Cute Dogs and Women

If you want to get a good score from women, one cute dog can be your ultimate weapon. Women love cute, cuddly, adorable things, and using a little dog to my advantage has never failed me to catch the attention of the girl that I like... or should I say, girls in general?

I once worked in a telemarketing company and like most call centers, my workplace housed hundreds of employees, most of which were overpopulated by women. Thing is, even though there's a kind of shortage of men, these women never really got to notice us. They oftentimes had their own little worlds where men were the least of their interests, so I tried doing some experimentation one time. Since I just lived nearby, I took my Dauchshound from my apartment for a walk around the perimeter of my office.

Our building had these sets of tables and chairs right outside where employees usually hanged around either while taking their coffee breaks or waiting for their shifts to start. From one end of the area to the other, which I estimate to have been around 40 feet, it took me two hours to finish the walk. Guess why? Well, for every table that I passed by, I managed to get almost every other woman's name there. And I wasn't the one who initiated the conversation-they were the ones who approached me!

You'll be surprised how far one cute dog can get you. Women love cute things and when they notice a cute dog walking around, the next one that they notice in line is you-the owner, and they just find dog-loving men to be very endearing and adorable. If you have a cute little dog with you, especially a puppy, it won't be difficult to get through the defenses of women, even if they have a blind eye for men.

Cute Dog Bed Options

There are so many cute dog bed options when it comes to pet beds nowadays. The demand for stylish supplies rises monthly as more people find that Fido is more than just a watch-dog but also a great pal. Designer dogs and designer apparel are on the rise just as much as the same breeds according to the American Kennel Club.

You will want to read on to find out how to find a slick bed for your favorite breed. If you want to learn about the many resources and places to go to locate these beds, then I can teach you.

Here Is Where You Can Find Cute Dog Bed Options

There are many resources to utilize if you are interested in finding a sweet resting place for your pup. First stop is the closest pet store. They should have plenty of options to choose from, ranging from styles and colors, to quality and value. The larger stores also have online ordering where you can find a wider selection of sizes, styles and colors. Visiting your local supply place should be research on what fits your needs - not a purchase.

The next step is to check out other options if you don't locate anything at your neighborhood pet store, then another great place to start is on the internet. The convenience of shopping online will help you save time and money, helping you get that adorable bed quickly. Look around your home and remember this bed and other items you purchase for your pet are about to have a daily presence in your home. It's not vanity to want to coordinate color and design of fido's decor with yours.

Using the internet will allow you to have more stores to choose from, including outlets all over the world. This gives you a greater chance in finding that perfect resting place for your loved one. It also allows you to order the product that might not be in stock at your local stores, as well as the advantage of having the best sleep alcove delivered right to your home, in no time at all.

There are some things you should know about internet shopping. Make sure that the online store is a reputable and trustworthy business. There are many scams out there willing and waiting to get a hold of your personal information and take advantage of you. This can be prevented by taking a few extra safety precautions when shopping. Do some research on the company to make sure they are creditable and have a secure checkout system. It is also a good idea to investigate the return policy just in case that cute dog bed doesn't live up to your expectations.

Cute Dog Clothes For Summer

For many people, their dog is so much more than "just a dog". Dogs have become part of our families and for many people they are like children. As such, we want them to always look their cutest! Dog clothing is a great way to make your dog's personality shine. When most people think of dog clothes they think of sweaters or coats. In other words, many people only think of using clothes to keep their pooch warm. But dog clothing is so much more than that! It's a way of making sure your pooch stands out from the crowd and reflects their personality as well as your own. Here are some fabulous and unique dog clothes ideas that are not only fashionable for summer but functional as well.

1. Dog Tee Shirts and Dog Tank Tops: Not only are dog tee shirts and tank tops cute, but they are functional for summer as well because they offer sun protection for your pooch without being too heavy. Another great idea for summer is to wet the tee shirt with cold water to keep your pooch cool. There are countless tee shirts and tank tops on the market today. So many, in fact, that you will have no problem at all finding one that compliments your pooch's individuality and style. You'll find plain shirts, fancy dog shirts, eco-friendly dog shirts, shirts with funny sayings etc.

2. Dog Dresses: For your girly-girl pooch why not try a cute summer dog dress. Like shirts, they provide sun protection and are usually light and airy. The best place to find cute summer dog dresses is at a designer dog boutique. These specialty shops have the trendiest of styles and carry dresses that are very fashionable.

3. Dog Swimwear: Believe it or not, most designer dog boutiques carry dog swimwear. If your pooch is beach bound this summer you'll find dog bikinis with matching panties as well as boardshorts for your macho pooch.

4. Dog Scarf's: If you're worried about the heat this summer but still want a way to make your pooch stand out from the crowd, try a cute scarf. Also known as a bandanna, this simple dog accessory comes in a variety of colors, patterns and styles. You'll even find scarf's with cute or funny sayings on them. When it's really hot you can wet the scarf with cold water to keep your pooch cool. Even though this accessory is simple and understated it can still reflect Fido's personality.

5. Dog Life Jacket: If your pooch is planning on doing any boating this summer, keep him safe with a dog life jacket. Many dog boutiques carry life jackets that are functional as well as fashionable. In other words, you'll find more than just the old fashioned yellow life jacket.

Just because it is summer and the weather is hot doesn't mean that your pooch can't look his or her absolute best. Dog clothing means so much more than just warmth these days. It is a way to let your pooch's character shine. In addition to that, summer dog clothes can help protect your pooch from the harmful rays of the sun. Make sure that the fabrics you choose are light and loose and if needed wet your dog's clothing to keep them cool during the hot summer months.

Dana Lloyd is the owner of LaBellaDoggy.com, an online designer dog boutique that specializes in luxury dog fashion, dog clothes and accessories, unique dog beds, gourmet dog treats, dog toys and more. She is also an animal advocate who dedicates some of her time to dog rescue.

Cute Dog Breeds

Dachshunds can be seen as well socialized pets and can easily adapt to a loving home. This cute dog and other similar breeds usually look good in dresses, vests and skirts. Sweaters not only make them smart looking but also protect them from cold weather. They can usually blend with other pets, but again, without the proper discipline from their master, they can get depressed, temperamental and can bite easily. At times, they do not want to be handled. It is best to get an advice about caring for your pets from someone who is experienced. Just like pigs, many dogs give birth to several puppies in one pregnancy. The result is overpopulation of puppies and if no one would like to share their home to them then it leads to abandonment.

The nose and the nails of black dachshunds are black; for chocolate brown and other dog colors, they are dark brown. Dachshunds bark loud and even if they are small they are good watch dogs with a powerful bark. This breed has a habit of digging dirt and they can be a little aggressive to strangers.

Wirehair dachshund's eyes are almond-shaped, big and with dark rims. Their ears are set on top of their head, quite round and slightly long. Their eyes are dark red, brown or black which are shaped like an egg and always has a friendly expression. The color of an American dachshund has darker spots and they may vary depending on their locations. There are dark spots in black dogs and tan dapples and chocolate marks in tan dogs. Wirehair miniature dachshunds are more likely to be livelier. Smaller dachshunds are more timid than the standard breed.

Another cute dog breed is Chihuahua. It is the tiniest dog breed in the world and they have a long and rich history. It was discovered in Chihuahua Mexico nearby Texas and New Mexico and it is where the name Chihuahua came from. It originated from the early Techichi owned by the Toltec near Mexico City. In 1904, the breed was included in the American Kennel Club. It was officially described by this Club to have the qualities of a terrier like being alert, agile and having a good bearing.

The old Chihuahua was bigger than the new breed. One cannot find the same temperaments in Chihuahuas. They have their own distinct personalities and some can be very hot tempered, arrogant and may have the traits of a terrier. This dog needs a lot of petting and affection. They are loyal pets to their owners who also take extra care of them because of their very small size. Chihuahua catches the eye of everyone who sees it and it gives the owner great pride and joy for having such a cute and cuddly companion.

Submit Your Cute Dog Pictures

A Star Is Born

Everyday around the world people upload pictures of their pets to websites on the internet or to their own desktop to use as wallpaper. Our pets are family and we love to show them off.

Share Your Canine Star

Here are a few pointers for providing memorable pictures of your pooch. First, have as much fun as possible creating your little star. Second, think of a specific theme or story to add to your dog's portfolio. Be creative and work around your dog's individual personality. Besides our dog's real name, most of us have cute little names for our pets as well. We do this because of something they do or the way they look that makes them unique from their other furry friends.

