Archive for April, 2019

• 5 Things You Need for Small Dog Breeds

  Big things come in small packages they say!

  Small dog breeds are no exception. They are full of personality and refuse to be underestimated. When you commit to buying a dog that’s in the small dog breeds family, there are some things you should know that will be essential to raising happy and healthy little pups. We’ve got a list for that. Keep reading to learn more.

  Potty Pads

  Small dog breeds, especially those under 10 pounds, sometimes have a hard time holding their bladder. It’s best to invest in puppy potty pads. Of course, we advise that you train your pup, but having designated potty pads in certain areas of your home will encourage your pup to go there for elimination and save your carpet!

  Doggy Toothpaste and Toothbrushes

  There’s something about small dog breeds that make them more susceptible to dental disease. We recommend that you purchase toothpaste and brushes and use them at least twice a week. As with any dog, it’s important, but smaller dogs really need extra dental attention.

  Small Crate

  Purchasing a crate for small dog breeds is a great idea. Not only does it give them a comfy and cozy place to relax but it will also encourage housebreaking.

  Small Dog Breeds Food

  This is very important. It is vital that you purchase and feed your small pup food that is appropriate for his age and for his weight. We can’t stress this enough. You must feed your small dog breeds food that is healthy and nutritional. There are no exceptions.

  Dog Leash and Collar

  Okay, we know that part of the reason you were probably attracted to small dog breeds is that they’re small and portable and aren’t in the way – understood! We must, however, say that their size doesn’t negate their necessity to be protected by wearing a collar or harness and being on a leash. For starters, it helps in training them, both housebreaking and with commands and secondly, they help you keep track of your dog’s location. When you purchase your collar or harness, make sure that you get the proper size – one that’s not too large or snug.

  Whether they’re large or small, we love them all! We want you to be armed with the knowledge to care for your dogs in the best way possible. For more questions, give us a call!

• Understanding the Different Types of Dogs

  There are many different types of dog breeds and consequently, there are a lot of different definitions that get thrown out there.

  here are purebred dogs and designer dogs and mutts…oh my! While there are various definitions, they actually mean the same darn thing. The difference lies in the negative and positive connotations surrounding them. We’re going to discuss the various types.

  Defining Purebred Dogs

  To begin with just a basic understanding of dog breeds, we’ll start with purebred dogs. These are dogs who typically have official registration papers and those papers always denote the lineage, i.e. both parents were registered and are the same breed. The term purebred dog only reflects lineage. It doesn’t speak to the quality of the actual dog.

  Defining Designer Dogs

  Another name for designer dogs is mixed breed and these are relatively newer terms and seemingly more politically correct. In essence, designer dogs and mixed breed dogs and mutts are the same. Mutt simply has a negative connotation attached to it. All of these terms mean that the dog’s parents were not registered and that both parents are not the same breed. The coat types, shapes, and sizes will vary tremendously.

  Going a bit further, designer dogs refer to the intentional mixing of breeds. You’ll also see them sometimes called hybrid dogs. Designer dogs are created by intentionally combining existing breeds to form new ones. Take for instance the Goldendoodle. This is the intentional mix of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle! Some say this is the perfect combination because both dogs are extremely friendly, active, healthy, and intelligent.

  Defining Hybrid Dogs

  As we mentioned earlier, this term will be mixed with designer dogs and mixed breeds and mutts, but hybrid dogs are slightly different. A true hybrid is a dog that has been crossed with a wild animal, like wolves and coyotes. Normally these mixes are not intentional and occur in the wild. These dogs are not recommended as pets and in many places, they’re against the law to own one.

  As you can tell, there are tons of different dog breeds and types. It’s important that you conduct research if you’re looking to buy a dog. If you need help making a selection, feel free to contact us!

• 5 Common Mistakes Pet Owners Make

  No pet owner is perfect!

  We know that it doesn’t matter if you have purebred puppies or designer dogs, mistakes are going to happen. We’ve compiled a list of five common mistakes that pet owners make, unbeknownst to them. Hopefully, this will help thwart any future errors for current or future pet parents.

  Mistake #1: Not following through with commands.

  Some people believe that purebred puppies follow commands better and are easier to train. It doesn’t matter if they are purebred puppies or hybrid dogs, the competency of their training is up to pet parent and consistency. When teaching commands, you must always follow through with them. For example, only say “come” when you can be happy and lure your pet with a treat. Eventually, your dog will learn to respond to the command alone.

  Mistake #2: Asking a friend or family member to watch your dog.

  There’s nothing wrong with asking a friend or family member to watch your purebred puppies, however, you must make sure that you ask someone who is familiar with your dog and dogs in general. Unexpected health conditions or accidents can happen and you want to make sure that the person caring for your precious pup is mentally and physically equipped to do so.

