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

Monday, January 19, 2009

Important Steps in Yorkie Puppy Care

If you prefer a bouncy, energetic small dog over a calm, lap dog, a yorkie may be a good choice for you.  Yorkie puppy care is no different than shih tzu puppy care or other types of puppy care.  Yorkies need food, attention, water, and a lot of grooming.  Because yorkies have long coats, they require more grooming than those of other toy breeds.

Yorkie Puppy Care and Training

Yorkies are a pretty stubborn breed and can be difficult to train.  Very young yorkie puppies do not learn very fast so you have to be very patient.  Most yorkie owners have success in housetraining their yorkies when they are around 5 to 6 months old.It is important in yorkie puppy care and housetraining to never spank them when they eliminate in the wrong place.Instead, scold them.Yorkie puppies are intent on pleasing their masters and they can understand that you are upset when you scold them.  Do reward a yorkie puppy when he eliminates in his litter box like he is supposed to.

Yorkies are highly energetic and need extra attention for that reason. They tend to expend more energy than they have so it’s important to provide a constant supply of water since dehydration can happen very quickly.  It is also important to be careful that their blood sugar doesn’t get too low.  You can prevent that by giving them a little bit of sweet water or syrup.If that doesn’t do the trick, you should take them to the vet. Generally problems with low blood sugar subside after the puppy reaches 12 weeks of age. 
Yorkies need to be groomed daily because of their long coats.If you don’t brush their coats they will get matted.  In yorkie puppy care it is important to never brush a dry coat.Always spray their coat with a little bit of water and conditioner prior to brushing.Brushing will keep yorkie puppies clean but yorkie male puppies need to be washed with a damp cloth daily on the side of the body where they urinate.

In yorkie puppy care it is important to feed the food recommended by the breeder for the first two weeks.  Yorkie puppies should eat two to three times per day.  After the first two weeks you can start mixing the recommended food with premium dry food.  It’s important to feed your puppy premium food otherwise he can have digestive problems.
In conclusion, yorkie puppy care is not much different from other kinds of puppy care.Your new yorkie will require a lot of love, maintenance and attention but within a few weeks you will surely fall into a comfortable routine.It might seem like a lot of work at first but once you find your rhythm, your yorkie will be like just any other member of your family.

For more about puppies please visit www.puppycareblog.com

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Training a Dog To Have Good Manners

A well-trained dog that knows its place in the family is every dog owner’s goal but can be a difficult achievement. A number of dogs will jump on anybody who is near while others show hostility towards other animals or strangers. Albeit those inclinations might be appropriate sometimes, most people would like their dogs to be pleasant with every person they come in contact with.
 
Do we need to train our dogs? I think it is and most dog owners would think so too. Of course, a well-behaved dog is the ultimate situation, but many owners just don’t have the time to train or the money to hire someone else. Some people don’t want the hassle of the training process, whether they do it themselves or through someone else. The outcome is a dog that may scare others, including family members because it is disobedient. It’s always a good idea to train your dog, keeping safety for itself and others at the forefront.
 
Inexpensive dog training equipment you purchase yourself can make training your dog a little easier.  
 
Lunging ahead on its leash is one way a dog signals that he is in charge and you need to obey it. These kinds of dogs will do anything they want while out walking: chase birds, chase other dogs or cats, and will basically pay little attention to their owner. Owners of these types of dogs get pulled and dragged while the dog wanders in any direction it pleases. 
 
Today you can find walking harnesses, which will help because they are uncomfortable when a dog pulls on them. Without choking the dog, the harness puts pressure on the dog’s armpits when it pulls on its lead. The minute the dog quits pulling, the pressure ceases. The upside is that a dog will want to stay very close to its owner. The dog-walking experience immediately becomes more pleasant and the best part is these leashes require very little skill from the owner. 
 
When your dog is showing good behavior, a little extra attention is the best reward. But when a dog is behaving badly, what can be done? 
 
