Pet owners need to take their pets to a veterinarian once a year for a physical exam, just to make sure that their shots are current and there are no diseases of any kind. In the meantime though, if any minor health problems do arise, take your pet to see a vet as soon as possible so that the problem can be dealt with quickly before it gets any worse.
Bathing and grooming your pet on a regular basis is also very important. This, of course, can be done at home or you can take your pet to a shop to have it professionally groomed. Getting this done often will keep you aware of any skin problems your pet might have, that you can take care of promptly. It will also keep you aware of any fleas or ticks your pet might have and these should be treated or removed immediately.
In addition, brushing your pet on a regular basis, whether it be a cat or a dog, can prevent hairballs. Clean your pets' teeth on a regular basis and make sure you clip their nails often. Their nails should be kept short. Keeping ears clean and free of debris is also very important. Doing all of these things on a regular basis will help eliminate trips to the vet. Check out all of the products you would need for these essentials in Pet Grooming Supplies to keep your pet healthy and well-groomed.
Just like their owners, pets need Pet Vitamins and minerals for a healthy coat and healthy immune system, as well as calcium for strong bones. You might want to check with your veterinarian as to which vitamins would be best for your particular pet.
Always keep your pets' food and water bowls clean and make sure they always have fresh water. Their bedding and blankets should always be clean, as well as their kennels if they sleep outside. Exercise is another very important key to prevent obesity. Always make sure your pet is kept warm during the cold winter months. Check out Dog Sweaters or Dog Jackets and Coats , which would be perfect when taking your dog for a walk in the snow, rain or cold wind.
Always feed your pet the most healthy diet possible with absolutely no table scraps. Don't ever get your pet started on this habit. Read labels and don't always go for the cheaper brand. Again, you might want to check with your vet about the best diet for your particular pet. Don't ever feed your pet chocolate or any sort of evaporated milk that is sold in cans, as these things are poison to your pet. And, of course, make yourself aware of which plants are poisonous to our precious pets.
The most important thing you can give your pet is love, discipline and consistency with eating habits and exercise.
Canine Health
Our dogs are like their owners, they like to stay active and have a job to do!!! If their owners are surfers or skateboard riders, their dogs can learn to do this sport too. How cool would it be to take your dog surfing with you or skateboard riding? If this is presented to the dog as a challenge, and if you dog has a personality that you think would like it, he would really enjoy it as much as you do. Surfing for dogs has become so popular, and there are beaches that hold competitions every summer. They are judged on the length of their rides, their ability and confidence. Teach your dog to surf next summer and make him a 'cool surfer dude dog'.
There are also groups that organize hiking and camping trips with your dogs. You could also take your dog with you on a long-distance run or mountain climb. If you take your dog on any of these long-distance walks or mountain climbs, always make sure you take plenty of water with you, as your dog will get just as thirsty as you will. Check out the dog backpacks and choose one that would be perfect for your particular dog. That way, your pet can carry his own water bottle and healthy snack to eat along the way.
Whatever activity you involve your dog in, it will contribute towards keeping your precious pooch's weight under control, a healthy heart and overall pet health . During chilly weather, you might want to get your pooch a dog jacket or dog vest, just for that little bit of extra warmth. Dog shoes are also available if you are walking your dog on rough terrain or a mountain climb. Sometimes their little paw pads are sensitive, especially on little dogs or if the pavement is very hot.
Dog treadmills are also another option, especially in areas where there is lot of rain or snow and you can't take your dog out on a daily walk. With a dog treadmill you can be sure that your pet is getting exercise every day getting plenty of oxygen to his lungs, regardless of the weather conditions. And, it would save the pet owner a lot of time too. We all want to increase our pets' lifespans and prevent obesity, and the only way to do this is with daily exercise, no table scraps and a healthy diet.
As much as our pets love to eat scraps from our tables, this isn't a healthy practice to get started. If you never start giving them scraps from the table from the beginning, they will never expect them. Stick with a good healthy dog food diet, or perhaps home-made dog food might be a choice. Check with your veterinarian as to what would be the best diet for your particular dog.
If your dog has been given table scraps from a previous owner, or perhaps other family members, and you want to break this habit, you might want to start by confining your pet in a pet carrier or pet kennel during meal times. You could even put him in another room during meal times until you get this habit broken. Doing this would especially make it less stressful when you want a relaxing meal or when you are having company over for dinner, so that you won't be embarrassed by a begging dog.
