Think Twice!

A puppy can add so much joy to the household that it is unimaginable. However, it is something that I would recommend only if one has the time, patience and will make, almost, as much of a commitment to raising that puppy as they would to raise their children.

A puppy is a living, breathing and sensitive creature that offers something that most humans cannot. “Unrequited Love.” It is not something that should be brought home with the thought, “If it doesn’t work out we’ll get rid of it.”

Before going out to find that perfect pet.

Before going out to find that perfect pet, sit down, with your children, if they will be involved, and discuss what having a puppy will entail. This is probably the most important thing you should do before making that final decision. Give this “a lot” and I repeat, “a lot” of thought. In fact, if you have never had a dog before, it is even more important for “you” to know what is involved.

Having a new puppy in your home is not an easy task. Unfortunately, most people have no idea how much work it takes to raise a dog. I was one of those, many years ago; I was “totally clueless” and ended up returning my first dog because I was ignorant as to what it entailed.

The next most important part of your job.

The next most important part of your job, before you even start looking, is deciding upon what kind of a dog to get.

How large a dog do you want when it grows to full size? Remember a dog like a Yellow Lab, which can be a great family dog, can grow to 70 to 80 pounds and more. Can you handle a dog that size and do you have the room for him/her to run around?

What kind of dog is best suited to the family with young or infant children? Young children, yes, I know they are your little angels and can do no wrong, can be very hard on a puppy, pulling their ears or tails, hitting the dog, etc.

Think about the temperament of the dog that you will be getting. Some breeds are much more tolerant of children and will put up with a lot of abuse, whereas others do not have the patience to tolerate the kids and could be a little snappy. If you have young children, it behooves you to do your homework.

Where do you go to find your new family member?

Before going anywhere, go online, research what type of dog will fit into your family. Either look into adopting a puppy from an Animal Shelter, or, if you want a specific breed, look into the specific breed rescue organizations. There is a rescue organization for almost all breeds of dogs. This way you will be saving a dogs life.

Do you have the time to house break your puppy?

Once you get your puppy home, what are you going to do with him? Without going into extensive detail about training and raising your puppy, you can write volumes about this, in this article, we will just discuss the basics of house breaking your puppy.

Your puppy will come home with an extensive knowledge of how to do four things without being taught. Peeing, Pooping, Chewing and Eating. Without your knowing how to control things from the very beginning, your little poop factory will be doing it all over the house in addition to trying to chew whatever he can get his teeth into, that includes children’s toys and your expensive furniture too.

House breaking your puppy takes time, and if you don’t do it correctly from the start, all you will do is to prolong the agony. Don’t blame the dog. He is only doing what is natural. He doesn’t know the rules of the house yet, that’s were you come in. You’re the teacher.

If you work, the best thing you can do is take a few days off. That doesn’t mean you can go shopping, that means spending time with your puppy.

Be prepared to take the little guy out every hour or so. This may sound like over kill, but believe me, in the end, the time you put into it now will pay off in the future. When you take your little buddy out don’t take him/her for a walk. Go out your door to a particular spot and just let him sniff around that same spot each time you go out. If he eliminates, praise him by making a big fuss about it. “Good puppy.” Pet him, give him a treat, etc. At that point if you want to take him for a walk you can. If he doesn’t do anything, just go right back in. Don’t go for a walk, give a treat or anything else.

You want to make a big deal about going out to do his business. Once he learns that going out to do his business is a big deal, he will want to go to that spot to eliminate, as opposed to doing it in the house. This doesn’t mean that there won’t be accidents. It means that it will take a lot less time for puppy to learn not to go in the house.

One last thing about taking your puppy out. “Pick up the poop!” If there is anything people can’t stand and don’t have patience for, are inconsiderate pet owners that don’t pick up.

This is only the beginning. Bring home that puppy only if you are willing to make that long term commitment. Oh yes, don’t depend on the kids who promise you that they will take care of the puppy. That lasts about two days, then it falls on your shoulders.

Dog Training

Dogs, like kids, need a loving, consistent environment to learn good behavior. Dog owners (like moms and dads) need to teach them and guide them to learn appropriate and acceptable behaviours without sacrificing their self-confidence.

What kind of dog would you like? A dog that is afraid and submissive, or a happy, well-adjusted, well-mannered member of the family?

Teaching your dog good manners is one of the best things you can every do for your dog and yourself. Studies have shown that dogs are highly intelligent animals that want to please their owners. There is a clear link between how owners treat their dogs and how their dogs behave. Research shows that most dogs can learn to be well-behaved. However, this strongly depends on the time and effort the owner puts into training them.

Teaching your dog good manners is beneficial to both you and your pet. A well-trained dog learns to respect the people around it, and makes a shy dog more sociable and confident. Owners that engage with their dog and take responsibility for their training and socialization tend to experience less behavioral problems from their dogs.

The owner’s attitude in training their pets is of utmost importance. Focusing on positive reinforcement and rewards while training your pet will help you get the best from your dog, have fun and helps ensure that living with them is easy, enjoyable and emotionally rewarding – all the things you want from man’s best friend.

Dogs are learning all the time. Owners need to teach their dogs appropriate and acceptable behaviour as early as possible, and in a variety of different situations. This means that the dog is confident and well-mannered even in challenging circumstances.

Training you dog in basic manners benefits everyone; you, the pet owner, and your happy, loved and well-behaved dog.

Using An Alaskan Malamute As A Sled Dog

An Alaskan Malamute is commonly known as an Arctic sled dog and is the oldest sled dog breed in the world. The dog is very powerful and has a strong build, which are qualities that make it ideal for pulling a sled through the snow. A Malamute has a strong, deep chest and a body that is very muscular, more so than other breeds of comparable size. When living in a colder climate, a person could need assistance pulling loads and an Alaskan Malamute is a very helpful companion. The dog is very affectionate and loyal which are qualities that make for an ideal family pet.