It is nearly impossible to communicate with your dog while it is misbehaving, which is the most difficult part of changing bad behavior. When a dog is misbehaving, most people say “No!” which works up to a point. 
 
Sending a clear message to dogs is easy to do with one fantastic training device. All you need is a collection of Dog Training Discs. 
 
Each time the dog misbehaves, fling the disc to the ground and say “No!” As the discs bang around together, they will startle your dog no matter what and when that sound is combined with the word "No!", it sends a powerful message to your dog. The dog will soon correlate the discs and the command “No!” In fact, your dog will soon respond to the command of “No!” as it would when it hears the discs hit the ground. 

Using a dog kennel to train your new puppy is a great idea. Dog kennels offer your puppy a place where they can feel secure. Purchase portable dog kennels for your home here.

Your dog’s behavior can improve immensely with these two tools and you won’t spend much in the process. See what you can do to set aside time to train your dog. A dog-training course or even a book may be a great resource for you.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Puppy Training Tips - Dealing With The Shy Pup

training a puppy

The shy puppy is truly a problem child, but his problems are at the opposite end of the spectrum from his pack-leader littermate. This puppy seems to react in fear to almost everything - littermates that play too rough, loud noises, strange people, etc. This little guy needs a slight different set of puppy training tips. People who are not aware of what the situation really is are apt to assume that the puppy has been abused, when that is not the case at all.

I can remember one occasion in particular in which I had a shy puppy born to a litter in which all the other puppies had absolutely delightful temperaments. He evidenced this behavior right from the time his eyes first opened and he began walking around the whelping box. His treatment and experiences were no different than those of the other puppies. Try as I might, I was never really able to conquer the puppy's unfounded fears.

Fortunately, I was able to come across kind and sympathetic owners for the pup. They were mature people with no children who understood the temperament difficulties and yet were happy to provide a home for him. They had experience with training puppies and so the puppy was placed with the family under the provision that, in the event a problem arose that the new owner was not able to cope with, the puppy would be returned to us. In this particular case, however, the puppy grew to adulthood as a quiet, devoted pet While he did improve in his shyness, new situations, strange people, or sudden loud noises were a problem throughout his entire life.

Puppy Temperaments

There are a few puppy training tips or techniques that can tell you a great deal about an individual puppy as well. Cradling a puppy in your arms and holding him on his back can tell you how willing the youngster is to comply with what you want him to do. Checking ears and feet can bring a number of different reactions. Some pups will easily comply; others will offer mild resistance.

The puppy to avoid is the one that becomes terrified at the occurrence of something strange or the one that snaps at being intruded upon. No puppy should be anything less than happy, friendly, and reasonably able to cope with your little experiments.

There are more formal tests that behaviorists can give puppies that can reveal significant details in regard to their potential temperament as adults. These tests begin as early as three weeks and continue on up to three months.

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Training the Australian Shepherd Dog

Owning an Australian Shepherd dog can be a source of pride and joy. This breed is meant for an active lifestyle so be prepared to live one yourself. To be able to maximize the breed’s potential, it is essential to learn some vital facts about training Australian Shepherds. Commonly called Aussies, they originated from the U.S. working as a herding dog in ranches. A medium sized, stout, well-balanced country dog characterized by its triangular shaped ears set high on the side of the head and slightly rounded at the tip. These animals have a strong, deep chest and squarely stand on all fours. Its docked bobtail is one identifying character. Masculinity or femininity is clearly defined in Australian Shepherd dogs. Height: Male 20-23 inches.Female 18-21 inches. Weight: Male 50-65 lbs Female 40-55 lbs.Personality Aussies are high spirited and sociable animals. They love to play around. The rougher the play is the more they enjoy it. Though they are generally playful, they have a tendency to be quiet and reserved around strangers. Dedicated, caring and always ready to please their masters. This animal is known to posses a great instinct when it comes to knowing what their master wants. They do their tasks that are expected of them with a lot of enthusiasm. Kinds would love having this animal to play with but they display a guarded behavior around strangers. it is essential to get them exposed to people and other dogs at an early stage to hone their social skills and learn to discern between a friend and foe. Because herding is inherent with this breed, it is important for them to undergo obedience training to have control over their exuberance around children. Australian Shepherd dog training should involve plenty of brisk activities to enhance their well being. It is recommended to get them into an obedience training school to properly channel and control their liveliness. The energetic nature of Australian Shepherd needs to be channeled to productive tasks, lots of play and active training otherwise their pent up energy will result to destructive chewing and digging. Aussies are happier when they are busy and active instead of just lazing around. Rough and tumble play are part of being a normal Aussie. Australian Shepherd dogs can live up to 12 years or more. Aussie's have generally bigger appetite compared with other dogs of similar size so it is important to give them hefty quality meal. Owning this kind of breed requires a lot of preparation and commitment to get the best out of them. Known to be loyal and hardworking, life with a well-trained Australian Shepherd dogs can be enjoyable and rewarding.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Proper Methods of Shih Tzu Puppy Care

