Choosing a dog requires a lot of thought.

Unfortunately, many people purchase a dog without thinking about how the animal will fit into their household and how much it will actually cost to keep.

Choosing a dog involves a lot more than just wanting the latest breed because everyone else has one.

The following guide will give you some tips and things to think about before deciding on the right breed for you.

1. Lifestyle
Consider your current lifestyle before even considering choosing a dog. If you and your family are out all day and no one is at home to keep the dog company then you should seriously consider not getting a dog. Dogs are pack animals and they need to have their pack around them in order to stay happy. If no one is home for most of the day, the dog will become destructive and you will find yourself coming home to a garden or house with some major damage.

2. Environment
The environment that you live in is an important factor to consider when choosing a dog. If you live in an apartment it would be inappropriate to choose a large active breed for obvious reasons. A smaller breed that doesn’t require great amounts of exercise would be better suited. If you have a large back garden that is adequately fenced you can consider larger breeds but do not get a breed that is overly active if you aren’t prepared to exercise it regularly.

3. Budget
When choosing a dog most people don’t consider the costs involved. If you are purchasing a puppy the costs are even greater with veterinary costs being the biggest initial cost. Ongoing costs include food, dog toys, treats, leashes and collars, dog bowls, dog beds and kennels, dog obedience training and more. There are also the ongoing veterinary costs for yearly shots and the unexpected costs if your dog falls ill.

4. Time
Do you have the time to look after a dog? Many people don’t realise that a dog needs a lot of attention if it is to remain happy and healthy. There is no point in having a dog if it sits in the backyard watching the family through a window all day. Dogs like to be with people and this means spending time talking to your pet, walking it and playing with it. Before choosing a dog be honest with yourself and decide whether you will have the time to give it the attention it deserves. This is particularly so if you purchase a puppy. Puppies require a lot of work in the first six weeks particularly in terms of training.

Too many animals are turned into shelters and dog homes each year. So take the time to research carefully to find the best dog for your and your family.

Dog clothes are not only a fashionable accessory for your pet; they can also have more practical benefits, most importantly protection from the elements. Some dogs loved to be dressed up and others hate it but with the variety of dog clothes now available there is no excuse for your pet to be left behind in the fashion stakes.

Dog Coats

If you are looking for dog clothes purely to protect your pet then you are probably considering a dog coat or dog raincoat. These come in a variety of materials including knitted wool or nylon mix to fleecy lined. Dog coats can be purchased that are 100% windproof and waterproof.

Dog Bandanas

Bandanas are a neat idea; mostly for looks but they can protect from the sun. Dog bandanas that are made specifically for dogs have a Velcro clip making it easy to put on and remove.

Dog Backpacks

Dog backpacks do not strictly come under the banner of dog clothes but they are a great idea particularly for those who take long hikes or walks with their pet. Generally fitted with Velcro, these backpacks contain a number of pockets for storing leashes, collars and other pet equipment.

Dog Booties or Boots

Dog booties are another option in dog clothes. They are particularly useful in bitterly cold conditions to protect the tender pads of the dog from the elements.

Reflective Dog Coats

Reflective dog coats or vests ensure that your dog can be seen during those night time walks. When light hits the vest the reflective strips light up making it easier to see your dog.

Life preservers and safety vests

If you do a lot of boating, fishing, or beach activities with your dog then these are ideal. When choosing a life preserver for your pet ensure that you look for those with a top grip handle to allow for easy rescue if your pet has fallen in the water.

Dog Sunglasses

Dog sunglasses are another option and it may appear at first that these are purely a fashion accessory but they are also made to protect your dog’s eyes from the elements. Ensure that if you are considering purchasing this item that you look for sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection.

Do you take your dog for regular walks?

Walking your dog is not only good exercise for your dog but also for you. A nice steady thirty minute daily walk will do wonders for the both of you.

Dogs love going out.

Can you imagine being stuck in your home day after day and never going out? This is the life for many dogs so no wonder some of them go crazy when they see the dog leash come out.

Exercise has great benefits for your dog.

It relieves boredom which is a problem for many active dogs. A dog that is bored will take out its frustration by digging, excessively barking and chewing anything in sight. Going for a walk will provide an outlet for overactive dogs and help vent excess energy.

Regular exercise also helps to keep your dog fit and well. It helps with digestion and also helps to prevent obesity in those dogs that are prone to putting on weight. Obesity can cause disease and a quick decline in a dogs health.

