Leash Training a New Puppy
By: Asar Yousuf Leash Training your Puppy may seem like a mountainous task on the first try. However, knowing what to do can make it another simple-to-perform task. See all you need to know about successfully making your new Puppy comfortable with the leash Choose the suitable harness and leash Before you consider leash training your Puppy, you need to settle for the appropriate collar, harness, or leash. Get a cozy-fitting harness for really young puppies, preferably something not too loose or tight. Afterward, go for a leash that is about four or six feet long and attach it to the Puppy. The harness must be light with a simple, non-cumbersome leash for the Puppy. Then allow the Puppy to play around with the leash. This move will help the Puppy become familiar with the leash. You should practice the leash walk – initially taking short steps within the house. Implementing this step ensures a happy, friendly relationship between your Puppy and you. Your pup may not be willing to put on the harness, and this isn’t strange. While putting the saddle on the Puppy, you could play with it, and give it a toy or special treats to distract it. Introduce your dog to the leash Introduce your dog to the leash at a tender age. Puppies are easier to train at this age. Some dog owners, in error, think they could bypass leash training the Puppy. After all, the Puppy is all good. But as the Puppy grows older, they begin to slowly but surely exhibit bad behaviors. And gradually grow out of control. To avoid that, leash training the Puppy is important. You could teach a cue using a simple, easily understood word or sound like a cluck of the tongue. The purpose is for the Puppy, with the leash on, to walk with you and vice versa. The Puppy already knows its name by this time and is responsive to simple commands such as Sit, Stand, Come, Wait, etc. You can go ahead with this and let the dog follow you for short distances within the house. Each time the Puppy does that, reward it with a treat. You might also discover that some puppies will rather bite on their leash. The solution is the same. Offer treats or toys to wade them off the leash. Leash training the Puppy will make their legs longer, their muscles stronger, and naturally increase their pace. Apply the “heel” factor Simply put, this is making your puppy walk at your heel or beside you. Training your Puppy to be at your heel can be challenging. But it’s a lot easier if the Puppy has been taught some simple commands prior. Start this training at home first with fewer distractions than outside. In getting a dog to be obedient and responsive, you need a lot of patience and consistency. To achieve making your dog walk closely beside your heel, you also need to be able to listen closely. Now, you don’t want your puppy winding or snaking around as you walk. If it does this, stop walking and stand firm. Then you can call the pop with a cue you have already taught it and reward your pup with a tasty treat. Repeat this process until little Puppy gets used to walking beside you. As a matter of fact, choose a side meant for the Puppy to walk and maintain. If it strays, trick the pup back to its own side of the walk for discipline purposes. Never hold the leash with your hand on the side of the dog. If the Puppy is on the right side, secure the leash with your left hand and use the other hand to give treats as you walk on. Each time you take a walk with your Puppy, use the heel factor. You may want to increase the gap between treats to instill good behavior in your Puppy. This is because you don’t want to train your Puppy into believing that it can exhibit bad behavior in order to get treats from you. Fend off Pulling and Lunging Ordinarily, you would expect that after taking the Puppy through the “heel” factor routine, it shouldn’t pull, lounge, or even bark repeatedly at things or people anymore. But puppies being what they are, with a short attention span, get excited by the sight, smell, and sound around them. This calls for you to keep them focused on you. You can give them a tasty treat or their favorite toy or even play with them. And when they come back, get up and go in the opposite direction to ensure they follow you and stop pulling or lunging. Also, you can achieve better control of your Puppy by using a short leash with some tiny bit of slack. Most times, puppies don’t pull or lunge without reason. They may see other dogs like them, strangers, a fascinating sight, or anything at all. Walking in the other direction and waiting until the excitement disappears whenever this happens. You don’t want to harm the dog by yanking off or even yelling. This will destroy the friendship you have built over time. You also don’t want to risk allowing him to think that pulling or lunging is a good attitude, so you may not give him a treat; remind your Puppy of the cues taught previously. If your Puppy pulls or lunges unchecked, and you try to keep pace with it, you’ll be erroneously teaching your pup that it’s OK to pull or lunge. Instead, you can improvise by doing some add-ons like direction, turning around, and giving commands like Sit down and stay, Stop, etc. This will keep the Puppy engaged and heighten the communication between you two. Take it Outside Yes, your Puppy has been schooled on walking on a leash, heeling, managing pulling, barking, lunging, etc. It’s time to explore varied environments other than your yard or court. You can take your dog to
