photo credit: Bob Owen

The variety of dog species is so great that sometimes it’s better not to think of them all as part of the same species at all. Biologists do because they can interbreed. Dog owners have different purposes, so it can be better to emphasize the differences over the similarities.

A Jack Russell terrier looks, thinks and behaves much differently from a Great Dane. The latter are generally very calm. A Golden Retriever is a very different animal than a Collie. Golden Retrievers are fun loving, but excitable. A German Shepherd and a Chihuahua have little more in common than the name ‘dog’.

As a result of these differences, training should be tailored to the breed you’re attempting to train. Patience is required for training all dogs, but more is required for some than for others. German Shepherds are intelligent and take to obedience commands readily and with pleasure. Jack Russell’s are also very smart, but much more willful and will require a different technique.

With terriers, for example, distraction techniques are very handy. Terriers are high energy, highly active dogs. They have evolved to spot movement in an instant and go after the animal producing it. Keeping them focused is a real challenge, so make sure at all times that their eyes are on you. Use treats, toys or other objects and wiggle them to see that the terrier’s eyes are on you.

Collies are equally trainable, but much more mellow. They’re extremely loyal and protective, which is great. But it presents its own kind of challenges. A collie will spontaneously bark and chase any stranger who appears to threaten the family. That can be desirable for a watch dog guarding the house at night. But it can be annoying if carried out every time a child walks by along the sidewalk during the afternoon.

Bark collars are sometimes necessary under these circumstances, but remove the collar when the sun goes down. That way the dog may only associate the discouragement with daylight and still continue to function as a watch dog when it counts.

Dalmatians make for excellent companions, but they are ultra-energetic and very strong. That can be a troublesome combination for one that spends all its time in a small backyard with no one to play with. If you plan on owning one of these excellent dogs, be prepared to spend time working off some of that excess vitality.

Dalmatians need a large area so they can run at top speed – the only speed they know. They’ll work best with someone who can toss a ball far away, and has the presence to command them. They can be extremely loyal, but they need a strong hand. Being the alpha dog when faced with a Dalmatian requires a forceful owner.

Tailor your training regimen to the actual nature of your dog, including both those aspects derived from the breed and the unique characteristics of your specific dog. Just like humans, dogs are individuals.

photo credit: DaveFayram

When you decide to adopt a dog, there are many options to choose from. You can find dogs for sale from the classifieds section in the newspaper, or from a dog breeder who is selling on the internet or even from your local pet store. But clearly the best idea would be to adopt one from one of those numerous animal care centers.

By adopting a dog, one can add a new relation to your life. As most of the animals in the shelter are stray dogs, adopting a dog naturally means that one more animal is taken off the streets. You can also save the life of the animal by adopting it. Most people will recommend the idea of adopting an animal just for the sake of these very reasons though there are a lot of other reasons as well that would strengthen the idea of adoption. A dog from a shelter would most probably been given the required dosage of all vaccines and in addition adopting a dog from a shelter means that the shelter would be able to take in a dog that would require care.

You can also take confidence that a dog from an animal shelter would have been given complete checkups for any medical ailments and also given proper treatment and vaccination as well. It is a much safer option than getting a dog from some donor who is giving them away for free.

Not all the dogs taken up by an animal shelter are stray dogs. Shelters also take in dogs from owners who do not wish to maintain a dog anymore. From such owners, the shelters are able to collect proper details about the dog with regard to its nature and specific behavior. While the information given by the owner may vary depending on the true nature of information given by the owner, in most cases it proves to be pretty much accurate.

The presence of animal shelters in any town or city is a blessing to the town itself as it is these animal shelters that keep these animals off the streets and breed them to be tame and healthy animals. Most animal shelters are private initiatives by individuals and hence run on very stringent budgets. They hence are not able to take up widespread work and are limited to a certain number of animals. They can provide service to more animals only under the condition that animals which are in good health are taken off their hands by people who are interested in adopting a dog. They also have the option of Euthanasia which is not preferred and is taken as a last measure when there are no other options for the dog’s survival. It would be best if everyone who wishes to get a new dog adopts one from an animal shelter and give the dog a chance to live.

Abhishek is an avid dog lover and he has got some great Dog Health Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 80 Page Ebook, “How To Take Care Of Your Dog’s Health” from his website http://www.Dog-Tale.com/192/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

My precious Adopted Shorty

About a year and a half ago, I think about that, my husband and I adopted Shorty, a 3 year old Black Lab.  I wanted to change her name, but, my hubby liked it.  She is a petite size for her breed.  Shorty lived with an elderly lady, who passed away, the family that inherited her did not want her, so they did not look after her.

Shorty was hit by a car, badly hurt she was.  A vet did a botched up job of fixing her up.  And, when she got very badly ill, the family brought her to the humane society.  The vet at the humane society fixed her up, really, really well.  She was like new.  I have a feeling she got attacked by one of the bigger dogs there (she was there for a year I think).  She had one of those cones on, because a neck wound was just healing.

My husband who had advanced MS came with me to the pound.  They brought Shorty out, she laid her head on his lap, he was in a wheel chair, and that’s that.  They instantly adopted each other.