Not only is the exercise a great benefit but taking your dog out will also provide you with a means of socialising. How many times have you walked down to your local park and have had someone stop to talk to you? If you are with your dog do you get more comments? I bet you do. A dog is a great ice breaker.

If you don’t have the time to walk your dog then think about a pet walking company who will do it for you. Your dog will have the benefits of socialising with other dogs and will get its daily exercise at the same time. Or you might prefer to invest in an exercise pen such as the 30″ H x 24″ 8′ Panel GoGo exercise pen shown above.

Take a ball or Frisbee to the park or simply throw a stick for your dog to chase. Only let your dog off the leash if it’s properly trained and obeys your commands. There is nothing more disconcerting to non dog lovers than to be confronted with a dog who will not obey its owner.

Remember though that some larger breeds can suffer from joint damage if they do too much of this type of exercise.  So always check with you vet if you have any concerns about the type of exercise you should give your dog.

Never run with a dog that is six months under age and do not run your dog on very hot days.

Dog kennels are available to purchase online but how do you decide which is the best kennel for your dog? If you have a dog that spends a lot of time outside then for the dogs own comfort and safety you need to invest in a dog kennel. There  are  a variety of styles, sizes, colors and comfort levels and this guide will assist you in choosing the right dog house for your dog.

Dog kennels are considered an absolute necessity for an outside dog. It provides them with protection from the elements as well as a place to sleep that is warm and dry.

The first thing you need to consider when purchasing a dog kennel is the size of your dog. Dog kennels come in all sizes for even the largest of dogs but don’t make the mistake of purchasing a kennel that is too big for your pooch. If the kennel is too big your dog will feel the cold more. Too small and your pet won’t be able to stretch out.

Most dog kennels are made with raised floors. This keeps the floor of the kennel dry and also reduces the number of insects entering the kennel. Dog houses should always be kept as dry as possible to prevent mold building up inside.

If you are buying a kennel with a run attached, ensure that the kennel you purchase is waterproof. A kennel that isn’t waterproof  will leak, resulting in an uncomfortable experience for your dog and you will need to change the bedding regularly.

Choose a dog kennel with a removable roof. You will appreciate this feature later when trying to clean out the kennel. Dog kennels with removable roofs also make it easier for owners of dogs that have a habit of hiding at the back of the kennel during bath times.

Your dog can provide you with so much pleasure so they deserve a treat now and then. These days you can choose from a wide variety of dog toys and dog gifts and you can do it all from the comfort of your home. If you are looking for a dog gift, but aren’t too sure what to get, take a look at the ten suggestions below. These dog gifts are just a few of hundreds of different products now available online.

1. Dog-Opoly - More a gift for you than you dog, but then you deserve something special too.

2. Doggy Travel Bowl – Metal or plastic bowls are clunky and hard to carry, but when traveling with your dog, whether to the High Sierras or just an afternoon at a little league game, it’s only humane to bring along a bowl and a water supply for your trusty companion. Two sizes make it easy to offer your dog a drink on the road. This packable bowl made of pack cloth, cordura, and rip-stop nylon, folds down into it’s own pocket, about the size of a pocket-pack of facial tissues! Clip it on your belt loop, or on your dog’s leash as you and your dog travel, hike, or just hang out in the great outdoors. It’s waterproof and holds a quart of water. Machine-washable too.

3. Tug n Talk Dog Toys – The Original Tuggin?, Talkin? Dog Toy! Unique Tug-O-Meter measures pull strength and sound box features six fun, catchy phrases such as: You the dog!? and C?mon, get tough!?. Comfort grip and flexible rubberized dog grip. Includes 2 AA batteries.

4. ‘Stand-Up’ Flying Disc Toy – Easy for Dogs to Pick Up! – a flying disc  with a  unique center dome that allows the dog to retrieve the disc more easily. Tough enough for even large dogs.

5. Modern Dog Magazine 4 issues – Modern Dog is the glossy, high-end lifestyle magazine for urban dogs and their companions featuring expert advice, dog-friendly travel destinations, full fashion spreads, the latest accessories for your pooch and whats new in the doggie world.

7.Nylabone Double Action Sports Chew Toy for Dogs - Bacon flavored chew toys. Specifically designed for strong chewers.

