Pet Goddess

You don’t have to get in your car and drive to the library to research puppies or dog training.  On the weekend, or whenever you and your family are all in one place, gather around the computer to research more about your beloved pet. Here are some Internet resources that provide all you ever wanted to know about puppies. Check out the Internet site sponsored by the humane society.  Type the address www.hsus.org into your browser.  This site offers information on all animals not just puppies.  If you are trying to decide if you can handle a puppy in your life, look here first.   Free articles offer information on subjects ranging from what you need to know before adopting a pet, to how to choose a veterinarian.   

When you have decided to get a dog, it’s important to know what breed of puppy works best for you.  There are sites on the Internet that are dedicated to dog breeding information.  They can help you in your search. One such site is the Dog Breed Information Center.  Their website address is www.dogbredinfo.com.  This site lists the names of various dog breeds, along with pictures and statistical information.  If you aren’t acquainted with breeds, you can search according to size.  The information found there is concise, but thorough.  Find out about the life expectancy of various breeds, adult habits, health issues, breed background, and grooming needs.   This particular website is a one stop shop when it comes to learning more about various puppies.  They also offer general articles on puppy and adult dog care. Once you get your puppy, the learning doesn’t stop there.  Every day you are likely to have questions about your new puppy’s care or some odd behaviors that you notice.   Life with your new puppy or dog will be an adventure, and you want to give it the best care possible.  You can find plenty of information regarding your new companion at the following places.

Posted November 30, 2008 Comments(0)

Puppies need a lot of love and care, and do involve cost.  He incurs expenses even before his arrival.  To make sure that puppy’s first day with you is an enjoyable one for everyone involved, stock up on everything that he needs before bringing him home, and then try to be patient as he settles in.   Don’t go wild and buy too much stuff, however, as every dog is different. One will love toys, the next will not care. One will play with a ball for hours, another will just want to sleep in its crate all day. So get the basics, then you can always buy more. Above all, it is better to have a pet showered with love and affection, than a whole bunch of expensive stuff it will never use.  Your biggest investments are good food, basic items like bowls and a collar and leash,  a bed and crate, perhaps a warm, waterproof coat and boots or paw wax for winter depending on where you live and how cold it gets, and lots of love and attention!

Posted November 28, 2008 Comments(0)

You collar and leash can thus be an integral part of your pet training. It is also essential for making sure your pet has an ID tag on it at all times with its name and your contact info.  Even if you have had your dog microchipped, a proper ID tag with your current contact information is the fatest way to make sure you get you pet back if it wanders.   

To satisfy his chewing habits, give puppy some chew toys.  Ones made for dogs are safer than giving him a real bone to gnaw on.  Pieces of the bone could chip off and cause a choking hazard for puppy.   Chew toys like bouncing balls could pose a choking hazard as well if they are smaller than puppy’s jaws, or your new dog is one of the more sharp-toothed breeds.  

Nylabone makes a number of safe bonelike toys, both durable and edible.    Make sure your pet is always supervised when playing.  Be conscious about puppy’s play toys to make them fun, but more importantly, safe for puppy. Never give you pet toys intended for children. They are just ot durable enough. Never give sticks, which can splinter, or chicken bones, which will do the same.

Posted November 26, 2008 Comments(0)

Whenever puppy ventures outdoors, he will need to wear a collar and leash.  They come in all colors, shapes, and sizes.   Puppy’s collar should allow room for growth.  It just needs to keep puppy from getting away, not necessarily make a fashion statement.    Besides, puppy will probably chew on his collar or leash the first few times you put it on him anyway, so spending a fortune on one is not always a good choice.   Some people prefer harnesses, which go around the dog’s legs and chest. We don’t recommend them for large breeds on the ground that it will give them that much more pulling power. Use a regular collar, or a so-called ‘choke chain’ for walking and training. It may sound cruel, but it does give a sense to the dog of how hard he is pulling, and how he needs to stop and take it easy so he is not towing you all around the block.   The way I was trained to use it was to click it, in other words, with a little flick of the wrist, it would make a particular noise, and make the dog pay attention more, to sit, stay, and walk on.  I also had a little clicker for this, and a small metal tin with treats in it for reinforcement.

Posted November 24, 2008 Comments(0)

Another reason we do not recommend letting the dog sleep in your bed is that it can make them very bossy. Dogs are pack animals, and if it thinks it is the leader or alpha, it can become bossy, herding, or even aggressive. Allowing it to sleep in the bed will give it the idea that it is the alpha.  Likewise, sitting with you on the furniture, or you getting down on the floor lower than it, winning at  a tug of war, or allowing it to walk ahead of you and pull on the leash will all give it the idea that it is the boss, so if you want to be in control of a well-adjusted dog, give your dog a new bed of its own from the moment it arrives at your house. 

