Socialize Your Puppy

Since the holidays seem to be a time when people tend to give puppies as a gift to a child or to an adult, it is necessary for the individual to realize how important it is to socialize the puppy.

The most important time in a puppy's life is the period between 4 weeks to 16 weeks of age. During this period of sensitivity, puppies are more open to forming social relationships than in any other period of their lives.

For a puppy during this period, people who are unfamiliar can become friends within a short period of time with friendly interaction. They are more apt to make friends not only with people, but also with other dogs and animals. Without this interaction many dogs become shy and unresponsive to meeting new people and other animals.

My neighbor has a wonderful puppy that is part poodle and part Yorkshire Terrier. He is adorable, but due to the fact he has only known his two pet parents and has had no interaction with others until he was about 8 months old he is extremely shy and reserved around other people.

As the puppy matures, social relationships become harder and sometimes a dog will not relate to anyone (dogs and people included.) The lack of socialization and genetics can make it impossible for a dog to relate to anyone that is not familiar.

Why is this a problem? Well, in the real dog world, there comes a time when a dog has to go into unfamiliar surroundings. For example, seeing the veterinarian or the dog groomer, these are people who need to handle the dog in certain ways.

You maybe able to hug and pet your dog, look at its ears and even open its mouth, but what about a stranger trying to do that? Many vets have told pet owners not to bring their dogs back because the dog was so unfamiliar with someone else handling it, it became aggressive.

It is important that your puppy grows into a dog that allows itself to be handled not only by its vet, but the groomer, boarding kennel staff or any day care givers you may need in the future.

So how do you go about doing this? The socialization experience should include not only people holding your precious charge, but they should be allowed to touch their feet, put a collar and leash on them, look into their ears, open their mouths, pet them on their heads and give them hugs.

Starting out at an early age will familiarize the puppy with the experience and help mold your precious bundle of fur into a dog that will not only be easy to handle, but will become much more socially acceptable.

How many people will it take to achieve this? It depends on the dog, for some being around ten people will be more than enough, for some it may take 20 or more it depends a lot on genetic tendencies and the breed.

Rough handling and an attitude that a puppy must tolerate this or that in handling can do more harm than good. In the sensitive period of 4 weeks to 16 weeks, where most of the lessons in life are learned by a puppy, you too must be sensitive to your puppy's needs.

In raising a child, you, as an adult realize it takes patience to teach good manners to your child as it grows. Well, in raising a puppy to become a good dog, your patience is also required along with taking the puppy out to meet new experiences. The time you spend in this crucial period with your puppy, teaching it the ways of the world, will return to you many times over by having a dog that is comfortable in its world and socially acceptable.

Selecting Safe Toys For Your Dog

In 2007, Oprah Winfrey received a great deal of sympathy, from the pet owners of America, when her Golden Retriever choked to death on a common play "toy" - a ball. If you are like me, your dog's toy box is full of cute, cuddly toys with and without squeaky's, an assortment of balls, rope tugs and many, many, many other types of toys too. Most pet owners are not aware of the potential dangers we are subjecting our pets to with the selection of some of these toys and there is no help out there for us either. Like me, most pet owners that I know, regard their pets as they do their children. There are many regulatory agencies that evaluate and monitor the safety of toys that are sold for children such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission, W.A.T.C.H., and Toy Association etc. These agencies also alert us to dangers so that these toys are not sold for our children. The latest being the lead content of toys made in China. Surprisingly, there are no such regulatory agencies monitoring the quality and content of pet toys. Therefore, it is up to us to educate ourselves on the best toy choices for our pets.

The following are some general guidelines that I use for selecting toys for my precious lab, Rhoda.

• Size. This is tricky. Last year the Veterinary Practice News published an article entitled "They Ate What?" In that article they told a story of a 1-year old boxer who ate 208 1-3" sized rocks. Do not worry, after vomiting a few, his owners took him to the vet who extracted the rocks and boxer is fine today. One - three inches in diameter! A tennis ball is 2 ½ inches in diameter. And as in the case of Oprah's Golden, the dog loved to play catch with tennis balls. Tennis balls get really wet and slimy after a good game of catch. A slimy tennis ball can slip down a big dog's throat in a heartbeat. So, now we can clearly see the issues with tennis balls. Tennis balls are certainly small enough to be swallowed either purposely or on accident. I have removed the tennis balls from Rhoda's toy box. Instead, I have replaced them with other soft rubber balls such as the Hol-ee Roller™, clutch balls and Frisbees. I have never read a case where a dog swallowed a Frisbee.

