Tips That Will Benefit You, Your Pet And Your Wallet

Choose Healthier Pet Food
By choosing pet foods with less by-products, preservatives and fillers your pet will be healthier and will have less visits to the veterinarian in the long run. Which means less money your spending on pet medical bills. By-products, preservatives and fillers can make your pet obese, sluggish and activate other health issues like allergies. Go for pet foods with whole ingrediants that you can understand i.e chicken, rice, etc. Also consider a raw food diet for your pet.

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Opt for Enviroment Friendly Toys, Pet Accessories and Kitty Litter
Look for pet stuff made from hemp and organic cotton. Use biodegradbale kitty liiter paper shreds or grains from plant origins. Use organic shampoos or go diy and use vinegar and baking soda to clean your pets.

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Pick Up Your Dog's Doo With Biodegradable Waste Bags
Always pick up your dog's do it's called being courteous to your neighbors and friends. No one likes stepping in dog poop period! Use baggies that deteriate quickly that way your not contributing to overflowing landfills filled with plastic bags that do not break down.    

BE RESPONSIBLE!

If You Have a Pet Be Responsible
Ensure your pet is fixed and fully vaccinated. Pet overpopulation and spreading pet disease is not good for your pet, the planet or your wallet. When you get a pet plan on that being a forever pet. Know what you can afford petwise. If you cannot find room in your budget for at least $100or more in monthly pet expenses please just do not get a pet. Take care of yourself and your family first.

Sit. Stay. Heel.

Invest in Training for Your Pet and Yourself
Sure its fine and dandy to train your pet yourself. Far less expensive and you have the option of training your pet in anyway you want. Having your pet trained by a professional is highly reccomended. A professional animal trainer can point out any and all behavior problems your pet may exibit and can teach you how to deal with it. After all who wants to be responsible emotionally and financially  for owning a aggressive dog that ends up biting a child?

How to properly care for a dog.

Adopt don't shop.

Looking for your first puppy or adult dog? Try the local shelter first and if you don't find what your looking for find a reputable breeder.  If you do go to a breeder remember these things:

• Don't be put off if a breeder isn't immediately responsive. Hobby breeders often have full-time jobs and they don't always have available puppies. Be selective. Find a breeder who is knowledgeable and make sure you're comfortable with them.
• Visit the breeder's home or kennel and ask to see at least one of the puppy's parents. Get an idea of what the future holds for your dog in terms of temperament and appearance.
• Observe the premises. Is the house/kennel clean? Odor-free? Dogs and puppies should be clean, well fed, lively and friendly. Look for signs of malnutrition such as protruding rib cages or illness such as runny nose/eyes, coughing, lethargy and skin sores.
• Pay attention to how the dogs and puppies interact with their breeder. Does the breeder appear to genuinely care for the puppies and their adult dogs? Both dogs and puppies should not shy away from the breeder and should be outgoing with strangers.
• Find out about the health of your puppy and its parents. Breeders should be honest about the breed's strengths and weaknesses and knowledgeable about the genetic diseases that can affect their breed - including what's being done to avoid them. Breeders should be willing to share proof of health screenings such as OFA and CERF certificates with potential buyers.
• Establish a good rapport with the breeder. He/she will be an excellent resource and breed mentor for you throughout the life of your puppy. You should be encouraged to call the breeder if your dog has a crisis at any stage of its life.
• A responsible breeder may ask you to sign a contract indicating that if specified conditions of care are not met or you become unable to keep the puppy, he/she will reclaim it.
• Don't expect to bring home the puppy until its eight to 12 weeks of age. Puppies need ample time to mature and socialize with its mother and litter mates.
• Breeders should be willing to answer any questions you have and should ask many of you as well. Breeders will want to make sure their puppies are going to good homes, with people who know what to expect and have made all the necessary preparations.

After you take your puppy or adult dog home remember the five basic necessities: 

Find a veterinarian.

Find a veterinarian that will listen to you and provide all necessary information for such things as a shot schedules and basic care for your new dog. Always keep your veterinarians information in a place where it can be found quickly in case of emergency. 

Training

Make sure your pet knows basic commands like sit, stay, come and leave it. You can self-teach your pet in which case there are plenty of resources in books and online. You can also take your pet to puppy classes or a professional certified dog trainer. Always be careful when taking any advice from anyone what they say may not necessarily be the right training for your pup. Stay clear from anyone insisting hitting your dog is okay!

Exercise

On top of basic training your pet will also need exercise. Don't expect just letting your pet out in the backyard will give them enough exercise. Walk, run or bike with your dog is the best case scenario. At the very least play games with your dog be it fetch or hide-and-seek. The more you keep your dog's mind busy the lest likely they will develop bad habits.

Feeding

Most dogs will be fine with basic dry kibble. However occasionally you may have a pet with food allergies in that case ask your veterinarian whats the best pet food their specific needs/ Always follow the suggested feeding amounts designated on the pet food bag. This way you don't overfeed your pet or your pet gets to skinny. If your dog is a active breed and participating in a lot of exercise feed a little extra. This also goes for if your pet will be outdoors during the winter always feed a bit extra.

Shelter.

Indoors is best but if you must keep your new pet outside provide adequate shelter. Insure the shelter sits slightly off the ground a couple inches and their are no drafts. If you must use bedding use something like hay/straw or cedar shavings that you can clean out if it gets wet. Avoid blankets and towels which can get moldy  and have to be washed/sanitized often. Most dog do fine outside however if it is exceptionally cold, well below freezing, bring them inside or at least put them in  a draft free barn or shed.

