By Jeff Van Dalsum
Caring for puppies is not something that should be taken lightly. A large percentage of puppies are later abandoned due to the fact that the owner was not fully prepared to care for another life. Typically, the owner later realizes that he doesn't have enough time, energy, or money to make the commitment.
To comprehend this immense responsibility, think of it as adding a new baby to your family. He will require constant attention, supervision, care, and love. It's a lot of hard work at first, but the results are very rewarding.
To fully understand what it means to care for a puppy, there are several aspects that you will be responsible for and that you should understand before you make the commitment.
Health
Caring for a puppy means constantly monitoring his health. One of the first things you should do as a new puppy owner is to select a veterinarian and schedule an appointment. Your new puppy will need certain vaccinations to prevent common diseases. Worms and fleas can also be a problem for puppies so make sure to discuss this with your vet. Always be on the lookout out for signs that could indicate that your dog is sick. Ideally, a perfectly healthy puppy should have smooth skin, a clean coat, and bright eyes.
Sleep/Rest
Caring for a puppy also involves preparing a safe and cozy sleeping place. Choose which room he will sleep in ahead of time. If you decide to let him stay in your room, you should know that there could be howling, whimpering, and barking as the puppy deals with separation anxiety the first few nights. A good way to ease this transition is to bring his bedding to the breeder or shelter (wherever you receive him) a few days before taking him home to give the puppy a familiar object in your house.
Feeding
You will also be responsible for feeding your puppy each and every meal. If you have other pets, you should be sure that each one has his own set of bowls for water and food. Sharing bowls tends to lead towards territorial conflicts and bullying as each pet tries to assert their dominance over one another.
Also, the quantity of the food that you give him varies over time. Puppies eat much more frequently than older dogs and also have extremely different nutritional requirements. Therefore, it's important to select the right type of dog food for each stage in his life. As a general rule of thumb puppies 6 to 8 weeks old eat four times a day, 12 to 20 weeks old eat three times a day, and 20 weeks and older eat only twice a day.
Play/Exercise
Another aspect of caring for puppies that is very important not to overlook is play time and exercise. Make sure to establish a safe place where your puppy will be allowed to be himself. This may be indoors or outside, but either way the area should be a controlled environment for the first few months of your puppy's life. Play with your puppy regularly to promote socialization and healthy development.
Also, make sure to buy appropriately sized toys for your puppy. If he is small, he should have smaller toys. For larger breeds, small toys can be a choking hazard. Most toys such as bones, ropes, stuffed animals, and balls come in all different shapes and sizes.
Potty Training
Potty training can be one of the most frustrating parts of owning a new puppy, but it's very important to get right. When and where to potty are the things that your puppy has to learn, and it may take some time. If you're at work during the day, you should seriously consider crate training.
Grooming/Cleaning
Proper upkeep, such as grooming and cleaning, are an essential part of puppy care. Not only will it encourage healthy development, but it will also remove unpleasant odors. Most puppies love to be brushed so don't be afraid to give it a try. It will remove dead hair and keep his coat beautiful. Also, don't forget about brushing his teeth and gums regularly.
Now that you understand what it takes to properly care for a puppy, you might be feeling slightly overwhelmed, but you shouldn't. Caring for a puppy is only difficult at first. The adjustment is the hardest part. Once you establish routines and good habits, the only thing left to do is enjoy the company and make memories together. The most important thing is to prepare your life for a puppy ahead of time to reduce the time it takes to adjust to your new family member.
Perfect Puppy Care is a website dedicated and developed by puppy care enthusiasts who have taken it as their goal to help you raise a happy, healthy, and well-behaved puppy.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Van_Dalsum
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
A Safe and Comfortable Dog Bed for Your Chihuahua
Your loyal dog would more than likely appreciate and welcome a very comfortable and cozy dog bed. Usually dog owners select a good dog bed, along with a new collar, leash, healthy dog food and water dishes for their new puppy. You may want to consider your dog's personality, lifestyle and age when selecting a style to match your dog's needs. Your Chihuahua may be so happy to have his own special sleeping space, so he can routinely get a good night's sleep. You may wish to read Why Every Dog Needs a Bed: "Dog beds provide both physical and emotional comfort. HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT ONE".
Dog beds can also be very beneficial for dog owners. Once your dog gets accustomed to using his own bed, he might not be so likely to jump up on your bed or couch at night. This may possibly help to prevent injuries by keeping your dog from jumping up and down on your furniture. Having a dog bed located in one specific area in your home may also help in controlling the spread of dog hair and dander.
