Dogs can be amazing pets. When buying a dog, you are investing in a companion that, hopefully, will be with you for quite a number of years. Therefore, you should know what you're getting into and not just spend hundreds of dollars on a particular dog breed because it "looks pretty".

One thing you should be aware of when buying a dog is that each breed has its own quirks. Some breeds are hyper while others are mellow, some aggressive while others calm, and so on. Each breed has a different disposition and you should take note of this.

Grooming is another thing to consider when buying a dog. A lot of people don't have the time to spend hours brushing and clipping their dog's hair. People like this should invest in a low maintenance breed that does not require much grooming Attention also, people may not want to go for extensive walks; you may prefer to just walk outside for a few minutes and come back in. If this is the case, you do not want a breed that needs plenty of exercise. A frustrated dog can become rather destructive.

It's important to know about how to care for dogs before you buy them. Some people are blindsided by the amount of responsibility that comes with owning a dog, and such people always end up giving their dogs up to the pound where, if they aren't lucky, they could be euthanized. These tragedies could be avoided if people just picked up how-to books from their local pet stores and learned a little bit before they bought dogs.

Inquire about the shots the dog has had. Any dog you buy should be up to date with their immunization records. This helps prevent them from getting sick and ultimately increases their life span.

Unless you want to become a breeder yourself, you should also consider staying or neutering your animal. This is important because it helps regulate the dog population.

If you don't want to invest time and energy in training your dog, make sure it has already received basic training from the breeder before you buy it. This will save you a lot of frustration.

Be knowledgeable about the health problems your particular breed is prone to. This prepares you for any issues down the line and helps you provide the best life for your pet.

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Written by David Johnson using tags: dogs dogs

Our dogs bark for a reason and that is because we like them to. Years of systematic domestication and discerning breeding let our dogs develop their barking abilities.

Alarming intruders and helping their owners in a farm where there are sheep are just some of the reasons why dogs developed their barking abilities further. But as you notice, wolves do not bark, this ability is only developed by dogs.

Dogs don't bark for nothing. They do it to communicate, get attention and to manifest excitement. Lifestyle and training should be taught by their masters if they want their dogs to communicate with them.

If you will continue to reward your dog for barking then he will do this continuously. It will be better if you will think and figure what he is trying to express and start there.

When dog barks excessively, think of the possible things he is trying to convey. Unless it is an emergency, ignore your dog first and wait for him to stop barking before giving him the attention he wants.

Do not acknowledge your dog's bark because it will give him the notion that his action is working. Stop paying attention to your dog and wait for him to stop before attending to him. In that way, he'll learn that he can get what he wants if he stops barking.

Being dominant or territorial is innate to some dogs. Barking to anyone who just passes by or someone who is approaching is just normal for them.

Distract your dog to stop barking. Draw his attention to you by playing with him or giving him some treats. The bark cycle could be broken this way and thus making your pet learn that he'll get things by keeping his mouth shut.

If you will just take time to know what your dog is trying to say, then both of you will have less stress. His will get the attention he needs and you will have peace. Both of you will benefit from it.

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Written by Adrian Bibber using tags: dogs dogs, how-to-rid-your-dog-from-randomly-barking

You can find countless reasons to love a dog. The dog is appreciative, patient with its owners, loyal and protective. Because of these, even the sternest of dog owner's fall into the trap of pampering the dog sometimes unmindful of the effect of the temporary indulgence. Who would not? It can be so difficult to refuse a dog giving you dog eyes when you are sitting at your table begging for man food. The charm though is easily lost once you can find guests. It feels very nice to be welcomed by a dog with a furiously waging tail, very ecstatic at your coming home, jumping at you, or bolting out the door to meet you. It can be embarrassing though when the dog does the same when you can find other people around.

With instances such as these, the owner will try to stop the dog from continuing, but when the dog is not trained, all the dog hears from its owners is just another bark, an important bark maybe but incomprehensible.

It is also a natural instinct among us to not create "fences" among those we love but if the dog is permitted full run off the house, sooner, even those characteristics in your dog that charmed us will be an irritant. Certainly and for very practical reasons, the dog needs obedience training. Little coaching like sit, heel, stop, stay, and come, goes a long way in teaching your dog manners that are very useful in situations when you would want to communicate with the dog and be understood. The dog is also likely to respect the owner more if the owner is consistent and firm with what he wants the dog to do.

Setting limits on what the dog can and cannot do is within the dog's nature. In fact, dogs enjoy hierarchy; it wants to know who the boss is. It is its tendency that is natural to dogs. Dogs trained in obedience are not only found much more enjoyable as companions; dogs also are less likely to suffer and are loved more when it knows its boundaries.