  Mistake #3: Expecting your pet to automatically make friends.

  Some dogs are immediately comfortable with other animals but many are not. There is a story of a pet owner who had a dog that would cower and roll over upon entering a dog park because of fear. The same pet owner had another dog who entered the park upright and with confidence! It must be said that the latter dog was small and the former was large! Our point is that you shouldn’t expect your dog to simply “make friends” instantly. Never force an interaction and let things happen as naturally and smoothly as possible.

  Mistake #4: Forgetting to register your microchip.

  Microchipping your dog is only half the battle and unfortunately, many owners don’t realize or simply forget that you have to also register the microchip with your name and current contact information in order for it to work! If for some reason one of your purebred puppies is lost, if you’re not registered it will be hard to reconnect you with your dog!

  Mistake #5: Leaving your dog in a hot car “for just a minute.”

  We feel it necessary to mention this tragic mistake. Every year, dogs suffer and die when their owners make the mistake of leaving them in a hot car “for just a minute.” A minute is all it can take to make a fatal turn. Just don’t do it…ever.

• Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

  As pet lovers, we can’t get enough of them!

  Just about everything they do is adorable, that includes watching dogs sleep. When dogs that don’t shed a lot are cuddling in the bed beside you, it can be such a joy but who would think this would be controversial! You’ve read that right. In the dog community, there’s a debate regarding whether dogs should or shouldn’t sleep in the bed with their owners! We’re not advocating one way or the other. We are simply sharing our knowledge to you. Not all pet owners create separate spaces, especially for dogs that don’t shed a lot. They’ll find themselves anywhere in the home they’d’ like! Continue reading to learn more about this not-so-sleepy subject!

  Should You Or Shouldn’t You Allow Dogs To Sleep With You?
  

  There’s an undeniable fact and it’s that dogs genuinely love to be near us. It feels natural to them and sharing a bed makes most dogs (and people) feel secure, loved, and cozy! There have been numerous scientific researches conducted that revealed owning a dog has tremendous positive psychological and emotional effects. Stress is lowered and general feelings of happiness are increased exponentially. So it’s no wonder that the extra security of being close to their owner will also reduce the stress some dogs may experience, whether it be from a storm or other loud noises outside. The close proximity makes them feel safe.

  As we indicated earlier, we aren’t advocating one way or the other but there seem to be benefits that both parties experience. Pet owners who don’t have dogs that don’t shed a lot may shy away from allowing a dog in the bed, but plenty of other owners don’t mind one bit and welcome the bonding experience. Having a dog as a bed buddy can be awesome and comforting as long as everyone is happy with the arrangement, no one falls off the bed and space is shared equally! We kid around, but you get our point! It’s a personal choice and there is no right or wrong decision.

• Three Training Myths and Tips

  When you buy a dog, you’ll learn that training your puppy correctly is one of the best ways to produce a well-rounded adult dog.

  This is why we want to share some tips for training your puppy. There are a lot of misconceptions out there about how to properly train, socialize, and care for puppies so we’re going to shed some light and debunk them!

  Training Myth #1: Socialization and exposure are the same, so my puppy should meet 100 people in 100 days.
  

  When you hear the term socialization, you should know its definition in the puppy world. It’s the positive and gradual, yet systematic exposure of your puppy to the world. When you buy a dog, this exposure is part of the joy of having a pet! Your puppy will learn all sorts of new things. This is not the same as taking your puppy along with you to the mall or to a music festival. Formulas that have been floating around such as “100 new people in 100 days” have good intentions but it really depends on the dog. Some shy puppies may not take well to this overexposure and the socialization will backfire. It’s not enough to just expose your puppy to new things – you’ve got to make it positive.

  Training Myth #2: My puppy likes my dog at home so he’s socialized.
  

  It’s true that overexposure can be a big problem, but the same can be said for underexposure. It’s a common myth about puppy socialization. Well-meaning pet parents want to protect their dogs from other dogs, whether its fear of diseases or a general protective fear – puppies don’t learn anything productive from this de-socialization. Just because your puppy is friendly and confident at home with your family or your pets, doesn’t mean your puppy is socialized. You’ve got to teach your puppy that there are great things and people outside of your home, too.

  Training Myth #3: Crates are cruel.
  

  Ah, the great crate debate! How often have you read or even heard that crates are bad for dogs? Well, we’re here to tell you that it’s false! As long as your dog is not left alone for an inhumane number of hours, the crate will be your friend. It’s one of the main items recommended when you buy a dog. They are an indispensable tool for potty training young puppies. It also provides a sense of security for dogs who have comfy crates. They’ll retreat and relax in there, which is ideal. Crate training is a process, and you’ll have to put in some work to get your dog comfortable, but the benefits of the hard work pay off.