Some dog owners may choose to have a couple of dog beds for their pets. People sometimes put a comfortable dog bed in their home office area, the living room, the family room, or in the finished basement, where the family may watch TV. Their pet can relax and enjoy their company while they are working on their computer, talking on the phone or enjoying a movie. Your Chihuahua can use his comfortable bed just to relax when he is tired out or to get some quiet time, if the household is extra busy and chaotic at times. You may want to read the following article: Dogs & Dog Beds.
Hopefully, a good dog bed can offer some cushioning support for your dog's joints and bones. An appropriate dog bed can help to provide warmth and protect him from a cold, uncomfortable floor. It can also give him a feeling of security.
There are a few important things to think about when selecting the right bed for your own dog. First, you will want to make sure the bed is big enough for your dog. The dog bed should be large enough in size to comfortably support him when his body is stretched out and relaxed at night for sleep.
It is a great idea to take into consideration your dog's unique sleeping habits. You can observe your dog where and how he sleeps to check for special sleeping patterns. Does your dog like to curl up on a chair or sofa with a blanket or does he really like to stretch out? Some dogs like to even sleep on your bed with their head right on a soft pillow. With the help of some of these clues, you will want to determine exactly what kind of bed would be best suited for your dog.
There are so many varieties of good quality dog beds to select at the pet store or while shopping for dog supplies online. There are roomy, square or round lounging dog beds that are nice and soft. Another style is a nestling type bed, which has supportive sides for your dog to rest his head. There are also bolster beds, which may be good for dogs who love to sleep with their head resting on an armrest of a chair or a pillow.
The veterinarian may recommend certain types of supportive orthopedic dog beds for older or arthritic dogs. They are often made of foam and/or box spring construction. The traditional or classic dog beds may come with machine-washable covers. Another style would be the mats or pads, which are usually made of foam construction. There are also travel dog beds for families on the go.
A good dog owner will want to make sure their dog's bed is safe and made very well. The construction of dog beds may consist mainly of foam, polyfil, or box spring support, or a combination of all three. Hopefully, your dog will benefit from the support for their bones and joints, comfort and warmth, and also a nice feeling of security.
Don't forget about the outdoor dog that sleeps in a doghouse. You may wish to get an outdoor-safe bed for an outdoor dog. It is so important to protect your outside dog. They make dog beds that are tough and water-resistant.
Where you place your dog's bed in your home is also an important factor. You may want to have the dog's bed in a quiet, safe place in the house. A peaceful and comfortable corner or section of the room may be nice. You probably will want to pick a special sleeping area for the dog where there is not much noise that would disturb him. The Chihuahua may feel a little more confident and secure if he can still see the people in the house from his sleeping area. Just knowing that you are there may help him to stay relaxed and calm.
Most puppies in a new home environment may feel somewhat anxious and have a difficult time at first trying to quiet themselves down to sleep for the night. I will offer some helpful tips on how to help a new puppy sleep through the night. A new puppy may whine to get your attention. Everything may seem so new to your puppy in the beginning until he gets a little used to his new home. He may miss his mom and family litter in the beginning.
The puppy may enjoy having a favorite, safe dog toy or dog blanket with him for a feeling of familiarity and security. Dogs sometimes instinctively circle around their sleeping place where they are going to sleep. If you want the Chihuahua puppy in his bed at a certain time, you can begin a daily routine schedule and try to have him go to bed around the same time every night, so he gets used to this habit. But, if the puppy leaves his dog bed, you can nicely put him back in his bed, so he gets the idea and learns to get comfortable in his special sleeping space.
When the puppy gets accustomed to where his bed is, you may tell him to go into his own dog bed when you want him to go to sleep at night. Dogs like to know what is expected of them. Hopefully, he will soon learn a nice bedtime routine.
So the puppy can sleep good at night you may want to allow for adequate and appropriate exercise for the puppy throughout the day. You can plan a routine schedule for meal times for the puppy. Dogs usually respond well to a nice schedule. It may be helpful to get into the habit of some calm, quiet time before the actual bedtime. The Chihuahua puppy may need to go outside to eliminate immediately before bedtime. Providing background sounds, such as a very soft background sound of a TV or radio may calm the puppy down and relax him at night.
A puppy may need to eliminate in the middle of the night. If the puppy needs to go out during the night, he may whine, pace or bark. You can take him outside in a safe manner to eliminate and bring him right back to his sleep area to go back to sleep. He should learn to understand that it is time for sleep and not time to play during the night. The Chihuahua puppy will learn that his owner is a good leader and he will feel loved and protected. Hopefully, with a few helpful ideas you and your puppy will get sufficient sleep every night and be happy!