Brave Yorkie Survives Fierce Dog Attack
“25th December 2017 remains evergreen in my memory,” Prue Ruga said amidst muffled breaths. It was a sunny day. The weather was excellent, and it was time for Daisy’s daily training session. She wouldn’t miss it for anything in the world, not even Christmas. Daisy, her cute little Yorkie, was a darling to her. She enjoyed heeling, and her devoted owner, Prue, was always ready to take her out for her favorite sport. “I searched for her harnesses, but they were nowhere to be found. Then, I resorted to connecting the leash on her collar, even though I had been warned never to take such risks. That was my greatest regret,” Prue moaned tearfully. Prue and little Daisy walked smoothly across the road, keeping to the sidewalk. Seeing them lovingly walk side by side with each other was enjoyable. It pleased Prue that Daisy, although a pint-sized Yorkie pup, was endowed with an array of great personalities. Daisy always used defensive behaviors by either growling, snapping, or lunging whenever anything posed a threat to her master and would never return from a fight. “I shouldn’t have let her feel like the master of the house,” Prue continued. “She was only trying to protect me.” While the duo was seriously engrossed in their training session, something unusual happened. Prue had spotted a dog. It was a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The dog looked nervous. It looked like it had probably escaped from its master or something. There was this ferocious look in the dodog’syes that made PrPrue’seg shiver non-stop. She noticed that the dog had taken to studying her intently. It moved a bit closer and whelped, giving her a menacing look. It all happened in a split second. The dog charged at them, and Prue backed away in apprehension. “en, my worst nightmare came true. Daisy suddenly pulled away, right from her collar, in a bid to save me. The dog sank its teeth straight into her front paws. I practically went numb.” “little Daisy jerked back in severe pain. She flew off the curb and was hit by the left wheel of a moving carriage. She sprawled across the road, lifeless. A few people had gathered at the scene, thus prompting the dog to take to its heels. He was, however, rounded up and found out to be owned by one Mr. Jenkins, a rogue who was not taking care of his animals. The dog was infected with rabies and had indeed become rabid. He was eventually put to sleep forever, never to see the light of another day. Mr. Jenkins was also held responsible for all Daisy’s medication. That avenged his dog’s brutality towards the Yorkie. Daisy survived, though she was in grievous pain for a long time. She was administered the anti-rabies vaccine almost immediately after the bite, and her paws were carefully tended. Luckily, not much damage was done to her fragile bones by the carriage. “M” only wish right now is that you walk again. I hope you forgive me,” “rue whispered, her Yorkie curled in her arms. Daisy’s courageous eyes shone in delight. She started limping after a few months and is getting ready to heel again.
Dog products I have been very pleased with that came from Amazon
Dog poop bags Earth Rated Product (RED) Edition Amazon: Click Here It can be a frustrating task to buy the right poop bags for your dog when there are countless options out there. But those additional qualities that come with these products are what make Did you ever think buying poop bags from the Earth Rated Store also gives you a chance to give back to society? Earth Rated has partnered with Red along with other iconic brands to fight global health emergencies. When you buy from their limited edition of Earth Rated (Red) Edition, they will donate $1.75 to the Global Fund, for a total of $100,000. you buy them. Yingdelai Dog Poop Bag Amazon: Click Here One step towards protecting the environment is to replace plastic with other degradable products. A biodegradable non-plastic poop bag that does not harm the environment is the Yingdelai Dog Poop Bag. Yindelai’s bag is made of vegetable-based ingredients and decomposes within 18 months. The fresh-scented poop bags come with a dispenser and has received thousands of positive reviews and numerous 5-stars on Amazon. With 540 bags in total, you can use this super value package for close to six months. Earth Rated (RED) Edition Yingdelai Dog Poop Bag Price 11.99 $ 18.04 $ Dispenser No (Can be bought separately) Yes Material Plastic Vegetable-based ingredients Scented No Fresh Scented Number of Bags 270 540 Size 9×13 9×13.5 Pooper Scooper GoGo Stik ST Pooper Scooper and Dootie Rake Amazon: Click Here The GoGo stick, unlike any other traditional pooper scooper, is a stick to which you can insert a poop bag of any style or size. If you