonderful as they can be your great friends and companions, and the best stress busters. They may not behave like us, but they do need attention, love, care, and respect. They need to be disciplined just like kids with patience, love and understanding.
If you want your dog to be well behaved and disciplined, you need to have its attention, to make sure that it understands what you are trying to say/teach. No use trying to tell your dog something if it is out of sight or ear shot, for if it isn't interested, it shall not obey and ignore your words; which means it is okay to ignore (a wrong signal).
Before you start teaching, your dog needs to learn to concentrate on you and what you are saying. A simple way to start is via the game of Fetch which can be played with a stick, ball, or cloth. The benefits of the game is that it is interesting, makes the dog learn to observe, understand and respond to you; plus the exercise, and fun that goes along with it.
Please note that your dog might take time to respond, and learn especially the independent and shy dogs plus those who aren't the type to fetch things. Hence, be patient. You shall need to pamper and shower them with love and attention after every session regardless of whether they did what you wanted or not. Remember they need to be trained just as you teach a kid anything new. Moreover, start training early to get better results.
You can start with some colorful thing (cloth/ball/stick) and grab your dog attention by dangling in front of it. If it responds by trying to lick/catch it, throw it at a short distance away from you. Whatever the dog does (sniffing/picking it up), praise it so that it realizes that it has done something good. If the dog picks it up, teach it to return to you through gestures (clapping/waving hands, calling its name) or anything else you think it shall respond to. Don't expect it to fetch or return at once, as taking interest and learning takes time.
You can increase its interest with colorful items, something that moves as movement generally attracts dogs. Get the dog to notice the object by moving/throwing the object, or just letting the dog feel/touch it. If the dog responses slowly, create interest like making it face a wall, so the object (ball) returns back to him.
As the session progresses, gradually increase the distance between the object to fetch and you. Increase the number of fetches until the dog actually picks it and runs away with it. Here, you need to redirect it back to you through a gentle tuck or nudge of the cord tied to its collar.
Hence, it might be tough in the beginning but it pays in the long run to be patient for once the dog learns to fetch and obey you, teaching new tricks or activities become easier.
About the Author
Written by Jeff Nenadic from My Dog Shop - check for current specials on chew toys online.
2009-05-17
How To Make Pupsicles
Summer is just around the corner!!
What better way to help your pet cool off than to make delicious treats?
On this video, The Petside's Sara Radle helps you make your own 'Pup'sicles at home.
This recipe is very interested in and I will definitely try it for my dog!!
I'm sure he will love them!!
What better way to help your pet cool off than to make delicious treats?
On this video, The Petside's Sara Radle helps you make your own 'Pup'sicles at home.
This recipe is very interested in and I will definitely try it for my dog!!
I'm sure he will love them!!
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