puppy | - Part 13

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Going To A Backyard Breeder

Posted on January 16, 2011 by admin

In some cases, the owner of an AKC-registered female dog will breed her to a friend’s unproven registered dog of the same breed. Are puppies of such matings likely to be satisfactory canine pets for you? The answer depends on the quality of each of the parents, not the cuteness of the puppies.

If both dogs are fair representatives of their breed, have few hereditary problems, and demonstrate acceptable personalities, their offspring may suit your needs. However, if both parents are quite young when bred, and nothing is known about their ancestors’ qualities, especially conformation and disposition, their litter may not be the one you are looking for! Genetic diseases may be first exhibited after several years of age, and these conditions may be prevalent in both the male and the female bloodlines.

These facts should make you wary of obtaining a backyard-bred puppy. Judicious advice admonishes you to buy soundness in a big dog, not cuteness. Look for the best pup, not the most available one.

Mixed breed and crossbred big dogs

Sometimes, a big dog may be inadvertently bred to a neighborhood fence jumper or a female dog of one large purebred may be purposefully mated with a purebred of another large breed to produce crossbred puppies. What can we predict in such pups? Again, only the puppies in question and the people involved can answer these questions.

Something can be said for the hybrid vigor of mixed-breed pups. Sufficient research has not been done to prove that the offspring of such matings are truly stronger or more vigorous than the progeny of purebreds. Commonsense genetics tells us mixed-breed puppies should have fewer hereditary problems, but the wider gene pool behind them does not assure that these pups will be free of all such problems.

Crossbred offspring conformation is relatively unpredictable on the first mating. If a large purebred female is bred to a large purebred male of another breed, anything is possible, and few assumptions can be made about the variety of appearances or sizes of the puppies until the litter is several weeks or months old. Previous matings of the same two dogs may predict the size of these crossbred puppies.

Often, personalities of mixed-breed and crossbred pups are quite attractive, but are probably less predictable than those of purebreds. Even though individual dispositions may vary, purebred puppies’ characters are likely to be similar to those of their ancestors.

However, if you are not concerned about the actual size or appearance of your big canine partner, and if you find a mixed or crossbred litter, go for it! If the dam is a big dog and the sire is of equal or greater size, the litter has an excellent chance of containing at least a fair percentage of big puppies.

Going To A Backyard Breeder courtesy of Dog Articles.

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An Intelligent Working Dog

Posted on January 16, 2011 by admin

As the breed name clearly points out, Labrador Retrievers were bred originally to assist in the hunt by retrieving downed game. However, as years passed, their roles did not change but rather expanded to include numerous tasks and services.

No service rendered by a dog can surpass the role of Guide Dog. Through the work of these highly skilled animals, a blind individual is able to move in the mainstream of life, guided by the “eyes at the end of the lead.” Such a human-dog bond reaffirms the valued place canines have assumed in our modern world. A Guide Dog and his owner share a special relationship, a dog that lives to serve and an owner who is able to live life to his fullest aided by the service of a life-long companion and friend.

The Guide Dog program originated in Switzerland in the 1920s under the leadership of Mrs. Dorothy Eustis. The original Guide Dogs were strictly German Shepherd females, bred by Mrs. Eustis at her Fonunate Field Kennels. Over the years, Labradors as well as Golden Retrievers were also recruited into the program. In Great Britain, approximately 70% of the Guide Dogs are Labrador Retrievers, and Australia uses only Labradors for this task.

In the United States, The Seeing Eye was the driving force of the Guide Dog movement. This organization started in 1929 by Mrs. Eustis and is currently headquartered in Morristown, New Jersey. It has maintained its own breeding kennel since 1941, producing 327 puppies in 1986, 117 of which were Labradors. Of a breeding stock of 40 adults, there are 15 female Labradors and four male Labrador dogs. Only the very finest dogs are selected for this special breeding kennel. They must have successfully completed the rigorous training program designed by The Seeing Eye and exhibited stellar qualities in temperament and conformation. Labradors are commended as easy breeders producing large litters.