Pick a topic and build yourself a star. For example, bath time. Take a before picture, maybe a picture while he's getting his bath and an after picture. This series of bath time pictures should tell a complete story about your dog. Cute dog pictures along with a cute story are something everyone wants to see and read.

Of course if you prefer just to submit a picture, that's o.k. too. One single picture is enough to communicate a special moment in the life of your dog. Dog pictures convey every emotion known to man. From adorable to mischievous to hilarious - dog pictures are enjoyed by any age group.

Even those who do not have a dog or any pet at all, love dog pictures. Asking an owner to show off their canine pics is like asking Cleopatra to belly dance. It comes naturally.

Tips on How to Take Nice Pictures

To be certain of taking good pictures it will help to know a few simple rules.

Distance

Getting close to your dog will fill the frame. Remember your dog has facial expressions that need to be captured.

Angle

Do not take the picture from above. Crouch down to dog level. This gives a more intimate view of your pet.

Color

Keep it simple. However, props can add interest. For example, introduce a favorite toy such as a ball.

Lighting
Easy - press auto. Take care as too much bright light can dim those exceptional features.

Patience

Getting the right pictures will take some patience. (Easy for a dog lover)

Lots

Be prepared to take lots of pictures. Try different angles, stances and behavior.

Fun

Have lots of it!

A Model is Made

Now that you have taken plenty of cute dog pictures it is time to share those happy moments with us. All the dog lovers who visit will be able to share anecdotes and stories by means of pictures - the cuter the better. Turn your pet into a model pooch.

It really is simple. A variety of pictures from dog owners to depict every stage of a pet's life is needed. We want to display a gallery of cute dog pictures to an adoring public. Which pictures to submit is entirely up to you. We are sure that each and every picture is cute enough to turn your dog into a star.

We would love for you to share your dog's picture with us and the rest of the world. Whether you have a puppy, a middle of the road canine or a precious older dog, we make the process as easy as possible. You can upload them right to our website along with your story and others can view and respond.

Dog Park Terrorists

How many of us have been to a dog park with our dogs and watched this one dog wreaking havoc on all the other dogs in the park. Usually this dog is a smaller breed like a Chihuahua or Pomeranian. These dogs incessantly chase every dog that approaches them, creating a very bad situation throughout the park were every dog is on edge. These "dog park terrorists" are displaying the worst kind of dominant aggressive behavior that a dog can display. All the while the dogs' owner is talking about how cute it is that the little Pomeranian is chasing away all the larger dogs.

This behavior is neither cute nor safe. Why is it cute for a 12 pound Pomeranian to be displaying this dominant aggressive behavior but when a 120 pound Rottweiler is displaying this behavior everyone thinks the dog should be put down. Dominance aggression needs to be dealt with no matter the size of the dog displaying it.

The trip to the dog park should be a treat for a dog which follows its pack leader and shows calm submission to everyone including other dogs. The dog park should not be the place where you take your dog to release its excess energy, because it sits at home all day with nothing to do but wait for you to come home and unleash it upon the dog park.

Walking or your dog, the proper way, before you allow it to enter the dog park will not only help to establish yourself as the leader of your dog, but will also make for a better experience while you are there. The dog will be much calmer and relaxed displaying the calm and submissive attitude that may just be contagious throughout the dog park. Making for a better experience for all involved. The walk should last a minimum of 20 minutes to 45 minutes depending on the size and energy level of your dog. In these busy times I know that we all have a hard time allotting time for the dog in our lives.

However, the time spent walking you're dog the proper way (as the dogs pack leader) will greatly help the relationship between you and your dog. For time allocation reasons you could shorten the amount of time you and your dog are actually in the dog park so that you may properly prepare your dog for this experience. By following these general guidelines the experience for your dog and yourself will be extremely fulfilling. As well as making the dog park a better place for all involved.

If you have a dog that is displaying signs of dominance aggression. This problem should be dealt with under the guidance of a professional dog behaviorist or trainer. You can however help the situation greatly by exercising your dog regularly and establishing yourself as the dogs pack leader. A tired and well exercised dog is generally a calmer dog.

Dog Names For Chihuahua

Many families own a Chihuahua. It is one of the smallest dog breed. We will explore the pretty, cute, and good dog names for the breed. Here are the names in terms of color, origin, history, attribute, gender, and popularity.

The breed of Chihuahua got the name from the state of Mexico called Chihuahua. It sits on the Northern Mexico. And, the state is just slightly bigger than United Kingdom. Chihuahua is famous as a desert land. However, the state has more forest than desert. The Texas of United States, Durango to south, Sinaloa to the south west, and Sonora to the west surrounds the state of Chihuahua. It also boasts a beautiful canyon that is bigger than Grand Canyon called Copper Canyon.

Since Chihuahua is a small breed, it is often on Guinness Book of World Records as the smallest dog. The Guinness Book recorded Danka Kordak Slovakia and Ducky as the smallest dog in the world at one time.

Danka Kordak Slovakia is obviously from Slovakia. Danka Kordak is one of long hair Chihuahua which is tan and fluffy. Danka is cute, pretty, good, and female Chihuahua. Danka measured 5.4 inches tall and 7.4 inches long. Lastly, Danka is a Hebrew dog name which means God is my judge.

Ducky literally looks like a small baby duck. It is probably the origin for the dog name. Unlike Danka, Ducky is a tan short hair Chihuahua. Ducky measured 4.9 inches tall.

The breed grows long or short fur. The short is like velvet or whisker look and feel, while long is fluffy and soft. Actually, the long fur breed sheds less than the short fur breed. The fur is usually solid in color like brown, red, cream, chocolate, black, blue, and white. Some may have spotting, brindles, sables, and markings. In commercials, shows, and movies, the brown, red, chocolate, and cream are more popular.

The brown, red, chocolate, and cream colors are pretty close. It is all in the intensity of the red pigmentation. The dog names that relates to brown are Almond, Apple, Bronze, Cherry, Chestnut Chocolate, Cinnamon, Copper, Mango, Peanut, Penny, Peach, Persimmon, Hazel, Rusty, and Woody.

The names for a black dog are Coffee, Oreo, Mela, Melaney, Melania, Melanie, Melany, Tux, and Tuxedo. Without milk or cream, Coffee is black or dark brown in color. Then, Mela is a Greek and female dog name. It literally means black or dark. The variations of Mela are Mela, Melaney, Melania, Melanie, and Melany. And, the Tux and Tuxedo is usually black in formal event.

Rarely, we see a white Chihuahua. The names for white dog are Albus, Arjun, Bolt, Bianca, Blanca, Blanche, Cotton, Electricity, Gaenor, Gauri, Lightning, Luce, Ora, Misty, Nellie, Skah, Snow, Snowball, Spark, Svetlana, Winter, Yuki, and Yukon.

The names that mean little fit the cute and little breed. For example, Marcel means little Marcus. The variations of Marcel are Marcella, Marcello, Marcellus, and Marcelo. Some names means small too. Pablo is a Latin dog name which means small. The variations of Pablo are Paula, Paulette, Pauline, and Paulina.

Many families find the Chihuahua as good and best pet. We need a great name that matches the cuteness and prettiness of the breed. For more great names, you can search the website with the color, article, origin, history, and gender.

Trendy Small Dog Clothes

Dressing up small dogs has become a very popular trend. The small dog clothing available today is just so adorable that loving owners cannot resist dressing their furry friends up. They look adorable all dressed up in fancy duds, boots and hair bows. Due to their size and amount of fur for some small breeds, it is really quite practical to cover them to keep them from the cold and damp elements. There is definitely a functional need for small dog clothes but buying small dog clothes is usually done for the fashion aspect instead of the practicality. Little pooches have themselves become a fashion accessory.

Determining what kind of clothing to purchase for your tiny pooch can be challenging, since there is so much available. Assessing the needs of your dog would be the first step. If you have a hairless dog, it is extremely important to keep them warm weather outside in cold weather or inside when the air conditioning is blasting. Chihuahuas are known to be shivery dogs. A cute little dog t-shirt would be a great idea year round even indoors. When they venture out you will probably want to add a sweater or a coat plus some dog boots.

Now that we have covered the functional reasons for dog apparel, lets get to the fun stuff. This is where personal style comes in. It can be your personal style or you can express your dogs personality through trendy clothes that express their style. An ongoing popular trend in dog clothing is matching your pooch to what you yourself are wearing. This trend goes beyond a cute little shirt. The doggy carrying bags are really hot and have matching clothing to matching boots and collars. The bling thing is still hot because it definitely makes your pooch stand out in a crowd. Well that is the high end way to go which many owners are not willing or simply cannot afford these high end looks.