With regards to the dog’s gait, an Alaskan Malamute walks in a steady, balanced way that makes it an effective sled dog. Through the years, the Malamute was born to be a dog with great energy and stamina, the dog can pull a fully loaded sled over great distances. Richard Byrd used Alaskan Malamutes as sled dogs during his South Pole expedition; the endeavor would have been fruitless without the assistance of the dogs. Malamutes were also used during World War II for the transportation of weapons and ammunition, and many died fulfilling their duties.

The dog has a firm and imposing posture, with a broad head held straight up. Looking at an Alaskan Malamute and one can just tell the dog is lively and energetic. The dog has bright, alert eyes that display curiosity and eagerness, while the triangle shaped ears show a sharp and attentive nature. An Alaskan Malamute has coarse hair which allows the dogs to withstand even the most harsh climates and environments. Having a heavy bone structure, the dog has the ability to withstand great physical tasks and is able to overcome even the densest of snow. The dog has strong legs and various other physical attributes that makes it an ideal sled dog.

If you own an Alaskan Malamute, and the dog shows signs of being splay-footed, straight shouldered or has a titled gait, the dog will not likely be well suited for sled duty or competition, but rather better suited as a family pet. When in a dog show, an Alaskan Malamute is judged on its abilities as a sled dog and the more the dog steers away from the sled dog description, the more the judges will penalize the dog.

Alaskan Malamutes are also used for sporting and recreational purposes such as mushing, bikejoring, skijoring and canicross. The Alaskan Malamute is one of the most natural and “unaltered” of all dog breeds which means it retains much of its original form and function. Malamutes as a whole are generally considered quiet dogs, seldom do they bark like other breeds. The dogs do not necessarily bark so much as they howl like a wolf or coyote.

When selecting an Alaskan Malamute, it is important to look at the dog for attributes that belie a good sled dog. If you decide to get a Malamute with good working qualities, you can rest assured knowing you will be getting a great worker as well as a loving family companion.

This article was written by John P Jackson for GreatDogSite, home of hundreds of articles on dogs, as well as many more on the Alaskan Malamute.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/using-an-alaskan-malamute-as-a-sled-dog-1034665.html

You Can Now Get Rid of Dogs Fleas and Ticks – Treatment For Fleas on Your Dog

If your beloved dog is having a problem with fleas or ticks and you need to find a treatment that works well for them.  It is always best that you start with your veterinarian because in many cases they know what works best for your pooch. As the springtime comes around your dog may be playing outside and will be more likely to pick up fleas and ticks.  Do not worry there are many solutions that you can use that will help get rid of this problem.  There are also natural solutions that you can use that can help your dog as well.  You may want to consider using olive oil as many people have found this to be a great natural treatment for your dog.

Get Free : Dog Treatment Tips

First thing you want to do is wrap your dogs coat in oil and then make sure you wash it off thoroughly. This will allow the fleas and ticks or your dog has picked up to be killed or retracted because they hate olive oil.  There are also many other remedies that you can use that work very well but make sure you check with your vet to see if they approve of them.  You don’t want to give something that could be harmful for your dog.

How to : Rid Fleas Ticks

Remember that this time a year is more likely that your dog to get fleas are ticks so make sure you check with your veterinarian and find a treatment that works for them.  You can use over-the-counter products or you can choose to find a natural remedy that will help get rid of any fleas or ticks that your dog might have.

Bryan Burbank is an expert in the field of Pets. For more information go to: http://www.dogila.com/fleasticks.html

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/you-can-now-get-rid-of-dogs-fleas-and-ticks-treatment-for-fleas-on-your-dog-1032384.html

Pugs: Good Choice For A Watchdog?

Through the course of time, dogs have been used to alert their owners to signs of impending danger. Some breeds make better watchdogs than others, this article takes an in-depth look at where a Pug may fall along these lines. We will explore how Pugs are alert, stubborn and friendly and believe it or not, all these qualities will factor into whether or not you decide a Pug would make a good watchdog for your family.

Sound the Alarm!

Everyone who owns a dog wants it to let us know if there is something suspicious going on around our home. Pugs will let you know of any activity by barking at the first sign of something going on. They will respond vocally to the presence of strangers or odd noises. They are quite protective of their owners, which is a great quality to have in a watchdog. Their size is not imposing which makes them non-threatening, but they are great at letting you know when something odd is going on.

A Stubborn Disposition:

Pugs have a bit of a stubborn streak which can make them a big harder to train at times. If you intend on training your Pug to become a watchdog and develop skills in this area, you might run into difficulty. Aside from being stubborn, they tend to become distracted by repetitive training exercises which can also be taken as a sign of being headstrong and stubborn. It all depends on what you are seeking in a guard dog.

Friendly Dogs?

You might not think of friendly as a desired attribute when you are trying to choose a guard dog, but that will of course depend on your situation. A dog that barks excessively at both family and strangers is about as useful as one who gives the silent treatment. You want your dog to understand the difference between an intruder and someone getting out of bed to get a midnight snack. Pugs do bond well with their families and even other pets, so that should not be a problem. Another positive fact is that Pugs love children. The ability to differentiate between a friendly and unfriendly person is a genuine asset. This means that these intelligent dogs will not be alerting you to a false alarm.

Throughout history, watchdogs have often put themselves in the middle of perilous situations so the danger could be avoided. A Pug has many qualities that may effect its role as a watchdog. These qualities are alertness, willingness to please and friendliness. Chances are people who own pugs will always know when there is a stranger at the front door.

GreatDogSite is the Internet’s best resource for information on dogs, including many more articles on the Pug!

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/pugs-good-choice-for-a-watchdog-1030514.html

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