The Labrador Retriever excels as a Guide Dog primarily because of his size, working ability, well-rounded temperament, and ability to get along so well with people. The Labrador also has a small streak of stubbornness that the people at The Seeing Eye find useful. While this makes the Labrador slightly tougher to train, this quality sets the breed apart from most in that a Labrador can take charge and refuse a command when confronted with an emergency situation—such as when a blind owner commands the dog to move forward and a hazard apparent only to the dog lies in the way.

An Intelligent Working Dog courtesy of Dog Articles.

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Should I Adopt Two Puppies?

Posted on January 16, 2011 by admin

Puppies are cute, affectionate, loving and silly. They’re fun to play with and cuddle with and will never not call you back. What could be better than one puppy except two, right?

Maybe.

Puppies may be all of these great things, but remember, puppies are tons of responsibility. For all the work you’ll have to do to housebreak one puppy, you’ll have to do it all twice as much. For all the money you spend on food, toys, treats and supplies, you’ll have to spend double. For all the love, attention, work and time you put into one puppy, you’ll have to put in two times that amount.

Now, if you’re an experienced pet owner and have handled having two young dogs in the past before, you may already know all the work involved and are willing to do it. In that case, good luck and have fun. However, most of us have never had to bring up two puppies at the same time. That being the case, most of us can’t fully realize the kind of effort that goes into raising two dogs simultaneously. Remember this before you commit to two new family members.

One problem that is often brought up about rearing two puppies at the same time is that they get closer with each other than they will with you. If a puppy has another dog to be his companion, he doesn’t need the human partnership most pets crave. Additionally, once he passes a certain point without that human bond, he will never bond as close with his master as he could have if he were forced to at an early age.

An obvious problem with this is that oftentimes companion dogs will pay more attention to the other dog than they will to their humans. This can make the two dogs a lot harder to control, to train and to housebreak. Dogs are pack animals and once you have more than one dog, you have a pack. Packs are self-involved and hard to handle. They can also be dangerous in early years, as a pack order must be established and may or may not come easily. Fights can happen, intimidation, abuse from one dog to the other. Remember than all of these complications are very real possibilities that may occur from raising two puppies at once.

A common reason people have for wanting to get two puppies is that they want one to keep the other company. They overlook all the work that will go into raising two babies (as that is essentially what puppies are) at once and decide that one needs another. Remember that your dog will get plenty of company from you if you are devoting enough time and attention to it and if you still feel that you dog needs a companion, it is much easy and better idea to wait until your first puppy is a year of age, past housebreaking and training, to adopt another. That way, you’ll be positive that you can accept the responsibility of being a two dog household.

Should I Adopt Two Puppies courtesy of Dog Articles.

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Should I Have My Dog Spayed Or Neutered?

Posted on January 12, 2011 by admin

Many people today are concerned about pet overpopulation. They may choose to adopt a pet instead of buying from a breeder. Even if they do obtain a dog from a breeder they may be interested in having their dog spayed or neutered. Is this always a good idea? Is spaying and neutering right for everyone? Are there drawbacks? If you do plan to spay or neuter your pet, what is the best age to have it done?

There are many positives to having your dog spayed or neutered, especially for the casual pet owner. Primarily, you reduce the risk of unplanned and unwanted pregnancies. Many people today are not always aware when their female dog may be in “season.” They may not take the proper precautions to prevent her from becoming pregnant. It can take a surprisingly short time for a breeding to take place. Even fenced dogs may become pregnant if you have a determined male nearby. Dogs can escape from a yard or house for a brief rendezvous. You may not even know that your dog is pregnant until shortly before she has puppies. By then it’s too late to do anything but get ready for the whelping.

