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How To Keep Your Sanity With A New Puppy
How do you keep your sanity now that you’ve brought a new puppy into your family. Congratulations! Now that the celebration is out of the way… do you really know what you are getting into? Are you prepared for the lack of sleep, the constant attention, the misunderstandings, the persistent chewing, the messes on the floor, and all that goes with having a new little out-of-control furry creature in your life? Remember what it was like with your first child? Same thing, having a new puppy is like having a new baby in the home.
Don’t worry! It’s not all bad.
Actually it’s all very good, and puppy parenting can be extremely rewarding. However, it can also be mentally and physically draining if you don’t take time for yourself while raising a puppy. Here are a few tips on how to get your breaks and keep your sanity.
Routine
Life might seem chaotic right now with your puppy going a mile a minute, around and around in circles, up and over in a whirlwind of activity. In reality, your puppy really wants and needs routine. In many ways, puppies are like children.
Children need rules and routine in order to feel safe. Puppies need rules and routine for the very same reason. Getting puppy on a routine is going to help you both. Start by creating a schedule. Choose feeding times, potty times, play times, nap times, and bed time. Then stick to it.
Of course, you may need to adjust the schedules in order to keep puppy on track, especially with potty training. But, as you work this out, puppy will quickly learn the schedule and you’ll be able to relax a bit.
Remove
If you have things you don’t want destroyed, do yourself a favor and save your sanity by putting them out of reach. Puppy is too young to understand all the things that can and cannot be chewed on or played with. And, if you have to be constantly vigilant and always yelling ‘no!’ you are not going to remain sane for long, or enjoy your puppy.
As a reminder, shoes make wonderful chew toys, in the eyes of a puppy. Keep all shoes hidden behind closet doors. This will remove the temptation and frustration. Safety issues also come into play here. Tape up or otherwise corral electrical cords. Plants can be either a mess waiting to happen or worse; there are many poisonous plants to be aware of. To be safe, remove them all out of puppy’s reach. Also, put breakables away. In other words, clear the decks! You have a puppy on board.
Distract
There are so many great toys on the market today for puppies. Look for appropriate squeaky toys, chew toys, rawhide bones, ropes, and more. Use these to distract and keep puppy busy while you go about your day.
Be sure to keep a bucket of these ‘distractions’ handy at all times. Anytime puppy goes after something to chew on that you would prefer puppy leave alone, like your arm or the sofa, pull out a distraction. Puppies need to chew and they need to play, so make a good toy available at all times.
Help
Of course there are going to be times when you just need a break. Maybe you want to get away, or maybe you just want to stay home and take a nice, long, completely uninterrupted nap.
Ask for help! Maybe a family member or friend can help. If this is not an option, schedule time to get out and about to local dog parks or pet clubs where you can meet other pet owners. You may be able to make some mutually beneficial relationships where you both help each other out with your energetic puppies.
Puppies might just be the cutest little things on earth. With all the power their cuteness holds, you may be tempted to forget to take care of yourself. Don’t do it! Find ways to make puppy happy while taking little breaks so you can be the very best puppy parent you can be. Then you’ll both be happy, healthy and ready to enjoy each other.
Enjoy the new article How To Keep Your Sanity With A New Puppy from Dogs & Puppies Adoption Blog and here are some of the other pet and dog sites that I currently operate. Hope you can find all of the information about dogs and caring for dogs that you are looking for through these sites.
Teri’s Dog Training Tips
TC Pet Stop
Great Dogs Site
The Puppy Blog
Technorati Tags: new puppy, puppies, bringing a new puppy home, getting a puppy, dogs, adopting a dog, doggie toys
Apr 29, 2012 | | Adopting A Puppy
Introducing Your New Puppy Into The Family
Blending The Pack
Bringing a new puppy home is a fun time for all. The kids are thrilled to have such a fun, furry friend and the parents are excited to have a playmate for the family. Then reality hits. Soon, it becomes clear that puppies and kids don’t always mix.
Relax and don’t get yourself all stressed out. You can help the kids and the new puppy become friends, but first you must learn how the pack relates. Yes, there is a ‘pack’ now in your family.