A shih tzu puppy may be a wonderful addition to your family but you have to be versed in how to care for these delicate puppies.  Shih tzu puppy care is not as complicated as say, beagle puppy care, because shih tzu puppies do not need much exercise or to go outside often.However shih tzu puppies do need a lot of rest during their first few weeks of life and you need to be careful not to play with them too much during this time.It is also essential to keep shih tzus from feeling any stress because this can have detrimental effects.

The Importance of Love and Attention in Shih Tzu Puppy Care

Like any breed, shih tzu puppies need love and attention but this breed is particularly needy.  Shih tzu puppy care may be difficult for people who are forced to leave their puppy alone for an extended period.In order to thrive, shih tzu puppies need constant love and attention.If you have a busy schedule and don’t think you will be able to spend much time with your puppy, you might want to reconsider getting a shih tzu.

Leave your shih tzu puppy with a big stuffed animal as a companion and leave him raw hide bones to chew on.  Shih tzu puppies need bones and chewing toys during their teething stage because otherwise they tend to chew on wooden furniture.

Shih tzu puppy care and training is made easier by the fact that shih tzu puppies are very good at learning and following commands.  Shih tzu puppies respond well to the “ee” sound so you should give them a name that incorporates this sound.If you do so, you’ll find that when you give commands your shih tzu will respond more quickly.  When your shih tzu does something wrong such as by eliminating in the wrong place, never respond by hitting him. Scolding goes a long way.

Use potty pads for your shih tzu to eliminate on.  Shih tzu puppies are fast learners and will eliminate on potty pads.  You will be able to tell when your shih tzu puppy wants to eliminate because he will squat.  By taking your puppy immediately to the potty pad when he does this, you will teach him to do it on his own.  Reward your puppy with a special treat if he does it on his own.

Shih tzu puppies between six and twelve weeks of age often suffer from hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar.  This condition is often caused by stress.  If your dog is listless, wobbly, depressed, or starts vomiting, this may be a sign of hypoglycemia.  This is one of the most difficult aspects of shih tzu puppy care because it can come on suddenly and often as a result of the puppy being placed in a new home or being shipped.If your puppy goes unconscious, put a Nutri-cal tablet on his tongue and hold his mouth shut for one minute.Wrap him up in a blanket and take him to the vet immediately.

Feeding your shih tzu puppy a high quality kibble diet of lamb or chicken can go a long way in preventing these attacks from occurring.  
While this only describes the beginning of shih tzu puppy care, don’t feel overwhelmed.  Shih tzu puppies make great companions but there’s no denying that the first few weeks of shih tzu puppy care take some getting used to.  After you find your rhythm you’ll find that a shih tzu puppy is relatively easy to take care of and makes a wonderful addition to the family.

For more about puppies please visit www.puppycareblog.com

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

How To Choose A Pet From A Puppy Adoption Center

One of the best ways to get a puppy for free is to go to a puppy adoption center and adopt a puppy.Not only will you get a dog for free if you adopt a puppy from the puppy adoption center, you also help some poor little fellow find a home. Just think of how happy that little beagle will be if you take it out of the beagle puppy adoption center and bring it home. 

