Welcome to Pumpkin Spice season. Now that we’ve welcomed fall, most of us are probably thinking past Halloween and into Christmas. Getting a puppy for Christmas is a huge decision that many families make this time of year.
Many families choose to surprise the kids or significant others for Christmas. One of the most adorable and longest standing traditions is the puppy under the tree, with a big bow around his neck.
Many new pet owners choose to rescue dogs. Rescue dogs exist in all breeds, colors, sizes, and ages. But when rescuing a dog with special needs, many factors affect your long-term success with your rescue dog.
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Many families choose to add a new puppy to the family on, or around, Christmas. They are so cute, and tiny, and the kids promise to take great care of her. And then, it happens. School starts again, and all the help goes out the window. The kids don’t play with her, she needs housebreaking, and she’s starting to chew up everything you own. You’re starting to think you don’t want a puppy anymore.
Before giving up and finding a new home for your puppy, try these 5 steps to reconnect with why you purchased your puppy.
I had no idea what I was supposed to do. Frankly, I don’t even remember how I heard about it. Needless to say, I was floored. Looking back, I wish I read some sort of novice guide to dog shows, because I cringe when I think about the early years.
Last week, we talked about things that can hurt your dog during the holidays. With the holidays fast approaching, your home probably has much more chocolate in the cupboards than normal, with more coming in just a few weeks. Chocolate toxicity is a real danger to dogs, especially small breeds who don’t have enough body mass to metabolize the chocolate before it kills them.
Luckily, most times a dog eats chocolate, it’s both large enough to metabolize the chocolate safely (since it’s harder for small dogs to get on the counters or in the cupboard), and it’s diluted as milk chocolate. I’m going to walk you through the steps to take if your dog does eat chocolate, and how serious the situation may become.
The holidays are, in my opinion, the best time of year. You get to see your family, even those from far away. The food is amazing. I have a cousin who bakes the most amazing cookies, and dozens of kinds. She uses my grandmother’s recipes as well as her own, and it’s amazing. And everyone else makes their own specialty, so it’s all the family favorites at the table. I also work in retail, and love that the store is crazy-busy, and the customers are stressed but perfectly happy to stand in long lines.
But this season is dangerous for your pets. Many foods that we enjoy can kill dogs. Guests inadvertently leave the door open, and dogs escape. Hot kitchens lead to spills, and winter weather approaches. Use these tips to keep your dog safe this holiday season.
I love writing about puppies. I started writing to help families have great relationships with their pets, and a new puppy is always the beginning of a fantastic relationship. Picking a puppy, the right puppy, gives the relationship the best foundation possible. This guide for picking a puppy walks through the steps to pick the best puppy for your family out of a litter.
Some families choose a rescue puppy, and gamble a bit more than families that choose a breeder puppy. My advice differs depending on where you find your puppy, but should lead your family true.
Genetic testing isn’t just for breeders. Pet owners–even those with mixed-bred dogs–can learn valuable information with a simple DNA test. While responsible breeders are often early adopters of genetic testing, pet owners should participate in the process as well. Genetic tests tell everyone more about the health of their pets–and knowledge is power.
Many families choose to get a pet to teach the kids “responsibility.” In the end, the “responsibility” for the pet falls on Mom or Dad, with a bit of resentment on the parents’ part.
Kids need pets for many reasons, not just to teach responsibility. Pets provide huge emotional outlets, improve the health of the family, and might even help your child earn better grades in school. Barring allergies, most kids do better with a well-cared for pet in the house than without.
After being involved in animals for over twenty years, I recognize that in the United States, we have a huge problem with unneutered pets. The problem isn’t just that they aren’t neutered–it’s that their owners don’t understand the consequences of having an intact dog.
I’m not talking about the pet overpopulation problem. Neutering all male dogs would affect the overpopulation problem, but many other valid reasons exist to neuter.
Most pet owners I’ve talked to about neutering feel that their dog “deserves love” or “should get some” or, if male, unconsciously reach in the general direction of their crotch, thinking about having things cut off. The fact that a product called Neuticles even exist tells us a lot about the human element.
Petlosopher 