Another fun fashion trend is shirts that say things. There are many available sayings that can range from very naughty to extremely cute and some quite clever. One of my favorite things is to see a small dog wearing a shirt with a big dog saying like SECURITY. The opposite is adorable as well like seeing a huge dog wearing a shirt that says PRINCESS. These trends do not seem to be slowing down soon. So if it is your thing to dress up your dog either to keep them warm or just because it is so darn cute you will have no problem finding those special dog clothes for your special pooch.

Food in Dog Names

We all have to eat. And, we love to eat delicious, colorful, delightful, and appetizing food. It is easy to name the dog from the name of the food. There are many cute and pretty food names for dogs. Here are some popular food names as dog names.

The color in food increases the appetite for food. After you added the ingredients and presented the food, you can see the vibrant of color from the food. It is no wonder that we sometimes base the dog names from the color of the food.

The common colors between food and dog are orange, black, brown, white, and light brown. The popular foods with orange color are almond, apple, caramel, honey, and marmalade. Thus, the dog owners like to use the above food for dog names.

Almonds are nuts with woody orange surface. And, apple comes in green, yellow, orange, red or mix. With an apple a day, the fruit lowers many health problems. By heating sugar, the sugar melts to form the caramel. The color ranges between light orange and dark brown. Next, the honey is sweet flower nectar from honey bees. Finally, the marmalade is preserved food from citrus fruits. That is why most marmalade is orange in color.

Most dog breeds can come in various colors, but some pure dog breed just come in specific colors. For example, Doberman, German Shepherd, and Pit Bull are usually black. Cinnamon Bun is baked bread with white sugar glazed. The bread may turn to orange and black. Therefore, Cinnamon is a cute dog names for German Shepherd and Pit Bull.

An alternative name is coffee. It is a beverage from coffee beans. When you mix coffee and frothy milk with cinnamon sprinkles, the coffee turns to beige or light brown. It is more commonly known as Cappuccino. Now, we can apply Cappuccino to another breed. Let us say Labrador and Golden Retriever.

The Border Collie and Dalmatians are usually black and white fur. Dalmatians are tall and slender white dog with black spots, while Border Collie is breed to herd with black and white fur. Naturally, the Oreo which is my favorite cookie can be pretty dog names for the breed. The Oreo are two black crispy cookies with white cream in the middle.

Brown is the next popular color for dogs. Brown foods are Brownie, Biscuit, Muffin, Cupcake, and Chocolate. Apparently, it is just an adorable name. Brownie is chocolate cake which is top with chocolate glazed and crushed nuts. Muffin and Cupcake is also dog names meaning cake. It is in smaller portions in a small and thin paper cups. Chocolate which is one of favorite comfort food and snacks are confections from cacao.

White is another popular color for dogs. Many dogs are just plain white. The suggestions are sugar and marshmallow. Sugar is a sweetener which is derived from sugar cane. On the other hand, the marshmallow is a soft and spongy confection. It is usually white. Marshmallow is perfect for white Poodle, and Pomeranian

The attribute of food may resemble the dog. For example, the wrinkle of ginger skin may resemble the face of a Mastiff dog breed. Hence, some dogs are called Ginger. The drumstick may look similar of a short fur dog. For example, the back legs of a puppy are small and cute. The leg is almost the size of a chicken drumstick.

Dogs may have favorite food. For example, dog may like biscuits, cookie, and muffin. Since the dog likes the food so much, we may call the dog Biscuits, Cookie, or Muffin.

Food is one of the great places to find inspiration for dog names. Food may have cute attribute that reminds us of our dog. It may be the taste, smell, color, texture, history, and origin. It is all fun.

Cute Dog Breeds

Dachshunds can be seen as well socialized pets and can easily adapt to a loving home. This cute dog and other similar breeds usually look good in dresses, vests and skirts. Sweaters not only make them smart looking but also protect them from cold weather. They can usually blend with other pets, but again, without the proper discipline from their master, they can get depressed, temperamental and can bite easily. At times, they do not want to be handled. It is best to get an advice about caring for your pets from someone who is experienced. Just like pigs, many dogs give birth to several puppies in one pregnancy. The result is overpopulation of puppies and if no one would like to share their home to them then it leads to abandonment.

The nose and the nails of black dachshunds are black; for chocolate brown and other dog colors, they are dark brown. Dachshunds bark loud and even if they are small they are good watch dogs with a powerful bark. This breed has a habit of digging dirt and they can be a little aggressive to strangers.

Wirehair dachshund's eyes are almond-shaped, big and with dark rims. Their ears are set on top of their head, quite round and slightly long. Their eyes are dark red, brown or black which are shaped like an egg and always has a friendly expression. The color of an American dachshund has darker spots and they may vary depending on their locations. There are dark spots in black dogs and tan dapples and chocolate marks in tan dogs. Wirehair miniature dachshunds are more likely to be livelier. Smaller dachshunds are more timid than the standard breed.

Another cute dog breed is Chihuahua. It is the tiniest dog breed in the world and they have a long and rich history. It was discovered in Chihuahua Mexico nearby Texas and New Mexico and it is where the name Chihuahua came from. It originated from the early Techichi owned by the Toltec near Mexico City. In 1904, the breed was included in the American Kennel Club. It was officially described by this Club to have the qualities of a terrier like being alert, agile and having a good bearing.

The old Chihuahua was bigger than the new breed. One cannot find the same temperaments in Chihuahuas. They have their own distinct personalities and some can be very hot tempered, arrogant and may have the traits of a terrier. This dog needs a lot of petting and affection. They are loyal pets to their owners who also take extra care of them because of their very small size. Chihuahua catches the eye of everyone who sees it and it gives the owner great pride and joy for having such a cute and cuddly companion.

American Eskimo Dogs

I know that you find American Eskimo dog so irresistibly cute with all those fluffy hairs and stuffs. And he can be a real charmer too, American Eskimo dogs are naturally very friendly, playful and devoted, which no doubt you'll find a very pleasing trait for an incredibly cute dog. But, do you know all there is to know about American Eskimo dogs?

American Eskimo dogs originate from arctic regions, accounting much for its fluffy fur. A member of the Spitz dog family, American Eskimo dogs resembles in temperament much like Siberian husky and the malamute in its playfulness nature but possesses more intelligence and thus high train ability than its arctic cousins. American Eskimo dogs are also very friendly, pack oriented that is devoted to every family member and suspicious to strangers. For that they make excellent family guard dogs, barking to announce strangers but won't attack.

These traits make American Eskimo dogs highly suited as companion dogs. Their friendly temperament compounded with their high train ability factor makes them highly prized dogs as family pets. And because they are exceedingly cute, and provides a reason for taking care of (the hair requires substantial brushing) they are top notch choices for first time owners, even children, providing companionship or functioning as therapy dogs.

American Eskimo dogs, like most dogs of the polar region require a degree of exercise or playing, especially when pups where they tend to be so playful with exhaustible energy. And the transition from pups to full grown dogs tend to be slow, so the burden of constant outdoor activities tend to be a burden for some. But this aspect could be a beneficial factor, giving an individual reason enough to sport on their runners and sweats.

The amount of hair on American Eskimo dogs can be a problem. It requires cleaning for one. Though normally American Eskimo dogs are adapted to colder climates thus having a lesser pronation to "doggy sweat" smell, they will still stink enough with dirt easily adhering to their coats. The fur underneath their eyes can stain too, with tear stain if not clean regularly. The routine to keep a clean American Eskimo dogs is therefore a shampoo once a week interspersed with coat brushing.

With regards to tick and fleas, the amount of hair on American Eskimo dogs can be a problem too. Their long hair means a bigger habitable environment for fleas, so an anti flea shampoo should be routinely used aside from regular shampoos the dog may use.

Lastly, with white fluffy hair, red lapping tongue, a few other dogs can be as cute as an American Eskimo dog at play. And playing is what they like best. So make sure if you're bringing home an American Eskimo dog, you're ready to spend some quality park time with him.

Dogs Are Gods Of Frolic

Dogs are amongst the most amazing creatures because they give unconditional love. Dogs love their masters and the masters reciprocate by providing them with all the things of comfort they can afford. Dog supplies are important and useful things for keeping your dog healthy and happy, and include items for dog grooming and maintaining good dog health. Canine or dog supplies can be classified into several sub categories, including dog training supplies, dog grooming supplies, and even more specialist items like hunting dog supplies.