Although adopting a puppy is a good idea, you should be extra careful when it comes to selecting puppies at the puppy adoption center. Bear in mind that most dogs that are rescued have gone through a lot of bad experiences in the past which made then wary about trusting people, especially strangers like you. Since most of these puppies have not really been treated well in the past, many of these are sick and may need a lot of medical attention. To make sure that you get the right puppy from the puppy adoption center, here are some things that you need to do before you decide to bring the puppy home.

Check The Puppy's Medical Record

Before you decide to adopt a puppy, ask for medical records of that puppy first. Most puppy adoption centers keep medical records of the puppies that they have rescued. Just ask the puppy adoption center records officer for the records of the puppy that you want to adopt so that you can study it thoroughly. You may also ask the veterinarian who examined the puppy about the condition of the puppy. Know everything there is to know about the medical condition of the puppy before you bring it home. You don't want to be caught off guard when it comes to your pet's health.

Test The Temperament Of The Puppy

Some puppies are grumpy and some are not. If you don't want to be stuck with a little dog with an attitude, you better give the little fellow a temperament test before you decide to bring it home. For instance, you can roll the puppy on its back and rub its tummy to determine if the puppy likes to be touched. Another way to test the temperament of the puppy is to play with the puppy's ears. Tug and squeeze the ears a little but do not hurt the puppy. If the puppy growls when you try to play with its ears, you would be better off if you just leave the little fellow at the puppy adoption center.

For more about puppies please visit www.puppycareblog.com

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Puppy Growth Rate Explained

 


A new puppy owner is always going to ask the question "How big will my puppy get?"  To determine puppy growth rate, one has to consider a lot of variables to ever be able to get an accurate answer for any individual dog breed.And even then, you will be able to only get an average "puppy growth rate" range...or a ballpark figure.


But how is a person to estimate how big their puppy is going to get?What you need to know is that puppies at different ages are going to grow at different rates.The same way that dogs of different breeds grow at different rates.This will make it very difficult to pin point exactly to the pound, how big your puppy is going to be at one year.  And, if it will continue to grow larger in it's second year.


Determine Puppy Growth Rate

Generally speaking, here is one way to determine puppy growth rate.An adult dog will weigh about twice as much as it did when it was 4 months of age.And the rule of thumb for the giant breeds, your dog is going to double what they weigh at 5 months. 


So, before purchasing a puppy, a person really needs to do their research on all the different breeds of dogs.You have the right to know if your new puppy is going to reach 8, 18, or 118 lbs.You have to be educated on the puppy growth rate of the different dog breeds. 


Different Breeds Grow At Different Rates

An average small breed dog, like a toy poodle will reach full weight by year one, at 8 pounds.A bull dog will reach 20# at one year, and 35# by their second year.A larger breed dog, (such as a german shepherd) will reach 70 pounds by year one, and 75 pounds by year two.And the largest breeds, like the great danes of the world will reach 110 pounds by year one, and 130 pounds by year two.


NOTE: Two male puppies from the same liter can also vary in size, the same way two brothers can be very different in size.(I'm about three inches taller, and fifty pounds lighter than my two brothers)


What About Genetics

This then tells me, that genetics can also play a big part in puppy growth rate.I have a slender, long legged toy poodle at home that was really not suppose to get any bigger than her 6 lb. mother.Instead, she grabbed the genes of her mothers sister, and has topped out at eleven pounds.Just understand that puppy growth rate is an average, an estimate of what your dog could grow up to be.(And don't ask me to trade in my eleven pound poodle for any six pound poodle in the world.)

Find out everything you need to know about your puppy's health.       

Friday, January 2, 2009

Good Reasons to Buy Labrador Puppy

It can certainly be difficult deciding on which breed of dog to buy, but there are many reasons why you should want to buy Labrador puppy. If you are not already aware of the specific reasons why you would want to buy Labrador puppy, you will want to read on to find out more about this.