Whatever activity of exercise you decide to do to keep your pet healthy, you always have to remember to be consistent and give your pet lots of love, praise and petting, and perhaps a 'healthy' treat.
There are also groups that organize hiking and camping trips with your dogs. You could also take your dog with you on a long-distance run or mountain climb. If you take your dog on any of these long-distance walks or mountain climbs, always make sure you take plenty of water with you, as your dog will get just as thirsty as you will. Check out the dog backpacks and choose one that would be perfect for your particular dog. That way, your pet can carry his own water bottle and healthy snack to eat along the way.
Whatever activity you involve your dog in, it will contribute towards keeping your precious pooch's weight under control, a healthy heart and overall pet health . During chilly weather, you might want to get your pooch a dog jacket or dog vest, just for that little bit of extra warmth. Dog shoes are also available if you are walking your dog on rough terrain or a mountain climb. Sometimes their little paw pads are sensitive, especially on little dogs or if the pavement is very hot.
Dog treadmills are also another option, especially in areas where there is lot of rain or snow and you can't take your dog out on a daily walk. With a dog treadmill you can be sure that your pet is getting exercise every day getting plenty of oxygen to his lungs, regardless of the weather conditions. And, it would save the pet owner a lot of time too. We all want to increase our pets' lifespans and prevent obesity, and the only way to do this is with daily exercise, no table scraps and a healthy diet.
As much as our pets love to eat scraps from our tables, this isn't a healthy practice to get started. If you never start giving them scraps from the table from the beginning, they will never expect them. Stick with a good healthy dog food diet, or perhaps home-made dog food might be a choice. Check with your veterinarian as to what would be the best diet for your particular dog.
If your dog has been given table scraps from a previous owner, or perhaps other family members, and you want to break this habit, you might want to start by confining your pet in a pet carrier or pet kennel during meal times. You could even put him in another room during meal times until you get this habit broken. Doing this would especially make it less stressful when you want a relaxing meal or when you are having company over for dinner, so that you won't be embarrassed by a begging dog.
Whatever activity of exercise you decide to do to keep your pet healthy, you always have to remember to be consistent and give your pet lots of love, praise and petting, and perhaps a 'healthy' treat.
UPSCALE CLOTHING FOR PETS.....
Designer pet clothing has, in recent years, become the 'in' thing for our pampered pooches and pets. There are so many amazing items to choose from, such as colorful dresses with matching hair bows and barettes, matching leashes and collars, as well as vests and jackets, just to name a few.
Small pooches, such as miniature poodles or yorkies have very sensitive paw pads and there are now cute protective matching dog shoes available for when walking them outside. Small dogs like this are mostly inside dogs and their sensitive paws can be hurt if they should walk on broken glass, gravel or pebbles.
Our pampered pets are just as much a part of our family as our kids are, so they need to have a clean and comfortable place to sleep, such as a special pet bed or nice clean and warm dog houses for larger outside dogs.
Traveling with our precious pets is now so much easier also, as there is such an amazing selection of pet carriers to chose from, to make sure traveling with your pet is not stressful or traumatic for you or your pet.
And who would want to celebrate Halloween, Christmas or the 4th of July without also including your beloved pet in the celebration. You can dress him or her up to fit any occasion with the huge selection of pet costumes that is available. You can take your pooch out 'trick or treating' dressed as a pumpkin or a witch!! How cool is that?
Just as we pet owners like to have high fashion attire, with matching accessories, our pampered pooches can now have a fashionable and upscale wardrobe too!!
People are now spending $41 billion a year on their pets, which is twice as much as they were spending 10 years ago. Pet owners now want to reward their pets just as they like to be rewarded, which means designer pet accessories and clothing, pet hotels and upscale designer accessories. It is estimated that 42% of dogs sleep in the same bed as their owners, and wear pet pajamas.
So, pet owners, give your precious pooches all the luxuries they deserve and make them the 'talk of the town', neighborhoods and dog parks.
Small pooches, such as miniature poodles or yorkies have very sensitive paw pads and there are now cute protective matching dog shoes available for when walking them outside. Small dogs like this are mostly inside dogs and their sensitive paws can be hurt if they should walk on broken glass, gravel or pebbles.