Spaying your female (and neutering your male) eliminates this risk. You won’t have to find homes for unplanned puppies or care for them for several weeks while the mother nurses them. Newborn puppies are virtually helpless and you would be responsible for their welfare until they are old enough to wean. After that you would need to get their first set of shots before they go to their new homes. It’s quite a daunting experience to try to raise a litter of puppies and find good homes for them. If you are unsuccessful you would be responsible for taking them to an animal shelter where they might be put to sleep if not adopted. For this reason alone, many people choose to have their female dogs spayed.

From a health standpoint, spaying also has certain benefits. If you spay your female dog before she is 2 1/2 years old she has a significantly lower chance of developing mammary cancer than her unspayed counterparts. Mammary cancer is one of the leading causes of death among unspayed females. Spaying a female dog also removes the chance of ovarian cysts developing since the ovaries are removed during the hysterectomy. You will also avoid pyrometra and uterine cancer.

Neutering your male dog has similar positive benefits. Besides being unable to mate, your neutered male will probably have less or an urge to mark in the house. Your dog will not have a risk of testicular cancer and the risk of prostate cancer is reduced.

There are, however, negatives about spaying and neutering. Weight gain is often observed after spaying and neutering. Spaying and neutering at young ages (before the onset of puberty and the beginning of the sex hormones) can mean that your dog never achieves the look of a mature dog. Males, in particular, may lack muscle tone and mass their entire lives. Spaying and neutering at young ages — before the growth plates close — may also stunt the growth of your dog. On the other hand, some spayed and neutered dogs grow to be much taller than normal. Spayed females may also become incontinent and have accidents in the house. At least one study has shown that sterilized dogs are more likely to have problems with hypothyroidism.

In addition, while spayed and neutered dogs are less likely to get some cancers, they are more likely to develop others. This is thought to be because they no longer have the beneficial effects of some necessary hormones in their bodies.

Neutering increases the risk of osteosarcoma in male dogs (bone cancer). It increases the risk of cardiac hemangiosarcoma. It triples the risk of hypothyroidism. It increases the risk of orthopedic disorders. And it increases the risk of adverse reactions to vaccinations.

For female dogs, spaying significantly increases the risk of osteosarcoma (bone cancer. It doubles the risk of splenic hemangeiosarcoma. It triples the risk of hypothyroidism. It triples or quadruples the risk of persistent urinary tract infections. It increases the risk of orthopedic disorders. And it increases the risk of adverse reactions to vaccinations.

That’s a lot of important health information to consider. Having your dog spayed or neutered is not a slam dunk decision. If you have a breed that is already prone to one of these conditions you should think carefully before having your dog spayed or neutered since you will be increasing the odds that your dog may develop a serious health condition.

Most pet owners will choose to have their dog spayed or neutered for the sake of convenience. They won’t have to worry about unwanted pregnancies. They won’t have to worry about their dog coming in season. This is often a good choice. But please consider all of the health ramifications of your decision. Talk to people who have your breed. Find out about common health problems and see what other people recommend. At the very least, try to delay spaying and neutering until your dog is sexually mature so that you can avoid some of the worst of the potential health problems associated with spaying and neutering.

Should I Have My Dog Spayed Or Neutered? Courtesy of Dog Articles.

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Choosing Healthy Foods For Your Dog

Posted on January 12, 2011 by admin

Today’s pet food market is larger and more diverse than ever before. While this offers a large number of choices in various types of pet food, it also presents a dilemma in choosing the healthiest food for your dog. Are generic or store brands suitable for a dog? What about familiar name brands like Purina and Alpo? Are the pricier brands that advertise specially formulated ingredients (Science Diet, Eukanuba) really living up to their claims and worth the extra money? All of these are valid questions that loving dog owners deserve to have answered.

Dog Food Considerations

There are several factors to consider when choosing the right food for your dog. Different dogs have different nutritional needs at different stages in their lives. Some things to consider when selecting the food you’ll give your dog follow.