The Leader
In most cases, one of the parents will become the dominant ‘leader’ of the pack according to your puppy. You will be seen as the boss and puppy will look to you for commands. You will use this to your advantage during training and positioning the pack. The leader is usually the person who feeds and trains the dog or puppy.
The Siblings
As for the kids, to your puppy they are equals, and puppy may feel they have some control over their ‘equals.’ This means the puppy will most likely treat them like he or she would other puppies. In other words, your puppy will treat the kids in the family as siblings. There will be little respect, some fighting (biting), some yelling (barking), and probably jealousy when it comes to attention of the parents.
The Competition
Most kids will be very excited around puppies. The puppy will see this as a sign of weakness. Just like they will see you as the leader of the pack, they will take this excitement as an indication that the kids are beneath them in rank and treat them as such. Playful behavior is expected, but uncontrolled excited behavior will confuse the puppy. This behavior needs to be corrected as quickly as possible. Besides training your puppy you should also train your children. Let them in on the training so they will know what to do.
The Chain Of Command
Your puppy needs to learn that they are not in charge of the kids. By letting the children in on the training the puppy will realize that they are at the bottom of the chain of command. It could become dangerous if this isn’t corrected as the dog will see the kids as their property and may try to protect them from other kids or people.
Puppy may also turn on your child if certain behavior is seen as unacceptable and may try to reprimand the child by nipping or biting. Puppy needs to learn that your children are NOT siblings and that you are in charge of everyone’s discipline. This is a good time to tell your kids what you expect them to do:
• Stand your ground – If your child is old enough, teach him or her to stand their ground when it comes to the puppy. If the puppy jumps they must not back up, crouch, or run away. They need to stand up tall, turning their back to show disapproval as well as protect their body, and showing they are actually in control and in charge.
• Never position yourself below or behind puppy – Laying on the floor with the puppy may seem fun, but it sets up the belief within the puppy’s realm of understanding that they are ‘above’ the child. The same situation occurs when entering the house. The ‘pack’ leaders and elders always enter the den first. When it’s time to come inside from playing, it’s parents, then child, then puppy.
• Tame your excitement – Puppy sees excitement as a sign of weakness. They can sense a human’s emotions and will immediately react in the way they feel is appropriate. You need to train your child to remain calm and in control. This will make a huge difference in your puppies behavior towards the child. That doesn’t mean your child can’t play with the puppy. It means your child must have a calm voice and controlled movements to remain in charge.
• Hold back affection – If there is a problem, your child should not be showing puppy any affection until the problem is solved. This is very important as your child needs to show authority and dominance. If your child shows affection too soon, it will again be seen as a sign of weakness and you’ll have to start all over again.
This will be a good start, but this complicated training principle can’t be placed solely on the shoulders of the kids. The parents need to get involved and show the puppy that the children are not at the bottom of the pack. The parents need to watch for this pack behavior and make sure the puppy knows what’s acceptable and what’s not acceptable.
Understanding, and living, the pack mentality can be a lot of work. I won’t kid you, it is. Raising a puppy takes work, time, and patience. No one can deny the value of this training when you have a happy, well-adjusted adult dog that respects both you and your kids. This is a dog to enjoy!
Enjoy the new article Introducing Your New Puppy Into The Family from Dogs & Puppies Adoption Blog and here are some of the other pet and dog sites that I currently operate. Hope you can find all of the information about dogs and caring for dogs that you are looking for through these sites.
Teri’s Dog Training Tips
TC Pet Stop
Great Dogs Site
The Puppy Blog
Technorati Tags: new puppy, bring home a new puppy, puppy, pack, dog, dog pack, pack leader, dogs and kids, puppies and kids, training
Apr 10, 2012 | | Adopting A Puppy
Essential Toys For Your New Puppy To Learn And Play
Just like children, puppies need toys that they can learn from as well as play with. Play toys are a great teaching aid for your puppy. Toys are a great way to help you play with your puppy, or to distract them while you take a little break. It’s no secret that puppies love to play! They seem to have boundless energy and are on the constant lookout for something fun to play with.