Dog Grooming:

Dogs are gods of frolic. Undertaking thorough dog grooming is like having a permanent job requiring lots of patience, yet packed with exercise and the general fun of bringing up a dog and ensuring it lives a long and carefree life. Dog grooming is an important practice which should not be underestimated - a practice which ensures good dog health and hygiene and should also help to eliminate most dog health problems.

Dog grooming is in fact a somewhat intense program of dog health care that covers the entire life span a dog. Puppy care, canine health care, giving a hygiene bath, washing, combing, brushing, checking ears, paws, teeth and underside, nail trimming, removing dog fleas and insects, and fixing regular meetings with a professional veterinary are all important activities that a dog owner should undertake. A dog's masters should follow a schedule of regular grooming sessions.

Puppy care is a very important practice that requires a lot of diligence and patience. Like children, puppies require some extra special attention. A puppy needs to be handled with extreme care, and should be groomed properly, fed carefully and well, and bedded properly.

Dog Grooming Supply:

Good dog grooming supplies are required to help undertake the important activities of dog grooming and care. A dog supply may include a dog house, dog furniture, dog carriers, dog beds (and designer dog beds), dog toys, dog collars and leashes, dog bath tub, dog soaps, dog perfumes, dog odor removers and mouth fresheners, dog clothes, designer dog clothes, dog t-shirts, dog jewelry, dog food, dog tonics & supplements and dog medication.

Dog Beds:

A dog bed is a bed designed especially for the sleeping comfort of a dog. It should be the snug retreat to where it retires to take sweet dreams at the end of a long and active day. Good dog beds play a very important part in keeping your dog in good health. An improper sleep may very much affect the health of a dog, thus dog masters should be very careful when buying dog pet beds. Dog beds and dog bedding include a dog bed mattress, dog bed sheets, dog bed cover, dog bed cushions, dog pillows, dog blankets and dog quilts or duvets.

Dog beds are available in numerous designs and sizes including luxury dog pet beds, large dog beds, wicker dog bed, leather dog beds, top quality dog beds, orthopedic dog beds etc. There are a number of designer dog pet beds available. Dog beds can also be purchased online, as there are many dog pet bed manufacturers now selling their dog beds through their websites.

"Perhaps the dog is the only animal that has seen its god, as a man is a dog's idea of what God should be."

Purebred Dog Breeding Today

The breeding of purebred dogs today has become very complex and even in many breeds of dogs there are many different breeding lines that produce different type and traits of dogs within the same breed of dog. This has come about due to breeders personel likes and dislikes of a certain types, sizes or colors but every breeder of purebred dogs needs to remember that breed of dog breed standard. Does your dog have its true breed characteristics? Does your dog appear to look like what its breed books say it should look like? Does it compare to picture of of dogs of its breed of old or of famous dogs bred in its breed? Finally does it have the true temperment for the breed you own? Last but not least is your dog of sound healthy breeding lines?

These are all question any breeder or some one thinking of breeding dog should ask themself before they undertake the job of breeding any litter of puppies in any breed of dog. If you can answer all the questions above and you have done at leat some research in your breed of dog and the bloodlines you are working with and do know what traits your bloodline has, what the sire and dam look like, the grandsire and granddam and further back great sires and dams in your dogs pedigree. The next thing on your mind should be what are you trying to improve on and what are you trying to keep in your breed of dog.

There are three main breeding methods of breeding dogs or purebreds, line breeding, out crossing and inbreeding. There are many good books out there on breeding of dogs and I am not trying to rewirte any of them in this writing, rather I am trying to get you as a breeder of dogs to think, read and questions what you doing and wear you going with your breeding program. I will discuss shortly the three ways of breeding purebred dogs as to only lay fourth a guide to breeding better dogs and keeping some type of constant format to produce dogs that closely look like each other, have the same traits, temperments and are sound healthy dogs. Lets us simply discuss them shortly and see if I can get you thinking and looking at the way you are breeding your dogs.

Lets talk out cross breeding - This type of breeding is seen a lot in dog breeding were none related dogs who are bred out none related stock are bred together and in your dogs pedigree. This type of breeding will not produce good dogs of the same type, quality and soundness. Breeding dogs this way only leads to many uncertain factors and can bring in many things a breeder is unaware of or even make it impossiable to pin point were a trait or problem have come from. Out cross breedings should be done by very experienced breeders only looking to correct a fault or make a certain improvement in there dogs and than the breeder must be sure the dog or bitch they are using carries this trait themself and the line they were bred down from does carry this trait or improvement for at least the last three generations in there line or pedigree for it to have any effect on result in making the desire changes, after this these dogs from the out cross are usually bred back into the main breeding line. Out cross breeding should not be done by new breeders or new comers to any breed and out cross breeding is no way to start a breeding program when trying to produce constant type, temperment and soundness in your dogs. Even long time breeders have made mistakes when out crossing and it is the fastest way to change type, temperment and soundness in any breeding program in any breed of dog. I allways recommend you to educate yourself, know your breed of dog, do some generation research and at leat learn basic genetic knowledge or do some reading before you begin to bred any breed of dog. Also seek the help of other sucessful breeders in your breed of dog that have been around awhile, most good breeders are willing to help and give advice to all novice dog breeders and new comers.

Lets talk about Line Breeding - Line breeding is the breeding of related dogs bred down from a certain breeding line of dogs. Many breeders think line breeding is close breeding of related dogs and it should be avoided. Nothing is farther from the truth. Good line breeding will produce your best dogs who will in return produce even better dogs if done right. Line breeding will give you much higher constant results producing dogs of the same type, size, quality, traits and temperments. That is if the breeder is starting out with everything being good and the line there breeding back into is good with all things they want in there breed of dog. Line breeding will quickly show a breeder just how good the line of dogs they are working with is but line breeding will also show the breeder any faults or problems they may have in there breeding program. There are many formulas for line breeding and these are discuss in many good books on dog breeding, there are differnt degree's of line breeding as well. So it is not my attenion to go inot all these formulas here. However two which have proven very sucessufl to me over the years are when you breed a grand dauther to her dams sire, (i.e. grandsire) this does require some advanced planning and does require both dogs to be of very high quality with all the good traits you want and within there breeds standard. Half borther and half sister breeding with a out cross line in the middle of there pedigree has also proven very good results if the dogs used are of very good quality, sound and have great temperments. Line breeding does require knowledge and research. Its is allways recommended that you due this before any breeding of dogs. Line breeding in most cases will produce you better and higher quality of dogs in any breed as long as you are starting out with very good bred stock of the breed of dog you are trying to breed. Line breeding has been proven by many top breeders and top kennels around the world as one of the best ways to produce better dogs.

Lets talk about Inbreeding - Inbreeding is the very close breeding of line bred stock to each other. Example of this are litter brother to litter sister, Sire to daughter, or mother to son, etc. This type of breeding should never be done by most. Some very expereienced breeders may on occasion pull a inbreeding to set in a trait or type but than the breeding of these dogs down from this point must be used carefully and within the aims for which they were bred for. Inbreeding is only for very knowledgeable long time breeders to even under take as this type of breeding will truely intact the good traits as well as bring out any bad traits or problem to a very high degree. Inbreeding has however produce some very great top quality dogs who have in return produce other very high quality dogs however many inbreedings due results in breeders have to put down many puppies also and it is not for the weak at heart. Inbreeding is not a recommended form of breeding dogs expect in certain very experience breeders programs, usually done one time only for that one purpose.

The breeding of purebred dogs should not be taken lightly, and every breeder should always try to gain as much knowledge as they can on there breed of dog, its type, breed standard, soundness and health not for getting its true temperment. Keeping this in mind and do your reseach as a dog breeder it will insure that you breed better and healthy dogs for many years to come. After all breeding prue bred dogs is a true art form and breeding better dogs should always be you goal. Don't purchase you next dog from just anyone, seek out a good breeder of that breed of dog you want who has been around and breeding for a while. You will be much happier with your puppy purchase and so will your puppy and dog be happier and healthy for many more years to come. Today most good breeder also offer health guarantee's on puppies they sell and good breeders stand behind there dogs because they know what has gone into producing them.

Do you reseach, read about your breed, talk to breeders, you will be glad you did!

About the Author - Ed Strand is the breeder of the world famous line of the Guardstock Staffordshire Bull Terriers, he has been involed with breeding them for over 30 years. Guardstock Staffords has produce the very first BIS All Breed Winner in Staffordshire Bull Terrier History Champion Guardstock's Red Atom, who is one of the all time winning Staffordshire Bull Terriers, as well as many other top winning Staffordshire Bull Terriers through out the years. Ed and wife Donna have been involed with American Bulldogs for almost ten years now and breeding them since 2000. Ed and Donna also have a love for the Austalian Shepherd breed in which they have been involed in and breeding for over five years now.

