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Basic Considerations When Choosing A New Puppy

Posted on February 16, 2011 by admin

Before actually adding a new puppy to your home you should consider what your expectations of dog ownership are. All dogs require love, food and shelter, but puppies need more commitment from their owners than adult dogs do. Puppies are more time demanding because they are essentially babies. They have to be taught how to behave appropriately and they go through various stages as they grow. Most puppies go through a chewing phase and at some points in growing up they are very energetic.

If there are children in the home even extra supervision will be required. This is to protect both the child and the puppy. Puppies love to play and their little teeth are very sharp. They can also easily scratch little ones with their claws during play.

Similarly, children are drawn to small animals. They are very likely to hold them and carry them around. Many puppies have been squeezed, dropped or stepped on and injured inadvertently by well intentioned children. Obviously you will have to be diligent in watching over the two when they’re together. Most breeders of small or toy breeds do not sale their puppies to homes with young children because of these risks. If you do have a child in your home insure that the puppy you add is one with a gentle disposition and loving personality.

Many people want a dog as a means of security or protection. They are looking for a sort of living alarm system, a dog that will bark when someone approaches the yard or the door. The good news is that almost any dog can fill this need. The fact is that even the bark of a toy poodle is usually effective in turning away an intruder.

Of course some people want to go a step farther with that concept and have a dog that presents the physical appearance of a watch dog. In this case people often choose larger breeds such as Doberman Pinchers or even Boxers. Most dogs are protective of their owners and their territory without having any specialized training. The sheer size and appearance of larger dogs is a deterrent to most would be intruders.
Dogs are naturally pack animals which makes them a social animal. They love their human family and want to be a part of it. Dogs make excellent compani
ons. Dogs should be included as a part of the family whenever possible. They truly need the interaction and love of their family.

Dogs should not spend their time all alone, living in the back yard. This is especially true of puppies. The younger the pup the more supervision and regular training he needs. Socialization is important for all dogs. In fact, it is the secret to a well behaved dog.

Before you add a new puppy to your home it is important to take the time to consider what type of dog will best suit your lifestyle. If you are the type of person that enjoys sports and the outdoors then an energetic dog may be perfect for you. If you spend a lot of time at the computer you may prefer a small lap dog. And if you live in the city you may want to consider a small dog that does not require a deal of space.

Basic Considerations When Choosing A New Puppy courtesy Dog Articles.

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Preparations For Bringing Your Puppy Home

Posted on February 13, 2011 by admin

After what seems like a long wait you are finally ready to get your new puppy. Preparing for a new puppy is exciting, after all, you are adding to your family. And just like preparing for a human baby, you need to be ready for this little fur-baby.

Planning ahead will make the move to your home easier for the puppy and for you. One of the first things you will want to do is have the puppy checked out by a veterinarian. It’s a good idea to know in advance, what veterinarian you plan to take your puppy to. Some veterinarians will do this first check for free. It is simply to confirm that your puppy is healthy and that the vaccinations are on track. This also gives you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have at that time.

Most breeders will provide a puppy packet which usually includes a sampling of the food the pup is used to and a toy and/or blanket that has been used by the momma dog and the littermates. The scent on these items is comforting to the puppy. Some breeders also include booklets of information related to the care of the puppy.

Your puppy will need a safe environment. He will be curious and he is likely to chew on any and every thing. It is your responsibility to see that he is kept in an area that is safe. A puppy play pen works well for this. These are flexible in shape and even in size. They are large enough to have a place for a bed, a place for food and water, a play area, and a place for the puppy pad. Many people find that dog crates can come in handy at times.

Because your puppy will want to be with you as much as possible you will probably find it convenient to have at least two or three dog beds for him. Put these in strategic places that you spend a lot of time, spots that will be close to you.

Grooming supplies are essential. At minimum you will need a dog shampoo and a brush. But keep in mind that dogs do not need bathes as often as humans; in fact, you should not bath your dog more than one time per week unless it is absolutely necessary.

Every puppy needs toys. You can make your own with pieces of rope, old toys, or even an old sock with a tennis ball in it. Or you can buy actual dog toys such as the squeaky toys or stuffed animals made especially for dogs. As long as you provide all the essentials, including food, water, playtime and love, your puppy will be happy.

Preparations For Bringing Your Puppy Home courtesy Dog Articles.

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Which Dog Food For My Dog?