Dog beds can also be very beneficial for dog owners. Once your dog gets accustomed to using his own bed, he might not be so likely to jump up on your bed or couch at night. This may possibly help to prevent injuries by keeping your dog from jumping up and down on your furniture. Having a dog bed located in one specific area in your home may also help in controlling the spread of dog hair and dander.
Some dog owners may choose to have a couple of dog beds for their pets. People sometimes put a comfortable dog bed in their home office area, the living room, the family room, or in the finished basement, where the family may watch TV. Their pet can relax and enjoy their company while they are working on their computer, talking on the phone or enjoying a movie. Your Chihuahua can use his comfortable bed just to relax when he is tired out or to get some quiet time, if the household is extra busy and chaotic at times. You may want to read the following article: Dogs & Dog Beds.
Hopefully, a good dog bed can offer some cushioning support for your dog's joints and bones. An appropriate dog bed can help to provide warmth and protect him from a cold, uncomfortable floor. It can also give him a feeling of security.
There are a few important things to think about when selecting the right bed for your own dog. First, you will want to make sure the bed is big enough for your dog. The dog bed should be large enough in size to comfortably support him when his body is stretched out and relaxed at night for sleep.
It is a great idea to take into consideration your dog's unique sleeping habits. You can observe your dog where and how he sleeps to check for special sleeping patterns. Does your dog like to curl up on a chair or sofa with a blanket or does he really like to stretch out? Some dogs like to even sleep on your bed with their head right on a soft pillow. With the help of some of these clues, you will want to determine exactly what kind of bed would be best suited for your dog.
There are so many varieties of good quality dog beds to select at the pet store or while shopping for dog supplies online. There are roomy, square or round lounging dog beds that are nice and soft. Another style is a nestling type bed, which has supportive sides for your dog to rest his head. There are also bolster beds, which may be good for dogs who love to sleep with their head resting on an armrest of a chair or a pillow.
The veterinarian may recommend certain types of supportive orthopedic dog beds for older or arthritic dogs. They are often made of foam and/or box spring construction. The traditional or classic dog beds may come with machine-washable covers. Another style would be the mats or pads, which are usually made of foam construction. There are also travel dog beds for families on the go.
A good dog owner will want to make sure their dog's bed is safe and made very well. The construction of dog beds may consist mainly of foam, polyfil, or box spring support, or a combination of all three. Hopefully, your dog will benefit from the support for their bones and joints, comfort and warmth, and also a nice feeling of security.
Don't forget about the outdoor dog that sleeps in a doghouse. You may wish to get an outdoor-safe bed for an outdoor dog. It is so important to protect your outside dog. They make dog beds that are tough and water-resistant.
Where you place your dog's bed in your home is also an important factor. You may want to have the dog's bed in a quiet, safe place in the house. A peaceful and comfortable corner or section of the room may be nice. You probably will want to pick a special sleeping area for the dog where there is not much noise that would disturb him. The Chihuahua may feel a little more confident and secure if he can still see the people in the house from his sleeping area. Just knowing that you are there may help him to stay relaxed and calm.
Most puppies in a new home environment may feel somewhat anxious and have a difficult time at first trying to quiet themselves down to sleep for the night. I will offer some helpful tips on how to help a new puppy sleep through the night. A new puppy may whine to get your attention. Everything may seem so new to your puppy in the beginning until he gets a little used to his new home. He may miss his mom and family litter in the beginning.
The puppy may enjoy having a favorite, safe dog toy or dog blanket with him for a feeling of familiarity and security. Dogs sometimes instinctively circle around their sleeping place where they are going to sleep. If you want the Chihuahua puppy in his bed at a certain time, you can begin a daily routine schedule and try to have him go to bed around the same time every night, so he gets used to this habit. But, if the puppy leaves his dog bed, you can nicely put him back in his bed, so he gets the idea and learns to get comfortable in his special sleeping space.
When the puppy gets accustomed to where his bed is, you may tell him to go into his own dog bed when you want him to go to sleep at night. Dogs like to know what is expected of them. Hopefully, he will soon learn a nice bedtime routine.
So the puppy can sleep good at night you may want to allow for adequate and appropriate exercise for the puppy throughout the day. You can plan a routine schedule for meal times for the puppy. Dogs usually respond well to a nice schedule. It may be helpful to get into the habit of some calm, quiet time before the actual bedtime. The Chihuahua puppy may need to go outside to eliminate immediately before bedtime. Providing background sounds, such as a very soft background sound of a TV or radio may calm the puppy down and relax him at night.