How To Train Your Dog

One of the few things that dog owners or prospective dog owners think about is whether or not they will need to train their dog. Although training a dog is not absolutely essential unless your dog has a particular problem, a small amount of training to remove bad habits and set boundaries for your dog should be considered. In addition to this, a well trained dog will feel much more secure in your home when it knows its boundaries. Even in the wild, a dog will have some sort of enforced boundaries of behavior by the pack structure and hierarchy that exists. At the end of the day, your dog is part of your 'pack'.

A very important point to note about dog training is that any form of training should be approached from the perspective of 'positive reinforcement'. This simply means that you should reward your dog with praise, a treat or even better, both for any positive behavior that she exhibits. Success will come quickly to anybody who praises a dog for good behavior. The same cannot be said for somebody who punishes a dog for NOT exhibiting good behavior.

For example - If you ask your dog to sit and she does, you give her a treat. In the dogs mind sitting when told equals treat. Simple.

Now what if you tell the dog to sit and she doesn't, and then you punish her? In the dogs mind you have just dished out a random punishment for nothing. This will only serve to confuse your dog and lead her to mistrust you.

Positive reinforcement is the key.

One of the most common mistakes that dog owners make is to inadvertently train their dog....... into bad habits. Typical examples include barking, face licking, jumping up. Let's look at each of these.

Barking - Most dogs' bark, that's a fact. It's WHEN a dog barks that determines whether it's normal behavior or a bad habit. If your dog only barks when somebody comes to the door - fine. This is normal territorial behavior. Your dog is warning you - as a member of its pack - that there's potential danger at the door.

If your dog spends the best part of its waking life barking at just about anything including you, then it's formed into a bad habit - but one that is easy to cure.

The first mistake that people make is to shout "Quiet" or "Shut up" at their barking dog. The main reason why this will not work is simple. Your dog barks, then you 'bark'. From your perspective you are shouting at your dog to shut up. From your dogs' perspective, you are barking along and enjoying the noise.

A more effective method is to wait for a pause in your dogs barking then heap lots of praise and a treat upon your dog. As soon as the barking starts again, ignore your dog, walk off - anything but DO NOT pay your dog any attention. Then, when the barking stops its treat time again. It won't be long before your dog puts two and two together.

Face Licking - Face licking is an overthrow from your dog's puppy days. Face licking is a way for a puppy to get its mother to regurgitate food for them. You will often see this in the wild. Also wild dogs will lick the face of a higher member of the pack to express and accept their submissive status in the pack. Unfortunately, because you and your family members are higher in the pack, you get the licks!

At first sight face licking is not a problem but should still be avoided due to health concerns. Never let a dog lick a baby or toddlers face. This is likely to expose the infant to germs that its immune system may not be able to handle. Similarly if your dog has worms or has been investigating other dogs' faeces or even grooming itself, the last thing you want is for your dog to come and lick your face. Try and discourage this behavior using positive reinforcement.

When your dog approaches your face firmly - but not shouting - say "No!" If the dog doesn't back off push her away from your face. When the dog first responds to the "No" phrase, it's time for a treat. Keep this up consistently, and the dog will realize face licking is unacceptable.

Jumping Up - Jumping up may not seem such a bad habit, but if there are young children about it can be quite dangerous. Your dog will not know that jumping on you is o.k. but jumping on the children isn't. This will just confuse the dog. Try to discourage this behavior by telling the dog "Down!" every time she jumps up. Give her a treat when she first responds and every time after until you just need to use the words.

There are lots of simple ways that you can train your dog. These are just a few. There's no need to tolerate bad habits in your dog as they can be so easily remedied. Oh, and never pay heed to the phrase "You can't teach on old dog new tricks", you can - it's never too late.

Walking Your Dog

One of the most common issues when walking a dog on a lead is the pulling the dog does. Sometimes it may feel like your dog is taking you for a walk and you aren't too far of the truth. It makes for one of the most unenjoyable experiences and often it can cause people to stop walking there dog or limit the number of walks they do. It can lead to great stress in the dog owner and can lead to a feeling of immense frustration. The good news is that people do train there dogs to walk beside them and any dog can be trained to walk properly on the lead.

Scenario

Time to take the dog for a walk.

We get up from our chair perhaps saying to the dog "walk time", the dog responds by getting up and coming to life. We head to the bedroom putting on a coat or changing into more appropriate clothing for the walk. During this time we may make more eye contact with our dog and talk to it which leads it to bounce around and often this makes us happy because our dog is happy and can't wait to go for a walk. So we only encourage this more and more cause we want our dogs to be happy. Usually the next thing is we start to head towards the door and if you come down stairs or walk down a hallway you will find your dog runs towards the door before you can even get there. We may at this time tell our dog to slow down or calm down.

As we draw closer to the front door the dog may start to bark and spin around in circles in excitement. At this point we may get our dog to sit, even though it maybe shaking in excitement. We put the lead on our dog and pretty much as soon as the dog hears the click of the lead it stands up and heads straight at the door. It's about this time that we start to get angrier and our first out-burst maybe here, where we yell at our dog and command it to sit. We open the door and as soon as it opens our dog leaps outside dragging us with them. This makes us even angrier so we pull the dog back to us and attempt to shut the door and maybe we yell out to someone inside that we're are taking the dog for a walk. We start to head towards the road and all the way our dog is pulling us like a freight train, they may start to sniff a bush then mark it, giving us a little relief before they rocket to the next spot to mark or sniff.

It can be quite embarrassing especially when people start to stare at us and watch as our dog drags us down the street. It's around this time we may either loose it and yell at our dog or just accept that this is what our dog wants on its walk. Often on the walk we can hear the dog choking on the lead which makes us attempt to reason with the dog by telling it to wait or stop, when all this fails we let out more lead which allows it temporary relief before it charges ahead and continues to choke itself. The only way we stop the choking is by walking at its pace. By the time we get home the dog has slowed down and perhaps it may not be pulling much on the lead. That is till we reach our home. When we approach the door our dog starts to again pull at the lead and drag us to the front door.

We then open the door and our dog charges in and we look exhausted and find the walk is not enjoyable, rather it's a chore. From here we start to associate walks with negative thoughts and thus we start to become less incline to take our dog for a walk. It seems hopeless and all the tips our relatives and friends give us just don't work well or only discourage us. So being a proactive person we start to look around for information on how to walk your dog properly. After Googleing "how to stop your dog pulling on a lead" we have found this article. Or maybe you found this other ways - it's not important. What's important is that this issue is very common and with some simple tips and consistent training your dog will be walking properly on a lead.

Your Walk begins before you go for a walk:

Dogs learn from being rewarded. The behaviour of our dog is a direct reflection of how we reward our dog for certain behaviours. If your dog jumps around in excitement it's because you have rewarded this behaviour. A reward can be as simple as talking to your dog, touching your dog or even eye contact. It's important to know a reward is not just a chocolate drop; it comes in many forms and often is associated with body language. Also, hugely important, is that the training of a dog doesn't stop. There is no such thing as "training time" and then the rest of the time with your dog. You can teach a dog to sit and stay however once this stops your dog will still be learning - especially how to behave in different situations. Just like how kids don't stop learning when they come home from school.

Our energy is often another large part of how a dog behaves. If you get up and jump around all excited your dog will mimics this energy. If you get up with no heighten energy, no eye contact with your dog, nothing said, your dog will most likely get up and walk around slowly (especially if your dog follows you around the house everywhere).

How on earth does all this relate to walking your dog properly? Well the walk begins as soon as you get up from your chair. In the scenario above when we got up from our chair to go for a walk we said to our dog "walk time" which alerted our dog to heightened its energy and thus it got excited. Often we have trained our dog to react a certain way to words or body language by accident and its these triggers which cause our dogs to react like nutters sometime.

So first thing, if you are about to go for a walk totally ignore your dog and don't let on you are even doing anything. Don't make any eye contact, say nothing and try to keep a well balanced energy. Often it maybe good to visualise a reason you are going for a walk, perhaps rather than taking your dog for a walk your are walking to the local Dairy to grab a bottle of milk and your dog is following you. Remember that when you are going for a walk, you aren't walking your dog. Rather you are going for a walk and your dog gets to come with you. This is very important because without this going through our head we may do subtle things the dog picks up on which make it think it can lead you on this walk. If your dog is pulling on your lead, it means it's leading you.