• Material. I have found that the material I select has a lot to do with the breed of dog. For example, Rhoda does best with canvas material. Canvas is tougher than other soft cushy material. She can safely chew the canvas without destroying the toy or ingesting the material. Then again, my girlfriend's 15 lb. Havanese loves oversized cushy toys and does just fine with them as long as they do not have a squeaker. Hard and soft rubber toys are usually the best choice overall. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. Some can be filled with peanut butter or treats for those times when you want your pet distracted safely for a good deal of time. Best case is to see how your dog does with different materials and determine the safety of each type of toy for yourself.

• Squeakers & Rattles. Some dogs will chew a toy relentlessly in an effort to get to the squeaker or rattle. While dogs playing with toys that make noise are fun to watch (it's fun to hear too) dogs can easily chock on squeaker or rattle. Watch your dog closely in order to determine what he will do with a freed squeakers or rattle.

• Chews. In the same article, "They Ate What?" is a story about a pit bull mix that swallowed an 11" carving knife. Like the boxer, the owners acted fast, a vet extracted the knife and the dog is fine today. Before I read this story, I used to give Rhoda nylon bones of various sizes and shapes. Nylon bones, just like the tennis balls, become slippery. One the ends are chewed off, these bones can easily slide right down a dogs throat just like that carving knife. Consequently, I do not buy them nor do I recommend them. Then I decided to try rawhides. No luck with these either. The first hazard with rawhide comes when dogs swallow large chunks of it. These large chunks can cause blockages and unpleasant and costly trips to the vet. The second hazard comes from the curing of the rawhide itself. If your pet does well with rawhides, make sure to only buy American cured products that are formaldehyde free.

If you are like me, you will continue to purchase toys for your beloved friend. My final suggestion is to select the type of toy you want to provide for your dog and then purchase the next size up. Then watch your pet's reaction to the toys noticing any activity that may be a potential hazard. These suggestions have helped me select the best toys and I hope they are helpful to you as well.

Brrrr, It's Nice And Warm!

Different season post specific issues with our four legged friend and dogs are no different. As humans we notice each other's skin becoming chapped and soar. The air in outside and in houses becomes arid during the fall and winter So, just as our skin becomes chapped the parched atmosphere drains moisture from a dog's skin and hair.

There are several steps to not only alleviate this issue, but also keep your canine comfortable for those cold dry months. So, to alleviate this is Make a time or even a schedule to brush your dog heartily. The type of brush to use will depend on the length of you dog's hair. This has several benefits such as releasing their own natural oils, decreases the chance of matting, improves the circulation on close to their dermis, and provides them with a little special time they will grow to appreciate.

Next, try providing your dog with Next; consider providing your dog with suppliant of O-mega 3 or some other fatty acid and vitamin E. Some, premium dog food contain natural, wholesome supplement nutrients including fish oil (omega fatty acids) and vitamin E. **

Before providing your dog with any supplement, always consult your veterinarian.

**. If you are reading this article and it has been cold a bit and your dog has matted fur, etc... It is not too late to make a come back. Do not shave the animal. Even a sweater is not like natural fur. Start by washing your find thoroughly with a high grade shampoo, like Medicated Sulfur Shampoo from BioLux International. This is a PH balanced, all natural and biodegradable shampoo. Formulated with colloidal sulfur that remains on the coat and skin to speed healing and relieve itchy, dry, or flaky skin. Ensure you completely dry the dog.

Do not try the wash dry brush and repeat method to lessen matting as this will deplete the dog's natural oils. Moderation here is the key. The environment is in constant change; but just remember, the condition of your best friend's hair mirrors the general state of their health.

