Too Many Dogs – What You Can do to Help

Did you know that one dog and her offspring can produce about 67,000 puppies in a six-year time? Considering that shocking figure it’s not surprising that about 4-5 million dogs and cats are euthanized each year in the United States shelters.

One of the reasons for all these unwanted dogs is puppy mills. If puppy mills could be shut down there would be a significant reduction in the number of unwanted pets.

The breeders at these puppy mills are often kept in cages that are more like chicken coops than dog kennels. They are often de-barked by shoving a metal pipe down their throat and banging it with a hammer to rupture their vocal chords. The life these dogs live is unimaginable.

Females are bred over and over again until they become too old or develop some health condition that prevents them from being of any use to the owner, at which time they are often euthanized at home by whatever means the owner chooses.

The fortunate ones end up at dog rescues. The breeder, after years of getting all the puppies he can from her, will offer her for sale in a local paper or online. Some rescues will watch for these ads and ask if the breeder will offer to relinquish her to the rescue to be adopted out or ask if the breeder will let the rescue buy the dog for a lower price (rescue funds are most always scarce).

Rescues make this attempt to get the female dogs out of the breeding circuit, spayed, and into a good, loving home. Oftentimes, if the rescues can not intercept these dogs, they are sold to another party who will continue to breed the dog.

The puppies from these puppy mills end up at pet shops. One way you can help put puppy mills out of business is to not buy puppies from any pet shop. Another way to help is to support any legislation your state or country tries to pass to shut down puppy mills.

What can you do personally? If you have any dogs make sure they are fixed so they can’t add to the overpopulation.

Other ways you can help is to volunteer at your local shelter or with a dog rescue. Perhaps you want to foster a dog or several dogs.

You can also provide unwanted dogs with a good home by adopting them from a dog rescue or from an animal shelter. Once home, give the dog time to get accustomed to his new surroundings. Let him be inside with the family.

If you don’t already have a doggie door, get one. And if you don’t have a fenced yard (which shelters and rescues usually require) put one up, even if it’s just a small section outside the doggie door. This will make it easier to housebreak a dog that has never been trained.

To adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue is a wonderful thing to do, but first be certain you are ready for a new dog. Read up on how to take care of a dog or puppy. Read up on the breed you want. Get some dog training materials (Cesar Millan is highly recommended).

Adopting a dog is a big responsibility that should be for the life of the dog. The same thing goes for adopting a kitten or cat. These creatures depend on us to take care of them, and right now there is a lot we can do to improve their plight.

By Carol Stack
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Carol Stack has been working with dogs for over three decades. She and her daughter Christy have put up a web site to help others discover how to choose, care for and train their dogs: http://www.christysdogportal.com.

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To All Dog Owners: Are You Guilty of Anthropomorphism?

For years Hollywood has portrayed motion-picture canines as animals whose motivations are based on human perceptions and values. Lassie saves a rabbit from death, for example, or Benji solves a crime, or Rin Tin Tin protects the fort from outlaws. These animal films are very entertaining, and the canine actors are extremely well trained, but they tend to give the viewer a distorted, unrealistic picture of a dog’s ability to think and reason.

This misrepresentation of canine behavior is the do wnfall of many dog owners and their unfortunate pets. A person who has never taken a dog training course or read a good training manual containing information on canine behavior very often expects from his or her dog things that canines are unable to do. Such a person may teach even those behaviors that the dog is capable of carrying out in a confusing and haphazard manner. Many poor dogs are then unjustly labeled, spiteful, stupid, stubborn, and sometimes just plain bad. The proper label is ignorant, and it belongs to the owner, not the dog. Whenever you try to evaluate canine behaviors through a human point of view, you will misinterpret them.

All but the very worst anthropomorphic dog owners can be helped if they make a valid effort to understand their dogs. It is not a crime to be anthropomorphic, but it should be a crime if you own a dog and make no effort to understand him. Some aspects of anthropomorphism are harmless to the dog – and can even be enjoyable. For example, giving your dog a special dinner on his birthday or filling a Christmas stocking with dog toys and treats is not detrimental; What dog owners should learn about anthropomorphism should directly concern the dog’s training, especially when it comes to good timing and fair corrections. For example, owners often correct their dog based on a "guilty look" on the dog’s face, assuming he "knows" he was wrong. The dog doesn’t know, any more than he knows it is his birthday or Christmas.