So when your get ready for your walk, totally ignore your dog, give it no triggers to make it heighten its energy. Your dog's energy should not be heightened, if it is then you need to sit down and restart this over again until your dog doesn't react to you. There is no point continuing the walk if you leave the house with a dog which has heightened energy.

The front door is usually a place where your dog will have high energy (it's a trigger) so don't take your dog to the front door to put the lead on. You should put your lead on the dog away from the door, in another room. When you put the lead on make sure that the dog doesn't just take off, nor should it get excited. You should be ignoring your dog and simply place the lead on it. The dog should not even notice it has a lead on. If it does get excited when you place the lead on then you should lower the dog's energy by taking the lead off and sitting back down. Again you should never take a dog with heightened energy for a walk. Putting the lead on is an important part because this is like the front door and often is a high energy trigger. The reason why we make sure that our dog's energy is low before we move to the next step is because the dog will take this heighten energy onto the next steps and all you will be doing is training your dog to have high energy when you take it for a walk. What we are doing here is training your dog to have low energy at each phase of the walk.

Your next step is to have the dog on the lead next to you. Make sure the lead is short and you must lead your dog to the door. Don't let your dog rush the door and don't let it get in front of you. You should have full control of the dog. If you find it's pulling on the lead or getting uncontrollable you should take it back into the room you came from, lower its energy by making it sit and wait. Once its energy is lower then take it to the door again. Keep repeating this step till you can take the dog to the front door without it pulling or tugging on you.

Make it sit and wait at the door. The next part often will cause your dog to try and leap out the door. This again is a sign that your dog wants to lead the walk or is to excited for a walk. So make sure it is sitting and is calm, if you find your dog is crying you can stop it by using a command sound like "sssssssst". If you use a word like "stop" or "wait" you may put emotion into it which only punishes a dog as it only hears the sound of the word, they don't understand the word. Open the door. If the dog leaps out, shut the door and take the dog back into the previous room. Make it sit and wait till its calm. Again take the dog to the door and open it. Sit it there with the open door for about 10 seconds to give it time to get use to the outside smells and environment. You should exit the door and your dog should follow you. Once you are outside make your dog sit and shut the door. Another issue that can happen at this stage is that your dog may follow you however it may jump out the door and try to rush outside. If it does this then repeat walking through the door again until it stops doing this.

Now for the next stage. If you have a fenced property then grab a ball take your dog off the lead and throw the ball around for about 15 or so minutes - until your dog is almost drained of all its energy. Let them have a drink of water and then place the lead back onto your dog. Now your dog is ready to go for a walk. Why do we do this? They will be a lot easier to control since there energy will be low. Why go through all the stuff inside your home to lower your dog's energy? Because your dog needs to learn leaving your home with a low energy.

Make sure your dog is on a very short lead and keep them beside you. The short lead means you have control of them and they will not choke themselves. Focus on a visualisation like heading towards the dairy and getting your milk. Your dog should be beside you and you must now ignore your dog. If it tries to pull sideways you need to counter this with a short tug back towards you. Don't drag your dog, the tug should be very short and quick. This unbalances your dog and snaps it out of wanting to sniff the bushes. If you drag a dog you could injure it and possibly yourself. In a short time you should be able to pick up when your dog is about to be wayward and a simple small tug on the lead should correct it.

You need to lead this walk so you need to be confident on your walk, ignore your dog and just head towards your destination. With your dog at a lower energy they should be easier to control and with a short lead they should never get in front of you. If they do start to attempt to pull ahead of you do a quick tug and use the "sssssssssst" command to get them back to your speed. Don't let your dog take over your walk. One of the most common mistakes is using a lead that is to long and letting your dog get a head of you - then you have no control at all and your dog will do what it wants. Your dog also doesn't need to sniff every bush on your walk; this is just a territorial behaviour and should be discouraged. If you keep your dog beside you and it doesn't get away from you within a short time they will get use to this and should make walking a lot more easier.

The next very important part of a walk is when you come home. When you enter your front door your dog must be in a calm state and not excited. If we let them enter the home excited then next time we go for a walk they will carry this excitement with them. So make them sit and make sure you enter your home first. You should take them into the living area behind you in a calm state, take the lead of them and just walk away. Also make sure no one else in the home makes any fuss of the dog as this can lead to your dog thinking it's the leader of the home. Which is found in another article: Are you the pack leader? Often it's good to feed a dog after its done some activity as feeding will also cause your dog to go to sleep which is the natural dog cycle: Exercise > Discipline > Food > Sleep.

To make this work well you need to be consistent. You cannot go back to the old way of taking your dog for a walk.

Tips:

•Ignore your dog before you go for a walk
•Only go for a walk when you dog is in a calm state
•If your dog gets excited before a walk don't take them for a walk till they calm down
•Spend a good 15mins tiring them out with a ball before the walk
•To teach your dog to walk beside you, you need to have a short lead and walk them beside you the whole walk
•Visualise there is a reason you are going for a walk, for instance you are picking up some milk from the dairy and your dog gets to come.
•To control a dog on a lead do not drag your dog, use short tugs and also the "sssssssssst" command
•Keep your energy level low and consistent, never heighten your energy because your dog will only heighten there's.
•Walk at your pace not your dogs
•Take control of your walk, have a strong assertive posture
•Ignore your dog during your walk, don't give them to much attention, don't talk to them

Aggressive Dog Training - Expert Advice

Almost everyone loves dogs. People like to run, throw a stick, play fetch and pass time with dogs. We enjoy sitting on the sofa and scratching the dog's back. People like to receive a big kiss when they get home from work. The one time when this isn't the case is when you have an aggressive dog. In this instance, aggressive dog training will be required.

If you have an aggressive dog, you can face legal problems. Different states handle this problem in different ways. Dog owners can end up in jail. If your dog attacks and injures someone, the dog could be put down. You can curb the aggression in your dog through aggressive dog training.

First you need to understand what makes a dog aggressive. It could be the dog is territorial and doesn't want their space compromised. Or it could be they feel threatened by something or somebody nearby. The root cause of aggression is often found to be a lack of security. The dog may often have little or no confidence. Dog obedience training on a simple level won't help with these dogs.

Perhaps the dog barks and lunges at people. This may imply it needs thorough aggressive dog training. This demands a special skill and you should select your trainer carefully, or if you choose to train the dog yourself you should consider using a training guide specifically suited for aggressive dog training. You want to put your worries to rest. Normal training classes won't be right for an aggressive dog. You want a school that knows how to handle aggressive dogs.

There are some basic facts about aggressive dogs that people should know:

90% of dog bites happen to those who are familiar with the dog

Most biting dogs can be called family pets

60% to 70% of bites happen to children or to elderly people

40% of bites to children cause damage to facial tissue (lips, cheek etc.)

1/2 of the claims created on homeowners insurance come from bites claims

Aggressiveness in dogs is caused by a number of different things that all can be tracked to poor breeding or poor socializing

Dogs don't get to be monsters in one day. Most dogs display some kind of warning signs. Maybe it was timid when it was younger or maybe it became a bully after growling at different people who came to close to its toys and food. You can't blame the owner for missing these early alerts. It's hard enough to teach a puppy to pee outside. Still, that pet owner must take some responsibility for the dog's aggressive nature.

There's a variety of aggressions dog's can display. These include:

Dominant Aggression

Territorial Aggression

Fear Aggression

A dog is showing dominant aggression when it does things like snap at people fingers if they get too close to a toy or a food bowl. The dog may grow up to be one that is aggressive to people in the family as well as strangers. The dog may try to gain control of the entire home.

Keep in mind that dogs are pack animals. This has been bred into them since time began. They demand a pack order. They will develop a pack by which they can live. They learn to think of their owner as the pack leader. This is why they take commands better from the man of the house.

To get control of the dog, it's a good idea to switch him to the bottom of the pack. Control every aspect of his life and you can succeed in this mission. Feed him only after the owner eats. Never let him sleep on the owner's bed. If motivation is used in training, it must have corrections for failure to learn. Only allow the dog to play with toys the owner provides. The dog can't play with the toys until the owner hands them over.

Dogs that are territorial often believe the yard, house, or car belongs to them. This form of aggression can be considered one of dominance. Some dogs seem to think they need to let people know who owns what. Usually, a territorial dog is simply going to guard the estate from strangers.

When someone owns a guard dog, they want it to be territorial. A dog that barks and even bites is a good thing. Still, these people don't want the dog to actually attack anyone. No one wants to lock their dog in the basement when guests come for dinner.