Here are a few types of toys to consider buying for your puppy to distract, train, and just have fun:
Stuffed Toys
You’ll find many stuffed toys that are shaped in all sorts of amusing critters and objects. These are great play toys especially for puppy because they are soft and give puppy something to sink those tiny little baby teeth into while offering a cuddly factor. Be aware of broken seams and stuffing coming out.
Squeaky Toys
Some puppies love to get a reaction from their toys and squeaky toys are perfect for that. If your puppy has a hunting lineage, you may notice there will be a ‘kill’ in the making with this sort of toy. Once the toy is ‘killed’ (the squeaker removed) the puppy may lose interest in the toy. The constant squeaking may be a bit disturbing since puppies don’t really care what you’re doing when they’re ready to play. If puppy is very young, do pay attention as the squeaking device may be small enough to swallow if they should happen to get it out.
Chew Toys
Buy hard plastic ‘bones’ and real rawhide, or other bones and toys for puppy to chew on. Be sure to limit the amount of time puppy chews on the real rawhide as it is difficult to digest and you want to avoid letting them break off and swallow large chunks. A big supply of good chew toys and bones are a necessary investment. Buying bones specially made to hold up for a long time will help the budget.
Balls
Puppies love chasing balls. Your puppy will bat a ball around and keep entertained without any help from you. However, the real joy your puppy will have is playing fetch with you. Make sure the ball is large enough so it doesn’t pose a choking hazard. Also, make sure the ball is solid enough not to be chewed up easily. Tennis balls are a favorite choice for many dog owners.
Ropes
Tugging on a rope and carrying it around is always fun. You can buy thick, strong ropes at the pet store just for this purpose. Be sure not to get too aggressive with this play. You are probably quite a big bigger than your dog, and certainly your puppy, and you can tug too hard and hurt your puppy’s jaw, neck, or teeth. Keep the play more about chasing the puppy while he runs with the rope than about tugging it away from him or her.
Frisbees
Toys that fly far are perfect for playing fetch. This is an opportunity for you to teach puppy to retrieve and return. Find a safe, wide open field and your puppy will run off a lot of energy. The exercise is great for both of you.
When choosing the toys you want for your puppy, be sure to keep some safety and training issues in mind. Here are a few:
• Watch for choking hazards – The easiest way to avoid buying toys that may present chocking hazards for puppies is to buy them from a good pet store. Pet stores have a big selection of puppy-safe toys to choose from. If you do get puppy toys that you’re not sure about, check them over for objects that are sewn or glued on that won’t hold up to your puppy’s chewing. Just cut them off before giving to your puppy.
• Only keep a few toys out – If you’ve bought your puppy a lot of toys, don’t present them all at once. One or two toys at a time will excite your puppy; any more than that will just be overwhelming and your puppy may ignore them all. Then, as old toys get destroyed or no longer useful, introduce one new toy at a time.
• Keep toys in a bin nearby – To keep your own sanity you’ll probably want to have a bin or toy box for the puppy toys. This is a place where puppy can always find them and you can show him where they go when finished. That way, when puppy wants to play he knows exactly where to go to find the toys. You will also be able to quickly grab something to distract puppy when needed.
Puppy fun time is one of the great joys of being a puppy, and a puppy parent. Make sure you take the time to get your puppy the best toys for the hard work of playing. Be sure you also get in all the playtime you can with your puppy. Time flies quickly, and your puppy won’t be little for long!
Enjoy the new article Essential Toys For Your New Puppy To Learn And Play from Dogs & Puppies Adoption Blog and here are some of the other pet and dog sites that I currently operate. Hope you can find all of the information about dogs and caring for dogs that you are looking for through these sites.
Teri’s Dog Training Tips
TC Pet Stop
Great Dogs Site
The Puppy Blog
Technorati Tags: essential toys for your new puppy, learn & play toys, puppies, bundles of energy, choking hazards, chew toys, balls, dogs, squeaky toys
Mar 15, 2012 | | Adopting A Puppy
A Golden Retriever – The Right Addition To Your Family?
