Though we don’t need a reason to buy our puppy a gift, holidays and birthdays give us a good excuse. And since your furry friends come in different sizes and breeds and ages, there are a ton of choices that make excellent gifts for your pet. From doggie clothes to doggie treats to doggie toys shopping for your puppy can be a lot of fun!

1. Goody Box For Your Furry Friend

Fill your birthday goody box with morsels and jerky and doggy breath mints. These boxes are designed for your dog according to their age and weight and can be ordered online. You can’t go wrong with these edible treats full of soft and chewy goodies. These goodie boxes can also include a heated pet bed. When this package arrives, your dog will be jumping for joy!

2. Doggie Clothes

Browse through the many styles of doggie clothes by shopping with your dog. You can touch and feel the texture of the clothing and decide which outfit is best for your pet. Don’t forget the accessories and booties designed just for your pet. Small and large boutiques make browsing for unique doggie clothes a charming adventure. Your favorite doggie clothes designers have a unique set of doggie clothes waiting for you and your furry friend. If you want the convenience of online shopping, feel free to browse and order at home just in time for the holiday parties.

3. Doggie Toys

When it comes to toys, there are many choices. The variety of doggie toys range from the quiet and chewy kind to the loud and durable one. Your selection of toys all depends on the personality of your dog. Sushi chewable toys work well for puppies and Frisbees work well for all dogs, it helps to keep your pet active, it’s fun and helps sustain their life.

We would all love to say we have all the time we need to take care of ourselves and our dog. But the truth is, your life gets busy and there are days and weeks when you can barely take care of yourself, not to mention your pet. A doggie daycare or boarding facility is the perfect place for your pet during these times. This daycare option could be the ideal choice to make sure your pet has all of its needs met. Here are a few tips on doggie daycares that may be the perfect answer for you and your puppy’s needs.

1. Information Required 

To keep the daycares safe, your dog needs to have all of his required vaccinations up to date. These vaccinations include rabies and distemper, and your dog must pass a temperament test. If your dog is over six months old, they must be spayed or neutered. It is a good idea to visit with your dog and see how your dog reacts to the environment.

2. What Doggie Day Cares Provide

Early drop off hours, in case you need to get to work for that crucial meeting. Doggie daycares provide exercise, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and lots of companionship. You can provide your dog’s food to the daycare,  so his diet is familiar to him. Dogs get ample playtime or time to lounge around. Nap times are welcome, and lots of treats are provided, and staff of dog lovers always surround your dog with plenty of love. Doggie daycares can be the ultimate place for your dog to spend the day.

3. Other Benefits of Doggie Day Cares

You are welcome to use the pet webcams to watch your pet while you are away; it may make you feel more at ease. Dog grooming is available if you have not had the time to get your pet groomed. Doggie daycares don’t need a lot of notice, so sign up online, pack up your puppy, and head to the nearest doggie daycare so your puppy can have some fun!

The holidays may mean travel time for you and your family, and that may not include your pet. It is not difficult to find a sitter, simply prepare in advance and give yourself time to find the perfect dog sitter for your furry friend. It’s easy to set up your dog sitting experience, so it’s a carefree and successful experience. Pets are easy to care for and just want to be loved. Whether your dog sitter is a perfect stranger or your well known next-door neighbor, there are a few things you can do to set your pet and his dog sitter up for success.

1. Meet With Your Potential Pet Sitter 

When it comes to finding the right person to care for your pet while you are out of town, it’s essential to choose the person that blends well with your pet. Set up a meeting with your sitter and narrow down the candidate. Once you have narrowed your choice to one or two candidates, set up a time when you, the candidate, and your pet can spend some time together. Go on a walk and observe the interaction between your pet and the potential dog sitter.

2. Supplies, Supplies, Supplies

With the right amount of supplies, your dog sitter can focus on caring for your pet. Make a list of dog food and other supplies your pet will need based on the time you will be out of town. Always buy extra supplies in case your trip is unexpectedly extended. Your list should include dog food, an extra collar and leash, gates, dog bed, treats, your pet’s favorite toy, and any special items such as medicine your pet may need.

3. Important Emergency Information 

Post a list of emergency numbers your sitter can easily access. This list should include the nearest veterinarian or emergency pet hospital, your neighbor or relative, and any alternative number where you can be reached.   

Now relax and enjoy the holidays, knowing you have chosen the right dog sitter, and your puppy is well taken care of.

1. Nutrition         

A Good Quality Feeding Program literally shines out from your dog. Always check that your dog’s daily food is rich in protein (chicken, turkey, beef or lamb). When you check the brand ingredients on the food label protein should be the first on the list. Make sure that the food has a low quantity of grains and preservatives.