Our pampered pets are just as much a part of our family as our kids are, so they need to have a clean and comfortable place to sleep, such as a special pet bed or nice clean and warm dog houses for larger outside dogs.
Traveling with our precious pets is now so much easier also, as there is such an amazing selection of pet carriers to chose from, to make sure traveling with your pet is not stressful or traumatic for you or your pet.
And who would want to celebrate Halloween, Christmas or the 4th of July without also including your beloved pet in the celebration. You can dress him or her up to fit any occasion with the huge selection of pet costumes that is available. You can take your pooch out 'trick or treating' dressed as a pumpkin or a witch!! How cool is that?
Just as we pet owners like to have high fashion attire, with matching accessories, our pampered pooches can now have a fashionable and upscale wardrobe too!!
People are now spending $41 billion a year on their pets, which is twice as much as they were spending 10 years ago. Pet owners now want to reward their pets just as they like to be rewarded, which means designer pet accessories and clothing, pet hotels and upscale designer accessories. It is estimated that 42% of dogs sleep in the same bed as their owners, and wear pet pajamas.
So, pet owners, give your precious pooches all the luxuries they deserve and make them the 'talk of the town', neighborhoods and dog parks.
TEACHING OLD DOGS NEW TRICKS
We have all heard the saying 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks'. Many people believe this to be true, but older dogs really can be taught new tricks. It is a little more difficult for an older dog to be trained, but it can definitely be done, with patience and consistency being the key.
First of all, we have to remember that this older dog has probably already been trained before and more than likely has preconceived notions as to what is and what isn't acceptable behaviors. Therefore, the dog's thinking process has to be reprogrammed. If the dog has never been taught not to chase a cat before, and there is now a cat in the house, the dog now has to be taught that chasing the cat is definitely not allowed and is not an acceptable behavior. This would involve making sure the cat is safe, by placing it in a pet cage or pet carrier, which would prohibit the dog from physically attacking it. This would still allow for both animals to see, smell and hear each other and would allow for both of them to get to know each other in a safe way.
Even though this might initially be a little stressful, it would teach the dog and the cat that both of them live in the home and that they have to live peacefully together.
As they are getting more acclimated to each other, give them each a small reward, such as a small doggie or kitty treat. And, of course, give them lots of verbal praise and petting, especially when the dog is obeying and not trying to get to the cat. This will reinforce his good behavior and will also relate to the him that you accept the cat as part of the family, and he should do the same. Keep repeating this process several times over the next week or so, until both animals seem to be accustomed to each other and seem calm in each others presence.
Now, on to the next step, which may require the help of another family member or friend. Have your helper leash the dog and hold him firmly on a short leash. After you feel comfortable that your helper has complete control of the dog, open the pet carrier, or cage, and slowly bring the cat out. The dog may want to move towards the cat, so make sure your helper has good control of the leash and, at the same time, be careful not to let the cat out of your grasp. Slowly bring them closer together and let them calmly adapt to each others presence. Continue with this process several times and before you know it, these two animals should be the best buddies ever.
You CAN teach an old dog new tricks, but like teaching a young child how to tie his or her shoes, potty training or teaching manners, reinforcement, patience and consistency are the key.
First of all, we have to remember that this older dog has probably already been trained before and more than likely has preconceived notions as to what is and what isn't acceptable behaviors. Therefore, the dog's thinking process has to be reprogrammed. If the dog has never been taught not to chase a cat before, and there is now a cat in the house, the dog now has to be taught that chasing the cat is definitely not allowed and is not an acceptable behavior. This would involve making sure the cat is safe, by placing it in a pet cage or pet carrier, which would prohibit the dog from physically attacking it. This would still allow for both animals to see, smell and hear each other and would allow for both of them to get to know each other in a safe way.
Even though this might initially be a little stressful, it would teach the dog and the cat that both of them live in the home and that they have to live peacefully together.
As they are getting more acclimated to each other, give them each a small reward, such as a small doggie or kitty treat. And, of course, give them lots of verbal praise and petting, especially when the dog is obeying and not trying to get to the cat. This will reinforce his good behavior and will also relate to the him that you accept the cat as part of the family, and he should do the same. Keep repeating this process several times over the next week or so, until both animals seem to be accustomed to each other and seem calm in each others presence.