A Golden Retriever, everybody wants one especially since the Buddies movies came out. They are very cute and adorable as pups and still retain that playfulness as adults. They are the forever puppy but are they right for you and your family. Selecting the right pet for you and your family is an important decision. There are several hundred breeds of dogs from around the world so your choices are virtually limitless.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) categorized the different breeds by groups with each group having distinguishing characteristics that are shared by all the breeds in it. The Golden Retriever is in the Sporting Group.
The Sporting Group is made up of some of the oldest and most popular breeds. Many of the dogs in this category were bred for hunting although most people who own sporting dogs only keep them as family pets, rather than hunters. The hunting traits, however, create some of the most enjoyable aspects of owning a sporting dog. Goldens are natural retrievers, so you can enjoy them fetching a tennis ball for what seems like forever. Another trait is their outgoing personality, making sporting dogs enthusiastic and responsive partners.
The Golden Retriever was bred to be tough and strong. Don’t let the happy, silly face fool you. While any Golden will delight in lazing around the house or wrestling on the floor with your family, the breed is particularly adept in the field.
As puppies, Goldens are full of energy and can be especially mouthy. Make sure you direct your puppy’s need to chew to appropriate chew toys. Remember, puppies aren’t fussy and don’t discriminate. A chair leg works as well for them as a sterilized bone. Goldens are very trainable, athletic, and good-natured. They have a keen desire to please. You can find them performing with tails wagging and eyes shining in the obedience, agility, and fly ball arenas. They are also excellent with children.
The Golden Retriever is generally light yellow to deep golden honey in color. The coat tends to get a little deeper in color after the first year. They tend to be about twenty-four inches tall at the withers (shoulders), with females being slightly shorter. Their coat should be long and either flat or wavy. They’ll need to be brushed properly or their coat will form thick mats
So, if you are looking for a loyal companion that will be great with kids or adults, you should definitely find a local breeder and spend some time getting to know a Golden.
Enjoy the new article A Golden Retriever – The Right Addition To Your Family? from Dogs & Puppies Adoption Blog and here are some of the other pet and dog sites that I currently operate. Hope you can find all of the information about dogs and caring for dogs that you are looking for through these sites.
Teri’s Dog Training Tips
TC Pet Stop
Great Dogs Site
The Puppy Blog
Technorati Tags: Golden Retriever, addition to your family, The Buddies, Golden Retriever puppies, puppies, dogs, sporting breed, Golden, AKC, American Kennel Club
Feb 16, 2012 | | Adopting A Puppy
The Basset Hound – Laid Back And Loving
The Basset Hound (if you want a purebred) or a Basset Hound mix (if you don’t mind not having a purebred) can be a Medium/Large dog that typically weighs between 45-75 pounds. Their height averages between 11″ to 15″.
The Bassett is long and low and their height/weight ratio makes their already short legs look even shorter. In fact, their name comes from the French word “bas” which means low. Their gentle, loving, patient nature makes them an excellent companion dog for the home while their keen sense of smell and hunting instincts continue to make them excellent hunting companions.
Recognized by the AKC in 1885, the acceptable colors for the Basset Hound are a variety of hound colors, but they are typically white with chestnut or sand colored markings. The fairly dense coat is short, straight, hard and smooth. Their coat is easy to groom and only requires an occasional brushing and shampooing.
This loving, gentle dog is perfect for family life. For the mix breed the colors are not important.
They are excellent and patient with small children, even when they are not socialized with them. They are affectionate with their family and love to be around their family. They are great with other dogs and pets as well, although early socialization is good for non-canine pets because they might chase them due to their hunting instincts.
They are easy going and fairly inactive when they are inside, making them great for apartment life as they enjoy relaxing and laying around inside. They are more active outdoors and require regular play, exercise and time to run. If you don’t have a yard, you should plan to at least take them on a daily walk.
They are fairly easy to train, but if they are on the trail of a scent, they will not pay any attention to you. For this reason, a fenced in yard is best. They have a tendency to gain weight, so monitoring their food intake and giving them ample exercise is important.
The Basset Hound originated in France and dates back hundreds of years. Their ancestry can be traced back to the Bloodhound.