8. Omega Paw Tricky Treat Ball – a  treat dispensing toy combination that dogs can’t resist! This interactive toy can be filled with your pet’s favorite dry food or bite sized treats.  Mentally stimulating and will keep your pet amused for hours.

9. Dog World (1-year) 12 issues – Everything you need to know for the recreational and high-performance canine athlete and working dog.

10. The Healing Touch for Dogs: The Proven Massage Program for Dogs, Revised Edition Now you can learn the massage therapy techniques that can enhance the quality of your pet’s life with the Healing Touch for Dogs book. Find out how you can begin to make a deeper and more lasting bond with your pet. Learn how massage can help your dog, how to create the best massage routine, how to diagnose illnesses, and even how to keep your dog in shape.

A simple approach to housebreaking your puppy

One of the more common problems we have with our puppies is housebreaking them. Housebreaking some puppies is more difficult than others and these puppies will take longer to train. Keep in mind that no matter how well the training is going, your puppy will occasionally have accidents. The key is to be patient and never take your frustrations out on your new pet.

Puppies are creatures of habit. If they learn that they can relieve themselves in your house then they will continue to do so. Don’t let your puppy get into this habit. Begin housebreaking as soon as you bring your puppy home.

Puppies will generally use the same area to relieve themselves so designate an area in your yard. When your puppy wakens, finishes eating or before he is ready for another nap, take him to the designated area. The more consistent you are with this method, the quicker your puppy will learn that it is the yard that he should use and not the house.

You can always pick when puppies are about to relieve themselves. Their nose will hit the floor and they will start sniffing around looking for the best spot. This is the key for you to pick up your puppy and take them to the designated area in the yard. Puppies are like toddlers – you need to keep your eye on them at all times otherwise you will have an accident of some sort.

Even with the best of training, puppies will make a few mistakes. If you see your puppy in the act, then pick him up quickly and tell him ‘No’ in a firm voice. Take him to the designated area immediately. You should not need to do anymore than this. Your puppy will eventually get the idea. If you have found an accident but didn’t see your puppy in the act then don’t admonish your pet or rub your puppy’s nose in it. He will have no idea why you are yelling at him. Just continue on as if nothing has happened.

Be consistent with your training habits and your puppy will be housebroken before you know it.

Housetraining your pup is roughly to get real easy, so long as you are following these seven simple steps to success. That means that you have already purchased the right dog crate, perhaps a baby gate in the process, and have picked out the perfect potty spot (preferably in your back yard).

Step Three: Make Scents

Your puppy’s sense of smell is far better than yours. The canine snout has about 220 million cells designed specifically to detect scents, while we humans have only about 5 million such cells. Adding to that incredible scent-detecting capability is the moisture in and on your puppy’s nose, which lets it collect large numbers of scent molecules that together amplify what it’s already smelling.

Still, another scent-detection enhancement is your puppy’s olfactory center (the area of the brain that identifies scents) and nasal membrane, both of which are larger than the corresponding areas in human beings. All of those physiological differences mean that your puppy can detect lots of scents that you cannot.

So what does your puppy’s super sniffing mean for your efforts to housetrain it? Quite simply, you can use the scent of a previous bathroom break to show your puppy where you want it to take its next one. The next time your puppy pees, wipe its bottom with a paper towel or soft cloth, and save it.

At the next bathroom break, take the cloth and your puppy to the outdoor potty spot, and place the cloth on the spot. In all likelihood, your puppy will sniff the cloth intently, then re-anoint it. Repeat this process a few times, and soon your puppy will do its job on the potty spot without the cloth or any other prompting from you.

Step Four: Make A schedule

Now that you’ve shown your puppy where you want it to do the doo, you need to show it when you want it to. For a while, although, the timing of its trips to the outdoor potty isn’t completely up to you. That’s because a puppy can’t hold its water ñ or the other stuff ñ for very long. In fact, puppies younger than 4 months of age may need 12 to 14 bathroom breaks each day.

The best way to keep track of all those bathroom breaks is to establish pre-determined times when you’ll feed your puppy, play with it, take it out and put it in the crate for a nap. Such a schedule not only gives you some predictability during the dog housebreaking process, but your puppy will also become housetrained more quickly. That’s because if you take it out to eliminate at the same times every day, its body will become accustomed to the schedule, and it’ll be conditioned to do its business when you want it to.

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Puppies are cuddly, cute and adorable – and at times, extremely gross! You know what I am talking about – when your little darling all of a sudden presents you with a puddle or pile of urine or feces on your good carpet, it doesn’t seem quite so darling then, does it?