are looking for something that takes up less space and is easy to use, then the GoGo stick is just for you. You can even avoid the hassle of washing it after every use. It is lightweight and can be carried around easily and even hung anywhere for storage. You can use it with the Dootie Rake for convenience or you can just simply use the Gogo Stick without the rake as well. This is a great alternative to the usual pooper scoopers as it is very easy to use and handy. Arm & Hammer Swivel Bin & Rake Pooper Scooper Amazon: Click Here The Arm and Hammer Swivel Bin and Rake from Pet make looks similar to any other pooper scoopers in the market, but this specific one comes with a huge capacity and can be used multiple times. The swivel bins are easy to use and the Arm & Hammer baking soda-activated waste bags that come with it helps to keep it clean. However, if you want to reduce waste and do not want to use the poop bags, you can use the swivel bins directly and just wash them after. GoGo Stik ST Pooper Scooper and Dootie Rake Arm & Hammer Swivel Bin & Rake Pooper Scooper Price 39.95 $ 15.98 $ Material Aluminum, HDPE, ABS, Silicone Plastic Bin No bin. The poop bag needs to be inserted into the stick Swivel bin to easily clean up poop multiple times. Size 37 inches (height) 32 inches (height) Dog Carrier Doggyhut TOBI Large Pet Bike Trailer. Amazon: Click here If your dog is feeling lazy to get outdoors and walk, why not take her out for a ride. The Doggyhut TOBI Pet Bike Trailer comes in three colors and has amazing safety features such as the reflectors, safety flag, and adjustable safety leash. There are numerous dog bike trailers out there in the market, however getting one that is strong and reliable ensures the safety of your dog while you are on the road. Doggyhut’s Bike Trailer comes with a one-year warranty and has a vinyl layer that can block the wind. It can be folded flat and is not a hassle to carry around. Taking your dog for a bike ride is definitely going to be an exciting experience for you and your dog. K&H Pet Products Travel Safety Carrier Amazon: Click Here An easy-to-use pet travel carrier is a must-have for every pet owner. This carrier from K&H Pet Products is for anyone who wants to keep things quick and easy. Your pets will receive a view with the mesh window and it allows for easy access with its multiple openings. The small size of this carrier makes it fit into the front seat of any car. Your dog will be comfortable and cozy in this lightweight travel carrier. K&H Pet Products Travel Safety Carrier for Pets Retrospec Rover Waggin’ Pet Bike Trailer Doggyhut TOBI Large Pet Bike Trailer Price 69.99 $ 169.99 $ 144.99 $ Waterproof No water resistant waterproof Size 24 X 19 X 17 Inches 30 x 19 x 17 inches 53 x 29.5 x 35.5 inches Compatible for a Car Seat Yes No Yes
Feeding a New Puppy
A puppy’s feeding schedule depends on his age. Younger puppies need more frequent meals. Older puppies can eat less often. Feeding new puppies can lay the foundation for adult doghood. Proper nutrition from complete and balanced puppy food has a positive impact on your puppy’s growth and development. How many times a day should a puppy eat? Regardless of age, it’s important to establish a feeding schedule for your puppy. Puppies less than 6 months old most puppies are fully weaned from mother’s milk between six and eight weeks. Once weaned, puppies should get three Scheduled feedings a day. Make sure you know the total amount of food he needs per day based on his weight and divide that amount among the three feedings. For puppies 6 months to 1-year-old around six months of age decrease the number of feedings to twice a day: Once in the morning and once in the evening. 1 year & up Many puppies reach maturity around their first birthday. Some large breeds take 18 months to 2 years to fully mature. Once your puppy has reached full maturity based on his breed size, you can feed him once or twice a day. When you do transition to a different food for example, When they move to be a puppy to an adult dog-do it over a week or so, by mixing the new and old foods together and gradually increasing the percentage of new food. Once you’ve put your puppy’s bowls down, they’ll smell and nose the food to test the temperature. When they’ve started eating make sure to keep an eye on them to ensure their safety but don’t fuss over them while they’re eating as it could cause protective, aggressive behavior. Leave the bowls down for 15 to 20 minutes then remove them, even if there is food still uneaten, this will help them learn they must eat when you decide. You should also feed your puppy after you’ve eaten or at a different time completely to demonstrate the hierarchy of the household. Always make sure there is plenty of water available, and change it regularly. Giving your puppy scraps or leftovers can result in bad behavior as it confuses their routine. Similarly, try and avoid offering food as a reward too frequently and not do not offer treat food as a way to entice them to eat their “main” food-it is too confusing for your puppy and may result in them not eating.
