5 Of The Best Dogs For City Living

Boston Terrier If you live in a city and you’re considering getting a four legged friend, you’ll want to know the best dogs for city living. Man’s best friend can adapt to any setting or surrounding but some breeds do better than others in the city – here are the top 5;

Chihuahua

This gorgeous, bulgy eyed cutie is ideal for inner city living and you’re unlikely to find a more loyal companion. Chihuahuas are easy to carry around if you want to take them out with you and require minimal grooming with short haired versions only requiring the occasional wipe or brush of their smooth coat. Best suited to an adult household with no children or larger pets, and they do need a little patience when it comes to house training – something to consider if you live in an apartment.

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Spaying or Neutering Your Pet: Whens, Ifs, and Whys

In today’s modern society, it is politically and socially correct to alter any and all healthy pets for the belief of ending pet overpopulation. However, as more studies and statistics have made themselves known from the no kill movement and shelter reform, we are learning that altering all pets has had very little, if any, impact of the shelter pet population as a whole. Furthermore, other benefits are explained to pet owners of the surgical procedure including a calmer pet with fewer health concerns. Some are true, but others are simply as false as old wives tales. Spaying or neutering your dog is just as much of a personal decision as your own diet, and it is up to you to understand the benefits and risks associated with this life altering surgery before you place your pet under the knife.

Debunking Beliefs

It is believed that altering your pet can reduce any aggression, marking behavior in males, and reduce activity levels. While it is true that your pet may slightly reduce his activity level due to the dramatic loss of hormones in his body, the belief that aggression and marking behaviors are only for intact animals is flat out false. Marking is a deep, instinct driven behavior that even female dogs do, and their reproductive organs play very little part in it.

Aggression, on the other hand, seems to take another turn when it comes to altering a pet. Studies in the past have shown that altered males are more likely to instigate a dispute than intact males, and especially when an altered male meets an intact male. Altered dogs feel threatened by the hormone levels of the intact male, and sometimes are the first to attack or make any aggressive moves. Females, however, are more accepting of each other and other dogs when they are spayed. An intact female may be more territorial as she feels the need to protect her whelping area, even if she has never been bred.

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Fear and Aggression in Dogs; What’s the Difference?

Typically when you think of aggression you may picture a certain breed of dog, standing on his toes with his teeth bared, growling, barking and lunging towards a human or another animal. While these are all signs of a dog’s body language that he should not be messed with at that point, it does not always point in the direction of true canine aggression. In fact, true aggression is an incredibly rare thing among dogs, while the large majority of dogs who are labeled as dangerous or aggressive are simply acting out in the only way they know as a defensive measure. This is a fear response, and can stem from things such as a lack of, or improper socialization to a past of abuse and pain. Most of these dogs do not trust, or do not trust easily. Respect must be taken to help these dogs through their aggressive actions to help them become relaxed, safe canine companions.

It’s In The Context

Judging and examining the context of any dog’s behavior is essential to figuring out the cause so that you can begin fixing the situation. Dogs are not randomly aggressive, nor do they attack unprovoked. When dog bites happen and humans claimed the dog was unpredictable, it’s typically a case of the human not reading the dog’s body language and context of the situation. For example, a dog bites a child during play, and the adult claims the dog was vicious. What probably happened was that the child was playing with a dog who was either in pain, sick, or wanted to be left alone for one reason or another. The dog gave his signals, such as yawning, averting his gaze, showing the whites of his eyes called whale eye, and maybe even growling. When these are ignored, the dog feels threatened and takes action to protect himself, biting the child. This could have been fear of being hurt by the child, or maybe the child was too loud, too fast and rambunctious for the dog. It’s all in the context of the situation.

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Tips For Housebreaking & Crate Training Your Dog

Whether you are bringing home a new puppy, adult dog or need help with poor potty habits from your current pooch, housebreaking and crate training go hand in hand in developing reliable, life long correct elimination routines. Even if you have no intentions of using a crate, or don’t know how to, prevention, consistency and a schedule are the things that teach your dog the proper place and time to eliminate. Crating is simply a tool that helps you, the owner, prevent your dog from going potty in places he shouldn’t so that you can control when he does go in the places he should. If he’s not going potty where she shouldn’t, then that leaves more room for success and rewards when he does the right thing!

Getting Comfy in the Crate

Before you can even begin to use the crate, you must first introduce it to your canine companion and help him associate it with safety, comfort and other positive emotions. This is done by first providing a blanket or soft bed inside along with a safe chew toy or two. Then, with a handful of high value treats, toss one directly in front of the open door. Every time your pup goes toward the treat to get it, mark the behavior either with your clicker or with a quick “Yep!” and let him eat the treat. After a few times of doing this, toss the treat on the inside of the crate door. He should only need to poke his head inside to get the treat. As he does, mark the behavior again as he reaches to grab the tasty morsel. Only move ahead if your dog is comfortable with the current task, and toss the treat halfway into the crate so that he must put his front paws in to reach it. Eventually, you will be able to toss it all the way into the crate so he must put his whole body in for the reward. Only then can you work on closing the door.

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How To Raise Your Puppy Right

Giving your new puppy the best start in his new home and family is a sure fire way to set him up to succeed as a happy and well adjusted dog in the future. It may be surprising that an incredibly large number of dogs that are surrendered to shelters and rescues are due to behavioral problems that could have easily been prevented with a strong foundation of early training, socialization, and helping the puppy to develop into a trustworthy and reliable companion. Raise your puppy right and you’ll be amazed at the lifelong bond and trust the two of you will have together.

Punishment-Free Zone!