Posted on February 5, 2011 by admin

There are more dog foods today than ever before. When you walk into any pet supply store the choices can be almost overwhelming. How in the world are you supposed to choose which food to buy for your dog?

In order to choose a good food for your dog you should keep in mind that there is no “best” dog food. Dog foods make many marketing claims but your dog will be able to do well on many of the foods sold in stores today. All you need to do is learn a few dog food basics.

Choosing a good dog food for your dog depends on two essential skills: learning which ingredients go into a good dog food and learning to read a dog food label. As you get more experienced with dog foods you will soon learn which companies generally manufacture the better foods and it will shorten the time you have to spend examining foods.

Do you have a Toy or small breed dog? You may want to consider canned food. Canned food typically costs more per ounce than dry food but it usually contains more protein and fat and much less grain than dry food. It also usually has fewer chemical additives such as artificial colors and flavorings. Canned food also doesn’t need preservatives because of the canning process. Finally, canned food has plenty of moisture which makes it easier for dogs to digest than kibble. Most dogs love canned food. On the other hand, if you have large dogs or multiple dogs the cost of canned food can be prohibitive.

Whether you are buying kibble or canned food you will need to look at the label to find the information that you’re seeking. Look for the AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officers) statement that says the food meets the minimum nutritional adequacy standards required for pet foods. This is no guarantee that your dog will thrive on the food but without this statement the food may not even meet minimum standards.

Next look for the ingredient list on the label. Foods are required to list ingredients in order of their weight. The first several ingredients should be the most important ingredients in the dog food. Ideally you will see several sources of named protein among the first five ingredients. These protein sources can be ingredients such as chicken meal, lamb meal, whole chicken, deboned chicken, and so on.

You should avoid foods that provide protein sources such as “animal digest” and “meat meal.” According to AAFCO, these animal digests can be described as “animal tissues used shall be exclusive of hair, horns, teeth, hooves and feathers, except in such trace amounts as might occur unavoidably in good factory practice and shall be suitable for animal feed.” Meat meal is described as “an animal feedstuff produced by recycling animal byproducts. These byproducts include meat trimmings, inedible parts and organs, fetuses, and certain condemned carcasses. They are cooked (rendered) to produce a nutritional and economical feed ingredient.” These are not the kinds of protein you want to feed your dog. Choose named proteins so you know what your dog is eating.

You also want to choose named sources of fats in your dog’s food for the same reasons. Choose chicken fat instead of animal fat.

Avoid foods that use corn gluten meal or that has multiple sources of corn. Corn has been used on such a widespread basis in dog food that many dogs have developed allergies to it. Not only that, but dogs can only digest about 54 percent of the protein in corn. That means that nearly half of the corn your dog eats in a food passes through him. Corn-based foods typically produce large piles of poop for owners to pick up and you have to feed large amounts for your dog to get enough nutrition. It’s best to simply look for foods that have no corn or minimal corn in them.

Foods that have fewer grains are generally better for your dog. It’s up to you if you want to feed your dog a grain-free food. They are generally very expensive.

You can also decide if you want to try feeding your dog a high protein diet. Some dogs do well on them while others don’t. If your dog becomes hyperactive and isn’t getting enough exercise to burn off some of the energy on this diet you may need to go back to a normal protein diet.

Avoid products that use BHA, BHT or Ethoxyquin as preservatives. Look instead for natural preservatives.

Avoid foods with artificial colors, sugars and sweeteners. Your dog doesn’t need them.

Many dog foods claim to contain “human grade” ingredients but that can be misleading. All poultry in the U.S. is hormone-free and dog food cannot, by law, be labeled human grade. They may use anti-biotic-free meats and cuts of meat that humans would eat. You will have to make your own decision.

If you examine dog food labels for these specifications you will begin to narrow down your choices. After that, you may ask for some sample packs so you can see which foods your dog likes the best. Remember that there is no single best food. In fact, it’s best if you have 2-3 foods so you can rotate every few months. This kind of variety is said to be beneficial for dogs. If they are not having all of their nutritional needs met with one food they may make up the deficit with another food.

The most expensive foods are not always the best value for the money. But the cheapest foods do usually cut corners and contain cheap ingredients. There are a vast number of dog foods in the middle. It takes some effort to choose good foods with good ingredients without necessarily spending a fortune but it’s certainly possible to do so. Your dog will thank you.

Which Dog Food For My Dog courtesy Dog Articles.

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