Here is another good example of anthropomorphism. Many dog owners – especially owners of younger dogs – experience a chewing problem at some point. Many calls come in on a regular basis from frustrated owners who say that their dogs chew furniture, rugs, shoes, and the like when left alone in the house. They say that they have tried everything. "He knows he has done wrong," they say. When asked what they have done to correct the dog, they say, "I holler at him and show him what he chewed. I tell him he is bad, and I smack him with the newspaper."

This procedure is usually repeated many times while the dog continues to destroy the house. Eventually the time arrives when the owner comes home and the dog runs and hides. Some dogs may even stand and shiver with a terribly "guilty look" on their face. Then, periodically, the owner will come home and not find a mess. The owner will be happy and will praise and pet the dog. The dog will respond to the happy sound and good-feeling rubs with a wagging tail and a happy appearance.

This cheerful behavior, unfortunately, reinforces in the owner’s mind that the dog knows that avoiding chewing is "right" and that chewing up the house is "wrong." "He’s just a bad dog," the owner thinks or "He’s really spiteful. He wants to get even with me for leaving him home." These statements are all based strictly on human emotions and a human perspective. Owners such as these are being anthropocentric. They view everything in terms of human experience and human values.

By John Edwards
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John Edwards is a long time dog lover. Visit his website to learn how to treat a dandruff dog and many more tips at: http://www.dogcaretraining.com
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A Dog Is For Life Not For Christmas

A very good neighbor dropped in yesterday for a coffee. Or at least I thought that was it. In fact she was so upset that she was in tears before the coffee had even brewed. Thinking that her husband must have run off with the particularly buxom waitress at our local diner, he and his buddies endlessly discuss this lady’s virtues, and I am always amazed at their tendency to confuse ambition with ability, but I digress. I gave her my full attention. I sat down and comforted her, expecting all to be revealed. The tears dried up instantly and I got a complete mouthful of the angriest language that I have ever heard this mild lady use. Fortunately it wasn’t directed at me, but I am now very impressed by her, shall we say ‘streetwise’ vocabulary. What had made her so mad was a very sad case of the utmost cruelty to a dog. At this point I was firmly on the bandwagon too, and the air was blue around us.

This brings me round to something I have a real bee in my bonnet about. And that’s the lack of thought that many people give to choosing a dog.

My neighbor works for the local RSPCA (Royal Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty to Animals in the UK). She works principally with the dogs that they rescue and take in. I probably shouldn’t be, me being rather more senior in years than junior now, but I am always astonished at the reasons why people abandon their dogs or decide that they just can’t keep them anymore. Now I’m not talking about the genuine reasons, such as an old person falling too ill to care for a pet. I mean the blatantly selfish reasons that some people find acceptable and which I, on my high horse, clearly DO NOT. My poor friend has to rehome as many of these poor friendless dogs as she can. I am very happy to say that Stalin’s interrogation techniques couldn’t be more impressive than hers when it comes to making sure that these unfortunates do not end up being discarded again. I am pleased to say that getting a dog away from her tender care is not for the faint hearted.

A dog can be a wonderful addition to your family, as long as everyone is prepared to put in the time and effort required. So many people think a puppy would make a wonderful present for their children, only to forget about them once the novelty has worn off. A very popular excuse for being unable to keep a dog is ‘I didn’t realize he was going to get that big’ well Der. He was born with those big paws, and he is a GSD, didn’t that give you a bit of a clue. Honestly, I know I don’t have a lot of patience with some people but they really do take the biscuit when they have checked out the breed, seen how big they grow and it STILL comes as a surprise. Ok, I’m going to calm down now.