How to Read a Dog's Body Language

As a member of the wolf family of pack animals, your dog employs elaborate body language to communicate with you (the leader of the pack), other pack members and strangers. Here are a few tips to help read your dog's body language:

Happiness, Pleasure, Relaxation:

1. Teeth exposed, showing incisors only.
2. Bright eyes. Some happy dogs raise their eyelids to express surprise or a quizzical attitude; sometimes they also tilt their heads.
3. A wagging tail usually shows pleasure, invitation. (Be careful, a dog can wag its tail when aggressive.)
4. Dogs in an ordinary, relaxed state carry their heads high and tails low. Their jaws are relaxed, and their bodies show no tension.
5. Dogs wanting to play crouch down in front with their rear ends high, backs bowed, and jaws relaxed. They wag their tails, yip, bark, and growl playfully.

Aggression:

Dogs have two modes of aggression: fearful and dominant. In both modes their lips are drawn back to show their canine teeth.

Fearful aggression:

1. Staring eyes: a wild look, skin drawn to show the whites of the eyes, pupils dilated.
2. Growling or snarling, perhaps barking.
3. Ears laid back or forward and rigid, body tense. The hair in the center of the back often rises on end, tail is down and rigid.

Dominant aggression:

1. Pupils constricted with a fixed stare.
2. Walking forward, with tail and ears held high, snapping and ready to bite.

Submission:

1. Tail tucked under, ears folded back.
2. Partial submission: crouching, head down. May turn on side presenting flank.
3. Complete submission: rolling over and raising one hind leg.

Dog Calendars And Other Accessories Spice Up Life For Your Best Friend

What can you do for a dog? It's rough being a dog; man's best friends do not get appreciated as they deserve. For guarding your home, licking your face, coming every time you call, and chasing away stray cats, all they get is dog food to eat and an place to sleep in the dog house. And they don't like the dog house any better than their best friends do. But there are any number of things you can get to make your canine friends feel honored and appreciated. A little time on the internet will show you precisely how to make your dog feel like one of the family.

There are blankets, leash-hooks, mugs, magnets, paper pads, treat jars, towel holders, toys and tote bags; and calendars. You can find greeting cards, ornaments, playing cards and decals. Each one features an image, icon or photo of your favorite dog breed. Just for Yellow Labradors there are nearly 100 items, not including items for Labs in general, or Black or Chocolate. There is no longer any need to leave out the dog at Christmas, birthdays or special occasions. And dog lovers are your easiest person to regale.

Think how your Labrador feels when you wear a hat with some business logo on it, compared to how he feels when you wear a hat sporting a fine member of his breed. The business probably charges you $10 for the hat and still robs you blind every time you go there. Your Lab gives you honor and affection even when you feed him dog food! He deserves to be honored on your hat. Plus, it makes for a classy hat!

Then there is that generic doormat greeting visitors at your front door. Dogs like guarding the door but probably don't want to do it full time. You can get a very functional doormat with a picture of your dog breed on it. Then your dog can greet all visitors and not try to lick them or jump up to greet them. And if your dog likes to sleep on the door mat it will have a good friend for company.

Imagine going out with a common collar and leash hook. Upscale canines sport a leash hook and colar set decorated for their own breed. It can make all the difference in the world to your dog's confidence and turn that exercise into a pleasant stroll in the park.

Don't forget to get a calendar dog. It's an easy addition to your kennel. There are now hundreds of calendars dedicated to individual dog breeds. (If you have a mutt, get a calendar with several breeds.) If you home is wall-to-wall Chihuahuas, you should have a Chihuahuas. If your mother-in-law has a Chihuahua you already know what gift to give her next time she requires a gift: a calendar full of her favorite breed or a soft blanket to snooze under. Then she will love you at least as much as her dog, (and that could be a significant improvement.)

Calendars come in various shapes and sizes, just like dogs. Besides the traditional 11" x 17" size there are 6" x 12" mini calendars and 6" square desk or boxed calendars. These last ones feature over 360 different photographs, one a day of your favorite canine breed. They can be torn off and used to wall paper an upscale dog dwelling or to keep notes or send them. There are also engagement style calendars which have a different dog photo for every week of the year and pocket-sized planners with a picture on each page.

