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.

National Love Your Pet Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

Adopt A Pet

Cute Puppy and Kitten Picture

Foster A Dog

Thinking About Fostering An Adoptable Dog?

http://dogtime.com/pet-foster-tips.html

How To Foster A Dog On the Homestead

http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/12/how-to-foster-a-dog-on-the-homestead.html

Is Dog Fostering Right For Me?

http://www.dogster.com/dog-adoption/dog-fostering

How To Foster A Cat Or A Dog

http://voices.yahoo.com/how-foster-cat-dog-11753750.html

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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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How to Feed You Pet Properly

If you feed your pet any premium pet food dry or canned for the most part go with the directions on the back of the packaging by how much your dog weighs at ideal body condition.

 Please never free feed your pet! This is not a good idea. Such a feeding practice can lead to a overweight pet or a pet with potty problems.

If you feed your pet a raw food diet please consult your veterinarian about the nutrient needs for your pets. Don't just throw your dog/cat a raw meaty bone and say your feeding him/her a raw diet. A raw diet is a science and you must mix specific nutrients carefully and methodically to make sure your pet is getting what it needs nutritionally.  Example, cats needs a certain nutrient called taurine in their food otherwise they could go blind or even die without this important nutrient in their diet.

Never feed dogs table scraps this induces begging and food grabbing. 

If you suspect your pet is overweight contact your veterinarian first before putting your pet on a diet and throwing him/her into a whirlwind of exercise.

If you suspect your pet is to thin, not gaining weight or seems hungry all the time once again contact your veterinarian to make sure there is nothing medically wrong with your pet and follow directions given by veterinarian 

Use pet treats for training aids only! Randomly giving treats throughout the day will make your pet fat. Treats are meant to be worked for not to be given out of love. Sorry but if you associate love for your pet by feeding him/her so much that they can barely walk cause they are so obese from over-eating I suggest you rethink your thoughts on what love is cause frankly I find that as animal abuse otherwise.

Watch what your pet eats and monitor his/her body condition. Make changes as needed with your veterinarian's approval and you will have a happy, healthy pet ^_^

Raising Children with Pets

So I have a beautiful 3-year old little girl whom I have come to find loves her pets. Bandit was the first to meet my daughter when she was born. He was  a little hesitant at first but surprisingly for being such a hyper, slightly neurotic dog he did wonderfully with her. Even when she started walking he never bumped her over. In fact he stayed clear from her unless my daughter was sitting in my lap and he was allowed to give kisses or she wanted to pet him. 

Now Milo with him being a little rambunctious puppy is still learning not to be so jumpy and hyper around my daughter. Luckily my little girl is was already three years old when we got Milo so she has some sense of what dogs do. She tries to plays with him whenever she gets a chance and even gets on all fours and acts like a puppy to get his attention. She likes giving the puppy snacks both human and dog treats. 

I do have my limits though between the interactions of my daughter and Milo. If either of them get to hyper and start bouncing off the walls they have to be separated. Also trying to get across to my daughter not to feed Milo table scraps. Milo also likes to be a little mouthy. I have to pretty much nip that in the bud. Whenever he tried to use his mouth I grab him by the muzzle firmly and tell him "No!" He is slowly but surely getting the picture.

Scratches and bumping into your children are to be expected if you have a super hyper, jumpy dog. All you can do is train your dog properly how to act around children and teach your child how to react around hyperactive pets.  

All children of all ages should be taught to treat animals with respect and how to be responsible when caring for and interacting with any type of pet. Never allow your child to go up to strange dogs and try to pet them! Tell your child to always ask the owner if you can pet the dog first. As for stray dogs/cats tell your kids to stear clear from them no matter how friendly they may seem. Do not allow your child to ever hit or pull on fur/body parts of your family pet. Have your child interact quietly (no yelling around) with pets if your pet is prone to shyness or extreme  hyper-ness. Otherwise these things can create fear even possible dominance issues  in your dog.

All children of all ages should be instructed to NEVER:

-approach a strange dog

-run away from a dog they are afraid of

-hit, kick or poke a dog

-tease a dog by withholding food

-chase a dog

-pull a dog's tail or ears

-reach through a fence to pet a dog

-try to help a injured dog (get a adult instead) 

-take a toy, food or treat away from a dog

-wake up a sleeping dog

-tease a crated dog

*A child needs to know a dog can feel pain, can feel scared and to some extent has feelings in some sense.

*Pets need food and water daily.

*Pet's living areas and the yard need to be cleaned daily.

*Pets need to be loved not abused in anyway.

*Teach your child the right things about pets and you and your child will always have a *happy, healthy relationship with the family pet/s.