Before you make the leap and introduce a new pet to your family make sure you know what to expect and that you’re prepared for all the consequences of bringing a new family member into your home. Let’s look at some of the things you should consider before you take the step of picking your puppy or dog.

Who is going to be responsible. It’s all well and good to tell your children that the new puppy is theirs to care for, but remember, the first time they have to choose between picking up after it and hangin’ out with their friends you know there’s going to be a problem. So if there is no one prepared to step in and look after the animal on a regular basis perhaps rethinking the gift would be a good idea.

Do you have room for it. The type of home you live in and what type of backyard you have, will be a major factor in both deciding on what type of dog you should get. Add to this whether or not you’re prepared to exercise the dog, if you don’t have the room to let it run free in the backyard. If you can’t supply the room for a dog to run or are not willing to exercise them on a regular basis then a dog is not right for you.

Are you a neat freak. No matter how well prepared you are, or how well you train your dog is, there will be accidents. These can range from the normal potty training problems to digging up your prize garden, chewing your new shoes, or shedding their hair on your sofa. If you’re not ready to put up with any of the above at some stage of the dog’s life then perhaps a dog is not right for you.

Can you afford it. Caring for a dog means more than just paying for its meals. While dinner time scraps are a common food source, they need more than that. A well balanced diet is essential throughout their life, but particularly when they are young and still growing. Food is not the only cost though. There are also the worm tablets, vet bills, registration fees and other costs associated with caring for your pet. If you are struggling to pay your bills now you shouldn’t add to those costs. All too often it’s the animal that misses out on what it needs.

What about it’s training. Funnily enough, dogs don’t come ‘pre trained’ unless you are very lucky, that is. An untrained dog will be a nuisance, a hazard to himself and to humans and other dogs. If you haven’t got the patience to train a dog then either get an older one who already has some manners, or don’t get one at all. Not knowing how to train a dog will be no barrier to a keen dog lover because they will either take the dog to classes or learn how to train the dog themselves.

And finally, Time, do you have enough. Please don’t get a dog if you don’t plan to spend anytime with it. Ignoring it and leaving it alone for long periods of time will bring problems as it feels bored and is unable to develop a loving relationship with you. A dog is a sociable animal that needs company preferably human, and if you can’t give a dog any time then please don’t get one.

These are just a few things to bear in mind when you’re thinking about getting a new dog, or any new pet, come to that. If you now understand some of what is expected when you get a new dog, and you decide you still do want a dog, then yes go ahead. Provided of course you can fulfill one other key requirement. Being prepared to offer lots of love, caring and patience. The undivided loyalty, love and affection you will get back from your dog are the greatest gifts you can ever have.

By Debbie Boffa
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Debbie Boffa has spent years raising and training rescue dogs. Her new book ‘Dog Obedience Training’ and a new website http://www.trainingdogsrus.com are the result. She’d love to see you there to get your FREE dog training tips

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Keep Your Dog Safe Over the Holidays

Your dog Is part of the family and deserves to be right in the midst of the holiday festivities with everyone else. Unfortunately, the holidays pose certain dangers to pets that we as humans may not be aware of. Here’s some things to think about to keep your dog safe this holiday season.

One thing you want to do is be sure that you know what your veterinarian sours are over the holidays and where to go shoot your dog have an emergency. Hopefully this won’t happen, but if you’re prepared you can react quickly and minimize the damage to your pet.

When it comes to the holidays, eating is one of the most predominant activities. Whether it be a big family dinner, a party with drinks and snacks, or Halloween with bowls of candy food is at the forefront of most holiday festivities. while we all tend to overeat which doesn’t pose us too much harm save a few extra pounds, the same type of the overeating can be very hazardous to your dog. There are many foods that cause no problems for humans but can actually be lethal to animals. Chocolate is one of these so be sure your dog does not get any chocolate from well-meaning guests or family members over the holidays.