Originally used as hunting dogs, the Basset Hound uses its excellent sense of smell to track animals. Even though they can still be used for hunting, they are seen more as companion dogs today. If you like when you take your Basset out for a walk there is an excercise you can do that will keep his mind active for what he was bred for without having to actually hunt.
What you do is make up a puree of whatever his fav meal is and put it into a squeeze bottle. Then you just make trails for him to follow with his fantastic sense of smell. This will make your pup very happy and doing what he loves doing best.
Few breeds equal the Basset Hound’s gentle, forgiving, laid back nature. They are perfect for active families and for those that just enjoy an occasional walk provided their Basset Hound can have daily outside time. Whether you have small children or other pets or dogs, the Basset Hound can fit into just about any type of family dynamic with little to no adjustment problems.
Enjoy the new Dogs & Puppies Adoption Blog article on Basset Hounds and here are some of the other pet and dog sites that I currently operate. Hope you can find all of the information about dogs and caring for dogs that you are looking for through these sites.
Puppies & Big Dogs
Teri’s Dog Training Tips
The Puppy Blog
Technorati Tags: Basset Hound, laid back and loving, Basset, Basset Hound mix, hunting, sense of smell, great with children, apartment dog
Jan 09, 2012 | | Adopting A Dog, Adopting A Puppy
Welcoming A New Puppy Into Your Home – Are You Really Ready?
Are you really ready to bring a little furry friend home? I mean, are you really ready? Sure it sounds all wonderful in theory, but before you run out and take home the first puppy who melts your heart, there are some things you’ll need to consider carefully. Let’s take a look.
Do You Have Time?
Puppies need your time, and lots of it. If you’re constantly rushing to get everything done, you may want to seriously reconsider the idea of taking home a puppy. A puppy is a new creature to this world. They need your time and attention to learn how to properly live in it. Puppy is going to need your help learning how to potty train, how to behave properly around other pets and people, as well as lots of your attention for playtime. Do you have that time to give a deserving puppy?
Is Your Family in Agreement?
This new family member is going to affect everyone in the family. That is why it’s a good idea to make sure everyone in the family agrees to accepting this new family member. This ensures the puppy comes into a completely welcoming home and that you don’t create any unwanted issues and tension between family members, and the puppy, too.
Are You Ready For The Work?
Puppies take a lot of work. Are you ready for that? Are you prepared to have mop and paper towels in hand constantly? Are you ready to get up in the middle of the night to tend to your puppy’s needs, to play even when you don’t feel like it, to make vet trips, and to make trips to the store to buy pet food? Are you ready to handle emergency situations with your puppy? Are you ready to spend the hours and hours it takes to physically care for your puppy; training, bathing, brushing, feeding, and other care?
Can You Afford a Puppy?
Puppies cost money. Even if you can get a puppy absolutely free, your puppy is not going to be free for long. Or, maybe you’re buying a purebred pup. Either way, the expenses don’t end when you take the puppy home, they just begin. You’ll need money for food, bowls, toys, treats, bedding, crates, leashes, collars, grooming, shots, neutering or spaying, licenses, training or obedience classes, routine medical bills, unexpected vet bills, and more. Be prepared for this and honestly decide if you really can afford that furry friend.
Do You Have Support?
We’ve mentioned that it’s hard work taking care of a puppy. Will you have any support to help you when you need a break? Think about this before you take puppy home and you’ll save yourself a ton of stress. Support can come in many different forms; the neighbor down the road who walks your dog once in a while, the family member who’s willing to dog-sit when you go out of town, the friend who can offer puppy potty training advice and help.
If you’ve honestly answered these questions, then you’ll be in a very good place to make a realistic decision about whether you can adopt a puppy or not.
If the answers show you’re not quite ready for a puppy, then waiting until the time is right is the proper thing to do. You and your potential puppy will be much better off. If the answers show you are ready, congratulations! It’s an exciting time as you venture into a whole new world of pet parenting!
For more information about training a new puppy, see our sister site, Teri’s Dog Training Tips.