A puppy is also a den animal, so it is good for yor new family member to have a specific place of its very own, and a place to keep its toys and safe nylabones. A crate is also a must for this, and when you want to confine him and have him rest and be able to get away from the rest of the family.   It is not a cage for punishment. The crate should allow for growth but not be so large that puppy is scared of it.  Later, you will show puppy how to enjoy his second home. A crate is also a great way to housetrain your pet. They don’t tend to soil in their dens and so going ‘outside’ will soon get them in the habit of doing their business outside.

Posted November 22, 2008 Comments(0)

Bowls for water and food are needed for feedings.  One set will do and they don’t have to be fancy, just durable.  Place them in the area where puppy will regularly receive his meals, and try to keep to a feeding schedule and routine.  Again, read his bag of kibble, measure out the portions as indicated for size and breed for a day, and have the dry food at the ready for him. You puppy or new dog should NEVER be fed table scraps. Puppy will also need somewhere to sleep.  It may be cute the first few weeks to have puppy in the bed with you, but that can get rather annoying, especially if he soils in the house, and can often lead to mixed messages.     Puppy can toss and turn as he likes in his own bed.  Puppy may go through several beds before it’s all said and done, with chewing, pee and poo, and so on, so spending a lot on the first one is not advised.

Posted November 20, 2008 Comments(0)

Bringing puppy home is a momentous occasion.  Everyone looks forward to the new addition to the family.  But, before your new puppy or dog comes home, there are a few things you need to make sure that you purchase. Most of the items that you purchase for puppy will be one-time purchases.  Acquiring these items on sale at pet department stores can save a ton of money.  Clipping coupons from the Sunday newspaper will provide cost-cutting savings for you as well.  Puppies need a balanced diet.  Don’t buy puppy food because the commercials say that pets deserve gourmet food.  It does not know the difference, and does not need variety.  A simple bag of high-quality puppy formula kibble will do, so long as the dog does not demonstrate allergies.  If it throws up, refuses to eat, or is generally very gassy, you may have to think about changing its food. Some dogs can react to poultry, while lamb and rice is generally considered to be a hypoallergenic food suited to all stomachs. Dry food is recommended for puppies rather than the wet, which might spoil if it is not all eaten.   The brand that you choose should be based on nutritious ingredients, and as Whole Dog Journal recommends, single source protein and carbohydrate, as opposed to a huge long list of ingredients including meat by products, is ideal.  If you are not sure which to choose, find out what your dog was eating before it came to you, or ask your vet for suggestions.

Posted November 18, 2008 Comments(0)

One other thing to consider is to ,make sure the name is easy to spell and pronounce, when you take him to the vet or have to board him, and always make sure your animal is wearing a tag.  

You might even consider microchipping your dog just to be on the safe side, so if it ever wanders, it can be reunited with you easily so long as someone turns it into a vet or shelter. 

Take your time when naming puppy.  Consider his behavior and personality, but above all, treat him with dignity when it comes to naming him.  He’ll thank you for taking the time to consider a good name for many years to come.

Posted November 16, 2008 Comments(0)

Dog experts recommend short names that end in vowel sounds.  Most commands don’t end in vowel sounds, so puppy won’t get confused when he’s called.   If you own a Dachshund, you can name him “Hero” like a hero sandwich.  These dogs always remind me of a sausage without the bun.  The name is short, easy to remember, and not disrespectful to puppy. Actually, it is quite a brave name for your little guy.Below is a list of the more popular names for dogs.  Choose a name from this list or come up with your own.

* Max

* Lady

* Lucy

* Princess

* Rusty

* Rocky

* Buster

* Shelby

* Jake

* Ginger

* Sandy

* Sophie

* Sparky

* Buddy

* Missy

Posted November 14, 2008 Comments(0)

If names are too long, puppy won’t remember it, and others might not either.  One simple rule to make choosing a name for your puppy easier is to keep it to three or less syllables. One syllable is ideal, especially if you have to call the name quickly. Also, think about what your puppy’s name may sound like to him or her.  If it sounds like a command, he may take off running or jump at the mailman instead of sitting down.   

Puppy names that are similar to the commands you give can be confusing to your pup.  If you use these commands:  sit, run, stop, quiet, stay, heel, roll over, and fetch, don’t use puppy names like Fletch, Kit, Sun, Bill, and Cole.  Pets are not people, but they do deserve respect as another member of the family.  You are supposed to be welcoming them into your home and your life.  Names like Butt, Loser, Dummy, and Nitwit are demeaning. Four letter words are also inappropriate, and not ones you want to shout when you are walking down the street or in a crowded park. 

Nasty names encourage teasing from others who come in contact with your puppy, and disrespect.  Most animals don’t like to be teased, especially dogs.  They can respond by biting or pouncing on the unfortunate teaser.   They can also sense the energy behind the way you speak to it and the words you use, so anything negative should be discouraged. 

Posted November 12, 2008 Comments(0)