Now, on to the next step, which may require the help of another family member or friend. Have your helper leash the dog and hold him firmly on a short leash. After you feel comfortable that your helper has complete control of the dog, open the pet carrier, or cage, and slowly bring the cat out. The dog may want to move towards the cat, so make sure your helper has good control of the leash and, at the same time, be careful not to let the cat out of your grasp. Slowly bring them closer together and let them calmly adapt to each others presence. Continue with this process several times and before you know it, these two animals should be the best buddies ever.
You CAN teach an old dog new tricks, but like teaching a young child how to tie his or her shoes, potty training or teaching manners, reinforcement, patience and consistency are the key.
OBEDIENCE TIPS FOR YOUR DOG
Teaching your dog basic obedience skills can be a huge challenge, but well worth the effort in the long run. Start by doing your homework, as a student can only be as good as the teacher.
The first thing to do regarding obedience is to get your dog to pay attention to the commands you are giving him/her. You should start by calling his/her name and then use a keyword, such as, ‘watch’ or ‘look’ afterwards, so that he/she will associate the words to a command. After you have his/her attention, you can then start the lesson.
Dogs can only pay attention for a short length of time, as they have short attention spans and get distracted very easily. Try to keep his/her attention by doing attention exercises. One tip would be to hold a toy or dog treat near your mouth and then give him/her the keyword command. Every time he takes the time to watch, praise him. The more you repeat this, the more he should be able to pay attention to you. Try to get him to watch for at least a minute and then let him/her know that he/she is doing a good job by rewarding him/her.
Because dogs have such short attention spans and get distracted easily, choose a place that is quiet and distraction and make sure there are no other pets or little children around that might create too much noise. You should make sure that the obedience training lessons are no more than 30 minutes at the most. If you try to keep him/her training for a longer length of time you will find that he/she will get distracted and restless.
Another thing to remember is to never cause your dog pain, as this will make him want to shy away from you or perhaps become aggressive. If he/she gets distracted, change your tone of voice, but this doesn’t mean you should raise it.
There is nothing more important than consistency, as animals are like children. If you are not consistent, they will become confused as to what they can and cannot do.
The first command should be teaching your dog to sit. You should use the word ‘sit’ while you are teaching him this skill, so that he can relate the word with the action. You can start by gently pushing his backside down while saying the word ‘sit’. He/she should eventually understand the concept.
The second command should be ‘down’. This is a very important command, as if you have a hyper dog that gets excited easily, you don’t want him/her jumping up on people when they come to visit you. When they jump up, tell them ‘down’. Don’t ever pet them or act like you’re excited to see them while they have their front paws up on you. You must continue to tell them ‘down’ and even place their legs down on the floor if you have to.
The command ‘stay’ is very important and is a good one to know especially if you have a very active dog. You can teach him/her to ‘stay’, for example, by putting a treat or something desirable, on the ground and as he/she starts to come towards it, tell him/her ‘stay’. You could also put your hand up (like saying stop) while saying the word ‘stay’. When he/she begins to become obedient with this command, you can then move further away from him/her. He/she will probably then become more daring and will take a step toward you to see how much he/she can get away with. When he/she does this, continue to put your hand out and keep saying ‘stay’. He/she has to learn that even though you are moving away, you can still see what he/she is doing and expect he/she to continue to obey.
These are just a few basic obedience lessons to help you make your dog much easier to live with and to obey the commands of their masters. UpScalePetAccessories offers additional tips about dog training information along with products like dog hats and more hints that might be of some assistance. Just remember that ‘consistency’ is the most important tip.
The first thing to do regarding obedience is to get your dog to pay attention to the commands you are giving him/her. You should start by calling his/her name and then use a keyword, such as, ‘watch’ or ‘look’ afterwards, so that he/she will associate the words to a command. After you have his/her attention, you can then start the lesson.
Dogs can only pay attention for a short length of time, as they have short attention spans and get distracted very easily. Try to keep his/her attention by doing attention exercises. One tip would be to hold a toy or dog treat near your mouth and then give him/her the keyword command. Every time he takes the time to watch, praise him. The more you repeat this, the more he should be able to pay attention to you. Try to get him to watch for at least a minute and then let him/her know that he/she is doing a good job by rewarding him/her.