Also, you and your guests need to be aware that your dog weighs a lot less than you do especially if he is a little toy dog like a Poodle, Pug or Pomeranian. This means that a constant flow of table scraps and snacks will really packed the pounds on your dog and just like humans, being overweight and eating fatty and sugary foods can cause health problems in pets. Be vigilant about what your dog eats especially at meal time as everyone wants to feed a cute little dog from their plate but when your pet gets a little handout from the plates of 12 people at the bottom food! Since dogs really don’t care much about this svelte figure, there’s little chance your dog will be refusing the food on his own so it’s up to you to watch out for him.

When decorating home for the holidays take care to think about your dog. Some coastal plants use around the holidays like poinsettias and mistletoe can make dog sick if ingested. Also be careful with your Christmas tree especially if it is a live tree – you want to be sure that your dog cannot drink the water out of the well in the stand. In addition you want to be careful of Christmas bulbs, garland and tinsel that is hanging at dog height. You don’t want your dog thinking is a play toys and biting into a glass ball or ingesting tinsile.

The stress of the holidays can rub off on your dog, especially if you are very stressed out or there are a lot of different things going on around your home. Different dogs react differently to stress some may become agitated and hyperactive while others may want to run and hide. During this time he should pay careful attention to your pet to make sure he’s not getting stressed out. Watch his behavior and try to reassure them that everything that’s going on is okay. In particular, if there will be a big party or fireworks with loud noises make sure that your dog does not have to be subjected to anything that will scare him.

The holidays are a great time for the whole family, including your dog to be together. Be sure to make this a special time for your dog by being mindful of his particular needs and everyone will be sure to have the happiest of holidays!

By Lee Dobbins
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Lee Dobbins is an avid dog lover and has owned pets all her life including many different breeds of dogs. She hosts http://www.dogbreeds123.com where you can learn more about dog breeds and caring for your pet dog as well as more about the Affenpinscher dog breed.

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Warning – Dog Training Ebook Scam Revealed

To all my fellow dog lovers,

I’m sorry to have to be the one to tell you this, but there are a lot of scams and bad information on the internet and unfortunately dog training is no exception. Popular topics like Dog Training and How To Stop Your Dog Barking attract all sorts of scam artists who just want to part you from your hard earned money.

They offer no real value and give genuine and honest internet businesses a bad reputation.

I’m the chairman of the local Dog Trainers Association and as an internet marketer, I really felt I had to do something against all the dog training scams and rubbish I was seeing almost on a daily basis during my time at work.

But when several members of my dog training club became victims to these charlatans, I knew I had to act. I set about personally reviewing and vetting (no pun intended!) all the dog training courses, videos and ebooks.

And the results were, quite frankly, shocking. 98% of the information was obviously just rehashed out-of-date information designed with one purpose in mind – ripping off regular folk like you and me.

Call me naive if you wish, but I was genuinely shocked at my findings. I’m a ‘bottle half-full’ kind of guy and probably a bit too trusting if the truth be told (My wife despairs of me sometimes).

So I contacted each of these so called dog training manuals and courses and posed as an unscrupulous web marketer interested only in making money with their products. I made it clear I wasn’t interested in content quality, but about how much cash I would make.

With their guards down, they soon opened up and joked about the poor saps they had fleeced that day and all the money they had made. How their ‘expert’ course on training dogs was in fact written by a ghost writer who had no knowledge in the area and had simply researched the subject and cobbled it together rewritten from extracts of other dog training ebooks. It was disgusting.

When I revealed my true motives for contacting them and told them what I thought of their deceit, they either put the phone down immediately or hurled abuse at me threatening all sorts of legal action or physical harm. Real charmers!

Just when I was starting to feel like I needed a good bath and about to give up, I met Daniel Stevens.

He was highly professional, experienced and curtious, but most importantly of all, he was honest and he REALLY cared about dogs and their owners. He was very cautious with me until I eventually told him what I was doing. I don’t remember him mentioning money once.

Things were definately looking up.

Having years of dog training experience myself (not to mention a few trophies on the mantle I humbly add), I went over his product with a fine tooth comb as just being a nice guy wasn’t going to be enough for me.

I was more than pleasantly surprised and very impressed (And I don’t impress easily). His dog training material is truly excellent, easy to understand and amazing value for money. In fact, the free information he gives away on his website is ten times better than 98% of all the other rubbish I saw that you have to shell out big bucks for.