Technorati Tags: welcoming a new puppy, new puppy, puppy, puppies, are you really ready, puppy training, puppy accessories, purebred pup, free puppy, Dogs & Puppies Adoption, TC Champigny
Nov 30, 2011 | | Adopting A Puppy
Selecting Your Golden Puppy
Well, you’ve decide to get a puppy. Choosing a breed is one of the toughest things you have to do as you need to choose what kind of dog you want. The second toughest thing to do is to choose which puppy you want. Golden puppies as they are known are especially cute. Golden Retriever puppies have become very popular since the series of movies that came out about them. The Buddies series have been a great promoter of Golden Retriever puppies.
Once you have decided on a breeder that you can trust, you’ll need to choose your puppy. This decision could take you some time, as it can be quite a few weeks or even months before the right litter is whelped – although it will be worth the wait. If your breeder has a few litters available when you look for your Golden puppy, you may be able to compare.
Some breeders may require that you put a deposit down on the puppy of your choice, if the puppies aren’t a certain number of weeks old, usually about 8 weeks of age. The good litters rarely go unsold, as most are already spoken for before the puppies are seven weeks old. If you want to get in on a good litter, your best bet is to get to your breeder early – before all of the puppies are sold.
When you arrive to get your puppy, you shouldn’t be alarmed if the breeder does the selecting for you. Most quality breeders will spend quite a bit of time with the puppies and they will know just what their individual temperaments are. Some breeders may even do temperament tests to determine the temperament of the puppies they have with each and every litter.
By performing these tests, the breeder will get assistance in selecting which puppy goes to which type of home. The choice will depend on the type of home and yard that you have, whether there is somebody home all day, whether you have kids and what ages they are, and whether there are other pets. If you’ve chosen one of the better breeders, you should let him do his work and help you select the puppy that he or she thinks will be your best match. Breeders can obviously select you a better puppy, as they have been around the litter for several weeks – and you have only been around the litter looking at them for a few minutes.
Although all Golden puppies are appealing to the eyes, you need to base your reasons on more than looks. Before you pick your puppy up, you should always make sure that he has a strong build, with straight legs. The puppy should be firm and muscular, yet be squirmy and active when you first try to pick him up. You should also make sure that he has healthy teeth and gums, and look over the rest of his body to make sure that he is healthy.
If your breeder does allow you to select your puppy from the litter, then you should take the puppies that you are considering away from the remainder of the litter and observe each one carefully, and how they react to you. Puppies that are around 7 weeks of age should be apt to explore their surroundings. Even though they may be a little cautious at first, the puppies should still be keen to look around and sniff their surroundings, and should not appear too fearful.
When you single out the puppies, make sure you speak to the ones you are interested in and see how they react to your voice. Try moving around and playing with them, and see how they respond to you. Some puppies will be faster to respond than others, although you shouldn’t pursue any interest in a puppy that doesn’t show any interest in moving objects or their surroundings.
If you take your time and evaluate each puppy that you are interested in, you can find the best puppy for you and your family. Golden Retriever puppies are great to have, providing you get one that’s healthy. Getting a healthy puppy should be your main concern, as a healthy puppy will grow into a strong and healthy adult that should be around to brighten your life for years to come.
Selecting your Golden puppy is a very important decision for you and your family. Remember to research your breeders, let the breeder help you choose, and ALWAYS check to make sure that the puppy you choose is a healthy puppy.
Technorati Tags: selecting your Golden puppy, Golden, puppy, puppies, Golden Retrievers, The Buddies, breeders, dog, litters, getting a healthy puppy, Dogs & Puppies Adoption Blog, TC Champigny
Oct 27, 2011 | | Breeders
Choosing The Right Breeder
Choosing the right breeder is important when you decide to get a new Golden Retriever puppy. The first choice you will face is where to get your puppy from. No matter how hard you try, it’s nearly impossible to know whether or not the puppy you are buying will grow up to be healthy and strong. In order to even expect that your puppy will grow up to be healthy, you’ll need to trust the individual that you get your Golden from.
There are three options available to you, in terms of breeders. You should carefully think about each one, as they all will vary. Below are the three options you have to choose from, and a little bit of information to help you make this very important decision.