Add Omega 3 Fatty Acids to Your Dog’s Diet To Make Your Dog’s Coat Shine. Add a little oily fish or a supplement to nourish the skin cells and improve dryness or itchy patches. Omega 3 has anti-inflammatory properties that help if your dog has allergies or other skin conditions.

It is important to only add small quantities of oily fish to start with because it can cause diarrhea.

Examples of oily fish:

• Mackerel
• Salmon
• Herring
• Sardines
• Flaxseeds and Cod liver oil is also a great source of Omega 3 Fatty Acid.

2. Daily Grooming

Brushing your dog every day will not only stop the coat from getting matted or tangled, but it will also give the coat a great shine. Use good quality grooming tools specific to the breed and type of coat. If your dog has a long coat use a de-shedding tool to remove all the loose, damaged fur. Check for ticks and fleas so that they can be treated straight away. Look out for abnormalities when you groom your dog. If you spot lumps, rashes and sores on the skin, consult your vet for early diagnosis.

3. Bathing

If you want to achieve a shiny dog coat you may need to bathe your dog less frequently. The reason is that bathing strips the coat of essential oils needed to keep the coat looking healthy. Try to restrict regular baths to just one per month and use good quality dog shampoo and conditioners which are made from natural products. Make sure you rinse the fur really well after bathing. Any residue will leave the coat dull and lifeless. If your dog has itchy skin or allergies an oatmeal bath will soothe the skin and add shine to the coat. Add a final rinse of alcohol-free beer to the fur, leave for five minutes then rinse thoroughly to get the coat to really shine.

Crate training is not complex, but if you have never crate trained you might have mixed feelings about using the crate. It’s important to remember that crate training isn’t cruel, it’s actually a great way to create healthy boundaries for you and your pup. Here are a few tips to make crate training simple.

1. Not Making it Comfortable

You want your dog to have positive associations with the crate. Step 1 in that goal is to make sure that the crate is comfortable for your dog. Make sure the crate is large enough so that your dog can stand up and turn around. Make it homey with a comfy bed and whatever else your pooch digs.

2. Giving In and Letting Out

This can be critical. You know the drill. Your dog starts that pathetic little whimper and gives you that look. You know, that look.

Anyway, you just can’t resist and you just give in and let your dog out of the crate. The problem is that your dog learns that whimpering and whining will eventually get her out. Stay strong!

3. Not Feeding in the Crate

Dogs love food. The easiest way to create positive vibes around the crate is to feed your puppy in the crate. It also establishes a good routine. By not feeding in the crate, you are missing out on the most powerful positive association.

4. Forcing Your Dog Into the Crate

Don’t force your dog into the crate. Use your brain to figure out a way to get your doggy in without force. Or just steal these ideas: use food or a toy.

5. Crating Your Dog for Too Long

Crating a dog is not a long term option. By long term, I mean that you shouldn’t crate your dog for 8 hours straight while you are at work. 

If you’re thinking of buying a Siberian Husky then you need to think long and hard about what exactly you’re getting into. The Husky is unlike the majority of dog breeds and you would be setting yourself up for failure if you don’t have the facts beforehand. This is not a breed for an owner who doesn’t know what they are doing and if owning dogs was a computer game, the Siberian Husky level would be ‘advanced’! There are many positives however to living with a Husky, here a few.

1) The Husky is Very Playful

Don’t think that their playful nature will end as soon as they stop being a puppy. Actually, I don’t think they ever stop being a puppy, at least mentally! The Siberian Husky has a lot of energy and there’s simply no way you will be able to use that up during your daily walks. The only way for you to achieve that would be to practically live outside and let them pull you around on a sled all day! As most of us need to go to work to pay for boring things like houses and education, unfortunately, we have to do the next best thing – which is to play with them inside.

2) The Husky Loves Exercise and Being Outside

The outside world is the Siberian Husky’s natural habitat and they are at their happiest when running around outside. The Husky needs a lot of exercises and unless you are in a position to be able to provide this then they probably aren’t the breed of dog for you! They will need to be exercised at least twice a day and for a good hour of solid exercise each time. Without enough exercise, your Husky could become anxious which can lead to a destructive personality, and you won’t want that!

3) The Husky Is Very Affectionate

Many owners are surprised by how affectionate the Siberian Husky actually is. The Husky will want to spend all of its time in your company. Well, let me re-phrase that. Whilst you’re inside they will want to spend all of their time in your company. When you venture outside they will try and escape whatever restrictions they are being put under and run away. However, that’s another subject.