The PAWsome Angel
Have you lost a loved one in your life? Whether it’s a family member, close friend, or colleague, being apart from them for the rest of your years can be painful and heartbreaking. A companion you need to say goodbye to. You are not alone. I’ve experienced such loss and the grief that came with it. Two years ago, on August 1, 2019, my grandmother named Tessie died of intestinal or colon cancer. She’s been suffering from the disease for as long as I can remember. Despite her condition, she never failed to rise above it and continued working almost 24/7. That is how she coped, by using her remaining strength from her weakening muscles and hoping that all the regular aches would go away. All my family members and relatives witnessed her everyday struggle. From waking up early in the morning at the age of 65 to sleeping with abdominal pain. Sadly, her courage was beaten by her illness. And one morning, I just knew that my life will never be the same as it was. By accepting, remembering, and loving my grandmother from afar, every day became lighter. The pain was still there, but embodying her fearlessness illuminated the light within my living soul. I am a firm believer that when one says goodbye, life never stops but we’ll be directed. We just have to find the best pathway, appreciate what we have now, and look for a companion. Pro tip: the companion doesn’t have to be a human being or person with perfect glass skin; sometimes the best ones have furs and wagging tails. Three weeks later, my family and I heard of a dog opening for adoption from an old friend. The latter, however caring and pet-loving, confessed he cannot afford to raise a new dog. Everyone knows that a true warrior for the animals will extend all their affection, effort, and money to bring the best out of the fur friend. At first, I kind of hesitated at the idea of opening my doors to a new potential clingy and face-licking member. After several discussions, weighing the pros and the cons, answering the who, how, where, and especially why questions, one day, I just went home with a tiny, black and tan Mini Pinscher on my favorite sofa. I personally named her Ji-Soo, following one of the famous and visually pleasing Korean pop personalities of my generation. The experience of having her brought a tantamount of joy and realization. Like any other new pet, she was very shy and always looked for a hideout. I guess she thought that with her dominating black color she would camouflage along with the pile of clothes in my room. But I and the rest of my family remained patient as we adored her small steps. Back then, just hearing her barks made me draw a curve on my face and even take videos of it, knowing that she often does that for the time being. I gave my time and best shot to make her feel comfortable and warm up. From buying the right food, going into dog clinics, getting vaccinated, and more. She was even rocking like a Kardashian as I shopped for clothes for her. She was a superstar! Time went by, and my Ji-Soo warmed up and affectionately showered love on me. When I woke up from sleep, she was already on my bed waiting for a massage or belly rub. The moment I ate my breakfast, she was almost on my side munching her favorite dog food. When it was time for me to go to work, all I could hear was her puppy’s cry and eyes. Believe me, I did feel the connection like she was telling me not to go. Every single day of my life changed for the better. I was excited to go home knowing that Ji-Soo will be waiting on my doorstep wagging her tail and ready to jump on me like we had not seen each other for decades. That is what makes her amazing in most ways possible. That is the art of having my dog, Ji-Soo. She doesn’t speak my language, but her smartness makes her understand the words “no”, “sit” and alike through my tone of voice and body language. Just like a loyal friend, when I try to communicate with her she gives me eye contact, making me think she’s a genius. The most memorable moment I had with my dog was when I was having a mental breakdown. What’s amazing about her was she’s the first one to notice among others. When I felt wanting to attach myself to the bed for as long as I thought, she was there, offering her free cuddling service. She certainly boosted my serotonin and dopamine. Ji-soo, for me, is more than a dog- she’s my family. She came into one of the lowest moments of my life but her affection reciprocated the grief in me and fixed the broken pieces of my heart. Sometimes, I wonder, can Ji-soo be my grandmother, an angel in disguise?
I’m longing for Shiva
A dog’s lifespan lasts for 10-13 years. We may want them to live longer and stay by our side as we grow older but there are things that we need to bid our farewell. The moment that dog owners fear the most happen to me recently. It’s been three weeks since my pet Shiva, left. At first, it is hard to accept that she’s gone because I’m so used to having her beside me. What hurts the most is staying at home reminds me of a lot of memories of her together. Staying in the living room, bedroom, kitchen, and even the bathroom. I feel so empty when she left. I had times when I cried terribly because I missed her. Nevertheless, life goes on when you lose someone in your life. You continue your daily routine even if you’re so used to having their presence. This is Shiva. She’s ¾ Shih Tzu & ¼ Poodle. Shiva was with me for nine years. Shiva was the type of dog that sticks by your side no matter what. You’ll feel her presence because she’s by my side wherever I go. When Shiva got older, she loved to sleep. Every time she’d sleep, I’d tiptoe because she easily wakes up if she senses that I’m about to go out. Shiva is an introvert around other dogs because she didn’t have any other dog friends besides her sister growing up. Although she’s an extrovert when she’s playing with me, she always sneezes if she’s in her hyper phase. After bathing her, she’s extra playful & likes to run around annoying her sister. I remember the first time I had Shiva. It was along with two other puppies because their mom was my main