Tuesday, February 17, 2009

My Practical Advice For Taking Care Of The Needs Of Your Small Dog Breed

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. The small dog has some specific needs and the owner has to make the necessary compromise whenever needed. If you look at the daily dog care schedules, you would also notice the several adaptations that have been made to them.

Feeding:

Some of the standard size food you may provide a larger dog ma not be suitable to a smaller breed. You may need to go along to a larger pet food store if you want to find a kibble that will not be to big for his (or her) tiny jaw. Canned soft foods are also perfectly suitable for tiny canines.

Where they will stay - safely:

All dogs need exercise and a safe place to potty outdoors, and a fenced-in yard provides all the security they need, right? 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. Fences also can't provide overhead protection from large hawks, which sadly have been known to carry tiny dogs and puppies away. An answer to this might be to have a fully enclosed run or area for them to run around in.

How to train the dog:

While the training methodologies may be the same for large as well as tiny and are not any harder, but canine experts confirm that more often than not, the smaller counterparts are usually over-mothered. However tiny your dog may be, the small dog is still a follower of pack behavior where the important thing to remember is that you do not lead the pack, the dog does. It may seem like a minor matter but just because they are diminutive and the mess they leave might not be much, it doesn't mean they do not need to be house trained. To make the dog obey your commands, dog experts recommend that the dog must be made to work for you. Before you reward him with a treat or with his meal for having obeyed your commands, make his sit or run or do small tricks.

Dog collars:

Shop for great deals on small dog collars online. You can find many kinds, styles and designs. Just remember that you want the small dog collar to be comfortable and not interfere with their breathing or comfort. Compare and get a great deal on small dog collars by browsing online stores. then when you find the one you like you can either buy it from the online store or at your local pet store, whichever has the best price.

Doing something about the way your dog looks:

A small dog needs special sprucing and you have to bear this in mind. 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 small 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. Brushing his teeth twice a week is mandatory, especially if he is on soft canned foods. Small dog care is not that different for a large one except you have to be aware of certain needs that will affect a smaller animal. These may seem like inconsequential points but they can and will make a big difference to your pets health and happiness.

Saturday, January 31, 2009

My Valuable Guidelines For Taking Care Of Your Small Dog

Small dogs are easy to care for. The small dog has some specific needs and the owner has to make the necessary compromise whenever needed. The following is a list of things you ought to do every day for the dog, and you would notice how adjustments have been made to accommodate the dog needs.

Feeding time:

Some of the standard size food you may provide a larger dog ma not be suitable to a smaller breed. You may need to go along to a larger pet food store if you want to find a kibble that will not be to big for his (or her) tiny jaw. Canned soft foods are also perfectly suitable for tiny canines.

A place to run around:

Most dogs just require a properly fenced in yard for them to be safe - well that's what the general belief is. Smaller dogs are much more nimble that larger dogs and what might be a secure environment for one is not necessarily for the other. Another problem is safety from above because it has been known for large birds of prey to swop down and carry of tiny dogs without any problem whatsoever. A covered kennel run might better meet your pet's needs.

How to train your small dog:

The problem with this is that most tiny dogs are spoilt by their owners even though they should not be any harder to train - according to dog experts. No matter if he fits in a purse or a pocket, your small dog still sees the world in terms of pack behavior, and if you're not leading the pack, he is. One of the most important aspects of training is that the dog must imperatively be house trained even if the mess seems insignificant. Dogs are naturally working creatures with many types bred purely for this function so this should also refer to your pet too. By this it means teaching them to run and fetch, to sit and lay down etc.

Purchasing small dog collars:

You can find all kind of small dog collars online. There are a variety of different styles you can choose from: studded and plain to leather. Whichever small dog collar you choose for your pet be sure it is comfortable. You want to be able to have enough space between the dog collar and their neck.

Doing something about the way your dog looks:

A small dog needs special sprucing and you have to bear this in mind. 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 small 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. Brushing his teeth twice a week is mandatory, especially if he is on soft canned foods. Small dog care is not that different for a large one except you have to be aware of certain needs that will affect a smaller animal. These may seem like inconsequential points but they can and will make a big difference to your pets health and happiness.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Puppy Obedience Training: Scolding Never Achieves Much

A new puppy is going to be your constant companion for a good many years and to ensure that the time that you share with him will be filled with joy you will first of all need to look at different kinds of puppy obedience training methods. Once you find a few options it is then up to you to decide which of them is most suited for your puppy. That you should begin training your puppy when he is still quite young is a given. What’s more, you can also choose between doing the puppy obedience training on your own or you can seek out a professional to do the training for you.