Breeder Or Pet Shop
A pet shop is probably the worst place that you can get your Golden Retriever puppy. The puppies they have for sale here may be bred poorly, and raised in poor locations to say the least. At these types of places, the puppies are thought of as a profit and nothing more. There is little to no emphasis on quality here either – as most pet shops prefer quantity over qualify.
Due to the way the puppies are bred and raised, pet shops make quite a bit of profit. With there being so little that goes into the breeding and care of the puppies, pet shops make a lot of money. They mainly rely on impulse buying, not giving you a lot of time to evaluate the puppies that they have for sale.
It is very important to see the place where your puppy was born and raised and to meet the people who bred him. You cannot do that if you are buying from a shop. You are also more likely to get a happy, well adjusted puppy if he has not been taken from his mother to the frightening surroundings of a pet shop where he probably gets very little personal attention. If you’re looking for an addition to your family, and a puppy that you know is healthy, you’d be better off looking somewhere else for your puppy.
Backyard Breeders
Backyard breeders are usually people who own one or two Goldens and find it to be fun to breed their female for the fact of having puppies. Alternatively, they may breed her once or twice before they decide to go ahead and get her spayed. Backyard breeders often don’t look for quality. They may breed their female with their own male or a neighbor dog just for convenience, without thinking about the kind of puppies that the pair may produce.
Of course, backyard breeders are not all the same and you may find a good one. However, watch out for people who know very little about the breed in general, and even less about how to properly care for their Golden Retrievers. Backyard breeders may not be familiar with the problems associated with breeding, and most could care less. Their only goal here is to breed Golden Retriever puppies. Once the puppies have been bred, their remaining goal is to sell the puppies as fast as they can – for the highest possible price.
Hobby Breeders
A hobby breeder is the probably ideal way to get your Golden puppy. Hobby breeders are loyal, committed, and think of their pups as more than just a hobby. Although they do make money breeding it is not as important to them. Hobby breeders care more about the quality of their puppies than anything else, and they commit themselves to helping you get the best Golden Retriever pup possible.
Hobby breeders accept responsibility for each one of their puppies, and they stand behind each and every one of their pups. If you want the best pup you can get for your money, you need to visit a hobby breeder. They very rarely produce poor quality Golden Retriever puppies, as they care a lot about quality.
If you visit a few breeders, you will soon learn to tell the difference between a disreputable backyard breeder and a reliable hobby breeder. If you get your Golden puppy from a hobby breeder, you can rest assured that you are probably getting a healthy puppy from the start.
These are just some of the things you can look for in choosing the right breeder.
Technorati Tags: choosing the right breeder, Golden Retriever, puppy, Golden, pup, pups, puppies, pet shop, backyard breeders, hobby breeders, Dogs & Puppies Adoption Blog, Teri Champigny
Sep 14, 2011 | | Breeders
Learn How To Spot A Good French Bulldog Breeder
Learn how to spot a good French Bulldog breeder and get the perfect dog for you. Here are just a few things to check out about finding a breeder for French Bulldogs if you want a purebred dog instead of a mixed breed dog.
There is nothing wrong with mixed breed dogs, they can be as loyal and a great companion as any other dogs. But if you’re out in the market for something that you can be sure about in terms of temperament, health concerns, and the precise look of the dog when it grows up, then you should definitely go for a purebred. And if you also would like to join dog shows, then you should know that only purebreds are allowed to join. And if you’re like the thousands of Americans today, then you would most likely would want to have a French Bulldog as your pet.
Purebred French Bulldogs can be quite expensive. So if you’re going to spend a lot of money to have a great looking, loyal, and playful dog, then you have to be sure that it comes from a good breeder. A reputable breeder will be able to provide you a French Bulldog that is very beautiful, but a dog that you know will be able to give you the true experience of owning a French Bulldog. But first things first, how do you know if a breeder is trustworthy?
Many breeders have become such because they love their dogs. It is a source of income for many of them but mostly, it’s all about their love for that particular breed or several breeds. So, you need to see or discover for yourself whether a breeder is in it just for the money, meaning he skimps on whatever he can to make a profit, or is in the breeding game for the love of dogs. Here are some ways to help you learn this.