– The Dog’s Age

Puppies have different nutritional requirements than adult dogs just as human children have different needs than adult people. Senior dogs also have different requirements than younger adult dogs. Make sure that you select a food that is appropriate for your dog’s stage in life.

– The Dog’s Health

Does your dog have a specific medical condition? If so, the food you choose may need to be partially dictated by that condition. Diabetic dogs need low-glucose foods and dogs with specific allergies (yes dogs can be allergic to all sorts of things, just like people) may require certain foods as well. Your veterinarian can help you choose foods that are appropriate for a dog with a specific medical condition.

– The Dog’s Size or Body Type

Some dogs are overweight. Some dogs are underweight. Some have a natural tendency to get lots of exercise while others tend to prefer to lie around a lot. There are, of course, small, medium, and large dogs as well as the ultra-tiny “toy” dogs. All of these different types of dogs will have different requirements for the type of food they need as well as how much of it.

– Your Budget

Dog food can be expensive, there’s no doubt about it. And where dog food is concerned, the rule really is “you get what you pay for.” Low cost generics and store brands will lighten the burden on your wallet, but may not be the healthiest choice for your dog as they are made with cheap ingredients and lots of fillers. You should buy the best dog food you can on your budget to help ensure your dog’s nutrition.

Choosing Healthy Foods For Your Dog courtesy of Dog Articles.

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What Does It Mean To Be A Responsible Dog Owner?

Posted on January 12, 2011 by admin

Responsible dog ownership is very important for anyone who plans to own a dog. Most elements of responsible dog ownership are common sense but they always bear repeating.

1. Before you get a dog ask yourself if you have enough time to properly take care of him or her. Do you have the time to housebreak and train a puppy? Can you afford good veterinary care and good dog food? Can you make the commitment necessary to care for a dog? Is everyone in your home able to make the same commitment?

2. When choosing a dog, make sure that you choose the right dog for you. This means considering your lifestyle and circumstances. Do you like grooming? Do you have time to groom? If you don’t, then don’t get a longhaired dog that requires a lot of weekly or even daily grooming. Do you live in a small apartment? Then you shouldn’t get a very active dog that needs lots of room to run. (But remember that size isn’t always an indication of how active a dog is. Some very large dogs are quite happy to sleep all day while some small dogs can be extremely active.) Do you have children? By all means choose a breed that’s known for being great with kids. In other words, think before you get a dog. Don’t choose a dog impulsively.

3. Once you bring your new puppy or dog home be sure to take him or her to the vet for a check-up. This is the most responsible thing you can do for several reasons: a) You need to confirm that the seller has given you a healthy puppy or dog; b) You need to be certain that the dog will not pass on any illness to other pets; c) You should be sure that your new puppy or dog is current on vaccinations for his or her own protection and for yours. Most cities and states require dogs to be vaccinated, at least for rabies. Check with your city or with your vet to find out about the vaccination requirements in your area.

4. Be sure that you provide your dog with fresh water at all times and with healthy dog food. Educate yourself about the ingredients in dog food. Learn what makes a good food and what your dog needs in his diet. Not all dog foods are created equal. Some dogs are full of cheap fillers and other foods are made of expensive organic ingredients. Find out what your dog actually needs so you can make an informed choice about his food.

5. Keep your dog responsibly contained and do not let him wander the neighborhood. Virtually every city and town in North America has leash laws of some kind that require dogs to be kept leashed or on their owner’s property. A good fence or a leash when you are walking your dog will keep your dog from roaming. Dogs that are allowed to roam and wander may become lost or hit by cars. If picked up they can go to animal shelters where they may be put to sleep. Keep your dog safely contained for his own protection.

6. If you do not intend to responsibly breed your dog you should consider having him or her neutered or spayed. Neutering and spaying prevents unwanted pet pregnancies and saves you from having to find homes for unexpected puppies. Responsible breeding is not easy. It entails health testing the parents, researching pedigrees, planning and overseeing matings and researching homes for puppies. Unless you plan to undertake these activities most pets are better off being spayed and neutered unless you have reason to believe that your dog would have a health problem with such surgery.