dog, Hershey. When Hershey was about to give birth, she was running around the house, panicking, one thing led to the other, there they were, Fourchette, the male puppy & Shiva. We initially planned to sell them all but I was too attached to them so we ended up selling the only male puppy. We kept and raised Fourchette and Shiva with us. Staying at home wasn’t boring when I have these two adorable puppies with me. I enjoyed my alone time at home with their company. During my stressful times, seeing their cuteness enlightens my mood. Raising two puppies was never an easy job. Raising a dog is just like raising a kid. You aren’t just the dog’s best friend or a pet owner, you’re a mother. I had these puppies with me at a very young age. Being their mother is a tough responsibility. You have to pay/buy a lot of things as well such as dog food, grooming, healthcare, and necessities. You have a responsibility to watch over that dog. It gets tiring especially at times when you have a lot on your plate & you have to tend to their needs at the same time. It’s super stressful thinking about the finances of raising dogs, however, aside from that, it feels good to have them because you can play/talk/bond with them every time. It feels good because you know that someone loves you no matter what. Even though you forgot to take them out to pee, even though you have to clean after them always, even though you have to feed them before you, yourself could eat, you know that their love for you is still greater than yours. Coming home knowing that someone is eager to greet you is one of the best feelings in the world. If I could describe this feeling in one word, that would be bittersweet. Raising a dog could be a pain in the ass but it gives you too much happiness. Honestly, during the early years, I didn’t have any time for them at all because I’m at school from morning till afternoon. Every time I came home, I had to do chores/assignments/manage my business. It was routine that I had to bathe them every Saturday & that’s it. But when the pandemic hit, I was drawn much closer to them because I had more free time. The pandemic made me an actual fur mom from merely just being their “owner”. I had more time to attend to their needs, play & spend time with them. I think all of the memories we’ve made are special but I always appreciate her, even more, when she tried to comfort me every time I’m feeling sick or crying. Shiva knows me too well. I felt like we had a deeper connection. March 2022, she had these flesh wounds randomly appearing on her skin which went on for weeks. I tried self-medicating her but it didn’t work. We eventually went to the vet & they prescribed us 8/9 very costly medications. The wounds went away for a month or two but they came back again so I tried medicating her once more but the wounds weren’t getting better anymore and I figured that there was already something wrong inside of her that was causing her wounds. She became weaker and weaker. As the mother of my pet, I knew she couldn’t take it already; if the doctor would do surgeries or any type of procedures on her because of her age & condition, I somewhat accepted that Shiva was about to go to doggy heaven. I repeatedly told my family that I’m ready to let her go if the time will come. I don’t want to extend her agony with her condition. After Shiva’s death, I wasn’t used to not seeing her wait for me on the stairs when I woke up, I felt a bit lonely because she was not there anymore. My eyes were swollen for straight two days then there were days I miss her, I burst into tears again. I miss Shiva’s presence who keeps on following me around and who keeps on wagging her tail just to ask me to play with her. I miss seeing her
The friendly guinea pig
When we heard the word pet what comes to our mind is that they might be raising a dog or a cat since these are the most common pets that humans take care of. However, I am not a dog or a cat person. I have a pet called a guinea pig. I’m not sure if people are quite familiar with guinea pigs. In other countries, a lot of people may be having them as a pet; but in our case, I rarely see anyone in our neighborhood raising a guinea pig. I know all of the pets are cute but I consider guinea pigs the cutest among all the other pets I have. his is Browny, a year-old round male nose guinea pig. Browny is quite relaxed and friendly. He loves to play around with our other pets. Raising a guinea pig is not new to me because when I was a kid, I had other guinea pigs too. Browny is the fifth guinea pig we bought. We started raising guinea pigs because my mother likes how low maintenance it is in having them as a pet. I decided to buy Browny because it reminds me of the childhood guinea pig I had. If only guinea pigs’ lifespan is just like a human lifespan, probably we didn’t reach our fifth guinea pig. Sadly, guinea pigs’ lifespan lasts for 4-8 years. That’s why we kept on buying guinea pigs the moment they were gone. What I admire the most from Browny among all the guinea pigs we had is that he is very chill and obedient. Guinea pigs are social animals. Browny is super friendly toward our Pacman frog, gecko, and parrot. My favorite bonding with Browny is every time we gather all the other pets with him. I find it cute when these animals are interacting. It is pretty rare to see different types of animals interacting. You’re going to expect that they’ll have chaos all the time; however, it’s completely the opposite. Seeing them being clingy with each other is just precious to see. If only I have connections with the National Geo channel, I’ll proudly consult them and let this feature this moment haha. Having Browny with us feels nice because our family is growing bigger and bigger. I felt really happy the first time I got Browny because another added member of the family; I know for some it is not something special since this is not our first guinea pig but for me, Browny is one of a kind. I haven’t seen someone as friendly as him. My other guinea pigs weren’t like that before. Those guinea pigs seem to have their own world but Browny? He treats other