Pet Goddess

On the whole, we recommend a stationary, wire mesh crate. Consider the size of your pet and plan ahead. Buy a crate that will accommodate your dog at an adult size.

If you buy a crate that the right size for your puppy, it may only be useful for 6 months. Look for a crate which has an adjustable panel so the crate can expand in length as the puppy grows. It must always be tall enough for it to stand up.

Comparison shop for price. Don’t be tempted by lots of extras. One door is sufficient, and you can make your own cover as we suggested above. A basic crate is an essential part of training a happy and well-adjusted dog, but it should not have to cost an arm and a leg.

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Posted August 31, 2008 Comments(0)

Solid Frame Crates are constructed from plastic, fiberglass or Plexiglas and are most commonly used for your dog’s travel needs. They are sturdy and have solid bottoms. Usually only the sides of these crates are slotted for ventilation.

Most of these crates have separate tops and bottoms that are assembled and secured with nuts and screws. The top usually has a handle.  The front of the kennel frame supports a wire door. They are easy to take apart for cleaning and storage. They are also commonly referred to as pet carriers.

This type of kennel is a good choice for transporting your pet to the veterinarian and is good for air travel, depending on the size of the plastic crate and the breed of dog.

This type of crate also provides a greater degree of protection for your pet if something should fall on the kennel or if it bangs into anything, as compared with a soft-sided crate.

Since this kennel has fewer ventilation slats along the overall surface of the crate, the interior of the kennel is darker and may be a more desirable environment for quieting an anxious pet.  We will have other valuable hints and tips for traveling on a plane with your dog in a a later article.

Soft-sided Kennels are like gym bags. All the sides are made from breathable fabric and are ventilated with nylon mesh netting. These types of carriers are good for small dogs of about 10 pounds or less.

They are comfortable,  but give little protection against shocks. The dog is allowed to travel in the cabin if the carrier fits under the seat. Some airlines require them to have a frame for support, to ensure a small dog does not get crushed if something knocks into it.

Some load from the top, while others load from a zippered end panel. I have seen dogs fall out of the zippered end panel hear first onto the hard tiled floors of airports because their owners did not close them up properly. These carriers should be used for short local trips only. They are usually far too small to be used for training purposes for anything other than the smaller breeds of dogs.

Posted August 29, 2008 Comments(0)

There are wire frame crates, solid frame crates, and soft-sided crates, but the wire frame crates allow for ventilation and easy cleaning. They usually have a plastic tray that slides in an out, which can be kept clean and fresh-smelling if you puppy has any accidents.  Just be careful not to slide it our when the pet is in there! It can pinch or crush their little paws.

The wire framed ones are also great because the plastic tray can be used in the back of a car even if you can’t have the whole thing erected inside the back of the car.  They can also be folded up flat and easily moved from one place to another if you are travelling with the dog. It can fit in the back of an SUV, or in the cargo hold of a plane.

For a small dog, you might decide on a soft-sided one for travelling in a car or plane.  If the case can fit under the seat, most airlines will allow it to go inside the cabin.

Otherwise, the dog carrier will have to be checked through as baggage. Some airlines provide crates, others do not, so having a wire framed crate for your dog can save a lot of time and money, especially if you travel a lot.

The wire frame type of crate is especially useful for house training and protecting young puppies or dogs that may become destructive when left alone in the house. It is great for keeping your away from chewing things like electrical wires, or constantly being pestered by well-meaning but persistent new owners, especially children.

When selecting a  wire crate, check for any sharp edges. Be careful with  the front door to see if it is spring loaded. These doors are not recommended because they can snap shut on a paw or tail.

Some breeders and owners say a dog feels too exposed in a wire frame crate.  You can always drape it with a sheet or towel on one or more sides if you think the dog is acting nervous in his or her crate. Generally speaking, crates are clean, multipurpose, comfortable and good for travel.

Continued in Guide to Buying a Pet Crate Part 4

Posted August 27, 2008 Comments(0)

First, estimate the dog’s size as a puppy, and as a full grown dog.
Your puppy should be able to stand, lie down, or sit in any position in the crate without restriction, and allow him room to grow. The crate should be large enough to accommodate a food bowl, and a water bowl, or a water bottle attachment.

Also, buying for the adult size of your dog (if he is a puppy) will allow you to use it for the rest of his life. Many crates now come with an adjustable inner wall so the size of the crate can adjust with him as he grows.  Start out small and snug, so he will feel safe, then gradually slide it over to give him more and more room, until eventually he has access to the whole thing.

This strategy will also make toilet training easier, since animals rarely like to soil their den. So as soon as they get out of the confined space, they will be eager to relieve themselves, and then once that business is taken care of neatly outside with a minimum of fuss, you can enjoy your pet and your walk.

Next, decide on where you are going to put the crate-what part of your home are you going to reserve for your new pet. Measure the size, and then double the length for access, in order to make sure you can slide out the plastic tray at the bottom for easy cleaning.

