How to Pick a Dog for Your Family

Having a family pet may be very important for the health and happiness of humans who have them. Making the choice to add another mouth to feed, and another living thing that will need care is a big one. Proceed with as much caution as love. If you think a dog is sense

Consider making a list of what you expect from a pet. Are you looking for companionship? Are you looking to be entertained by a pet? Do you expect a dog to fill a void in your life, or that of a family member? Do you enjoy cleaning up messes? How about getting up at 4 o'clock in the morning to walk the dog?

Talk to at least one local veterinarian. A vet can give you many ideas on what to look for in a pet. Also, a vet can help you realize if you are being realistic about your choice. A trip to a vet several times a year may not be in your budget.

Choose a dog food that will keep your dog happy. Discuss all needs of the pet you can think of with anyone who will help you. How much will it cost to feed a pet? Which food is best? Does your roommate agree to walk the dog every day at lunch break? Do any kids in the house agree to feed the dog each day at a set time? A pet is a living, breathing creature that needs full time assistance. They can't open the door, fill their water bowl, express an illness.

Think: A pet for a companion may seem a wonderful idea-yet we must remember they could need us for 15 years.

Pets can be very expensive. Research on line which ones have less illnesses, and less medical needs as they age.

Taking the time to research these issues will give you a much better idea of the pet that is best for you, and your household.

Photo

and dog property of

Tas Anthony

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How to Choose Dog Food

With so many choices in dog food for your dog, how do you know if you are picking the right food? Will your breed need something special?

A lot of information is available concerning dog foods, but that doesn't help you decide which product is the right one.

Think about asking your vet for a recommendation. If the vet suggests only what is available in his/her office, keep walking.

Stores that cater to pets have many options. This is a personal opinion: Buy something that does not contain corn. Look for food that does not contain by-products, which can include heads, feet, or animal intestines.

Some pets need a food that is for sensitive stomachs. Others need food that may keep them from gaining weight. If your dog is a couch potato, this might be what you need.

Pet owners sometimes prefer to have their dogs eat a vegan or vegetarian meal. Do this with caution. You want to be sure your pet is getting everything needed to remain healthy. Read labels, and understand what you are paying for. It does not matter that there is a wonderful picture of your favorite breed on the bag; It is what is inside that counts.

Read labels: All dog foods are not equal. Search on line for information if you are not sure of what you are getting for your money.

Finding the right crate for your dog.

If you are in the market for a pet crate, you will soon find there are many choices. Not only are crates easy to find online, often shipping is free. If you prefer to shop local pet stores, you may find the selection is somewhat limited.

You can purchase a crate that matches your decor. First, you want to decide what type of crate you need. If you feel you need something that will fit in with your decor, rather than a typical crate, look at www.pet-super-store.com.

Folding crates are easy to store. Perhaps you only need something for traveling You can find folding crates on several sites, including www.petcratesdirect.com. We have also spotted such crates at our local Walmart. These crates are easy to store, and easy to clean.

Most pet shops carry these crates. If you are looking for a crate to train a dog that is new to your household, you may want something simple, and easy to care for. Most local pet shops and Walmart will usually offer this type. They are fairly easy to fold, and easy to store.

Your local pet store may be willing to order a crate for you. If you don't like ordering things online, your local pet store may be willing to order a crate for you through one of their suppliers.

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Traveling With Family Dogs.

Traveling with dogs can be more challenging than traveling with small children. This information may help make your travels more pleasant, for you and for Fido!

When traveling for several hours with your pet, a crate is strongly suggested for safety. Also, you will want a few chew toys, food, and water. Don’t forget the dog’s lead, blanket, and other comfort items.

If you will travel a considerable distance with your dog, for the sake of your pet, make sure all shots are up to date, and have your dog’s license and microchip information on the dog's collar. Pack any medications your dog takes. Ask your vet if the pet should be given a sedative before the trip. Be sure you have copies of all records that may be useful should your pet become ill.

Place a crate that your dog is familiar with on the back seat of your vehicle. Be sure to strap the crate to the seat. The crate should contain blankets, and some chew toys. Your pet can be allowed to go in and out of the crate when you feel it is safe. If your pet likes to roam the vehicle, closing the crate door is the better choice.

Many dogs are into the routine of being alone for several hours each day. The experience of having your company during these hours may cause your dog to be overexcited. This is one reason sedatives may be needed. Plan time for a stop about every 3 hours, allowing dogs to stretch and walk for a few minutes. Be sure to offer water at these stops, even if it was available to the pet while in your vehicle. You may want to limit feedings, as some dogs get motion sickness.