A puppy may need to eliminate in the middle of the night. If the puppy needs to go out during the night, he may whine, pace or bark. You can take him outside in a safe manner to eliminate and bring him right back to his sleep area to go back to sleep. He should learn to understand that it is time for sleep and not time to play during the night. The Chihuahua puppy will learn that his owner is a good leader and he will feel loved and protected. Hopefully, with a few helpful ideas you and your puppy will get sufficient sleep every night and be happy!
Monday, July 12, 2010
A Healthy Chihuahua Puppy
When you are choosing a new Chihuahua puppy you may be thinking about some very important things that you might want to check for in your new puppy, such as the following few examples that I have listed for you below:
A Chihuahua puppy that has a normal, active energy level, not a lethargic appearance.
A Chihuahua puppy that has bright, clear eyes (not running eyes or running, crusted nose).
A Chihuahua puppy that has a shiny, healthy looking coat (clean and soft) as compared to a dull coat.
A Chihuahua puppy that shows a happy expression and appropriate actions (not shy, fearful or nasty).
A Chihuahua puppy that has pink, healthy looking gums and clean white teeth.
A Chihuahua puppy that might be pleasantly plump, but not fat (not one that looks sick or in poor condition or undernourished).
The inside of the puppy's ears may be pink and clean, with no discharge or strong odor.
A Chihuahua puppy that has a normal, active energy level, not a lethargic appearance.
A Chihuahua puppy that has bright, clear eyes (not running eyes or running, crusted nose).
A Chihuahua puppy that has a shiny, healthy looking coat (clean and soft) as compared to a dull coat.
A Chihuahua puppy that shows a happy expression and appropriate actions (not shy, fearful or nasty).
A Chihuahua puppy that has pink, healthy looking gums and clean white teeth.
A Chihuahua puppy that might be pleasantly plump, but not fat (not one that looks sick or in poor condition or undernourished).
The inside of the puppy's ears may be pink and clean, with no discharge or strong odor.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Careers for People Who Enjoy Working with Animals
Did you ever happen to think about having a career in which you would be able to work with dogs or other animals? A pet sitter is an animal related career option. Sometimes dog owners may have to leave their home temporarily for a few days or more and they are unable to bring their dog with them, so they may hire a professional pet sitter. They usually look for a reputable pet sitter that is honest, reliable and knowledgeable about dog care in general.
The pet owner may carefully prepare a list of the duties and responsibilities that they would like the pet sitter to fulfill while they are away. This is an ideal time for the owner to write down any important information about their pet, such as any medical problems, special requirements (like any necessary medications prescribed by their veterinarian for their pet or special diet). They should write down their veterinarian's phone number in case of an emergency. They will want to definitely include the phone number and the place where they can be reached.
The pet owner will want to talk about what specific food to feed their pet and how often to feed their pet. They may want to explain where they routinely walk their dog and how often their dog needs to be walked. The pet owner will want to know their pet will be cared for in a safe and comfortable manner while they are away.
Another option that involves working directly with dogs is a job working in a doggy daycare. Doggy daycare is an available option for dog care if dog owners just need supervised care for a few hours a day, or during certain occasions. Sometimes dogs just need some additional companionship. Doggy daycare should be a safe place, fully supervised by trained staff members. It is a place where dogs can play with other dogs that match their similar temperament.
There may be safe and appropriate dog toys and comfortable dog beds for napping. Most doggy daycares have an outdoor area for exercise. You may wish to read the following article: Doggie Day Care? Really? The staff should be trained to understand and appropriately respond to dog behavior and interactions.
There should be enough humans around to give each dog nice attention and positive reinforcement. Doggy daycare should be secure and safe. All dogs in doggy daycare usually need to meet minimum health requirements. Dogs must have their current vaccinations and be free of infectious diseases. The dogs may be evaluated to make sure their temperament is fine for the daycare environment.
A dog groomer is another career option for people who enjoy working with dogs and have patience. If you think you may be interested in this line of work, you may wish to visit and talk with a professional dog groomer in your area.
Another job for people who like to work with pets is to work in a pet shop. You could also decide to volunteer or work in an animal shelter.
A professional dog trainer is another career option for people who enjoy working with dogs. I recently read there is an increased demand for dog trainers. There are many kinds of professional dog trainers. Dog trainers understand how dogs learn and they may help dog owners correct their pet's specific behavior problems. You may wish to read Why Become a Dog Trainer?: Careers in Dog Training Offer a Variety of Opportunities.