Your home should be a safe and comfortable place for puppy to reside. He should be free from fear and pain, and this means no punishment! Instead of getting angry at your puppy for chewing up your shoes or eliminating on the carpet, it is time for you to do some learning on how dogs learn! Puppies are especially sensitive and punishing them not only teaches them to fear you, but it teaches them to not trust you as well. Dogs do not learn the same way humans do, nor do they understand human language. It is up to us to show them what we do want them to do, what is expected of them, and to reward for these wanted behaviors and prevent the unwanted behaviors.

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The Importance of Socialization For Your Dog

You will hear this often, from the rescue, breeder or shelter, your kennel club or dog obedience instructor and even the vet – you must socialize your dog! Even though the most important and dire time to socialize a canine is during his two fear periods in puppyhood, a dog continues to learn about the world around him throughout his entire life. This means even adult dogs can be socialized, but it will take more time, effort, and empathy on your part to help him past his fears, reactive behaviors, and any other issues you may see in him due to lack of socialization.

What Does Socialization Do?

Socialization is more than just helping a dog learn to be friendly around other people and dogs. It is far more than learning to communicate with other canines so that he can be safe at the dog park or play with your neighbor’s pets and kids. Socialization helps your dog become comfortable and learn the proper way to react, or not react, so certain situations, environments, and even objects. Everything from ground and floor textures to common household items such as baseball caps and umbrellas are all a part of the socialization schedule all dogs should go through during puppy hood.

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How To Gain Trust With Your Rescued Dog

Rescued dogs all come with their own baggage. It could be that they are happy go lucky, well trained dogs that just need a home and family of their own. However, they also could carry with them a haunting past of fear and neglect. Perhaps some have never even had a kind human hand and grew up as a stray until they found themselves at the shelter, sitting in a kennel surrounded by other barking dogs. This entire process, no matter where they came from or their background, is traumatic for all dogs. Some deal with it and cope well, bouncing right back to their old selves once they’re in a home. Others may take more time, a special person and training to break them out of their shell. Gaining trust is the very first step with any rescued dog to help him feel secure in his new life with you.

The Fearful Dog

Some rescued dogs will be fearful and very reluctant to accept anything from their new guardian. They may hesitate to take a treat, or ignore you completely. Dogs like this may seem difficult or uninterested, but in reality they just don’t know how to react to you or what you want from them. Begin training immediately, even if they don’t seem to want to give you any attention or take a reward from you.

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Christmas Gift Ideas For Dogs and Cats

The much-awaited season of sharing and giving comes at Christmastime. While people are busy buying things for their houses and themselves, they shouldn’t forget that member of their family that loves them unconditionally – their beloved cat or dog.

Irrespective of whether you own a cat or dog, each possesses so many innocent qualities that make them a perfect companion. They require nothing except a bowl full of food and a home full of love. In any event, the most amazing gift pets give their owners is to teach them unconditional love and forgiveness, the very essence of Christmas.

For instance, assuming your pet is a dog, man’s best friend, you get home late after a tough day at work and don’t even acknowledge your dog that has waited all day for you to get home. Or he may have wanted to play fetch, but you were preoccupied with something else so with an angry tone of voice you yelled unkind words at him.
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Dog Birthday Present Ideas

It is not uncommon for people to consider their pets as part of the family. Before you realize it, your dog is your best friend that has stolen your heart and become like one of the family.

Of course, you look forward to celebrating the birthdays of your loved ones and giving them birthday presents to show how much you care. With family members, a birthday marks a milestone that normally calls for celebrating the special occasion with a party or at the very least remembering the day with a cake or a gift of some kind.

If you value your dog as a part of your family, then he surely deserves a birthday party like any other family member. Even if you do not plan to throw a birthday party, a present or birthday cake or special doggie treat would be a fun time for the entire family and your dog.
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How to Choose a Pet Memorial

Because pets provide unconditional love to their owners for many years, when that special pet dies, the owner’s feeling of grief can be overwhelming. The loss is definitely worthy of acknowledgement and therefore deserving of a memorial, which can help alleviate some of the grief. The following memorials will help you decide how you will want to memorialize your beloved pet.

Various Pet Memorial Choices

Picture Frame – You can display a favorite picture of your pet in a memorial picture frame, which often includes comforting poems or verses reflecting the special relationship between your pet and yourself.
Sympathy Kit – This type of kit honors the memory of the pet while helping to ease your grief process. Designers that specialize in pet loss memorials have created what is called a life celebration sympathy kit intended to help grieving pet owners. Most kits are made up of some type of sachet large enough to store a dog or cat collar, its ID tag, a small favorite toy, or other cherished reminder of the pet.Also included in most kits is a healing memorial candle for the pet owner to light in memory of the pet. A stationary item of some type is part of the kit so that you can record your favorite memories shared with your dog or cat. A photo frame of some kind is normally included along with some type of stationary item to record favorite memories shared with your pet.
Pet Memorial Jewelry – Grieving pet owners honor the life of a beloved pet by wearing a tasteful piece of memorial jewelry. A wide variety of designs are available. Whether worn to remember a deceased dog or cat, pet memorial jewelry can also be personalized if desired.Like any kind of jewelry, pet memorial jewelry can be worn as a necklace or bracelet. It can be a charm, pendant, pocket reminder, or keychain made from various materials, such as silver, gold, titanium, platinum, and copper in a variety of finishes and sometimes containing gemstones.
Memorial Stone or Statue – To honor the memory of a beloved pet, grieving pet owners also opt for a memorial stone or statue, which are normally displayed outdoors. A popular choice is a garden stone, which is offered in a variety of different styles and designs that work well as stepping stones which help bring back pleasant memories of being outside with your pet.
Pet Urn – Beautifully crafted urns in a large or small size can be personalized with the name of your beloved pet and other pertinent dates and information. Many children are close to their pets, and having an urn also allows them to go through the grieving process.

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