Because dogs have such short attention spans and get distracted easily, choose a place that is quiet and distraction and make sure there are no other pets or little children around that might create too much noise. You should make sure that the obedience training lessons are no more than 30 minutes at the most. If you try to keep him/her training for a longer length of time you will find that he/she will get distracted and restless.
Another thing to remember is to never cause your dog pain, as this will make him want to shy away from you or perhaps become aggressive. If he/she gets distracted, change your tone of voice, but this doesn’t mean you should raise it.
There is nothing more important than consistency, as animals are like children. If you are not consistent, they will become confused as to what they can and cannot do.
The first command should be teaching your dog to sit. You should use the word ‘sit’ while you are teaching him this skill, so that he can relate the word with the action. You can start by gently pushing his backside down while saying the word ‘sit’. He/she should eventually understand the concept.
The second command should be ‘down’. This is a very important command, as if you have a hyper dog that gets excited easily, you don’t want him/her jumping up on people when they come to visit you. When they jump up, tell them ‘down’. Don’t ever pet them or act like you’re excited to see them while they have their front paws up on you. You must continue to tell them ‘down’ and even place their legs down on the floor if you have to.
The command ‘stay’ is very important and is a good one to know especially if you have a very active dog. You can teach him/her to ‘stay’, for example, by putting a treat or something desirable, on the ground and as he/she starts to come towards it, tell him/her ‘stay’. You could also put your hand up (like saying stop) while saying the word ‘stay’. When he/she begins to become obedient with this command, you can then move further away from him/her. He/she will probably then become more daring and will take a step toward you to see how much he/she can get away with. When he/she does this, continue to put your hand out and keep saying ‘stay’. He/she has to learn that even though you are moving away, you can still see what he/she is doing and expect he/she to continue to obey.
These are just a few basic obedience lessons to help you make your dog much easier to live with and to obey the commands of their masters. UpScalePetAccessories offers additional tips about dog training information along with products like dog hats and more hints that might be of some assistance. Just remember that ‘consistency’ is the most important tip.
SOME OF THE BEST DOG BREEDS FOR GROWING FAMILIES.
GOLDEN RETRIEVERS:
Golden Retrievers have beomce increasingly popular because of their easy-going nature and loving personalities. Their gentleness, easy-going attitude and intelligence when responding to commands makes them an ideal family pet. They have the reputation of being one of the most sought after breeds and the popularity of the Golden Retriever will continue to escalate in peoples' hearts.
POODLES:
These dogs are lively, intelligent and affectionate and they are a versatile breed that makes great family pets. The poodle is a favorite of all ages of children and adults as well. There are three sizes of poodles, but Toy Poodles are not recommended for families with younger children. These pooches are also so very cute.
OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG:
With his shaggy fur and distinctive grey and white coloring, the Old English Sheepdog looks much more like a stuffed toy than the alert and intelligent dog that he is. This breed of dog is so adaptable and easily transitions from being your early morning jogging companion to a sofa buddy later at night. This breed does take quite a lot of grooming time, in order to keep his beautiful coat healthy and shiny, but the bonding time this dog gives you in return is well worth the time spent brushing him.
ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL:
This breed of dog is easygoing, alert and attentive and makes an ideal family pet. An intelligent dog and easy to please, a Springer very soon fits into a family setting. Its long-legged build put it in front of the Spaniels for speed.
COLLIE:
Collies are very loyal and dependable herding dogs and they adapt easily to working life and family life. With two coats to choose from, rough and smooth, the Collie is usually appealing to most dog lovers. He is a sweet-tempered dog with a strong grasp of territory and protective instincts.
BOXER:
Boxers are very playful, young at heart, fun loving and exuberant. This is a breed that is so versatile for a family pet and they make great companions to adults as well as children. They love to be a running companion as well as loving to cuddle. They get along well with other pets, providing they are properly introduced, and, best of all, they love children more than anything.
Both male and female boxers are very alike in temperament.
MIXED BREED DOGS:
These dogs are available in all shapes, sizes and personalities, and if you are careful in selecting the exact right one for you and your family, you will all have a buddy for life. Talk to your vet as well as the animal shelter employees about personalities, needs and habits before choosing the one you will take home.
