Archive for July 2, 2009

Housebreaking a dog is very important if you want to live a happy and long life with it. You will need to learn how to properly train it to go outside, and to even ask to go as well. Here you will learn the finer points of how to train a dog to ask to go outside.

How to choose your dog breeder

A dog will definitely change your life in a positive manner and he is going to take up your time with his daily activities such as feeding, grooming, exercise and play. Dogs are very social animals and they need you to spend time with them so it is essential for you and your dog to make a good match. There are various types of dogs to choose from, pure and mixed breeds, dog information being available widely on the internet. Furthermore, online you will be able to find not only information about dogs but also pictures and everything you need to know about them in order to make an informed decision. The dog and the family it will have must be a perfect match if you want to have a loyal companion and someone your family can rely on as far as safety is concerned. Those of you who want a purebred puppy have to research the available dog information and to start looking for a reputable breeder. It is widely known that good breeders are committed to doing their best for improving the breed, having well-cared for dogs and belonging to animal organizations. Furthermore, these breeders are very careful with the medical exams they do to the dogs and they keep up to date information regarding vaccinations, canine medicine and genetics. One thing is certain: if you purchase your dog from a reputable breeder you will be more than pleased with the choice you made. In order to find a good breeder, you can browse the internet for dog information and also ask people you know for some referrals. Breeders know everything about their dogs, enjoy talking about them and they are more than willing to educate people who are new to a certain breed. Once you tell the breeder exactly what you are looking for and the features you would like to see in the dog, they can tell you what breed suits your needs and they will inform you about the personality and temperament of the puppy. Also, you will find this dog information very useful: the grooming requirements of the pet, special dietary needs if it is the case, is it accustomed to children, are there any genetic problems that affect the breed, how much money you will need for the proper maintenance of the dog. When you meet with the breeder, it would be useful to make an appointment and see the dog in its home setting and talk to the breeder about standards and practices. Inquire about the period of time he has been breeding dogs, whether he can show you any results of the tests, if the puppies have a health guarantee or a veterinary health certificate, if the dogs perform the tasks they were bred for and if he can provide references from other customers. A reputable breeder who is attached to his dogs will ask you several questions to make sure that his dog will be in a loving environment and well taken of. Also, he might ask you to sign a contract in which you agree to certain standards of care and also to return the puppy if there comes a time you simply can’t afford to keep it. After such stringent requirements, you can be positive you will get a healthy, socialized dog in exchange for a fair price and the dog information you need to make sure that you will be able to treat the puppy as it deserves.

Taking Care Of A Minature Dashund Puppy

Just as different people have different personalities and just as some afflictions tend to afflict people in an area that's genetically disposed to it, different breeds of dogs also have their own particular problems. At first, the care of a minature dashund puppy seems like it might be easy, since they're outgoing, energetic dogs with mostly happy personalities, but danger for these little dogs lurks in the form of back trouble. The naturally elongated body of a minature dashund puppy makes the care of its back particularly important.

Parvo Treatment - Test Your Knowledge

It’s already Spring time, which means the Parvo season is upon us already, and there is a much more aggressive Parvovirus Strain that is killing dogs at a truly alarming rate. The 2c Strain (aka F-Strain) can kill both fully-vaccinated adult dogs and puppies within 6-12 hours after symptoms first appear.

dog grooming


I am considering getting a bichon frise. I understand that they need to be professionally groomed once a month and that they need small touch-up trimmings between then around the eyes, nose, mouth, etc. I want to know how much it costs to get a small dog groomed at Petsmart, and do they do a good job there?