I also contacted some of Daniel’s previous customers to see what they had to say and their experiences just confirmed what I had already discovered for myself. They were all very satisfied customers and were getting results fast. They also mentioned how easily accessible Daniel was AFTER they had paid their money. That’s the mark of a really great business in my book.

I now personally recommend Daniels dog training manual to all our new club members without a moments hesitation and I don’t know anyone who doesn’t rave about it. It is our dog training clubs official ‘bible’. No ones even considered asking for a full refund, even though he offers one.

I can, hand on heart, wholeheartedly recommend Daniels dog training course ‘SitStayFetch’ to you as well, without any reservation. Training your dog is so important, because it means you can spend more time enjoying each others company without the stress that issues such as constantly barking can cause. And the solution can be so simple to sort out, IF you have the right instruction by experienced and professional dog training experts.

That’s where Daniel comes in. For the price of a new dog basket, you can sort out any problems you are experiencing with your dog and do what you should be doing with your dog…having lots and lots of fun!

I won’t go into too many details here about all the free bonuses he gives with his course. Suffice to say, the’re worth buying the course for just to get hold of them. Talk about going the extra mile. I particularly liked the bonus showing you how to train your dog for home security. Really excellent methods that I have used with my dogs with great success (Who said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks).

Training your dog can be a lot of fun and very rewarding, but it doesn’t happen overnight. Be realistic with your goals and with Daniels help and expert guidance you will succeed.

If you would like to benefit from Daniels Free 6 day mini-course showing you how train your dog to stop barking and a lots more besides then click on the following link;

http://www.trade-secrets.org/stopdogbarking.html

Best wishes to you, your family and of course your dogs,

Sincerely yours,

Dr. Peter Skuse

By Dr. Peter Skuse
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I now earn my living as an Internet Marketer after many years as a College Professor.

I have three dogs; Tess, a 3 year old Lurcher. Bosun, a 3 year old black Labrador and Mac, a 2 year old West Highland Terrier.

Living on the coast, my dogs have become part aquatic as they seem to spend more time in the water as they do on dry land.

A Simple Way to Safeguard Against Losing Your Dog

In our family, our dog Kobe is not only our best friend. He’s virtually a member of the family. He gets his own bed, his own meals and his own special place around the house, which used to be a broom closet until he made it his own personal hangout. Things just wouldn’t be the same without Kobe around.

We used to have Kobe’s mother around as well, but she slipped out of the house one day and never came back. This made me realize that even families with the deepest love and caring for their dogs often overlook an important item that can help prevent them from ever getting lost – the dog identification tag.

A dog tag is a small flat tag worn by the dog on their collars or harnesses which contain important identifying information, including the dog owner’s telephone number and address. The dog tag may also mention the dog’s dog license number and contact information for the licensing organization; an identifying number for the dog with a phone number for a lost-pet registry; information about the dog’s critical medical issues or rabies vaccinations; a message announcing a reward that will be paid upon the return of the lost dog and others.

There is some debate about whether or not to put the dog’s name on his dog tag. Some rescue organizations recommend not putting the dog’s name on his tag because, in an ownership dispute over a stray dog, the secondary "owner" could use the dog’s name to demonstrate that the dog recognizes the name and therefore has an association with that owner. On the other hand, others believe that a lost dog might feel more comfortable if strangers call it by its own name and therefore recommend that the dog tag include the name. It is obviously a personal choice.

The best place to get a dog tag is your local pet shop or pet supply store. Generally, the bigger the pet store, the more choices of dog tags it has to offer, ranging from the simple to the extravagant. Some stores will even offer to engrave your personal information on your dog tag for free.

In the final analysis, it doesn’t matter what kind of dog tag you choose. What matters is that, by buying that dog tag, you may have made the safest investment you can to safeguard against ever losing your dog.

By Kadence Buchanan
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Kadence Buchanan writes articles for http://etotallypets.com/ – In addition, Kadence also writes articles for http://supershoppingtips.com/ and http://letsdosomeyardwork.com/

Designer Dogs or Dogs of Good Design: When and Where was the Line Crossed?