7. Do the right thing for your dog even when it’s difficult. This means that when your dog has reached the end of his days and there is no more that the vet can do for him, you will have to make the difficult decision to say goodbye. Stay with your dog and comfort him till the end.

Being a responsible pet owner is a big job. It means that you have to think of everything for your dog from the time before you get him until the end of your days together. But, in return, your dog will give you all the love in his heart and soul. It’s a good trade.

What Does It Mean To Be A Responsible Dog Owner courtesy of Dog Articles.

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How To Begin Puppy Training

Posted on January 11, 2011 by admin

The best time to begin training your puppy is at the very beginning. It is easier to learn the right way to do things the first time than to have to unlearn bad habits first.

The best time to begin training your puppy is at the very beginning. It is easier to learn the right way to do things the first time than to have to unlearn bad habits first. The first thing you will need to do after buying your puppy is to take it home. The safest way to carry your puppy is by using either a harness that attaches to the seatbelt or to use a dog carrier A puppy who is unused to those devices might feel uncomfortable at first, and cry, or express a desire to sit on your lap. This is a dangerous practice and should not be encouraged. Use the doggy seatbelt or car seat in the beginning and your pup will soon get used to it. When you reach home, the all-important puppy house training should begin.

Fortunately, in most breeds there is an inborn instinct to eliminate away from where they live. Even the youngest of pups will often take some steps away from its mother before doing its business. Dogs are creatures of habit so as soon as you get home, begin taking the puppy to a spot where you want it to eliminate. Give it some time to walk around and explore its new environment. When it does its business, praise it for doing the right thing. Eliminating outside can be frightening at first, because that is when a dog is at his most vulnerable. To a puppy who is used to being inside, the great outdoors can be overwhelming at first, so don’t be surprised if it runs for cover. Gently take your puppy back to the right place, and reassure it that you are there for it. Take it back to the same place frequently, and give it time to sniff around.

When it smells the odor of its last elimination, it will feel inspired to repeat its earlier performance. Again, supply plenty of praise. Do not punish you pup for making mistakes. That will only make it afraid of you. Pushing the dog’s face into its feces is a dangerous practice. It can make it impossible for the animal to breath or cause an infection. When it has an accident, clean up the urine, or pick up the feces and take it outside, showing the dog where to put it. (After your demonstration, of course, you will want to throw the waste away). The use of dog repellants is not recommended because they can cause nausea and vomiting. When walking your dog you will want to use a leash to keep it safe.

This puppy training should begin with a six feet long leash attached to a collar or harness. The use of a choke collar is discouraged, because it causes discomfort. You should be able to get two fingers between your puppy’s neck and the collar. The width of the leash depends upon the size of the dog. A small breed such as a shih-tzu or Chihuahua can probably use the narrowest leash your neighborhood pet supply store has to offer. A German shepherd or a Great Dane would obviously need a much thicker one. First attach the leash to the puppy’s collar (choke collars are not necessary) and have the puppy stand to your left. Say “Sit,” and gently push down the puppy’s rear end until it is sitting. Reward the puppy with praise or a treat when it is sitting. The next command to teach is “down”, and it is taught in the same way. Say the command and pull the puppy’s front paws until it is in a “Sphinx” position.

Reward with a treat or praise. This is puppy training is especially good for large breeds, since it can be used when smaller dogs are around to reassure them that your large dog will not harm them. To teach the pup to walk with a leash, say “Come on.” Then gently pull the dog along, on your left side. Reward the puppy with praise or a treat when he does walks along beside you without pulling. This kind of leash walking can be used where there is a good amount of room around. When you are walking your dog in a crowded place, such as an outdoor fair, you will want your pet to know “heel.” Say the command and gently pull the puppy next to your heel. Reward the dog when it obeys.