GENERAL:
Before going out there to choose a family pet, which will require a lot of time, love, devotion and training, it would be wise to do a little research. Talk to your local vet and also talk to other owners of the breed you are considering. Dogs from the animal shelter can be wonderful lifetime companions. I know, because I and my family had one once and he was the perfect dog and family companion from the very first day we took him home. We loved him and pampered him with all kinds of upscale pet accessories, pet jewelry, designer pet carriers and more until the day he passed away. His name was Snuggles and we loved him very much.
Golden Retrievers have beomce increasingly popular because of their easy-going nature and loving personalities. Their gentleness, easy-going attitude and intelligence when responding to commands makes them an ideal family pet. They have the reputation of being one of the most sought after breeds and the popularity of the Golden Retriever will continue to escalate in peoples' hearts.
POODLES:
These dogs are lively, intelligent and affectionate and they are a versatile breed that makes great family pets. The poodle is a favorite of all ages of children and adults as well. There are three sizes of poodles, but Toy Poodles are not recommended for families with younger children. These pooches are also so very cute.
OLD ENGLISH SHEEPDOG:
With his shaggy fur and distinctive grey and white coloring, the Old English Sheepdog looks much more like a stuffed toy than the alert and intelligent dog that he is. This breed of dog is so adaptable and easily transitions from being your early morning jogging companion to a sofa buddy later at night. This breed does take quite a lot of grooming time, in order to keep his beautiful coat healthy and shiny, but the bonding time this dog gives you in return is well worth the time spent brushing him.
ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL:
This breed of dog is easygoing, alert and attentive and makes an ideal family pet. An intelligent dog and easy to please, a Springer very soon fits into a family setting. Its long-legged build put it in front of the Spaniels for speed.
COLLIE:
Collies are very loyal and dependable herding dogs and they adapt easily to working life and family life. With two coats to choose from, rough and smooth, the Collie is usually appealing to most dog lovers. He is a sweet-tempered dog with a strong grasp of territory and protective instincts.
BOXER:
Boxers are very playful, young at heart, fun loving and exuberant. This is a breed that is so versatile for a family pet and they make great companions to adults as well as children. They love to be a running companion as well as loving to cuddle. They get along well with other pets, providing they are properly introduced, and, best of all, they love children more than anything.
Both male and female boxers are very alike in temperament.
MIXED BREED DOGS:
These dogs are available in all shapes, sizes and personalities, and if you are careful in selecting the exact right one for you and your family, you will all have a buddy for life. Talk to your vet as well as the animal shelter employees about personalities, needs and habits before choosing the one you will take home.
GENERAL:
Before going out there to choose a family pet, which will require a lot of time, love, devotion and training, it would be wise to do a little research. Talk to your local vet and also talk to other owners of the breed you are considering. Dogs from the animal shelter can be wonderful lifetime companions. I know, because I and my family had one once and he was the perfect dog and family companion from the very first day we took him home. We loved him and pampered him with all kinds of upscale pet accessories, pet jewelry, designer pet carriers and more until the day he passed away. His name was Snuggles and we loved him very much.
HOW TO CHOOSE A PET
Choosing a pet is such a huge decision as that pooch is going to be part of your family for many years to come. Do you want to bring home a mutt from the local animal shelter or do you want to invest in a purebred from a breeder?
Mixed breeds (or mutts) are combinations of different breeds and come in many shapes and sizes. In most case, you won't know what it wil look like or how big it will get as an adult. However, purebreds have been bred to look and act a certain way and their ancestors are members of the same breed. Pups that come from reputable breeders will also have been screened for health problems. Of interest though, is that although genes determine personality and grooming needs, good manners are determined by the owners' personal training.
Cost is another thing to consider. Getting a dog or puppy from a local shelter can be very inexpensive indeed, somewhere around $30-$40 and this should include vaccinations, deworming and spaying/neutering. On the other hand, if you should decide to get a purebred dog or puppy, depending on the breed, these can be quite expensive.
Mutts from our local shelters are readily available and in plentiful supply because, unfortunately, there just aren't enough homes for the millions and millions of them. So, a nice thought is that by adopting one of them, you would be saving a life.