Fond Memories

Though there are many advantages to getting a professional to do the puppy obedience training for you, it will however still mean that you won’t have too many fond memories to enjoy later on. It is therefore a good idea to think about imparting puppy obedience training on your own. Obviously, there are right ways as well as wrong ways of going about puppy obedience training. The proper way means that you should approach the task with a positive bent of mind and also have the right attitude before even setting out to train your puppy.

The wrong way means approaching the puppy obedience training with a negative bent of mind and also being in a foul mood because of the difficulties that will be encountered along the way. However, you should not make common mistakes and instead must do things the proper way by for example choosing an appropriate place where you can begin the puppy obedience training. A backyard is as good a starting off place as any other place and so too is a living room.

Some of the simpler commands that must be taught to the puppy are “Sit” and “Stay”. Every time your puppy follows his puppy obedience training command you must then give him a treat and also praise him so that he understands that he is doing something right. fail to obey the commands given by you.

Repetition is the key to succeeding with puppy obedience training and so you will need to be patient and consistent so that you give your puppy clear and unambiguous commands which must be obeyed at all times.

Puppy training pads are often used by pet owners to teach a puppy where he should do his poop. The best way to ensure that your puppy obedience training efforts pay off is to first call out your puppy’s name and follows that with the command you wish him to obey. Calling his name ensures that your puppy understands that he is being spoken to and this will ensure that he will respond to the command that follows his name.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Crate Training A Puppy

It is a good idea to think about crate training a puppy as this will prove to be very useful whenever you have to leave your pet by himself, especially at those times when you have to go out at night or are otherwise away from home for extended periods of time. At the same time, crate training a puppy also benefits your puppy because he will get some space to call his own and this space will allow him to feel secure knowing that no one else has any right to use this space.

Buy A Crate That Is Of The Right Size

To achieve more success when crate training a puppy you need to first of all purchase the right crate that should also be large enough in size to allow him to move about freely and which will also be large enough for him after he has grown to his full size. Of course, you can also choose to buy a different crate for him once he is fully grown; however, buying a one-size-fits-all crate does have its own uses.

When you begin crate training a puppy you will notice that your puppy will show a certain amount of curiosity regarding his crate and so it will pay to place the crate in a central part of the home where he can sniff it and become accustomed to his crate. Next, you should deposit all of the toys as well as his blankets in his crate and also ensure that the crate is comfortable for him so that he can spend more time in it.

Your puppy will take a certain time to get used to using the crate and so, when crate training a puppy you need to always exercise patience and not try and rush him too much. It is important that you also inculcate in the mind of the puppy that his crate is his second home and not some kind of jail.

In the beginning, crate training a puppy requires placing your puppy into the crate and leaving him there for about fifteen minutes and at the same time ensure that you stay well clear of the crate during this time. After that you can let him out and perhaps give him a treat and also praise him for having used the crate. With repetition, these simple steps should help you succeed in crate training your puppy and you can also gradually allow him to spend more time in the crate till he becomes very accustomed to it.

House training your puppy is a necessity because only after your puppy is properly housebroken can you truly enjoy keeping a pet in your home. After your pet starts to show that he likes to go to his crate to take a nap you can then relax knowing that you have succeeded with crate training a puppy.

Friday, January 23, 2009

Puppy Training Tips: Be Consistent, Gentle And Firm

One of the best things about housebreaking your puppy is that the whole exercise of puppy training can prove to be a very enjoyable experience. Though it is fun training your puppy, puppy training also offers a good opportunity for you to educate your puppy and this in turn means that you will need to take the whole exercise very seriously. Also, by following the right kind of puppy training tips you will soon come to learn that it is also possible to employ play as an effective tool to teach your young puppy elementary aspects of proper behavior.

Early Start Is Recommended


Essentially, a good puppy training tip will be able to show you three essential aspects to training your puppy and needing to start the training process as early as is possible is one of these aspects. Next, you need to let your puppy understand the meaning of the word “NO” and you pet should be taught that this command must always be obeyed instantly.

Yet another important puppy training tip understands that a puppy is quite attuned to inflecting from the tone of his master’s voice what is being said. So, by showing your displeasure through use of a negative and forceful command you can let the puppy know that he is doing something wrong. The puppy on the other hand will act according to his personality and may growl at you or try and wiggle his way out of the situation. Repeating the “NO” command should help in getting the message across.

Another useful puppy training tip is learning to be gentle though firm with your puppy during the training process and to also be consistent with the training so that your puppy does not get confused by your inconsistent behavior.

There are several puppy training tips available in regard to imparting proper potty training and by using these tips you can greatly simplify the whole training process. One thing that is emphasized in all puppy training tips is understands the importance of timing your training right. If you teach your puppy after he has been caught in the act of doing something wrong chances of success will be greater because puppies have short attention spans and will not be able to correlate actions that took place more than a few seconds ago.