If you feel you have the interest and patience to become a dog trainer, you can talk to other professional dog trainers in your local area for more information. There are dog training schools as well as some online dog training courses. A certified dog trainer may decide to start their own dog training business. They may offer dog training classes or work individually with an owner and their dog. You may wish to check out the following:
The pet owner may carefully prepare a list of the duties and responsibilities that they would like the pet sitter to fulfill while they are away. This is an ideal time for the owner to write down any important information about their pet, such as any medical problems, special requirements (like any necessary medications prescribed by their veterinarian for their pet or special diet). They should write down their veterinarian's phone number in case of an emergency. They will want to definitely include the phone number and the place where they can be reached.
The pet owner will want to talk about what specific food to feed their pet and how often to feed their pet. They may want to explain where they routinely walk their dog and how often their dog needs to be walked. The pet owner will want to know their pet will be cared for in a safe and comfortable manner while they are away.
Another option that involves working directly with dogs is a job working in a doggy daycare. Doggy daycare is an available option for dog care if dog owners just need supervised care for a few hours a day, or during certain occasions. Sometimes dogs just need some additional companionship. Doggy daycare should be a safe place, fully supervised by trained staff members. It is a place where dogs can play with other dogs that match their similar temperament.
There may be safe and appropriate dog toys and comfortable dog beds for napping. Most doggy daycares have an outdoor area for exercise. You may wish to read the following article: Doggie Day Care? Really? The staff should be trained to understand and appropriately respond to dog behavior and interactions.
There should be enough humans around to give each dog nice attention and positive reinforcement. Doggy daycare should be secure and safe. All dogs in doggy daycare usually need to meet minimum health requirements. Dogs must have their current vaccinations and be free of infectious diseases. The dogs may be evaluated to make sure their temperament is fine for the daycare environment.
A dog groomer is another career option for people who enjoy working with dogs and have patience. If you think you may be interested in this line of work, you may wish to visit and talk with a professional dog groomer in your area.
Another job for people who like to work with pets is to work in a pet shop. You could also decide to volunteer or work in an animal shelter.
A professional dog trainer is another career option for people who enjoy working with dogs. I recently read there is an increased demand for dog trainers. There are many kinds of professional dog trainers. Dog trainers understand how dogs learn and they may help dog owners correct their pet's specific behavior problems. You may wish to read Why Become a Dog Trainer?: Careers in Dog Training Offer a Variety of Opportunities.
If you feel you have the interest and patience to become a dog trainer, you can talk to other professional dog trainers in your local area for more information. There are dog training schools as well as some online dog training courses. A certified dog trainer may decide to start their own dog training business. They may offer dog training classes or work individually with an owner and their dog. You may wish to check out the following:
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Certified Dog Trainer Qualities
By: Lars Rohde
Author Resource: Want more stuff from a dog lover, then head over to our sites WestiesInfo and DogPractice.com. He strives to provide his readers with quality information on dogs and you will always find good content and useful resources at our sites.
Article From Article Directory
All dog lovers know just how much company these four-legged friends can be. They are special pets that can provide so much love and entertainment. It seems like they can predict when you feel good and when you don't. They are loyal to the very end.
However, this doesn't mean that you can't run into problems with these adorable pets once in awhile. That is when you need the expertise of a certified dog trainer to step in and help you get or keep control over your pet. So what are some of the qualities of a certified dog trainer?
Some qualities of a certified dog trainer that you need to look for includes confidence. A good trainer will know they can benefit and improve your dogs overall attitude and your pet can sense if they do not have this quality. Kindness is very important.
A qualified trainer will have the ability to be kind and firm at the same time. They will make training a fun and exciting time for your beloved dog. Safety will also be a huge aspect of their training technique. They will also understand how different breeds of dog learn and be able to teach by understanding the individual personality of your pet.
Qualities of a certified dog trainer include keeping up to date on all the latest training techniques. There are always new and improved items that can assist in the way your dog is being trained. Knowing and understanding these techniques is the only way that a trainer can be completely efficient and do the best job with your pet.
New information is also being reported that can be very beneficial. A certified trainer always stays on top of this information. They also follow the ''code of ethics'' which includes being honest, dependable and professional at all times.
You will be able to see a happier, healthier pet when the training has been completed. These are reasons why you should use a certified dog trainer to help teach your dog how to be a better pet and companion. You will see the bond between the two of you grow stronger every day. It will be the foundation of a new life together.
A professional trainer can teach your pet how to interact in social gatherings. This means you don't have to worry about how they will act when in the company of other pets and people. Imagine how proud you will be to have the best behaved dog in the park.
Author Resource: Want more stuff from a dog lover, then head over to our sites WestiesInfo and DogPractice.com. He strives to provide his readers with quality information on dogs and you will always find good content and useful resources at our sites.
Article From Article Directory
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