animals as a family. Browny can be playful that sometimes I can’t have a decent photo with him. He kept on moving and that makes the photo blurry. Browny is the source of my happiness every time I’m bored or I am having a bad day. Seeing him being friendly with our other pets enlightened my mood in less than a minute. The struggle of having a guinea pig is that it needs company. You can’t just leave them there. Your eyes must be on them because you might know what might happen since guinea pigs are quite small. I had an encounter before where I wasn’t paying attention and I wonder where my guinea pet went. It took five minutes for me to find it. From that experience, I learned to be more attentive every time I’m playing with a guinea pig. As I have mentioned earlier, raising a guinea pig is low maintenance. For Browny’s shelter, we provide an open space for him so he could move freely. For Browny’s food, we’re feeding him scramble and greens. I know Browny is already a year old but there’s still the fear in me that he’ll be gone soon like my other guinea pigs. I’m so used to losing a pet but it doesn’t me I’m used to it; it is not painful anymore. Losing someone will always be painful no matter how used you are to the pain. I always treasure every moment I shared with Browny. If there are times I’m busy, my sister is always there to play with him. Raising a guinea pig in our family would always have a special place in our hearts. I’m so used to having guinea pigs because I grow up taking good care of one. Probably in the future when I have a family on my own, I’ll surely adopt a guinea pig as our family pet. It is not expensive in taking care of them like the other pets. I can be probably called a loyal pet owner of guinea pigs. To think, Browny is already our fifth guinea pig. I don’t mind if I reach the 20th or more guinea pigs I’ll be taking care of. Cheers to more guinea pigs in the future! As a guinea pig pet owner since 2005, I’ll surely recommend other people to have their guinea pig. They deserve the love in this world.
Choosing a New Puppy
Getting a new puppy can be an exhilarating feeling. It’s an adventure of a lifetime! It’s like gaining a new best friend! On the other hand, it can be stressful and feelings of “adopters remorse” can follow if you don’t put thought into your decision. There are some important things to consider before you choose which new pup to take home. We’ll cover some topics in this article that will provide guidance in finding the perfect puppy so that your next adventure will be one that you can cherish freely and forever! Adopt or Shop Whether you adopt or shop for your new puppy, remember that you are doing a great thing! You’re providing a home for a little one where they will be loved and taken care of forever. There is no wrong choice here. However, there are some major differences between shopping for and adopting your new puppy friend. With adoption comes a few pros and cons. Let’s start with the pros. Typically you will find that your puppy will be significantly cheaper than using a breeder. Sometimes adoption facilities will even waive their fees, making the adoption completely free. In addition, the puppies usually come microchipped to allow you to keep track of them if they were to run away or get lost. This is a cost you would have on your own if you purchased from a breeder. Overall, there are significant financial pros to adoption, but there are some cons as well. When you adopt, you typically forfeit any knowledge of their family origin and upbringing. This could affect your knowledge of potential health and behavioral problems in the future. In addition, a lot of adopted puppies are not breed guaranteed, meaning that your puppy could turn out to be a different mix or breed than you’re expecting. This is not inherently a bad thing, but if you’re someone looking for a very specific breed type for any reason, adopting may not be your best choice. Breed This is probably the most important decision when it comes to choosing a new puppy. Breed often determines behavior, size, socialization, appearance, and whether or not they are allergy-friendly. These are all crucial to consider based on your puppy, personal and environmental needs. There are various online sources where you can search for what kind of breed would be the best fit for you. Here’s a quiz you could take as an example. If you’re looking for a quick reference guide to a few breeds that may be a good fit for you then check out the comparison below. Gender After you’ve chosen the breed, you’ll want to decide whether you want a male or female puppy to bring home with you. There are some stereotypical assumptions about each, but it’s important to keep in mind that just like every human, every dog is different. However, we’ll still cover the typical differences between a male and a female puppy to provide some guidance. Males are typically larger in size and more aggressive than other males. They seek to show dominance through scent marking, mounting, and aggression when challenged by other dogs. In addition, they have a tendency to be more energetic and less well-behaved than females. However, neutering a male dog can help with marking and behavioral issues significantly and is typically highly recommended. Females are typically smaller, less aggressive, and more independent than males. Females are typically the chosen gender for new puppies because of these assumptions, but really it just depends on your needs as a new puppy owner. Although males are more aggressive with other male dogs, it’s been observed that females are also more aggressive with other female canines. Dogs in general typically get along better with the opposite sex. However, spaying your female puppy, just like neutering your male, is ideal as it will help with overall behavior improvement. Observe the Litter Lastly, when you go to pick out your new puppy, observe how they act and move around within their litter. You want to make sure that the puppy you choose isn’t outwardly aggressive with any of its littermates. Observing will help you determine possible behavioral