For over 100,000 years, dogs and man have enjoyed a symbiotic and profitable relationship. And that association began when early wolves would scavenge near human encampments and enjoy the warmth of human fires.

As time went on, man expanded his relationship with wolves, beyond providing warning and protection, into joint hunting efforts. And as this relationship evolved, so did the wolf.

Roughly, 100,000 years ago, today’s dog (Canis Familiaris) began to develop from Canis Lupus, the wolf. Now the Mesopotamia’s recognized their Arabian Desert wolf as an impressive hunter, and over time using selective breeding, they developed the first example of a purebred dog. And that dog still exists today as the Saluki or Persian Greyhound.

The Labradoodle, the first dog to be labeled a ‘Designer Dog,’ was developed in the late 1980′s to fill a void in human/dog world . . . that of an allergy friendly guide dog.

The development of the Labradoodle, and later the Goldendoodle (a golden retriever /poodle hybrid), allowed people needing a service dog who suffered from dog allergies, to get the help they needed to make life more manageable.

These are dogs were bred with intent. They fill a vital niche in the dog world – allergy friendly service dogs. Unfortunately, the original intent and purpose of the Labradoodle and Goldendoodle hybrid development has been lost in the media hype over designer dogs.

‘Designer Dogs’ actually began as dogs of good design. However, that all important purpose of breeding with intent has been sacrificed at the alter of human greed.

Unfortunately this ‘good design’ has been corrupted by people breeding hybrids purely to make money, not to create a healthy, useful dog. Their only creations are dogs with cute names, rather than dogs with a purpose.

One reason many people look into ‘Designer Dogs’ is hybrid dogs can be healthier than purebred dogs, due to what is known as ‘Hybrid Vigor’. An unscrupulous breeder will tell you there was no need to do health testing on the parent dogs, because that hybrid vigor guarantees you a healthy dog.

Not true! Beware of common genetic linkups. And here’s why, hip dysplasia is a very real problem in purebred Poodles, Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers.

If you have a Goldendoodle whose Poodle father is genetically predisposed to hip dysplasia and whose Golden Retriever mother is similarly inclined, your Goldendoodle stands an overwhelming chance of having hip dysplasia.

So when purchasing a ‘Designer Dog’, be aware of the physical and temperament traits of the parent breed. Traits existing in both parents can’t be bred out in the puppies.

For example, Pugs shed profusely and can be a challenge to train. Beagles also shed and are known to be a strong willed dog that can also be a challenge to train. So beware of the Puggle breeder telling you the Puggle puppy will be low shedding and easy to train.

One of the unfortunate results of the ‘Designer Dog’ trend is an increase in purposefully bred hybrids in the shelter system. Rehomes of some ‘Designer Dogs’ go through organizations committed to that particular hybrid or one of the parent breed rescue organizations.

The key to any dog whether hybrid or purebred is their training. This takes a commitment by the owner. See your dog as a companion and giver of unconditional love. A being who will enrich your life in ways that cannot be expressed.

Whether designed with intent or by happy accident, all dogs deserve a loving, nurturing, forever home.

By Edie MacKenzie
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Edie MacKenzie is the author of a comprehensive guide to Labradoodles that covers, Multi-gens, F1’s, choosing a breeder, health considerations, and training and discipline. Discover the principles of raising healthy, happy, and well-tempered Labradoodles even if you’ve never owned a dog. You can read about The Definitive Guide to Labradoodles at http://www.labradoodle-guide.com.
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Police Dogs

The foremost duty of the government of any country is to retain public security and peace throughout the country. And make sure the crime rate comes to zero. Criminals are clever people and they use tactics and strategies when they can break out and commit crimes. To fight crimes the governments have prepared forces of various types. The police forces operate within the city and it is their duty to maintain peace and fight crimes.

