For the Love of Puppy

A gorgeous, delectable, cute new puppy given out of sheer love to someone can bring much joy and happiness to child or adult alike. The first five minutes are absolutely wonderful; up to the point when the new puppy fouls the living room carpet.

Firstly, many people in their blissful exuberance fail to realise that to own a puppy, comes with nearly as much responsibility as raising your own child. Secondly, one needs get out of one’s comfort zone to clean up after the puppy messes on the carpet. Thirdly, your new puppy needs the staples of life as would your own baby child.

A puppy cannot survive on love alone. The need to water and feed your new puppy will be one of the first considerations. You need to know how old your puppy is and at what stage of development he/she is, in order to feed your puppy the correct food. You cannot assume as some people do; that your diet is good. Therefore, it is a good diet to feed your puppy.

The right food is vitally important or you could find yourself up all through the night with a very sick and whimpering puppy. In addition the subsequent Veterinary bill can set you back $200.00 or more.

The puppy then needs somewhere to sleep and some sort of bedding. A basket or cardboard box lined with an old blanket works fine. Make sure the area is warm and there are no drafts. Puppies can catch colds, coughs and respiratory ailments just like humans.

You then need to be aware that your puppy needs a special environment in which to live. This living space must address his/her eating, sleeping and toileting needs. A puppy will not foul his/her living space; and this needs to be separate from the toileting area. A litter box placed in the opposite corner away from your puppy’s living and eating area should suffice. Some owners use a crate to keep their puppies in and the rules of toileting still apply.

When you observe your puppy needs to do its toilet; put him/her in their litter box and toileting area. Later you can move the litter box outside and show your puppy the new toileting area.

Like your child; your puppy needs to be bathed regularly. Again do not assume products such as family shampoos, soaps and dishwashing detergents are good for bathing your puppy. A small puppy can have allergic reactions and suffer severe skin irritations caused by strong chemicals and toxins. Suitable products developed especially for your puppy can be found at your local Veterinary Clinic, Pet Store and pet area at your local supermarket.

Above all; you need to be loving, sensitive, caring, and observant to your puppy’s every need. This is a trait central to socialization; to assist your puppy in obedience; learning commands; collar and leash training, as well as early potty training. Yelling at your puppy is not recommended or helpful in training your puppy. A Puppy can wander off and sometimes get into trouble e.g. stuck under the house and caught in a wire fence, or wander on the road into traffic. Your puppy can also swallow small articles whole and can choke.

Be ever vigilante that your puppy is toileting regular stools, if he/she does not it could mean puppy has swallowed a large solid object that has caused a blockage and the puppy cannot pass it normally. The short answer in this case is the Veterinary Clinic and resultant cost. Again I use the analogy as to be responsible and watchful of your own child.

Your puppy will also need regular exercise and play. This interaction teaches your puppy boundaries of both good and unacceptable behavior. Interaction with other dogs is also essential to help your puppy become socialised and friendly.

Be also aware that you need to find out when your puppy will need compulsory shots and vaccinations to prevent canine disease. Without vaccinations disease could prove fatal. You will also need to be aware of common infections such as Parvovirus and how best to recognise this. You can get all the relevant information and essential services from your local Veterinary Clinic.

Education is a lifelong learning experience. Having said that; there are many more things your puppy needs to learn. As like every responsible parent, you must also learn to adapt and teach correctly. Therefore, a good book on puppy training and/or puppy obedience training; is an essential aid to achieve success. This reference material is an excellent guide to revisit at any time and whenever the need arises.