While mans love affair with dogs is many centuries old, dogs originally were predators in the wild. Even through all these years these instincts are not totally shed. In the wild, dogs lived in packs. As a result, there is definitely an existing hierarchy among them which were useful if they were to survive, and so dogs intuitively obey rules. If rules are not offered and the dog is allowed to do as it wants, it starts thinking that it can be the alpha male and will become dominant since contrary to our beliefs, it doesn't see people as people but as members of the pack where he's a part or where he should lead.

Loyalty, sociability, protectiveness, gentleness with those who the dog is familiar with, fierceness to those it does not know and sometimes meanness when there is a perceived violation of territories are real to the dog that endears him to us but these traits are natural instincts practiced within the pack which by extension is given to humans.

Canine training then is vital if these traits are to be sharpened to our benefit.

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Written by Gina Meyer using tags: dogs dogs

Dog destructive chewing seems to vary among dogs. Some absolutely love to chew on everything and anything. Some dogs could care less.

Here are three top reasons why some doggies love to chew:

- Dogs generally have a natural desire to chew, especially if it is something really good like a bone. However, some dogs will chew on anything, like pencils, shoes and rocks! - Chewing provides relief for anxious or nervous dogs - Dogs who do not get enough exercise often chew to get rid of nervous energy

So how do you stop destructive chewing?

1. You first need to dog proof your home in much the same way you would with a new toddler walking around. Put your stuff away, make sure no food is left laying around and keep the temptations to a minimum for your dog.

2. Do not give your dog old socks or shoes to chew on as this blurs the line and confuses the dog. Then the dog has no idea what is okay to chew and what is not.

3. Give your dog other stuff to chew on like bones, toys and other dog items. This will keep the dog occupied and away from your things.

4. Spend time with your dog, watching for any chewing problems so that you can correct them while they are happening.

5. Develop a sound (maybe a clap) that will startle the dog when he is chewing something wrong. Do not hit or yell at the dog as this will only scare him and take away the trust. You could also get a spray bottle and put water in it so that you can squirt them when they are chewing a wrong item.

Love your doggie and be patient. You can stop dog destructive chewing with a little patience and love.

Written by Tara Tisdale using tags: dogs dogs

Many people who have pets are quite often away from home during the day due to appointments and work. In these situations, our pets tend to get the idea that when we leave we may not come back, and some will suffer from a condition called separation anxiety. This problem is very common among many pets but particularly so among dogs.

Dogs are usually a part of a pack; they are used to being in a group of others by nature. When you bring them home they tend to make you and your family a part of their pack. However, the behavior can be one of a positive nature, when they are sure you are the leader of the pack, and one of a negative nature when they are trying to assert themselves as the leader.

Dog's like to know they have the love and affection of people around them. When left at home alone, dogs often begin to consider that you may never come back. This type of thinking leads to dogs getting frantic, at times destructive, and at times loud.

This separation anxiety can come for a variety of different reasons, there could be changes in your schedule, or it could come on if they are trapped in a traumatic situation. You may also find that this is a situation for dogs that have been abandoned and abused that you adopt from a rescue shelter, stray dogs that you and your family find in the street or dogs that were a part of a kennel. These dogs will usually be a little high strung and may spend a lot of time trying to get you to pay attention to them. If they do not get that attention they may exhibit destructive and often dangerous behaviors.

A dog that suffers from separation anxiety may at times become very destructive, angry and even aggressive. Dog owners can sometimes return home to find here furniture and possession have been ripped to shreds. It's also very common for dogs to use the entire house as a bathroom. These behaviors usually only get worse if nothing is done to fix the problem.

There are many forms of treatment available for a dog with separation anxiety. The most important thing being that you take the time and use patience to help your dog with the feelings of panic they get when you leave them alone. Also you must remember if you should punish your dog for the destruction that happened while you were gone will only make the situation worse because now he believes that you don't love him and are angry and will be convinced that the next time you leave you really won't be back for him.

Try to learn some new commands that you can use to calm your dog. For example, before you leave your house to go out, jingle your keys, tell your dog "Calm", and then return in 5 minutes to your house. By changing your routine and introducing some new commands you should be able to get past your dogs condition rather quickly. Always remember to have plenty of patience and consistency when training your dog.

By practicing the techniques mentioned above you will be able to teach your dog that even though you left, you came right back. Encouraging your dog to stay in his crate when you are not there may also provide some form of comfort and protection for your dog. Finally, make sure you reward your dog for good behavior. Praise goes a long way.

Written by Heather-Jane Hunter using tags: dogs dogs