Before making your choice, a mutt from the local shelter or a purebred, it would be a good idea to talk to your veterinarian or perhaps a dog obedience trainer to help you choose the perfect dog or puppy for your particular family, and, of course, lifestyle. You should also consider the size and type of coat (short, silky or non-shedding) and the dog's temperament, i.e. high or low-energy.
Years ago, when our family went to our local shelter to choose a dog, the four of us split up and went in different directions inside the shelter to try to find the cutest and perfect dog for us. None of us had any idea what we wanted. One of our sons came across the cutest little mutt we had ever seen, half Cocker Spaniel and the other half unknown. He was two years old and adorable. I was the one designated to pick him up the following week, and, because I had never been around dogs much before, I asked a friend to come with me to pick him up. I didn't know if I would be safe driving home alone with him, as I didn't know what his personality would be like.
From the very first day that we brought him home from the pound, this little dog (we called him Snuggles) was the absolute BEST dog ever in every way. We loved him until he passed away at the age of 13. There will never be another Snuggles.
Always remember though that all dogs, regardless if mutt or breed, need to be loved. And, you also might want to spoil them like you would your child, with upscale pet accessories.
Mixed breeds (or mutts) are combinations of different breeds and come in many shapes and sizes. In most case, you won't know what it wil look like or how big it will get as an adult. However, purebreds have been bred to look and act a certain way and their ancestors are members of the same breed. Pups that come from reputable breeders will also have been screened for health problems. Of interest though, is that although genes determine personality and grooming needs, good manners are determined by the owners' personal training.
Cost is another thing to consider. Getting a dog or puppy from a local shelter can be very inexpensive indeed, somewhere around $30-$40 and this should include vaccinations, deworming and spaying/neutering. On the other hand, if you should decide to get a purebred dog or puppy, depending on the breed, these can be quite expensive.
Mutts from our local shelters are readily available and in plentiful supply because, unfortunately, there just aren't enough homes for the millions and millions of them. So, a nice thought is that by adopting one of them, you would be saving a life.
Before making your choice, a mutt from the local shelter or a purebred, it would be a good idea to talk to your veterinarian or perhaps a dog obedience trainer to help you choose the perfect dog or puppy for your particular family, and, of course, lifestyle. You should also consider the size and type of coat (short, silky or non-shedding) and the dog's temperament, i.e. high or low-energy.
Years ago, when our family went to our local shelter to choose a dog, the four of us split up and went in different directions inside the shelter to try to find the cutest and perfect dog for us. None of us had any idea what we wanted. One of our sons came across the cutest little mutt we had ever seen, half Cocker Spaniel and the other half unknown. He was two years old and adorable. I was the one designated to pick him up the following week, and, because I had never been around dogs much before, I asked a friend to come with me to pick him up. I didn't know if I would be safe driving home alone with him, as I didn't know what his personality would be like.
From the very first day that we brought him home from the pound, this little dog (we called him Snuggles) was the absolute BEST dog ever in every way. We loved him until he passed away at the age of 13. There will never be another Snuggles.
Always remember though that all dogs, regardless if mutt or breed, need to be loved. And, you also might want to spoil them like you would your child, with upscale pet accessories.
SELECTING A DOG LEASH
There are many sizes and styles of dog leashes for all types and breeds of dogs. Here are a few tips to help you select the right one.
You need to make sure that your dog can wander around outdoors without being so far away that you wouldn't know where he/she is. A very important thing to consider is the length of the dog lead. The dog collar and leash have to be the right length so as not to choke your animal and also so that you don't have to bend too much. If you should have to grab the leash in case of an emergency, or if your pet suddenly runs ahead, make sure that the leash is not so long that you can't grab it.
When crossing a busy street, where there is lots of traffic, it is important that the pet lead is easy to grab if necessary. Flexibility of the lead is also very important. Leashes need to be flexible in all directions. They also need to be strong enough to withstand the strength of your pet, but also soft and comfortable for your walking companion. Before purchasing a leash, try it on your pet to make sure it is the right one.
Glow in the dark leashes are wonderful when walking your pet at night. With a glow in the dark leash they can be easily seen by passing cars and other pedestrians who are out at night.
I hope these tips will help you find the perfect leash for your pet at UpScale Pet Accessories.