Be calm and control your dog. Doggy etiquette.

Leash train your dog.
 Do not allow your dog to jump on people.
Always supervise your dog especially around children and other animals.
Do not let your dog injure or kill neighbors livestock or pets.
Don't assume your dog and another dog will be friendly to one another.
Never allow aggression especially when playing or feeding.
Pick up after your dog I.e their poo please.
Keep you dog up to date on vaccinations. Do not bring a sick dog to places other dogs will be.
Make sure you have a secure fence or kennel area for your dog when left alone.
Do not let your pet run loose in public areas other the dog parks and even then remain in control of your dog.
Make sure your dog knows "recall" and "stay".

Some Basic Dog Training Tips

Reward good behavior.

Never ignore or punish good/desirable behavior!

Never reward bad behavior!

Do not let your dog ignore a command yet do not punish your dog if you call him/her to you.

Correct and show your dog what you want him/her to do in a calm, assertive manner.

If you are not serious in enforcing and showing correct form of a command just do not do it period. Why teach your pup something if you are not going to follow through?

Develop the proper use of timing. If your dog did something bad 20 minutes ago why punish now? The moment it happens the moment you correct. Simple. Make time to train your dog no excuses! If you cannot maybe you should not have a dog?

Do not blame a sick dog for behavioral issues...refer to a veterinarian to rule out medical issues.

If you think your dog has psychological issues such as anxiety, fears, aggression, etc. please refer to a professional dog trainer and always get second, third etc. opinion.
Interupt the behavior you want to change. Peeing on the floor? Put outside immediately. Barking? Telling them immediately to be quiet or whatever training aid you need to correct behavior.

Socialize Your Dog

Dog Body Language

Before assuming what you think is going on in your dog's mind make sure you brush up on some common dog body language. Dogs can't vocalize how they feel so always pay close attention to your pup's posture and body language. These will give you a better understanding of how your dog is reacting toward situations or it's just their overall personality. 

If at anytime you have to question your dog's behavior or are worried about your dog's behavior consider consulting a professional dog trainer or two or three or however many you need advice from until you have confidence and trust in that professional dog trainer's(s) methods. 

Dog Park Etiquette

Here are some basic guidelines when bringing your rambunctious canine to the dog park.

*If your dog is under 4 months of age do not bring them for safety and health reasons.

*Make sure your pet is healthy and up-to-date on vaccinations so not to spread disease.

*If your dog seems uncomfortable take your pet somewhere else they might enjoy. Don't 
stress your dog out by forcing socialization especially if your pet has anxieties.

*Do not bring any female dog that is in heat. As for intact male dogs or even female dogs, that's a hit or miss. If you have a well-socialized, non-aggressive, submissive for the most part pup it should not be a problem as long as they do not show any behavior problems i.e. aggressive tendencies, constant mounting, etc.

*Supervise your dog at all times. This is not the time to ignore your pup and expect them to play nice or other dogs to play nice.

*Do not bring or use treats and toys from your home with other dogs around.

*Don't allow dogs to form loose packs or to bully other dogs.

*If a dog park is overcrowded consider going somewhere else. Even at a dog park, dogs need space.

*Avoid taking advice from fellow dog owners or giving advice yourself, whom are not dog professionals.

*Clean up after your dog please!

*Make sure your dog is not being bullied, learning bad manners or participating in rough play with other dogs. If so be willing to leave for your dog's safety.

Otherwise have fun!

Pet's Bill of Rights

If only more people could respect and be educated  about a pet's bill of rights.

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Best Places to Socialize Your Pet

It is very important to socialize your pet. Do it as early as possible!  There are so many ways to socialize and mold your pet into a safe and productive member of society. Just make sure your pet is up to date on all vaccinations and in good health. Here are some great ideas:

-Dog Parks (these are a hit or miss due to irresponsible owners or untrained dogs so be careful!)

-Pet Stores

-Grooming Parlors

-Veterinarian

-Puppy Play Groups

-Doggy Daycare

-Obedience Classes

-Public Park/Playgrounds

-Take Your Dog To a Farm Or Country Setting

-Take Your Dog To Suburbs

-Take Your Dog To The City

-Walk Around The Neighborhood

-Invite Family And Friends Over To Your Home

-Introduce Your Dog To Different Types Of People Of All Sizes, Shapes, Looks and Ages

-Introduce Your Dog To a Variety Of "Scary" Objects Like Umbrellas, Vacuum Cleaners, Etc.

-Have A Doggy Party 

-Introduce Your Dog To Extra-Large, Large, Medium, Small, Extra-Small Dogs

-Introduce Your Dog To Small Animals Like Cats, Rabbits, Birds, Etc.

-Introduce Your Dog To Farm Animals Like Cows, Horses, Sheep, Goats, Chickens, Etc.

-Introduce Your Dog To Loud Noises Like Firearms/Guns, Fireworks, Etc.

There are so many places to go and things to do to socialize you dog. So go do it! Your pet and your fellow humans will thank you =) However don't just do nothing and keep your pup isolated from society. This will only create a very unhappy, shy, nervous animal with constant behavior problems. So have a heart and introduce your pet to the world =)