The you should consider the style you want for the crate, durabillity, and multipurpose functionality. You have many choices available to you.

Continued in Guide to Buying a Pet Crate Part 3

Posted August 25, 2008 Comments(0)

A pet crate is not just for puppyhood, it should be for life.

Because dogs are den animals, a crate is a great home to a dog. It can be a place where he can feel safe, keep his toys, and generally go when he needs a rest or time to himself.

A dog should never ever be allowed to sleep in your bed. It will give him too much status in the household, and make him think he is the alpha of the pack rather than you.

Many people think of the outdoor dog house or run as the place where a pet will spend most of its time, but even if your dog is primarily outdoors, a crate is very useful indoors.

It gives you more control over your new dog’s access to the house (and things it can chew!), visitors, keeps them out of the kitchen at mealtimes, and more. You also can’t leave a puppy outside for long periods of time, especially not in hot or cold weather.

A crate allows the pet inside the house, where they can observe their humans and learn the family routine and be trained in a controlled situation.

In addition, getting your dog into the habit of using a crate will help with boarding and kennel situations if your pet can’t travel with you.

If do you take your dog on the road, a crate is safer for travel for both of you. You will  not be distracted, and he will not be a danger to himself bouncing all over the place. The crate can provide an area of comfort, and easy clean up for a scared or anxious, or car sick dog.

Dogs can be just as easily injured in a car as a human when an accident occurs, resulting in death, or thousands of dollars of vet’s bills, so a crate, and a dog seat belt, are something you should consider sooner rather than later if you plan to travel with your pet.

So a crate is a great investment for on the road, as well as in the home.

We will be talking about crate training in another article. For now we want to focus on choosing the RIGHT crate before you get your puppy or new dog home.

Continued in Guide to Buying a Pet Crate Part 2

Posted August 23, 2008 Comments(0)

Every animal should be treated humanely—the basics are food, water, shelter, a bed of their own, exercise, companionship, attention, grooming as needed. All too often, they end up neglected.

I have NEVER seen dogs in such bad condition as our two owner surrenders, our westie and our other cocker, matted, emaciated, and with their toenails curled around growing in their paw pads.

If a person really has no time (often the people who watch TV or talk on their cell phones the most!)  the dogs are better off being given to someone who will care for them, than left to languish in a crate, or slapped out of the way if they try to act frisky, which of course is a Westie’s nature!

If you want a pet that will be seen but not heard, don’t get a dog.

Also get a dog that you can safely and effectively handle. An eskimo dog is lovely, right enough, but it is only a few steps removed from a wolf, they shed incredibly, and they are so powerful that they can easily wrench a grown man’s shoulder from its socket if they get too lively on a walk down the street (my friend actually ended up building a wheeled sled for his dog to tow him on after the second time it happened. Then they got on fine).

Also keep in mind that however helpful and engaged you want your children to be in the dog raising process, you are the adult, and the one in charge. You have to take ultimate responsibility for the dog’s training, and all its needs, to be the alpha or top dog of the pack.

If you are not prepared to have that responsibility, then a puppy is not for you. As for an adult dog, yes, they are easier, in that they are full grown and have a developed personality, but you need to make sure getting a dog is not a spur of the moment decision you will regret later.

You might even consider agreeing to be a foster parent to a dog or more than one dog, to see if the breed and the responsibility level are right for you. Especially given this economic climate, it is hard to find adoptee families.  The rescue group will usually fit all the vet’s bills, you just have to provide love and attention and a good environment, water and a place to hang their leash so they are not caged all the time. They might even pay for the food (though it would be nice to help them out given times are so tough).

Do your research, and decide, puppy, or adult dog, foster, or adoption. And just remember, often you will be saving an adult dog’s life by rescuing them.  Just make sure you make the right choice for the whole family, but especially for the puppy or dog.

Posted August 21, 2008 Comments(0)

Are you really ready for a puppy?

If you have come to the conclusion, after you have taken the questionnaire, that you might not have the time needed to properly train, groom, house train and socialize a puppy, but still think you would like a pet, why not consider adopting an adult dog from one of the many breed rescue centers around the country, or look on PetFinder.org?

An adult dog is already pretty well-trained and socialized, and I hate to say it, are often the cast off puppies that were soooo cute that EVERYONE wanted, but didn’t want to spend time on or know how to handle. Some of them might have issues, some have been neglected and treated cruelly.

It is a sad fact that in the US, the puppy mills are breeding them faster than the ASPCA and others can put them down.  A dog over 6 years is often considered unadoptable because of the fixation people have with puppies. Ones with health issues, or behavioral issues like food aggression, shyness, nervousness, or wariness towards children, are often relegated to be put down through no real fault of their own, but that of their previous owners.

One of the good things about the rescue places that work with PeFinder is that you can learn a lot about the animal online long before you ever meet it. They are put in foster homes and tested to see how they react to cats, other dogs, children. They are vetted, so any health issues can be identified and dealt with.

They are often very loving animals, appreciative of a second chance, and very aware of not making any missteps in their new home.