Pet dogs are known to serve man the most amongst animals. When they have been used in olden times as shepherd dogs and hunting dogs so they now serve today’s military forces to fight crimes. The platoons of these special dogs are famously known as k-9s. All over the world these dogs are specially trained for different kinds of operations. These dogs are much more ferocious, fierce and more trained. They work side by side with the police forces to secure people and secure areas.

German shepherds and other such dogs can be seen helping police forces in tracking down runaways. Some of them are used as the normal patrolling dogs. They give duties along with the police at night when they are giving duties at highways and roads etc. Then others are trained for many years to identify narcotics and detect bombs that may be installed in hidden areas. They have been known for capturing felony criminals and drug dealers etc since decades. That is why they are so reliable.

Police dogs are a great blessing because they are able to use their sense of smell and hearing that is much more powerful than human senses. What they simply do is they make the dogs inhale a scent of either a man or drugs whatever that has to be tracked down. Then the dogs are unleashed and they go off on their trail. And soon enough these criminals are tracked down easily. They make the police jobs and their investigations a lot easier than they actually are.

The FBI rely 50 percent on their dogs during investigations. There are fire dogs that help fire fighters with their jobs. They do not hesitate from jumping into a burning building and look for survivors. And they tend to reach places man cannot even think of reaching.

These dogs are able to work for hours and hours without rest and they dutifully defend the borders with the police throughout the year, in every sort of weather without complaining.

By Kadence Buchanan
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Kadence Buchanan writes articles for http://etotallypets.com/ – In addition, Kadence also writes articles for http://supershoppingtips.com/ and http://letsdosomeyardwork.com/

Traveling With Your Toy Breed Dog

Have you wanted to visit friends or relatives, or perhaps hike the trails at a scenic park? Did concerns over leaving your pet behind prevent you from going? Traveling with your pet is easier than you think.

Air travel with pets falls into two categories, in-cabin and cargo. In-cabin pets must be small enough to fit into a carrier that will slide under the seat in front of you. Pets too large to fit comfortably in a carrier must travel in cargo. If your pet needs to travel in the cargo area of the plane, you will need to check for temperature restrictions. Most cargo areas are not temperature controlled. They do not have air conditioning or heat.

When you make your plane reservations ask if the airline will accommodate your pet. Some airlines do not take pets. If you purchase your airline tickets through the Internet, make sure your pet will be able to travel with you. You will need a reservation for your pet as well as yourself. You will need to inquire of the airline’s specific requirements such as plastic crate or soft-sided carrier. Ask the airlines what size will be required for your specific pet.

Airlines have restrictions on the number of pets they will carry in order to provide safe travel for all. Therefore, making your pet’s reservation at the same time you purchase your ticket is a good idea. Extra charges for both in-cabin and cargo pets will be assessed.

You will need a health certificate from your veterinarian. Health certificates are good for ten days. If your trip will be longer than that you will need to purchase another health certificate for the return trip. Cost of a health certificate varies by location and vets. Cost can be anywhere between $15 and $45.

Most airlines require a soft-sided carrier for in-cabin pet traveling. Some soft-sided carriers come with wheels just like luggage, which makes it easier to transport your pet through the airport. A soft-sided carrier also reduces the amount of "pet space" under the airplane seat. Window and middle seats have more room underneath than aisle seats due to seat configurations.

Toy breed dogs traveling in cargo will need an airline-approved crate. Generally, these are hard-sided, non-collapsible crates. The airlines usually require the toy breed dog be able to stand and turn around comfortably in the crate. Some airlines will not allow toys to be inside the crate. You may have to pack your toy breed dog’s toys separately with your own luggage. Be sure to ask about the airline’s requirement of toys inside the crate when you make your reservations. If the airline does allow toys, it is nice to supply your toy breed dog with at least one companion toy for the trip. The crate will also need to have one water dish and one food dish attached to the front of the door. Most airlines will require you to place a bag of food on top of the crate and some inside the food dish. You will also need to provide soft, absorbent material for the bottom of the crate. A soft blanket with your scent works well.