The last command on our agenda is “stay,” which is useful when you have guests over who are afraid of dogs, or if you want to open the door to bring in the groceries and don’t want your dog to run off. Give the command and then walk off a few feet. If the dog tries to follow you, put the puppy back to the same place, give the command again, and walk off a few feet. Start by staying away only a few seconds, return, and give the dog a reward. Gradually increase the time as the dog learns. Remember, puppy training should be a good experience for both of you, because you will be this puppy’s caregiver for the rest of its life and it will be your companion and friend. When you are both comfortable with the basics, you might want to teach your new friend some tricks. That puppy training will be the subject of future articles. Have fun. Lea Mullins tells us about how to begin puppy training.

How To Begin Puppy Training courtesy of Dog Articles.

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Puppy Rescue

Posted on January 10, 2011 by admin

There are many puppies in rescue centers. You may want to get your pet from a rescue center. You will find mixed breeds and pure bred pets that need adoption. The reason so many puppies and dogs are at rescue centers is that a lot of people take them there after the newness and cuteness wears off or they move and decide not to take the pet with them, especially if they are moving out of town.

Just where are many of these puppies rescued from when someone doesn’t bring them in when they are tired of them? Well, puppies are found along the roadside, in garbage bags and boxes, in parks, and some are taken from puppy mills. Some people take them to the woods and dump them in which case they don’t usually make it to a rescue center.

Many times people tell someone at the rescue center about a puppy mill or that a bunch of puppies were dumped in a park or somewhere else and the volunteers at the rescue center go get them. The veterinarian examines the pet when it is brought in; he will treat the puppies wounds and treat him for parasites. When the vet is finished one of the rescue team members bathes the pet. After the puppy is treated and bathed, he’ll be placed in a clean kennel until someone adopts him and he is their pet.

When you want to adopt a pet from a rescue center, you’ll have to follow their rules of adoption. These rules are enforced so that puppies go to good homes. The rules may vary some from one pet rescue center to another, but will be similar and be for the welfare of the pet.

The rules at your local pet rescue center may include these stipulations: They may ask for the name of a vet, which you’ll use. This is so that they can check with the vet about your pet. They may require an interview before letting you adopt the puppy. They might require a home visit. They might have a testing period, which is temporary, to confirm the pet has a good home, good living conditions, and is happy there.

If you adopt a pet from a rescue center or a shelter you are helping to stop the puppy mill business. You will benefit too by getting a puppy that is healthier, happier, and groomed well. If you are adopting a pure bred puppy, you’ll know what size it will be when full grown. Determine the size of pet you want. If it is a mixed breed try to determine how big it will be later.

If you have a small house and yard, you may prefer a puppy that will be a smaller grown dog. Do you want a dog with a short coat or a long coat? Would you like a dog that likes to swim and catch freebies? Consider your activities and lifestyle, when choosing your pet.

Puppy Rescue courtesy of Dog Articles.

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Socializing A New Dog In Your Home

Posted on January 8, 2011 by admin

You’ve been waiting for months. You’ve done all your homework. You’ve chosen the perfect new puppy for your home. You have a collar, a leash, a bag of food that the puppy has been eating. You’ve even taken a day off from work so you can go get the puppy and bring him home. He has a bed and toys waiting for him at home. You’ve thought of everything, right? Right up until the moment one of your kids asks, “Won’t Rover just love the new puppy?” Oh, no. What about the dog you already have? What about that sweet, beloved old guy at home who has been the center of the family’s attention for years? How is he going to feel about sharing his home with a new puppy? Did you forget to ask him about bringing a new puppy home? How is he going to react? It looks like you’re well on your way to having to learn how to socialize your new puppy and your old dog. But, don’t worry too much. It’s not that hard and you can all get through the process with a little effort.

