YOU AND YOUR DOG Selecting Your New Puppy

If you have a very small dog, like a small terrier or a toy breed you might prefer to use a harness — it makes it easy to protect delicate necks. Remember to make sure your puppy or dog still wears an ID tag. Take some treats along and make a big fuss of your dog. Pet insurance You should also have a chat with your vet about treatment costs and pet insurance. Think about what level of cover you need, compare quotes and ask insurers about their claims process before you sign up to a plan.

Which dog or puppy is right fo Which breed of dog is right fo Preparing For Your New Puppy o Jot down problem areas as you check each room to see what dangers lie in wait for a puppy or dog. Things to watch for are electric cords that tempt puppy to chew or grab, cleaning rags or sponges left in puppy's reach, hanging cords on draperies and window blinds, small objects that puppy might swallow, a bowl of candy on the coffee table, etc.

Make sure you can confine Fluffy when you cannot watch him. Use a crate or baby gates to keep him safe when you are busy. It's easy to clean up after Fluffy if you teach him to use one particular spot as a toilet. When he performs, praise him and give him a special treat. If you are using a clicker or squeaker for training, click or squeak before you give the treat. Very shortly, Fluffy will get the idea. When you clean up, use a disposable mitt, a plastic bag, a shovel, or a pooper scooper. Dump the feces in the garbage can for disposal on trash day in your neighborhood.

If Fluffy's going to play and sleep in your bedroom, make sure you protect your possessions as well as Fluffy. Don't leave books or other valuables in puppy's reach. Puppies must chew in order to ease the discomfort of teething, to explore their world, and to satisfy an instinct to gnaw on things. If you keep things out of Fluffy's reach, you won't be frustrated that he has chewed a library book or your prized stuffed toy. Put your dirty clothes in the hamper. Puppies and dogs love to chew their owner's dirty clothes, especially socks and underwear.

Don't allow tug-of-war with blankets and bedspreads; puppies love to grab anything and pull and can quickly destroy bed linen by doing so. If you eat snacks in your room, be sure to clean up the crumbs. Puppies quickly become scavengers once they find a regular source of food, which can lead to unacceptable begging, obesity, and intestinal upset.

Even if you use good health and safety practices with your pet, you will likely outlive him. When a pet dies, it is a very sad time in your life. When a pet comes into your life as a puppy and lives as part of your family and then has a critical accident, becomes very ill, or dies of old age, it is hard to understand and deal with the sadness you feel.

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When death occurs to a beloved pet, you have a right to mourn. If you have questions about what happened to your pet, talk to your veterinarian. How you handle the death of a pet is a very personal thing.

Just remember, it's all right to feel very sad. When your pet shows signs of age, consider getting another puppy. New puppies help revitalize older dogs and give them a bit more time with you. They also help the family to accept the aging or illness of the older dog. Don't think that your pet would not want you to have another dog. If you select that next puppy carefully, he'll enrich your lives for another dozen years or more. Read it and take on board the advice, as many people may regret buying a puppy especially from the wrong breeder. Before you decide that you want a puppy please make sure the entire family buy into this idea?

Experience has shown that if one or more is against having a pet, then bringing an animal into that environment can cause considerable family friction and stress. Have you weighed up the financial and time implications, these can be considerable, owning a dog is a serious commitment and should never be taken lightly.

You should not purchase a puppy if you are going to be working for most of the week and the puppy will be left alone for longer than a few hours at a time. People buy puppies for many reasons, for some, it can be a difficult and traumatic time.

It can also be a very difficult and anxious time for the puppy. Suddenly taken away from the security of the breeder the mother and the pups siblings, anxiety, and fear can set in deeply. They need your attention comfort and reassurance at this critical time.

If someone buys a puppy then leaves it for hours each day many behavioural problems can arise, not least separation anxiety. Think long and hard about whether your lifestyle and employment both now and in the foreseeable future will allow you to give the time, patience and security that this little scrap of a puppy needs. If you have definitely decided on a Puppy then there are some fundamental things you must do, There are also some places and situations you should never buy from.

Which breed of dog is right fo...

Whatever the breeder or seller tells you. This is your guide to finding, choosing, and preparing for your puppy to come home with you. Follow and don't be swayed by your heart let your head rule that decision. Never ever buy a puppy from anywhere or anyone without being able to see at least one or preferably both the parents. There are places called Puppy Farms that are absolutely deplorable. Puppies from these farms normally have major health and behavioural problems throughout their lives. This is caused mainly by poor breeding, bad sanitation, cheap food, and a lack of handling. They are generally taken from their mother and siblings far too early causing socialisation problems with people and other dogs.

Do not let the word Farm give you the wrong impression. It may not be a farm but kennels that are clean, airy, and bright. On the face of it look like a professional establishment. If you cannot meet at least one parent or there are lots of different breeds of pups around, then do not even consider buying a puppy, you will almost certainly live to regret that rash decision. Never buy a puppy from a pet shop or any other similar outlet; other animals are OK but not Dogs. You could be supporting the horrific trade in puppy-farmed dogs. I have even seen pups being sold at car boot sales.

Many of the dogs sold in Pet Shops are from puppy farmers. Never buy on impulse or because you feel sorry for a frightened or timid puppy. You will have that puppy for many years, that period could be a pleasure or a pain. Never take the word of a breeder or any seller who says you cannot meet any of the parents, or they skirt your questions about the parents. The excuses commonly used are the mothers ill or not available or at friends or they are selling a pup for someone else.

Another scam is to meet you somewhere away from the so-called breeders home. Or they will bring the pup to you. You must see the house, the kennels, and where the puppies are being kept. It is better if they are reared indoors. Commercial breeders rarely give each litter the attention they really need.