Once again it is necessary to show the owner is the pack leader to contend with this type of dog. The pack leader is the one that tells other dogs what part of the territory belongs to them. The owner can't allow the dog to think of the back yard as his own back yard. The dog should simply wait for the owner to be present and ready to give attention.

Fear based aggression is what happens when the dog wants to avoid all people and strange places. The dog understands that showing its teeth to a stranger will mean the stranger will back away and not bother them. The dog may manifest fear by trying to bite people it doesn't recognize the minute the stranger turns his back on the dog. Dogs that bite in this situation often bite the rear. This presents less threat than an attack from the front. This is why it is said a dog that bites from fear is a dog with troubled nerves that has learned a response.

Fear biters are dogs that are born shy. This is why they act like they do. They are the result of some poor breeding. Some people believe they were abused at an early age. It's the bad temperament they were born with that causes the trouble.

Once you realize you have an aggressive dog, you can work with it by creating situations where training will help build a feeling of confidence and security for the dog. It might be a good idea to try to meet a friend when you take the dog for walk. Reward the dog with a treat if he behaves nicely.

If the dog is shy, it's good to try and socialize him. Be careful when you get your dog around older dogs. It's a good idea to protect your dog from dogs that may not treat him well. Again, having the dog meet your friends might be helpful.

A dog that is socialized and that has gone through some basic training will create a lot less of a problem. The owner needs to pursue education on the training of aggressive dogs, so he can find the right kind of help. Any owner can learn to help his dog become a friendlier, more loving pet. It takes patience and practice. If the owner is dedicated to make life good for the dog, he can't lose.

If you are having trouble with properly implementing a plan for aggressive dog training or are facing any of the problems mentioned throughout this article, I suggest you consider using a dog training guide to help you train your dog. A wide range of dog training books exist, many of which are not worth the paper they are written on. If you want a quality dog training book I recommend you check out "Secrets to Dog Training" or "Dog Training Secrets". Thousands of dog owners worldwide have used these books to get great results.

What Kind of Dog To Adopt

Thinking of adopting a dog?

This can be a very exciting time! It can be a very emotional experience to fall in love with a dog and want to take them home. Although there are a lot of factors to consider as to what kind of dog is best for you to adopt. As a dog trainer I've come across a lot of problem behavior in dogs due to owners not being aware of how important it is to meet their dogs needs. The amount of exercise a dog needs is usually one of the most important needs that often do NOT get met properly. If a dogs needs are met, you will have a great companion full of love for you. If you don't meet your dogs needs you will run into problem behavior that can be a nightmare. This article will help you to truly understand what a dogs needs will be so you can pick the right match for a successful life together!

Dogs live 10-15 years or more and adopting a dog is a long-term commitment that you should take very seriously. There is a reason why there are so many homeless dogs and it is usually because the owner and dog were mismatched and not because there is something wrong with the dog. Owners often do not realize how much effort is required to having a pet dog and are not meeting their dogs needs so behavior problems may arise. Millions of dogs are killed in Shelters every year. Bringing a dog into your home is a very big decision that should be carefully weighed out.

It is important to understand what a dog may need and to see if you can offer those things to that dog, every day for the next 10-15 years.

What kind of breed should you get? Should you adopt a puppy or adult dog? Where should you get the dog?

Just like people, dogs have individual personalities. Some dogs are highly energetic, while others are more calm and passive, some dogs are very social, and others not. So if you have your heart set on a particular breed for example, you still need to search within that breed and find the dog that best matches your lifestyle. Also, think about the option of finding a mixed breed with at least one of the breeds you may like.

But before you even consider what breed of dog, you should first examine your life a little to discover what kind of dog would best "match" you. Think of it a little like dating. If you are someone who loves the outdoors and is very athletic, then you'd probably do best dating someone that also enjoyed these same activities. If you are someone who likes to stay home and don't really like to walk very much then you wouldn't want a dog that is considered high energy and needs a lot of extra exercise.

In this sense dogs are like people, they all differ in personality and needs. Some dogs are more high energy and those dogs need to be matched with someone who plans to bring them out a lot; running, hiking, dog sports, long walks, etc. Others may want a mellower dog as a companion, who is content with hanging out with you all day and doesn't require as much exercise as a high-energy dog.

Adopting an adult dog has a lot of benefits over adopting a puppy because you already know what type of personality the dog has and if it matches yours. Plus, puppies require a lot more work with housetraining, chewing and you'll lose sleep at night caring for their needs; while adult dogs have already gone through all those difficult puppy phases. There are a lot of places to find adult dogs needing homes. You can contact your local animal shelter, or search for dog rescue organizations in your area online. There are rescue organizations for purebred dogs as well. Although adopting a mixed breed also has a lot of health benefits because they tend to get the best of their mix of breed genetics without the health problems many purebred dogs suffer from.

How old are the household members in your family?

If you have children under 8 then you will not want to get a puppy under 6 months of age because puppies have sharp teeth and claws that can cause injury. You also would not want to get a small, toy size dog because these dogs are so small they can be very fragile and sustain injury easily. So with small children you are better off getting an adult dog that is medium to large in size. Dogs over age two can be ideal because they have already gone through the difficult puppy and adolescence stages.

If you have elderly or physically challenged people in the household you would not want to get a large, young, energetic dog that could knock them over and sustain injury.

What needs does a dog have?

I feel it is important to talk about what actually goes into having a dog and its care. Of course it is easy to understand the benefits of having a dog and what they will bring to your life because they are a never-ending source of love without judgment. But, in order to have a good life with your dog you really need to know what you are getting into and what your responsibility is going to be. There would be a lot less dogs going to shelters if everyone understood what it actually takes to raise a dog successfully.

Dogs cannot be left alone outside in the backyard all day without attention and exercise. It simply doesn't work. If you are going to be gone all day for work as many are, you'll need to set aside an hour or so to take care of them both before you leave and after you get home. It is important to understand that you'll need to exercise them BEFORE going to work and also after returning home. If you do not meet your dogs energy needs YOU WILL have behavioral problems such as: excessive barking, uncontrollable jumping on you, separation anxiety, destruction of your property, and possibly aggression among many other possibilities.

Here is a list of responsibilities you will have as a dog owner:

You have to walk them twice a day for about 30-45 minutes each. High-energy dogs will need more, and Senior Dogs may need less. If you work all day, you'll need to wake up about an hour earlier to get the walk in as well as feed them before you go as well as repeat it after you return home.
Lots of time with you and the family every day.
Feed them twice a day and always have fresh water available.
Dog Training. Dogs that are well trained are happier and more bonded with their owners. They also get to spend more time with their owners because they are well behaved.
Clean up their poop, both in your yard and on walks.
Adult dogs will have to do a Veterinarian exam at least annually, as well as be up-to-date on all their vaccinations. Puppies will require several more trips to the Vet the first year for additional vaccinations as well as spaying/neutering. Contact your local Vet to learn about cost, etc.
Puppies require a tremendous more amount of time and money their first year. You'll also have to housetrain them which requires a lot of extra time on your part then an adult dog would.
A well-maintained fence at least 6-feet tall if you plan to have them off-leash in the backyard at all.
Brush them/bathe them/grooming/nail cutting/ear cleaning.
Flea/tick care.
Extra expense. There is a lot of expense in having a dog. You need to consider: Veterinarian costs, food, supplies (leash, collar, id tags, bedding), toys, chew bones, flea care, bathing, grooming, travel expenses or dog sitting expenses while you are away, medical care should they become ill, etc.
Dog Hair. If you plan to have your dog inside, which is encouraged so that they feel more a part of the family and tend to have less behavioral issues than those left alone outside; you'll have to deal with dog hair. Dog hair has a way of finding itself on everything and will require more cleaning on your part.
Arranging for care of your dog while you are away on trips. Dogs cannot be left alone overnight.
Oral care for your dog. Veterinarians are recommending teeth brushing and cleanings.


Extra Things to think about if you have children.

Do not expect that the children will take over all the dog-care, no matter how much they say they will. They may be able to assist you, but as the parent, YOU will have the responsibility.
Access your energy level. It can be a lot of work keeping up with children and adding a dog means you have one more responsibility.
Supervise your young children around the dog at all times. (Children can be unpredictable and do things like pull tails or whiskers and cause the dog to feel threatened.) You should not leave your child with the dog unattended, and you will have to teach them how to be gentle and what areas are off limits to touch.
If your children are very young, say under 8, it can be better to adopt an older, medium to larger size dog rather than a puppy, because puppies have sharp milk teeth and claws that can scratch easily. Puppies and small/toy dogs can also be fragile and injured more easily.
Also consider your child's friends that may be coming over and you will also have to supervise them around the dog.