The most important thing is to ensure the safety of all concerned – you, your family the puppy and the older dog. Make certain that the puppy will be safe and that the older dog cannot harm him. It’s a good idea to place the new puppy (or new dog) in a pet carrier or crate that will keep him from coming into physical contact with the older dog at first. This way they can still see, smell and hear each other without anyone getting hurt. They can get used to each other in a safe situation. If you’re dealing with a larger puppy or an adult dog you may need to leash both animals. It helps to have an assistant on hand (a family member is fine).

Remember that rewards go a long way toward helping to ease these situations. You will basically want to reward your older dog when he shows acceptance of the new puppy (or dog). After the two dogs have calmed down a little give each of them a little reward, such as a bite of kibble or some other favorite treat. Give the puppy and the older dog lots of praise and affection for not barking or showing aggression toward each other. (It will be tempting to show more affection and praise to the puppy but you should be careful not to overlook the older dog. You don’t want to do things that will make the older dog jealous.) Keep in mind that you are trying to show your older and the puppy that you accept the other dog’s presence as part of the family and that you expect them to accept the other dog, too. You will probably need to repeat this process several times until both dogs become accustomed to each other and any hostility has subsided. It’s typical for the older dog to display more aggression than the puppy. The puppy may be very submissive. This is normal. Some puppies may be frisky and something of a nuisance to older dogs. Older dogs will put up with this behavior to varying degrees. Some older dogs are more tolerant than others but most will respond and set limits at some point.

The next step in this process is to allow the animals a closer inspection of each other. For this step you need an assistant to help control one of the animals. Your assistant should leash the older dog and hold him firmly on a very short leash. Make sure your assistant has control of the dog. You will then open the pet carrier or crate and bring out the new puppy or dog. Or, both animals may be on leashes. At this point you will bring the two dogs close together. The dogs will most likely move toward each other to sniff and meet. They will explore the other animal so you should be sure your assistant is holding the dog tightly. You should be careful not to let the new pet panic or escape your hold. You can gradually bring the two dogs closer together and allow them to calmly meet. One or both dogs may growl in warning. Watch the dogs carefully and be prepared to separate them if necessary. You can try again later if need be. Dogs in a home typically establish a pecking order – they will establish who is boss. Your older dog has seniority and will probably quickly let the puppy or other dog know that he is in charge in the home. The other dog will probably accept a subordinate role for the time being. Dogs are good at working at most squabbles on their own without human interference.

The last thing to keep in mind is that not everyone gets along. Not with people and not with dogs. There will be days when your dogs may not get along. They may have disagreements about a toy or about a place to sleep or about food. These are usually quickly resolved and your dogs will be friends again. In other cases there are some dogs that don’t like each other and may never like each other. However, with patience and some good management on your part, you can avoid fights and keep your house peaceful most of the time. You may have to call a time-out sometimes, or send the dogs to a separate room to cool off, but things will calm down.

If you’re thinking of getting a new puppy or adult dog you can help prepare your older dog for the coming change and make things easier for him. Start socializing your older dog more. Take him to a dog park or a pet superstore that allows dogs to visit. Let him begin to meet some new dogs so it’s easier on him when he meets a new dog in his home. You may even be able to arrange for him to meet your new puppy on neutral ground, such as at a dog park, where your older dog feels less territorial. You may even wish to consider having a dog party at your home where several people bring their dogs to your house. (Though this may be stressful for some dogs, other dogs may enjoy having dog guests in their home. It helps to know your dog well and how he may react.) All of these things will help your dog adjust when he meets your new puppy.

Do take your older dog’s feeling into consideration when you think about bringing a new puppy or adult dog into your home. Many dogs welcome a puppy or new dog into the household, but for dogs who have been “only dogs” their entire lives it can be somewhat threatening to have a new dog in the household. They feel threatened both by having their living space invaded and by feeling jealous of your time and attention and love. Everything they know is being challenged and turned upside down. Give them time to adjust to a new puppy or dog and help them adapt by introducing the new animal slowly. Make sure you continue to show your older dog plenty of love and affection and it will help him accept the newcomer.

Socializing A New Dog In Your Home courtesy of Dog Articles

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