You need to make sure that your dog can wander around outdoors without being so far away that you wouldn't know where he/she is. A very important thing to consider is the length of the dog lead. The dog collar and leash have to be the right length so as not to choke your animal and also so that you don't have to bend too much. If you should have to grab the leash in case of an emergency, or if your pet suddenly runs ahead, make sure that the leash is not so long that you can't grab it.
When crossing a busy street, where there is lots of traffic, it is important that the pet lead is easy to grab if necessary. Flexibility of the lead is also very important. Leashes need to be flexible in all directions. They also need to be strong enough to withstand the strength of your pet, but also soft and comfortable for your walking companion. Before purchasing a leash, try it on your pet to make sure it is the right one.
Glow in the dark leashes are wonderful when walking your pet at night. With a glow in the dark leash they can be easily seen by passing cars and other pedestrians who are out at night.
I hope these tips will help you find the perfect leash for your pet at UpScale Pet Accessories.
FEEDING YOUR PETS
Did you know that feeding our precious pooches commercial dog food can cause diseases like cancer, leukemia, liver dysfunction, kidney failure and many others. My precious pooch 'snuggles' died of stomach cancer, and I often wondered if it was caused by the store bought food I was feeding him. Pet Vitamins might have prolonged his life.
As our dogs are part of our family, and if there was even a slim chance that what I was feeding my dog would cause one of those grave diseases, I would certainly look elsewhere for foods and Vitamin Suppplements for Pets. Manufacturers only list the ingredients that they themselves include. What goes in at the rendering plants is not included on the labels!! That is where the 'poison' additives go in. Apparently, rendering plants have little, or no, restrictions at all. Until government officials look more closely at this, our dogs are at risk.
If you make your own dog food, that would be great. It has been said that feeding our dogs homemade food could even increase their life span. At least we can control the Dog Vitamins and nutrients we feed our pets. The added life span would just be another benefit. This doesn't mean that dogs can eat the exact same foods we eat, as their systems couldn't handle everything. Do a little research. There are lots of books available about homemade dog food. Ask your vet to recommend some books on how to make nutritional homemade dog food. Make sure you consult for Vet for the appropriate diet for a puppy.
Check out UpScale Pet Accessories for Pet Vitamins, Dog Vitamins and Vitamin Supplements For Pets.
As our dogs are part of our family, and if there was even a slim chance that what I was feeding my dog would cause one of those grave diseases, I would certainly look elsewhere for foods and Vitamin Suppplements for Pets. Manufacturers only list the ingredients that they themselves include. What goes in at the rendering plants is not included on the labels!! That is where the 'poison' additives go in. Apparently, rendering plants have little, or no, restrictions at all. Until government officials look more closely at this, our dogs are at risk.
If you make your own dog food, that would be great. It has been said that feeding our dogs homemade food could even increase their life span. At least we can control the Dog Vitamins and nutrients we feed our pets. The added life span would just be another benefit. This doesn't mean that dogs can eat the exact same foods we eat, as their systems couldn't handle everything. Do a little research. There are lots of books available about homemade dog food. Ask your vet to recommend some books on how to make nutritional homemade dog food. Make sure you consult for Vet for the appropriate diet for a puppy.
Check out UpScale Pet Accessories for Pet Vitamins, Dog Vitamins and Vitamin Supplements For Pets.
EXERCISING YOUR DOG.....
Our awesome pets are just like their owners, they NEED to get out, get fresh air and get a cardio workout in order to keep healthy, slim and trim and energetic. On their walks, dogs will notice and discover so many interesting things, like wildlife and plants, that we would normally ignore or not notice at all. And, you'll have many fewer visits to the vet, as your dog will be much healthier and fit.
So, get out there tomorrow and walk your dog. Without movement and fresh air, dogs, like their owners, can become lethargic and couch potatoes. None of us want that, do we?
Check out all of our amazing outdoor products, like dog jackets and coats, dog hats and even dog shoes to protect your dogs' feet.
So, get out there tomorrow and walk your dog. Without movement and fresh air, dogs, like their owners, can become lethargic and couch potatoes. None of us want that, do we?
Check out all of our amazing outdoor products, like dog jackets and coats, dog hats and even dog shoes to protect your dogs' feet.
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