Some things to consider before adopting your dog.

Your energy levels vs. the dogs energy needs.
How much time will the dog be left alone daily? Do you travel a lot?
Do you have enough money to cover the dogs regular expenses as well as extra should they become ill?
Do you have the time and money needed to put into training your dog?
Do you have other pets at home that the new dog will need to get along with?
Do you have small children or physically challenged individuals living at home that you'll need to supervise the dog with?

If you believe you are ready to give a good home to a dog then there are a lot of resources out there to help. www.petfinder.com is a great online resource that you can type in what kind of dog you are looking for it will list the dogs available in your area. If you are looking for a particular breed there are great dog rescue groups that specialize in the breed you want. Just do an online search; typing in the type of breed you want with the words "rescue" behind it and the largest city near you. For example: Labrador Retriever Rescue San Francisco. Your local animal shelter should also be a great resource for you. There are a lot of great adoptable dogs there waiting for a good home. Whatever resource you use to adopt your dog, you should make sure that you provide them with the information that is realistic to your lifestyle and needs. A good shelter or rescue organization knows their dogs well and will be able to match a dog to your needs.

Do not get a dog based on how they look! And, Do Not adopt a dog because you feel sorry for it. You need to adopt a dog based on their personality matching yours. You need to go into the matching process knowing your lifestyle and needs and looking for a dog that will match those needs.

I hope this guide can help you make the right choice for you when deciding to adopt a dog. When a dogs needs are met they can be a truly wonderful companion for many years to come.

Bringing Home a Second Dog

Bringing a second dog home requires a lot of thought. It means a complete change in your "normal" family routine. It matters not whether the new dog is a puppy or an adult.

There are many things to consider before you bring the new pet home.

It is not just a matter of bringing the new dog home and you all will live happily ever after (though that can be a remote possibility.)

You need to take time to think this new undertaking through and mull over these questions:
Are you living on a tight budget? A second dog will require annual vet visits, will need food, toys, perhaps a new crate and possible training classes.

A second dog requires "time." Do you have extra time to play, for walks, time to groom your pet, time for feeding, training and extra clean up?

Does your current dog have any behavioral problems? A
new dog might not be able to teach your old dog to stop misbehaving. You could end up with two dogs each with bad behaviors, making matters worse.

Do you have the patience to adhere to "dog pack' rules? Even though you are the LEADER, two dogs are a pack and one or the other will become the second leader. If it's the new dog, can you adjust to following the rules? The leader dog gets to be "first" in all things and you cannot change that. Trying to change what is natural dog behavior will cause conflict and "big trouble."

Are you prepared for the resident dog to start misbehaving, such as using the house as a potty place, chewing things and just being destructive in general? The newcomer may upset your pet.

Is your current dog friendly with other dogs and people? If your resident dog is a "bully," your chances of finding a "friend" for him/her are slim. Training classes for your current dog maybe the answer before you plunge into getting another dog.

How is the stress level in your household? Have you moved, added a new family member or has anything else happened to upset the normal routine of the household? Dogs stress out during changes in their routine. Times of stress are not a good time to bring home a new dog.

Are you happy with your dog right now? A second dog could bring changes in your dog's personality. The two dogs could really bond
and might prefer being together, ignoring you, except for food and treats. Are you ready to accept that?

Read these questions a few times and answer them truthfully. Being truthful will help eliminate you making a mistake.

Some dogs really don't want a "companion," they are as happy as a clam being the "only dog."

The real question here is "is it you that wants a new dog?"

Once you have made up your mind and truly feel that another dog will be an added benefit to your household. There are a few more things to consider such as: puppy, young adult or an older dog. That will depend on your resident dog.

Puppies are probably easier to introduce to your current dog, as a puppy doesn't appear as an intruder, only as a pest.

If you decide on a puppy, please keep this in mind. Puppies do not realize they are supposed to behave in a certain way until they are about 4 months old.

Until they are old enough to know all this "dog stuff," it will be up to you to protect the puppy from the older dog and protect the older dog from the puppy.

The puppy will drive the older dog crazy at times. Puppies want to play; older dogs will play for a little while then want to stop.

It is up to you to give your older pet, free time away from "fluff and stuff."

Do not under any circumstances leave the puppy and older dog alone without supervision.

Always put the puppy in its crate or put your resident dog in a safe room if you are leaving the house or cannot supervise.

The older dog could unintentionally injure the puppy, if the puppy pesters the older dog too much.

Adding a young adult dog or an older dog to your household requires a lot more tact along with patience and planning. You are going to need help with this one.

Step number one; the dogs will have to meet on neutral ground. To do this you will need help of a friend or a relative (not a member of your household.)

The dogs need to meet in a place your dog has never been, that will be the neutral territory. It can be a park, a neighbor's yard, or if all else fails a parking lot.

Both dogs need to be on a leash and introduced casually. Allow them to do all the "doggy things," such as smelling each other, their stance may be rigid, but for the first meeting that is okay. However, if you hear growling or see lip curling, calmly move them apart.

Remain calm and do not be nervous, talk to the dogs in a "happy voice."

After a few minutes try to introduce them again, but do not let them get too close together.

If the growling and lip curling happens again it is a good bet that these two will not ever be friends.

Whatever you do, do not try to force a friendship. You will only be looking for a great deal of trouble when you get them home.

Dogs will fight and if they do not like each other, it can be disastrous for you and the dogs.

In looking for a new dog (not a puppy) try to find a dog whose personality matches that of your dog. If your dog is outgoing and friendly, find one that is equally so. If your dog is quiet and gentle, do not bring home a dog that is very active and playful, the match more than likely will not work.

Female dogs that have been the only dog in the house seem to have a harder time adjusting to a new "friend."

Dogs that have been socialized and get along well with other dogs have an easier time relating to a new dog in the household.

One of the first rules in raising a puppy is "socialize, socialize and socialize" some more. If you have followed that rule, adding a new dog should be easier.

Once the introductions have been made and it is time to bring the two dogs home a good suggestion is "do not bring them home together" in the same car. Let the person who helped you with the introduction bring the new dog home.

It is a suggested procedure that when you have both dogs at home you keep their leashes on them. It will be easier for you to keep control if you need to by having a leash to grab on to.

If the new dog is close in age to your resident dog there is bound to be a bit of aggression going on.

You now have a "pack," it will be necessary for the two dogs to decide which one is going to be second in charge (you are the real leader) and this decision may take some haggling.

Acceptable aggressive behavior should last for a few seconds (10 --20 seconds) and may consist of some growling, lip curling, snarling, snapping and possibly pinning one of the dogs down by the neck.

Unacceptable aggressive behavior would be biting to draw blood or any of the above behaviors that last more than a few seconds.

One of the dogs may exhibit submissive behavior and this is to be expected also. Barking like a puppy, rolling over on its back, tail between its legs, running away from the other dog are all acceptable submissive behaviors.

It may take the dogs a week or two to settle on who is the leader and while that is going on DO NOT let them alone together unsupervised.

Put the dogs in separate areas or in their crates, do not let them be together until you are certain they have settled their ranking and will get along.

The hardest thing for you will be following their decision especially if your first dog is no longer the "number one."

The important thing here is that you abide by their decision no matter how hard it will be for you.

The number one dog gets the first treats, is first out the door, is first to be fed and so on.

Speaking of feeding, give each dog their own bowls and their own eating spot, do not let one steal food from the other.

Expect your first dog to go through some stress and probably some misbehavior patterns as this new addition will be upsetting to it and the dog will need to adjust.

It is up to you to expect these problems and act accordingly. Remember your dog did not ask for a new friend. It was your idea. As the old saying goes "you made your bed now lie in it."

It may take a month or more for a routine to establish and peace to rein supreme once again in your household. If you keep the dogs apart when you are not home to supervise and you make the time they spend together "fun" they will soon become friends, maybe not "best friends," but close enough to enjoy being together.

Do not forget that you are the LEADER, the boss supreme, and you run the show, and both dogs need to follow your orders first.

Do not beat, hit or otherwise use force to make a point, be patient, stern if necessary and most of all CONSISTENT in what you are asking of the dogs.

One last point: exercise is the secret to keeping your dogs too tired to argue with each other. Exercise relieves their stress (and maybe yours. too) and tired dogs behave better.

Good luck and remember to have FUN.