Don’t feel guilty : It’s tough to love a puppy that uses your entire house as its bathroom.

But take heart, you don’t have to live with such an individual. You can teach your puppy proper bathroom behavior: to do its business only at the times and only in the places that you want it to. This teaching process is called housetraining and your puppy can ace basic housetraining as long as you follow these seven simple steps.

Step One: Buy A Crate

Years ago, people didn’t use crates to housetrain their puppies, and the process was a lot tougher than it is today. Crates tap into a dog’s basic desire to keep its den clean. It’ll do anything to avoid pooping or peeing there. That avoidance gives your pup the incentive to develop the bowel and bladder control that’s essential to effective puppy housetraining.

In addition to housebreaking , your puppy will learn to see the crate as a place to relax and sleep. Right now, though, all you need to know is this: Housebreaking is much easier on you and your puppy if you use a crate. Don’t try to do it without one.

According to the number one ebook on dog training “Secrets to Dog Training” (available by clicking the link): In addition to a crate, baby gates can keep your puppy safely confined and help prevent  housetraining accidents when you can’t watch your puppy.

Step Two: Pick A Potty Spot

Before you can teach your dog to pee or poop in a specific area, you have to choose the right area best suited to your property. Generally, the best place for that spot is in the backyard near the house. That way, you and your pup won’t have to go very far when it needs to poo. Make sure the area is easy to clean; dogs don’t like using dirty potties any more than we do.

Another important advantage to using your own property is that you can better protect your puppy from deadly diseases, such as distemper and canid parvovirus. Both diseases can be transmissible through contact with infected dog’s vomit or bodily waste.

Because other dogs – except those that already live with you – aren’t likely to eliminate in your yard, your puppy won’t come in contact with those potentially disease-transmitting agents.

A very old breed of dog.

The Maltese terrier has been a favourite with women throughout the ages.

It is believed to have been around in Roman times and possibly even in earlier times.

FACTS ABOUT THE MALTESE

Our furry canine friends are great at communicating with us. All we need to do is learn how to listen to them. Plenty of people get frustrated and annoyed by incessant barking.  Instead of just yelling to the dog to shut up though it might be more productive to learn just exactly why dogs bark.

Dogs are highly intelligent animals. Unfortunately they don’t have the capability to communicate in words. Instead, you have to listen to their barks and yelps and interpret their body language.

Here are a few of the different meanings to a dog’s bark.

• Constant rapid barking usually means something like ‘hey look at that. There’s something in our territory we really need to check it out.’

• A low growl means that danger is near or that the dog is scared and looking to defend its home.

• A couple high pitched yaps is normally just a “Hi it’s great to see you” kind of greeting.

• An extremely high pitched bark or yelp normally means the dog has a sharp shooting pain like a thorn in a paw pad.

• If a dog is just belting out a short incessant yap then chances are it probably needs to go outside and use the bathroom. It’s more of an attention getter than anything else.

• If you have a hound breed then a long drawn out howl means that the dog has found whatever it was looking for and wants you to investigate.  This bark is used more as an attention getter than anything else.

• If a dog is happy and looking to play it will let out a couple medium to high pitched yaps to say ‘hey there pay attention to me! It’s play time now!”

Understanding your dog’s barks is key to training the dog when it is and isn’t appropriate to start yapping. You want a dog that will alert whenever strangers are around. At the same time you don’t want an animal that won’t shut up.

Great Danes are one of the largest dog breeds.

Known as the Apollo of all dogs, Great Danes are very gentle although they are very large.

The Great Dane was used by German aristocracy to hunt wild boar and stags.

FACTS ABOUT THE GREAT DANE

The Papillon is one of the oldest breeds of dog and has a recorded history in Europe of nearly 700 years. The Papillon was originally known as the epagneul nain or dwarf spaniel.

In later years it became known as the Continental Toy Spaniel. Many Italian frescoes of the 13th-15th centuries featured the Papillon. It was highly valued in Italy during the Renaissance and later by French breeders.

Papillon is French for Butterfly. The dog has ‘butterfly’ ears that are heavily fringed and look like butterfly wings. Although its origins are uncertain, the breed had become highly valued by the sixteenth century European nobility.

It was known as the Squirrel Spaniel because of the manner in which its long, plumed tail curled over its back.

FACTS ABOUT THE PAPILLON