There are also many puppy training tips available to show you that there are many benefits to crate training a puppy. One final puppy training tip worth following is understands that it is imperative that you train your dog to never bit a human being. Though this is a difficult aspect to training your puppy it must be dealt with at the very earliest. Otherwise you might end up fighting battles in court because your puppy went and bit someone.

Only after your puppy has begun to show that he can obey your commands can you then look forward to many pleasant moments in his company.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Tips On How To Come Up With An Appropriate Puppy Name

Having done everything possible to bring home a pet that suits your lifestyle and who is a breed that has all the desirable characteristics it is then up to you as a pet owner to find a suitable puppy name for your new acquisition. You should expect that during the course of his life you would be calling your puppy by his name more than thirty thousand times. Not only that, but many times pet owners would like to change their puppy name during the course of the first year of pet ownership.

No Common Commands Please

It therefore stand to reason that you give as much care to choosing the right puppy name as you did in choosing the right puppy. There are several factors that you will need to look at before picking your puppy name. for one, don’t pick a name that is a typical command such as Stay, Go, and Sit as this will only cause confusion in the minds of the pets at the time that you start training them.

Another aspect to picking the right puppy name is to pick something that will be relevant to your pet throughout his lifetime and at the same time you should avoid choosing names that your pet will soon outgrow. Next, you should try and ensure that you pick a puppy name that contains one or even two syllables as these kinds of names are easy for the dog to understand and so training he will prove to be that much easier.

You should also not pick a puppy name that is trendy for the present but which will soon become passé. In addition, in case you are adopting an adult dog it makes no sense in renaming him and it is much better to stick with his original name. After all, you don’t want to confuse your pet by changing his name after he has become accustomed to a particular name.

It is also not a good idea to choose a puppy name to be something that is named after certain people as this can, under certain circumstances, prove to be offensive to those who have similar names. Other aspects to choosing the right puppy name include not choosing a name that can cause you embarrassment; rather, you should pick a name that matches your pet’s personality or unique appearance.

Dogs are very popular additions in movies and part of the reason for this popularity is that they are stars in their own right. In case you want your puppy to also star in a movie you will need to take puppy pictures of your pet and then use the picture to apply for a role for your puppy in an upcoming movie. It therefore makes sense to shoot pictures of your puppy in the most attractive poses so that the agency will be impressed enough to give your puppy a role.

For more about puppies please visit www.puppycareblog.com

The Basics of Puppies Care

If you think all you have to do is play with your puppy and feed him in order to take care of him, think again.  Puppy care is a huge responsibility and it is much like taking care of a small child.  If you have a full breed puppy, you have to find out how to take care of the specific breed because the protocol can be different.  For example, Chihuahua puppy care requires certain types of food for optimum health and different vaccinations than other breeds.

Food Basics of Puppy Care

Choose a dry food and avoid cheap, generic brands in puppy care.Buy only brand name dog foods to make sure you are getting a quality product.  If you have a large breed dog, choose food made for large breed dogs.  Don’t judge dog foods by their vitamin and mineral content because often times over-supplementation of vitamins and minerals can lead to hip dysplasia.  
Try not to give your puppy too many special treats like milk bone biscuits in puppy care because they are not that nutritional.  Canned dog food is okay on occasion but it is best to stick with dry food because it is inexpensive, easy, and better for your puppy’s teeth.  In puppy care it is important to avoid giving human food to your puppy because it can cause digestive problems.

In young puppy care, it is best to offer food three times a day.If your puppy doesn’t feel hungry that often, you can reduce the frequency and when he reaches around 10-12 weeks of age you can start feeding your puppy twice a day.  It’s not good to feed your puppy only once a day because he will get so hungry in between meals that he will overeat at the next meal.

In puppy care, it is best to let your puppy eat as much as he wants during a 15 minute period and then take the dish away.  It’s not good to provide freely available food.  This can lead to your puppy becoming overweight and getting hip dysplasia and other health problems later in life.  When overfed, your puppy will also stop enjoying food altogether.  

The Importance of Shots in Puppy Care

Your puppy loses his natural immunity to disease somewhere between six and sixteen weeks of age.  Fortunately there are new vaccines that can protect your puppy from most diseases.  It is very important to take your puppy to the vet and get vaccines but until then, make sure your puppy stays away from areas frequented by other dogs.Also avoid letting your puppy come into contact with stray dogs and sick dogs.

So there you have it.  Puppy care may not be as easy as you thought it was but by following the right protocol your puppy will be healthy.  The most important aspects of puppy care are proper feeding and shots.  If you follow these basic steps, your puppy will be healthy and vibrant and will rarely have to see a vet.

For more about puppies please visit www.puppycareblog.com