Dog Toys - Stimulating a Restless Companion

Dogs can get bored and restless easily. This is usually when they cause problems. They need to be stimulated through play. Your dog needs plenty of playtimes with you, but you can’t always play with your dog and this is when toys are important. Toys can satisfy a number of a dogs needs. There are some basic toys available for dogs today and hundreds of different selections. When choosing toys for your dog, consider its size and what it enjoys doing. First off, toys must be appropriately sized... Read more »

Boarding Options for Dogs - Choosing a Kennel

If you’re going away and need to leave your dog somewhere, then you have several options. You can opt for home boarding, where the dog is cared for in a home environment, pet sitting, where someone will stay in your home to care for your pet or the traditional kennel boarding. Of course you want a clean, roomy, well-ventilated environment for your pet, but what makes for a good boarding choice? If you decide to hire a pet sitter, then references from previous clients are the best determination... Read more »

Puppy Training Basics - Essential Guide

Often people wonder exactly when puppy training should take place. Well, the answer is as soon as possible. A puppy is able to learn things as soon as he can walk. And the earlier you start training, the more acceptable to it the puppy will be. Training introduced at an early age will yield good results and cooperation; at a later age it will prove more difficult and meet with resistance. So, get your puppy started on the right track with some proper training, and he will become a welcome addition... Read more »

Taking Care of Your Dog - Daily and Weekly Tasks

Dogs are man’s best friends. In turn, they rely on us to take care of them and to keep them healthy. Owning a dog is a big responsibility. They cannot take care of themselves and we must nurture them similarly as we would a baby. By following daily and weekly procedures, we can make this task less daunting and eliminate serious problems before they arise, as well as, preventing complications. There are certain things we need to do on a daily basis to provide appropriate care for our animal... Read more »

Top Three Dog Breeds - Large and Small

If you happen to be in the market for a purebred dog, there are over one hundred varieties to choose from. They each have their own traits and temperaments. They also come in large and small sizes. You may be wondering what the most popular dogs in the United States are. According to the American Kennel Club’s registration figures for 2006, the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever and German Shepherd lead the large dog breed category and the Yorkshire Terrier, Daschund and Poodle lead the... Read more »

Dog Breeders - How to Choose the Right One

Selecting your new pet dog can be quite a task, especially since there are so many types to choose from. Some people want a dog with a disposition that will be a perfect fit for them, their family and their lifestyles. When looking for a dog, the humane society is filled with many possible choices that will yield an ideal companion. But, if you want a more reliable indicator of temperament, health and other factors, then a dog breeder can usually fulfill your needs. Perhaps the most important thing... Read more »

Most Common Health Issues with Dogs

There are many health issues that can affect dogs. Some are more particular to a certain breed. For instance, hip dysplasia is more often seen in the Akita or the Bullmastiff. While a health issue such as fleas is likely to show up in any type of dog. It is hard for an animal to tell you there’s something wrong. They rely on their behavior to indicate to you something is not up to snuff. By observing your dog, you will know when a health issue pops up. Fleas can be one of the most bothersome... Read more »

Dog Parks - Unleashed Freedom To Romp and Play

Dogs love to be outdoors, but their energy and playfulness are significantly hampered when ‘connected’ to their owner by a leash. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a place to take your pooch where they can run free and enjoy playing with other fun-loving dogs? Enter the Dog Park! This idea was born because many parks don’t allow dogs at all - even on a leash - so finding a safe place for exercise and play was something of a challenge. There may be wilderness trails close... Read more »

Dog Names - Choosing the Perfect Name

Naming a dog can be an important but daunting task. Previously, as a trend, we have named our pets after certain characteristics. Today, the dog is more than a pet, but a part of the family and we now use human names for them. In fact, the top two names for pets are variations of the names Max and Sam. But with so many options available, what is the right name for your dog? Many people still name their dogs after physical characteristics such as Spot or Floppy. Before rushing to name your dog, take... Read more »

Raccoons, ‘Possums And My Cat Spike!

Raccoons have no manners! They’re slobs and the one staring at me didn’t seem to really care about the niceties of eating. Bits of dry cat food were soaking up water from where it had been sloshed out of the water bowl. The bag of food I’d laid on a table was now torn open and about 10 pounds of cat chow was strewn across the floor. This particular raccoon had come in through the pet door into the garage and was happily eating leftovers from my cat Spike’s dinner bowl.... Read more »