tendencies later down the road. In addition, watch how the puppy walks and moves around. Of course, new puppies will stumble and be somewhat clumsy, but you want to make sure you don’t see any outstanding health issues or mobility issues that could cost you later. Conclusion Overall, choosing a new puppy is a blast. It’s a new and fun experience and you’re helping a great cause. You and your new puppy are going to be lathered in love by one another and it’s going to be so rewarding. Don’t worry if some stress follows you after the decision. It’s going to take some time to adjust and to learn how to care for your new friend, but there are plenty of resources to help ease the transition for you. There is no wrong decision here, only what’s best for you! Check out the following for information to help you in your journey to choosing a new puppy. RESOURCES: Dog Breed Selector: Pedigree How Do I Know If My Puppy is Healthy? Puppies for Adoption: Petfinder Should I Get a Male or Female Dog? Quiz
We Are Family
In 2008, my family rescued our first dog, a pug named Spike. Spike was mistreated in his old home and when my parents heard about his situation, they jumped to bring him in. Spike served as a loyal companion to my family for 13 years and he was everyone’s best buddy. In 2020, Spike began to decline in his health. My grandma at the time was also struggling with some health issues and was living alone. She always loved keeping Spike for the weekend, so we asked her to watch him for a few weeks this time. Spike was pretty easy to take care of, he slept all day and just wanted to cuddle, which was the perfect situation for my grandma. While Spike was away, I convinced my parents to adopt yet another puppy who needed a home. So in January of 2020, we brought home another pug, named Buddy. Buddy was quite the opposite of Spike. He was spunky, energetic, stubborn, and sometimes a little feisty. After all, aren’t all puppies? But he was the cutest little guy and my family was in love. We tried to introduce Spike and Buddy a few times, but Spike being so old in age, was not happy about having a crazy little brother. We decided it was best if Spike stayed permanently at my grandma’s for a while. A few months later, Spike’s health went downhill and he passed away. It was truly devastating for my parents and both of my younger brothers. My brothers were in high school at the time, and it was rare to see them cry, but Spike’s passing brought the tears. It showed me how much he meant to all of us. How much he changed our lives and brought us joy. During a sad and tough time losing Spike, Buddy served as our joyful spirit. He made the transition so much easier and gave us a new pup to show our love and affection to. Living with Buddy was much different than Spike, but it was still just as special and sweet. Buddy was comical, with a goofy personality that made everyone laugh. He was sort of dopey and clumsy, often running into walls and people. He lit up the room with his joyful demeanor. Fast-forward to March of 2021, a new addition was about to be added to our family. One that wasn’t expected, but definitely cherished. In 2021, my brother Michael began to show signs of struggling with substance abuse. He was a junior in high school, with the stress of friendships, relationships, and college coming soon. He just didn’t know how to cope well with it all. My parents began to worry and decided that Michael needed more help than our family could provide for him. They searched around for rehabilitation programs, but there were none that piqued his interest or that seemed promising on paper. Finally, my mom came across an all-boys program in Arkansas that she thought would entice Michael to go. The main focus of this program was using canine therapy to heal and teach responsibility to troubled teens. Michael was ecstatic. This meant he would get his own dog! In March, when Michael arrived at the facility, he was given a brand new, black labrador puppy. He named him Kota. Kota would be Michael’s responsibility every day to take care of and in return, Kota would serve as an emotional support dog for Michael. This program was life-changing for Michael, and so was Kota. Throughout the program, Kota served as Michael’s best friend and buddy to process the hard things in life. Michael was able to see Kota as a gift from God and a sign of His provision in his life. Kota gave Michael a sense of responsibility that taught him how capable he is to take care of himself and others with the right coping skills. Kota served as Michael’s motivation for healing and The Lord used him to bring Michael into the light of life again While in Arkansas, Michael grew in his relationship with Kota, friends, and God. He learned what it looked like to be cared for by a friend in a healthy relationship. He learned how to care for himself in order to care for another. He learned that God loved Him just as he is, and wants the best for Him – to be in a relationship with Himself. Because of all these things and by the grace of God, Michael decided to be baptized during his program. After three months in Arkansas, Michaela and Kota returned home. It took some time for Kota to become acclimated to our family and our home. He was used to living outside all the time and now living in the bustling city of Dallas, TX. He was still a puppy, who’d only been trained by a 17-year-old boy so far. He definitely had some work to do, but we were ready to help. As Michael got back into school and work, Kota was home alone more often. He was sad at times and needed a friend. This is where Buddy came in again. Buddy served as Kota’s brother, playmate, and friend in a time of hard change. The two slowly became best buds and began to love one another’s company. This made my family’s life much easier too, now having a playmate for each dog! From Spike to Buddy, and from Buddy to now having Kota too – the transitions were tough at times. But the dogs and companions made it so worth it. No matter what we all faced and no matter what we go through, our dogs are God’s goodness in our lives. They are our family!