Be sure to provide your toy breed pet Nutri-cal before the flight and as soon as you able to reunite with your pet regardless of whether or not they ride in the cabin with you or in the cargo area. The Nutri-cal will help keep their blood sugars level. Toy breed dogs are more susceptible to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar attacks), which sometimes occur during the stress of traveling. Do not give your toy breed dog tranquilizers.

The motion of the airplane has a soporific effect, which may cause your pet (and people) to drift off into a sleep. Once in the air your toy breed pet will probably sleep most of the trip.

You will probably want to train your toy breed pet before the trip to make your pet a better traveler. There are many resources available that will show you how to accomplish this. One way to help your pet get use to traveling inside a hard-sided crate or a soft-sided carrier is to pack the crate or carrier just as you would for the airplane trip. Take your pet for several trips in the car before you actually go on the airplane trip. Take your toy breed pet to the vet in the same carrier or crate you will be using for the airlines. A soft blanket with your scent is nice to place in the bottom of the crate for your toy breed pet’s comfort. Time spent training will definitely pay off for you and your toy breed pet.

Don’t hesitate to travel by air with your toy breed pet. A little preparation and planning before the trip is all that is usually required. Flying with your toy breed pet is safer than traveling in an automobile. Don’t forget to check with your motel to see if pets are welcome!

By Connie Limon
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I raise Shih Tzu puppies from top champion bloodlines. Purchase online and sign up for our newsletter at: http://www.stainglassshihtzus.com.
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To Become a Good Neighbor: The Journey of a Dog Owner

As dog owners our little companions are an integral part of society and with that bears a serious responsibility. Develop a good neighbor repertoire – not one of a nuisance or menace. You dog, think Retriever, may naturally enjoy digging up someone’s Chem-Lawn© treated yard, chasing other’s pets or having a loud dialogue with the midnight moon. These behaviors although enjoyable for your doggy the neighbors, of course, may not agree. Oh, did I mention your overprotective responses to those same neighbors, "Dogs do, um…bark" " The grass’ll grow back" "Get a bigger, manlier dog than" all of these sarcastically of course.

However the responsibility is yours to have you dog properly trained. Certainly you don’t want your dog’s behavior to become a point of contention between otherwise compatible neighbors or do you?

Your dog should never be allowed to roam indiscriminately. Confronting the owner of an offending dog can be hard for some, either by fear or not wanting to upset the perpetrator. Lets be honest, no one appreciates canine trespassing. Granted your a dog lover but I’m sure you agree. Don’t allow bad feelings to develop because you have given your dog a free rein. Keep him in "check", it was your duty to do so. When he was a puppy you subconsciously agreed to those terms and that responsibility still holds true in his adult years.

Truthfully look at the negatives: 1. You put your dog’s life and health at risk every time you allow it a roaming pass. Your pet may attack or be attacked by other animals – wild (think about rabies) or domesticated. Also, the risk of contracting a parasitic disease or eating something you do not approve of actually happening. 2. Chances increase that your dog may be hit or even killed by a car. 3. Or she may simply disappear one day, leaving you to wonder whether it has been abducted, killed or simply feeling unloved thus running away. Sadly, these are common occurrences.

Listened it’s O.K. to keep your dog outdoors, just consider a fence around your yard as mandatory for his safety and the peaceful ambiance of your neighborhood. Hopefully, if your dog is a barker, your neighbors live a good distance away or a sound proofed home otherwise you’re going to have extremely unhappy neighbors. Breaking the barking habit can be a real problem; consult a trainer to help develop a solution, or the other option is to keep your dog indoors. Certainly, it is unfair to make other people suffer from your overzealous companion.

Remember, barking is both natural for dogs and a learned behavior in certain situations. To correct unwanted barking, you must catch the dog in the act and administer a stern, forceful correction. You cannot correct undesirable behavior unless the dog is actually caught in the act of performing it.

Love your dog as one of your own but keep the peace where you live.

By Christopher Herron
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Visit http://www.chihuahuafaq.com/chifaqblog.htm for other topics similar in taste. Although it is a breed specific site anyone can benefit from the information provided. Christopher Herron the sites administrator and lover of dogs.
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