Be doubtful of breeders that advertise their puppies. Advertising cost money, so they are probably skimping on other costs, like maybe important health tests. And when the ads declare that their puppies are from champion lines or are sired from dog show champion parents without showing which pedigree it is, then be wary about that breeder. Do not be persuaded either by ads of breeders that boast of certification from the American Kennel Club.
And if you’re in the market for a pure bred French Bulldog because you may want to enter it into a competition, then don’t go to a breeder that sells puppies with a rare color. Although it may be enticing to have a unique French Bulldog, rarely are they qualified for competitions. Also, extreme sizes, either too small or bigger than normal, should not be bred, they can throw off the balance of the purebred line.
Reputable breeders share all information about their dogs, they even show it in their website. All photos and pedigrees are posted and all health concerns are shown as well. In fact, reputable breeders oftentimes enter competitions to show their dogs. This means that the dogs are very well cared for and they have great concern in maintaining the integrity of the breed.
And finally, but definitely not the last aspect in defining a reputable breeder, a breeder should always have tests for the health of their litter. They should let you know of the line has any recurring health concerns and should provide a guarantee or warranty that your French bulldog is healthy.
Learning how to spot a good French Bulldog breeder takes research and checking out their references. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and don’t be afraid to check them out. If you are willing to spend the kind of money it costs to buy a purebred French Bulldog then you should be willing to do what is necessary to find the right breeder.
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Aug 17, 2011 | | Adopting A Dog, Breeders
Want To Adopt A Chihuahua?
What You Should Know About Chihuahua Breeders
So you are looking to adopt a Chihuahua. Here is a little of what you should know about Chihuahua breeders. The Chihuahua is believed to be first found in Mexico according to folklore and archaeological finds, but in fact their history is puzzling and there are many theories surrounding their origin. Chihuahua breeders have been producing the dog, which weighs between 1 and 6 pounds for decades now.
The Chihuahua is the smallest pure bread dog in the world. They are the only natural toy breed in the world as every other toy breed is a hybrid. Chihuahua breeders are proud of the long lineage of the breed.
The Chihuahua can be either smooth/short haired or long haired. Canada and the United Kingdom separates these two into separate breeds while the Kennel club in the United States considers them one breed.
While each Chihuahua has its own personality, in general, they are graceful, energetic and fast. They also tend to have “terrier like” qualities such as being alert, observant and keen.
The Chihuahua often stands up to dogs much bigger than itself. He or she is also very protective of their family. He is a good watch dog because he is fierce and very loyal, but does not make an effective guard dog because of his small size. The Chihuahua is also known as “Teacup” “Toy” or “Pocket” Chihuahuas. Celebrity women are often seen carrying the dog around in their purses or bags.
Chihuahuas tend to be long lived dogs. Some common genetic problems include Patellar Luxuation, eye problems, hypoglycemia, heart disease and tooth and gum ailments. When stressed or excited, a Chihuahua tends to shake or tremble.
Chihuahua breeders need to be ethical. If you are going to buy a Chihuahua, make sure the puppy’s parents have all of the health clearances.
Chihuahuas can be trained through “clicker training”. You click the clicker and give the dog a treat when she has done what you have asked her to do. This installs in the dog’s mind that when you click, she gets a treat. Once she knows the click means a treat, you can begin teaching her specific behaviors based on the click. Keep the initial training sessions short – 5 to 10 minutes – so that your dog doesn’t become bored. If you try do do a task that for too long a dog will become easily bored.
Clicker training can be used to promote every day good behavior such as sitting or more complicated behaviors such as turning around in circles.
You can adopt a Chihuahua thorough a breeder or you can rescue a dog from places like Chihuahua Rescue & Adoption: Adopt a Chihuahua in your area. If you are thinking of going through a breeder remember to ask your Chihuahua breeder whether your dog is in good health and is able to be trained. The Chihuahua is a great dog and Chihuahua breeders can help you pick out the best in the litter.
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Jun 06, 2011 | | adopt rescue dogs, Adopting A Dog, Breeders