Benefits of Adopting a Pet

Are you thinking of getting a new pet? Have you ever considered pet adoption? Adopting a pet is a wonderful option for adding a canine friend into the family. Here are 5 simple reasons why you should choose pet adoption:

1. You’ll save a life Saving a life just may be one of the most rewarding actions in a person’s life. Some pet shelters have to put down animals if they do not get adopted. If you choose to adopt a pet from an animal shelter or animal adoption agency, you are not only saving a precious animal’s life, you are also greatly increasing its quality of life.
2. You’ll save money When you adopt a pet, you are actually saving a lot of money. Animals that have been placed in shelters or taken to animal adoption agencies are almost always spayed or neutered and vaccinated. Those preliminary, but necessary procedures add up when all is said and done. Also, it is relatively inexpensive to adopt a pet from an agency or shelter in comparison to purchasing dogs or cats from a local pet store.
3. You’ll receive a healthy pet As was mentioned above, pets from shelters and adoption agencies are almost always spayed or neutered, and have received their vaccinations as well. This ensures the health and happiness of your future pet. Also, in contradiction to popular belief, many pets who have been placed in shelters have not been mistreated or “done something wrong.” Many pets have been taken there because of people problems, such as divorce, a big move, or they are simply too busy to adequately provide care for a pet.
4. You won’t be supporting puppy mills Many pets that are sold in pet stores or newspaper ads sometimes come from puppy mills. Puppy mills are mass dog-breeding businesses that are harmful to the health of their bred puppies. These facilities sometimes house up to several hundred dogs at a time, thus compromising the health and well-being of a precious puppy. By adopting a pet from a shelter or a pet adoption agency, you are not supporting these often inhumane businesses.
5. You’ll have a large selection Because pet adoption agencies and animal shelters have many pets, there is a wide selection for you to choose from. To make pet shopping easier on potential parents, many pet agencies and shelters have websites that allow people to search for possible pets by their age, sex, size, and breed. This enables families to search from the comfort of their own homes; the hassle of going to noisy and overwhelming shelters and agencies is eliminated.

The satisfaction you will acquire when you adopt a pet is like no other; you will have received a healthy pet, you will save money, you will be supporting a healthy and just cause, you will get the perfect pet for your family, and you will have saved a life. Adopting a pet has lifelong benefits that you will not regret. Give these animals a second chance by allowing them to join your loving family.

Backyard Dangers for Dogs

Even in a secluded, fenced backyard, your dog’s life could be in danger. Many pet owners are unaware of the hidden dangers in their own backyard that could harm, threaten, or even take the life of your four-legged friend.

A backyard that appears to be a dog’s oasis can still be full of all sorts of dangers, especially for rambunctious puppies. Puppies are energetic and tend to explore everything they encounter. Their natural urge to chew can be deadly in a dangerous backyard.

The most common age for dogs to fall victim to harmful backyard dangers is between the ages of one and six months. Some breeds of dogs, like Golden Retrievers, have a tendency to chew and gnaw all throughout their lives.

What Are Backyard Dangers for Dogs? To protect your dog, it is best to eliminate all dangers in your backyard regardless of your dog’s age or breed. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, ASPCA, the most common backyard dangers to watch out for are:

• Citronella candles that repel mosquitoes and contain chemicals that could poison your dog
• Mulching around trees, plants, and shrubs that contains cocoa
• Compost bins and garden or grass fertilizers
• Traps designed to catch snails or slugs and contain metaldehyde
• Fish ponds or decorative fountains that contain blue-green algae
• Insects, toads, snakes, and other animals that may leave behind harmful toxins
• Chemicals and supplies for swimming pools or hot tubs
• Azaleas, grape vines, sago palms, and other plants that are known to be poisonous
• Fly repellents and traps with metonym

Dog owners must play an active role in protecting their puppy from these dangers, as well as other common perils, both inside and outside of their home. Keep chemicals, lawn equipment, and gardening supplies secured and out of your dog’s reach. Make sure garbage cans and other containers are closed tightly at all times.

Always use fertilizers, pesticides, and other harmful agents exactly as instructed and heed any safety warnings on the labels. There are many organic and natural products that can be used in the place of hazardous chemicals for complete canine safety. Your vet or landscaper may be able to recommend quality products.