There are many advantages to calendar dogs. They don't bark or have fleas. They don't lick your face and they already know how to sit, roll over, and stay. You don't need a scooper if you take them to the park, and they never attack the mail person. Of course, they don't fetch very well and they can't keep you warm on a cold night. But they add a nice touch to you home or office and are a happy reminder of how great your dog friend is to have around.

Where do you find all this marvelous merchandise? Do a search on the internet including your breed and what you are looking for; get as specific as possible, and you will be surprised what you will find.

Article written by Bob Cole who loves dogs and publish

Looking For A Good Chihuahua

The Chihuahua dog makes an excellent companion because of their loyalty and need to be close to their owner, while their size makes them a convenient pet for many households. Some owners have even been able to let Chihuahuas ride inside the pocket of their coat, in a purse or tote bag or simple just carried under the owners arm. Chihuahuas enjoy outdoor activities and are easy to travel with.

Although at home the Chihuahua dog can be a bit curious and mischievous. When left alone for a long period of time the dog will often find something to get into and make a mess. The Chihuahua gets along well with their own breed but often doesn't get along with other dog breeds. So if you have a Chihuahua it is best to only have the breed or choose very carefully before finding another breed of dog to add to the household.

As a result of movies and advertisements such as the famous Taco Bell commercials the popularity of the Chihuahua dog has risen. Sadly this now means that you can easily find a poorly bred Chihuahua that won't work with your household. Many families falsely believe the dog is perfect for their household because of their self-confidence and easy trainability. However, by buying from pet stores, newspapers or on the internet you will have no way of knowing whether or not a dog will work with your household and you can get a dog that was bred without any concern for their health or temperament. The good breeders will refuse to place a pet in a household that has a child under the age of twelve. The small litter size of the Chihuahua has led to a limited number of puppies available from good breeders. Therefore, before you decide if the Chihuahua is right for you it is best to carefully consider their temperament.

For the Chihuahua dog you need to focus on feeding requirements, exercise needs and grooming procedures. At each meal your Chihuahua only needs a small amount of dog food. For most dogs two or three ounces of high quality dog food with a few puppy biscuits is enough although a few of the larger Chihuahua dogs can eat up to a half can of dog food. Rather than having one large daily feeding it is better to have two or three small meals per day. The Chihuahua is capable of walking as long as the owner wants to walk, but they also won't object if you want to carry them around.

What makes them an excellent choice for the elderly is that they get most of their exercise simply by playing around the house. When grooming you should rub them down with a wet towel or glove to make their coat shine and use a soft brush. Trim the nails regularly and make sure you keep their ears clean.

Good Shih Tzu Breeders

It is time to add the pitter-patter of little feet to your family once again and you have decided that the pitter-patter is going to belong to a Shih Tzu puppy. The first thing you are going to need to do is find a reputable Shih Tzu breeder in your area that you are going to be able to not only get your dog from but maintain a relationship with for many years. Bringing your dog home does not mean your relationship with your breeder is over.

The best place to start your search is with the national registry that is most recognized for dog breeders in the United States and that is the National Kennel Club. Pick up the phone and give the National Kennel Club a call at (865) 932-9680 and ask them to help you find the best possible Shih Tzu breeder in your area.

It is possible to find a local Shih Tzu breeder that is not listed in the National Kennel Club registry and the first place you can try that is on the Internet or in your local phone book. The Internet is probably your best bet because if the breeder took the time to create a website then they are less likely to have something to hide and your chances of a good experience increase.

Another great source of information for finding a good Shih Tzu breeder is your local vet. If you already have a vet for your current pets then ask your vet about getting in touch with a reputable breeder in your area. If you do not have a vet then find the vet closest to you and ask them their advice. If you have friends or family with pets then ask them to recommend a vet for you.

The Internet is a fantastic tool for networking with other people and another way you can find good Shih Tzu breeders in your area is to scout the various Internet message boards and chat rooms that deal with Shih Tzu dogs and breeders. These people will not only help you find a good breeder but they can also answer any questions you may have and give you advice on what to watch out for. A forum such as this can be invaluable.