A Guide to Traveling with your Dog
By Asar Yousuf With easy access to travel, we are constantly on the move, exploring new places and meeting new people from all around the world. Have you been longing to travel somewhere but not sure what to do with your furry friend? Sometimes people cancel travel plans because they do not know how to manage their dogs while traveling. Even if you planning a vacation by yourself or with your family, it would be quite sad if you had to leave your dog behind every time. Many dog owners get pet sitters while they are on a holiday. While this is a smart idea, it would also be a fun experience to take your pet along with you. Don’t you think? With easy access to travel, we are constantly on the move, exploring new places and meeting new people from all around the world. Have you been longing to travel somewhere but not sure what to do with your furry friend? Sometimes people cancel travel plans because they do not know how to manage their dogs while traveling. Even if you planning a vacation by yourself or with your family, it would be quite sad if you had to leave your dog behind every time. Many dog owners get pet sitters while they are on a holiday. While this is a smart idea, it would also be a fun experience to take your pet along with you. Don’t you think? The good news is that it is possible to take your dog along when you go for a holiday. Many airlines are making it easier for pet owners to do this. But there are things you will need to keep in mind and follow to make sure your dog is safe and comfortable. Traveling on the road can be very different from going by train or if you are flying. So, make sure your travel preparations are done according to your mode of transport. Here’s what you need to do if you are flying When planning to fly with your pooch, remember that many airlines have varying restrictions on breed, storage, and also destinations. This means there will be changes to the rules since airlines have to comply with government regulations as well. The best way to get the facts right is to contact the airlines directly. The general rules are that you will need a certification of health from a veterinarian just a few days before flying along with his vaccination and rabies certificate. Do check with your vet if you will need to take any other safety measures apart from what is mentioned by the airlines. Now here’s the hard truth, while taking your pooch along with you for your vacation might be lots of fun, some dogs do not have a pleasant experience flying especially if they need to be traveling in the cargo hold. Talk to other dog owners who have done this before and also consult your vet. A few of the most pet-friendly airlines out there are American Airlines, JetBlue, Air Canada, Air France, and Delta. Some of these airlines have special programs for your pets. For example, the JetPaws program by JetBlue airlines allows pet-parent travelers with a carrier bag, a list of tips for managing your pet while traveling, and also TrueBlue points. Both JetBlue and American Airlines do allow pet owners to take their pets along with them in the cabin for shorter trips. Traveling by car If your travel destinations are close by, driving with your dog is easier than any other mode of transportation. While traveling by car, make sure to use a dog carrier that can be strapped to your car seat. When it comes to getting your dog a carrier, pick one that is strong and comfortable and one that will suit your dog’s size. For safety reasons, it’s always advisable for your pet to take the back seat. Pack all the pet essentials before you go for your vacation. You will need all the health certificates and also other essentials like food, medications, water, and bowls. Do not forget to carry a pack of poop bags and a pooper scooper as well. If your dog gets easily bored, carry along a few dog toys to keep him engaged. Traveling on a train If you have an option to travel by train to your destination, you can definitely consider taking your dog along. To begin with, understand which trains allow you to take pets along. Most Amtrak trains allow dogs up to twenty pounds for up to a seven hours journey. However, you might need to take them in a carrier depending on train regulations and the law of the land. In Europe, pets are allowed to travel on most trains. However, larger dogs need to be muzzled. In a lot of European countries, pet traveling is free as well. For example, you can take small pets under 10 kg on the Deutsche Bahn, the German trains, for free. However, they need to be in a carrier or a closed cage so that they don’t disturb other passengers. Just like flying, carrying all the certificates and other essentials is important when traveling on the train. Travel Checklist for your dog While traveling with your dog isn’t a doddle, a little prep can ease the process. Make a to-do list and a checklist of items you will need to take along. Here’s a shortlist of basic essentials to get you started with the planning. Please add to the list based on the travel requirements as well. Pet passport (based on the country you are traveling to) Dog treats Poop Bags A Leash Dog toys A picture of your dog (Just in case of an emergency where you are separated from your dog) Vaccination Record and other medical documents. First-aid kit Dog Towel. Brush and Comb Dog Carrier (based on the requirements) Dog Food and Water Medicines (remember dogs get travel sickness too) Finally,