Shorty got along excellently with my Golden, Nikki.  But, she freaked every time another dog came into “her space”.  However, I learned from Cesar Millan…don’t make her stay in her past.  That is finished. My husband and I became pack leaders.

LITTLE by LITTLE her demeanor changed.  Then, my husband died, and Shorty was all mine.  Well, even though I did not feel strong, I decided to go and totally socialize my little vixen.  And, it worked!!!  Now two years later, I can let her loose in dog parks, and this week, I am doggy sitting a big golden lab, and, they are in harmony together.  How cool is that?

My point though.  It takes continuous work, and patience, and teaching, and yes, a lot of learning.  Please, if you own a “Shorty” don’t give up.  Miracles happen even 2 years later…and your little vixen will turn into an angel.  Really!

While the thought of becoming a dog owner is a very exciting notion, it is also one that requires commitment and responsibility. Choosing a dog is an important decision, and there are questions you should ask yourself before you commit to caring for a dog. Read on to learn a few tips that will help you choose the best dog to compliment your family, as well as ways you can help your furry addition make a smooth settlement in your home.

You must bear in mind that when you take in a dog, you are taking upon yourself the responsibility of caring for a real creature—one that thinks, feels, and loves. Make sure that you or other family members are willing to take the time to train your dog (if he isn’t already trained) and offer attention/companionship and discipline. If you’ve sorted out the particulars on that front, then the next question you should ask yourself is this: what traits do I want my dog to have? Dogs vary depending on the way they were raised and the quality of life they have had, but there are particular traits that show up in certain breeds of dog. Do you want an intelligent dog (ie: easy to train)? Do you want a dog that is good with children? Are you looking for a low-energy lap dog or a beefy high-energy dog that can keep up with your active lifestyle? These are all questions you should ask yourself to help you search for the best breed of dog.

Your lifestyle will have a huge impact upon what kind of dog is best for you, so you should really give this a lot of thought. If you have kids, research the breeds that are best known for making good family pets. German Shepherds, most any breed of Spaniel, Golden and Labrador Retrievers, and Beagles are a few breeds that are famous for their way with children. I’ve always had the best results by doing research based on a breed’s temperament. Some of the best dogs I’ve ever had were of breeds I had done thorough research of prior to bringing home. This is a great way to prepare yourself for anything that might crop up, including stubbornness (harder to train!), proneness to certain medical issues, and exercise requirements. So remember, do lots of research among different breeds of dog  before making your decision.

Once you’ve decided on a dog, try letting every member of the family meet him before you bring him home. This is a great way for your new dog to get comfortable with you while he is still in the comfort of familiar surroundings. When it’s time to bring the dog home, ask his breeder or the shelter if they have a blanket, toy, or other familiar item that your dog can bring with him. If it’s a puppy, try to obtain an item that smells like his mother or the rest of his litter. This can be a HUGE help when you’re trying to settle the little guy in his new home. Let your dog roam around the house on his own for a bit (but keep an eye on him if he isn’t potty trained!). It’s perfectly natural for a dog to want to explore new territory and scents, and it will be less stressful for him if you aren’t hovering over his back all the time.

A great way to get your dog to settle a little quicker is to entertain him with activities. Playing with him and letting him accompany you around the house while you do chores are excellent ways to involve him in family life. Also, you might consider getting a set of pet stairs and train him to use them. It doesn’t take long to teach a dog to use the steps, but the time you spend training him will encourage a bond of trust and companionship between the two of you, and this is crucial to turning your new dog into a good pet.

If you’d like to read more about caring for dogs or purchasing dog stairs, visit HelpYourPets.com.

photo credit: Marianne Perdomo

Greyhounds are excellent animal athletes. As they race and perform throughout their professional careers, they usually race until they are between 1.5 and 4 years old. During this time, they become adjusted to being walked and lead on a leash, so upon retirement from their professional careers, they make gentle pets!

As a retired athlete, they are intelligent, quiet, calm, clean, gentle, and generally good-natured and ready to adapt to a new home life. They respond well to positive attention and reinforcement and so they are a joy to train and work with for the new homes they become a part of.

They love attention and although they do want exercise, they do not need as much space to run as many might think. Inside the house, they like to curl up in a corner on a soft rug. They are quiet creatures and perfectly well behaved inside a home and around people.

Greyhounds spend most of their lives with other dogs, trainers, and handlers, so they are very sociable breed and get along well with others. Their temperament makes them an wonderful breed to be around kids. Their intelligence and dedication make them an perfect companion. And since they are well mannered, they are well behaved around company and in public.

There is certainly a local Greyhound Pets of America association near you. So think about adopting a former Greyhound athlete. For more details, check out the Tucson greyhound dog track. Different chapters have different expectations and fees, but each will welcome you to come visit and learn more about whether a Greyhound might be right for you!

Please help by volunteering your time. Most local chapters need volunteers to help with funding, vet appointments, and even just shopping for doggie supplies. Of course, financial donations are also valuable, but your time and love is needed most!