Making sure you find a good Shih Tzu breeder to get your first Shih Tzu from is very important and finding a good breeder could mean the difference between a happy life with your dog and a miserable one. So choose wisely and take your time. Remember that you need to feel as comfortable with the breeder selling you the Shih Tzu as you need to feel with the dog itself.

Beagle Breeders - Questions to Ask

A new dog is a long-term investment for a family that should never be taken lightly. This is why it is so important to do your homework before you select the breed that you want and find the breeder that can provide your dog of choice. If you decide that the breed you want is a Beagle, one of the most important steps that you can take to ensure that you end up with a healthy, happy puppy is to take your time searching for a reputable breeder. There are many Beagle breeders across the globe to choose from, but not all of them are created equal. It is your job to do the correct research and ask the right questions before handing over any money and bringing a dog home.

There are two different ways that you might come in contact with a Beagle breeder, either in person if the breeder lives in your area or over the Internet. There are precautions that you can take to check the reliability and integrity of your breeder, no matter how far away the person may live from you.

The first step in selecting a reputable Beagle breeder is to ask the right questions before you ever select a puppy from the litter. A good breeder will not mind your interview, and will even appreciate that fact that you are taking the time to find the best place to get your dog from. Questions for your Beagle breeder should include finding out if you can meet one or both of the parents of the litter to see the appearance and temperament of the dogs. It is important to note that a shy dog may breed other shy, skittish dogs, so a responsible breeder will generally not use dogs of this temperament for breeding purposes.

You should also ask your potential Beagle breeder about genetic health problems of the breed. Your breeder should be knowledgeable about these issues, and should provide documentation to show that his dogs have been properly tested for potential problems. Other concerns to address include immunizations, food and the age that puppies are allowed to go to their new homes.

Another popular method for finding AKC puppies today is with the help of the Internet. While it may seem like an odd way to bring a new pup into your home, the advantage of this method is that you can broaden your base to find the exact dog that you are looking for. Many Beagle breeders advertise their litters this way, and even keep wait lists for prospective owners electronically. Keep in mind that if you decide to acquire your dog through electronic means, there is some additional steps to take to ensure that you get what you pay for. First, always follow up email correspondence with a phone call to a live person, and make sure that payments are going to the same address that is on the breeder's website. You can also request a signed contract prior to the exchange of funds so that you have a form of recourse if something goes wrong in the transaction.

There are plenty of good Beagle breeders today, and many ways to find them. Make sure that you protect yourself and your future family pet by doing your homework before you make your final purchase.

Turn Back Your Dog's Clock

Dogs are a man's best friend and man loves to take care of his dog! Man wants his best friend to live a long, healthy life. Taking good care of a dog is like taking care of a child- You have to make sure the dog is well fed, gets it's exercise, has someone to play with, and goes to the Vet for shots and checkups.

In addition to the normal requirements for dog care, owners love to do something extra to protect their dog's health and well-being. One pet supplement to consider is Welactin. It is a high-potency natural salmon oil supplement for dogs which can be mixed with food, and is a rich source of Omega 3 fatty acids, which have beneficial effects. The use of Welactin will benefit everyday organ health in your dog- including your dog's heart, brain, nervous system, kidneys, immune system, skin and coat.

Here Are A Few Points To Know:

1. Welactin supports a dog's heart by helping to maintain a normal heartbeat rhythm.

2. Helps support the nervous system- Studies have shown that the use of Welactin increases a dog's ability to be trained. It also can help their vision.

3. Welactin helps support renal function in your dog's kidneys, which keeps them strong as they age.

4. Welactin helps to maintain a dog's healthy immune system.

5. Welactin helps to maintain a healthy skin and coat, combating dry skin.

6. Welactin helps to improve a dog's appetite and metabolism.

How Do I Give It To My Dog?

Welactin is a tasty liquid and is easily administered with an accompanying pump over your pet's food. It is very easy to give to your dog. The number of pumps used is dependent on your dog's body weight. Please follow the administration instructions, which are found on the label. In most cases, Welactin is administered long-term for continuing benefits.