Keep in mind that there is often nothing wrong with these dogs other than age—they get a new pet, and all of a sudden, the old one is out. Or, the first dog acts upset at the interloper, and they get punished, as happened to our cocker spaniel, if they get aggressive trying to defend their territory or get a share of the food and water!

Posted August 19, 2008 Comments(0)

Before taking any action to fulfil your desire for a puppy, sit down and answer all these questions honestly:

Do you have children?
What ages?
Do you have other pets?
How many?
What kinds?
Do you live in an apartment?
Do you own, or rent?
Are pets allowed in your building?
Do you live in a house?
Do you have a fenced-in yard?
Do you have wall to wall carpeting, or area rugs?
How much time will you have to walk the dog?
How much time will you have to train it?
Groom it?
How houseproud are you?
How many visitors do you have to your home daily?
Weekly?
Who are they, how often?
What job do you do?
Does it require you to be out of the house for long periods of time?
To travel?
How many people live with you?
Who else is going to share the responsibility for the new dog’s needs and training?
What size dog do you want?
What breed were you interested in?
What do you know about their characteristics and personality?

These are all factors which you must decide upon before you decide on what type of dog you wish to own. Adopting a pup should not be taken lightly. It should be a well thought out decision which involves the entire family.

Even the best trained dog can get itself into a bit of mischief now and again. Puppies, adolescent and adult dogs can all also act out if they are bored or stressed.

Have you done your research on the breed you want? One of the great things about the internet is you can look up pretty much any breed and learn more about it. For example, a beagle is a great dog, but it is stubborn, and often barks or even bays at the moon, not a good choice if you live in an apartment building.

Go over the list of questions, and if you still think you can handle a dog, so on like to All about Dogs and take the quizzes there to narrow down perhaps 4 or 5 breeds that you might consider adopting. Even if you think you just want a mutt, it is good to know the characteristics of each dog breed it bears the genes of.

Posted August 17, 2008 Comments(0)

Like infants, puppies need regular visits to the vet, but unlike the, these costs are not usually covered by insurance, unless you take out a policy or get one through the kennel club or through the place where you are adopting the pup.

They need house training, behavior training and socialization, education, if you will.  They need to be fed, watered, walked, at least several times a day and taught to act responsibly in a variety of situations, not least around children and other dogs.

Puppies go through a teething stage where they feel the irresistible urge to chew on everything in your house, and chewing also soothes and calms them.

We also need to be reminded that the cute cuddly puppy stage does not last long. Their size, temperament, activity level and coat all change. Puppies grow up very quickly into adult dogs.

In between the puppy and adult stage is a rebellious adolescent phase, where puppies require almost constant supervision, and will test their boundaries and your patience to the limit.

Depending on the breed, by the time puppies are one year old, they are considered adult dogs. Some breeds of dogs take longer to mature out of their adolescent phase than others, perhaps up to two years for large breeds, but most dogs are adult within 6 months to a year.

If you get them when they are 2 to 3 months old, (and we don’t generally recommend they be taken from their mother at less than 8 weeks), that means less than one year will be spent in cute cuddly puppy stage, compared to the next 10 to 15 years you will be living with the adult dog.

Puppies are cute, but by no means should one choose their dog solely on the looks of the pup. If you do not choose the right type of dog, your adult dog could grow up to be a holy terror, one not suited to you, your family, or your lifestyle and circumstances.

In the next section, we will list some questions you need to take a long hard think about before you opt for bringing any puppy or dog into your home.

Posted August 15, 2008 Comments(0)

Puppies for sale
Puppies free to good home

One thing we can all agree on, puppies are cute.

All too often I get asked, “What kind of dog is that?”

In most cases the person is pointing at an adorable picture or living example of a very young puppy.

Then they say, “Oh, how cute.”

The trouble is, those adorable little puppies grow up to be adult dogs, who are not always quite so pretty and charming.

Puppies can be cute and adorable. They can also be a lively and willful handful that can cause pandemonium and destruction.

It is true, you can pick them up and cuddle with them, but the trouble is, you haven’t got 18 years to try to raise them right before they go off to college. At best you have about 3 months, and frankly, some people have no clue how to go about succeeding.

Raising puppies is similar to raising children in a lot of respects. Puppies are babies and like human babies. They need a lot of sleep and will often fall asleep on your lap. Who can resist these adorable puppies.

But puppies can also be mischievous, defiant and destructive. Getting a puppy is a lot of work and a long-term commitment, a 15 year marriage with no divorce unless you want a traumatized older animal on your hands. It is til death of the pet do you part, and definitely in sickness (and vet’s bills) and in health.

It is a time and financial commitment that needs to be thought through carefully.

Don’t get me wrong, it is terrific if you want to go to rescue an animal from one of the many shelters that are packed full at the moment. But you owe it to yourself and the pet to stop and think about what you are letting yourself and your family in for before you make that choice.

Posted August 13, 2008 Comments(0)