What Makes the Labrador Such a Great Dog?

There are lots of different reasons as to why you would want to buy Labrador puppy. For one, they are just so darn cute. You will never get tired of looking at your adorable little Labrador puppy, and they are really just one of the cutest little dogs ever. They have such adorable features and if you have kids in the home, they are sure to love it.

Another reason that you would want to buy Labrador puppy is because these dogs are so easily trained. Of course after you buy Labrador puppy it will just be small, and will be very energetic and playful. However, once you start training the dog and teaching them to obey you, you will see how well they listen and respond, especially when compared to other breeds of dog.

The puppy care with a Labrador puppy is much easier than that with many other breeds of dog, so this will be a lot of added convenience for you because you will not have to worry about spending so much time just grooming them.

Once you have put thought into it, if it turns out that you are in fact interested in getting a Labrador puppy, now you will just need to know where to go to buy Labrador puppy. Fortunately, there are quite a few options that you have available to you. Really, the best idea, no matter what breed of dog you are interested in getting, is to check out the pounds and shelters in your area.

This way you can see whether they have any Labrador puppies that you would be interested in buying. This way you are not taking part in the overpopulation of dogs in the world, which is in large part due to breeders who just continue to breed dogs purely for profit – not all, but many. You are giving a home to a dog that has nowhere else to go, and so not only do you get a furry little friend, but you also get to feel good about it too which is nice.

For more about puppies please visit www.puppycareblog.com

Thursday, January 1, 2009

All Dogs Require This Essential Training

Brining home a new dog or puppy is always an exciting time. Owning a dog brings a lot of responsibility. You have to feed her, groom her, provide her with proper health care, and give her a safe place to call home.

One of the best things you can do for your new puppy is to make sure that they have essential dog training.

Discipline and Behavior

You really do not want to have a dog that is misbehaving all the time. Your dog can embarrass you, but even worse they can be dangerous.

Training requires lots of time and patience, but in the end you will have a well behaved dog that you can be proud of. Training will also strengthen the bond between you and your dog. Let your dog know what is considered appropriate behavior by taking the time to train her. For the best results you should start early.

Dog Obedience Training

Obedience training is also an important part of your dog's overall training program. Levels of training varies from basic to advanced.

You should at least provide basic training for your dog or puppy. Basic training includes house training, leash training, and basic commands like sit, stay, and come.

Of course, you can always progress to a more advanced level. Training should continue to make sure that you always have a well behaved dog. You can include training to prevent destructive behaviors like barking, digging, chewing, and aggressive behaviors. Just find a program that meets your needs and provides a results such as Sit, Stay, Fetch.

Puppy Training

Start puppy training from an early age. Some people wait too long to start training their puppies and it makes it a little more difficult and frustrating. Some people believe that it is not possible to train a puppy younger than six months old, but I assure you that is a myth.

The skills that a puppy can learn are limited but you can start teching some of the basic commands right away. Just do some research to make sure you follow the proper techniques.

There are many different sources of information available - dog training books, ebooks, websites, and even complete training programs. Another alternative would be to enroll in group training classes. If you can afford to you may want to consider hiring an experience dog traininer.

Group Training

You can find training classes at the larger pet stores like PetsMart. Because they are in a group setting they are also usually cheaper as well. You can also ask around as your local area animal shelter or other animal groups may offer free or discounted group training classes.

Group training provides your dog with the added benfit of socializing with other dogs and their owners.

Professional Trainers

With a professional trainer you get the benefit of one on one attention. Just be sure to ask around for recommendations so that you can find a trainer who is know to provide results.

You should hire a professional dog trainer for major issues such as dealing with an aggressive dog. This is not something you want to try and handle on your own.

Conclusion

Owning a dog is a huge responsibility. It is also our job as responsible dog owners to make sure that we have well behaved dogs. Just be sure that you go into any training program with an open mind and the right attitude and you will find that it is a rewarding experience.

And remember, you can always search for more information about dogs.