We keep a lead connected to dogs when traveling, so that in the event of an emergency, such as a fender bender, we can retrieve the dogs quickly. If your car door were to be open for a split second, a panicked dog could run into an area you are not familiar with, and the attached lead could help. Also, we carry pictures of the dogs with us, so that if something does happen, you can show people what the pooch looks like.

How to Puppy Proof Your Home

Photo and dog
property of
T. Anthony
After bringing a new puppy into your home, you may be reminded that your space is not a danger free zone for a little guy. There are so many things to think about. Where will you start?

Use a baby gate to close off areas. One of the easiest ways to keep a puppy safe it to limit the area the dog will be allowed to enter. Use a baby gate to close off any area that does not have a door, and that contains something that will harm your pet.

Check all floor surfaces and easy to reach areas for objects a dog would chew. Pens, crayons, small buttons on toss pillows, children's toys. It won't take you long to decide what needs to be removed.

A pet crate for your new puppy will be needed for training, and the investment will help keep Fido safe when you are not available. Pet crates that resemble furniture are available if you need something that fits with your décor. Some feel putting their dog in a pet crate is cruel. However, safety first. And, a comfortable crate is better than you worrying the pup is in harm's way when you are not looking.

Close the door! Don't leave areas open for a puppy or dog to explore. They will get into anything that you don't want them to. Waste baskets, brief cases, pockets, suit cases, and cabinets are easy for puppies and dogs to get into. They all seem to be a little Houdini.

A curious pooch may chew on lamp cords that are easy to reach. Tape these out of site so your pet will not be tempted.

Area alarms that cost under $10 are easy to mount to places you may not be able to close off, or where you need extra help. They work like a motion detector, and will beep when your puppy goes near it.

Keeping The Family Dog Happy.

Photo and
dog
property of T. Anthony

Keeping the family dog happy is usually fairly easy to do. One of the most important things to a dog's quality of life may be what food is offered, and the quality of drinking water given. Check with your vet to see which foods are recommended for your breed. Look on line for further information, then decide which food you will use.

Consider adding an automatic waterer for your dog. This will assure you the dog always has water, which is especially important if you are not available for several hours at a time. These are easy to clean, and easy to use.

Dogs need exercise, and so do we. Playing ball with your dog is good for you, too. Try giving 10-15 minutes each day to your dog. If the dog is home alone during the day, think about taking two 10 minute breaks with the dog before retiring for the night.

Dogs are social beings. They enjoy walking through the neighborhood, sniffing scents, barking at other dogs, and investigating new sites. Walk with them daily if you can. If you can't walk with your pet, consider hiring a teen in your area to do it for you.

Keep your dog well groomed. Not only does a dog need to be brushed, dogs need their ears cleaned, teeth brushed, nails clipped. If these are things you don't want to do, take your pet to a groomer.

Never ignore your dog's health issues. Keeping the family dog happy is easier if you bring health issues to the attention of a vet as soon as noticed. Shots should be up to date. If you have any questions about your pet’s behavior or health, make an appointment with your vet. Many vets will help you by phone if you are a regular at the office. If you don't have a vet now, you can find one in your area on the Internet.

Fleas don't need to be a part of your dog's life-ever. Speak to your vet about products available to help your dog avoid such pests. Remember, your dog can't take care of this. Your help is always needed.

There are many natural products to help with fleas and ticks. Search online before making a choice.

Exercise can energize your dog, and you. So you may not want to exercise too close to bedtime.

How to Make a Difference With $25.00

Photo property of T. Spirko

Although most of us would like to donate money to charity, we may feel we don't have enough money to make a difference. I learned about a group that helps us make the difference with $25. The name of this group Kiva

You will need access to the Internet, a credit card, or Pay Pal account, and an interest in making a difference.

This group was mentioned on Oprah some time ago. Curious to see exactly what they did, I checked their website at www.Kiva.org. This site lists Kiva’s mission as follows: Kiva's mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty.' Your first step should be to visit their site.

Once you learn about Kiva's micro-lending plan, you may feel encouraged to lend a small amount of money. I started with $25. The money was loaned, along with money from other members, to a woman who was starting a business that would help her escape poverty. You will actually see pictures of people making requests, and read information about their business plan. So your second step could be to donate/lend this small amount to the person of your choice.

Kiva will stay in contact with you, letting you know how the person you chose is doing with the repayment of the loan that was given. In a short time the first loan I was involved with was repaid. At this point, you may ask that your money be returned to you. My next step was to lend the same $25 to another person. As you can see, the same $25 may be used many times to help people gain independence, and support their families.

This is something that takes just a few minutes of your time, and will amazingly help more people than you ever imagined. Your next step now may be to share this information with others who would like to know they can make a difference.