Winter is just around the corner and sadly, that means it’s our responsibility to ensure that no pets are left out in the cold.  This article will discuss the reasons that we do not recommend keeping any pets outdoors in the winter months.

Whether your dog spends 10 minutes or 10 hours outside, there are things that you need to take into consideration. Before you plan any outside time for Fido, you need to think about the temperature outside, the weather conditions and whether or not your dog is physically able to spend long periods of time outdoors in these conditions.

If your canine companion is a senior, a small or teacup breed, hairless or has a very thin coat or they have a medical condition that makes them more susceptible to the cold, they should not be outdoors any more than necessary. The cold temperatures force the body to work harder to stay warm and can take a toll on your dog’s circulatory and immune system. Elderly, young, or immune-compromised dogs are particularly at risk for developing an illness as a result of exposure to the cold.

Frigid temps can cause dogs to act in desperation 

Dogs are living, sentient beings and it is not beyond them to do anything it takes to survive. Out of desperation to seek out warmth and companionship, keeping dogs outside in winter may cause them to break out of their yard and hurt themselves or others. Avoid this happening by treating your dog as a member of the family and keeping them indoors!

Unhappy Dogs Will Vocalize

Have you ever heard that “annoying” barking dog in the neighborhood? That’s what happens when a dog becomes bored, lonely, or in need. Leaving your dog outside in winter will result in your dog becoming one of those “annoying dogs” too. Your dog will vocalize for exercise and stimulation, but they will also vocalize because they are uncomfortable and cold and because they are LONELY! Keep your dog indoors with you and stop that nuisance barking that’s driving your neighbor’s crazy.

It is Possible for Your Dog to Freeze to Death

Keeping dogs outside in winter can lead to frostbite and hypothermia, but more importantly, they can freeze to death. Depending on if your dog has access to a well-insulated shelter and just how cold it is outdoors, and whether your dress up the pup in proper dog winter clothes, most dogs can freeze to death in minutes without protection.

Indoor dog games are a great way to keep your pup mentally stimulated, physically active and happy in the winter.

Not all dogs love the winter. It’s cold, icy and can be challenging to walk in.  It’s so important to keep our dogs mentally and physically active especially in the wintertime when they’re stuck inside.  Fortunately, there are many creative indoor dog games to try this winter.

1. Monkey In the Middle

Monkey in the middle is a simple game that will help your dog burn energy. Grab your dog’s favorite toy and toss it back and forth between you and your partner, while your pup stands in the middle. Your dog will have fun running between the two of you trying to catch the toy. Every once in a while, let your dog capture the toy to avoid discouragement. For an added challenge, place a small hurdle between you and your partner so that your dog jumps over the obstacle while running back and forth.

2. Hide and Seek

This is one of the best indoor dog games to play.  It’s the perfect indoor activity because it exercises your dog’s body and mind while strengthening the bond between the two of you. First, tell your dog to “sit” and “stay.” Runaway and quickly hide somewhere easy like behind a chair or sofa. You can have someone hold your dog while you hide in the beginning until they are able to stay on their own. Next, call your dog’s name or give a command like “OK!” Once your dog finds you, celebrate your dog’s accomplishment by giving them praise, a delightful head scratch or some yummy treats. Increase the difficulty of your hiding spot over time. Natural instincts will kick in, and he will begin using his nose to find you. The challenge for you will be trying to refrain from laughing when your dog catches your scent!

3. Have a doggy play date

If it’s too cold to play outside, then bring the party indoors! Have your dog’s favorite pals come over for some good old fashioned playtime. Have extra water and healthy treats on hand.

The Goldendoodle was first bred in the late 1960s, though the breed did not become popular until the 1990s. This cross between a Golden Retriever and Standard Poodle was an attempt to create a service dog that would be suitable for people with allergies. The amazing combination created a curly or wavy coated, long-legged, golden-colored dog with a good temperament, and, generally speaking, doesn’t shed or give off dander- which is the biggest cause of allergies. The Golden Retriever isn’t the only breed to be crossed with the Poodle, the Labrador also has this distinction, creating the Labradoodle.

Training a Goldendoodle

Goldendoodles are typically very friendly. They tend to love everyone they meet and want to greet or play with everyone they encounter. This can sometimes lead to a dog that has difficulty focusing. Goldendoodles tend to be higher on the energy spectrum, so it’s important to allow them to run and play to release energy before training sessions.

Goldendoodles are comprised of two working dog breeds so chances are your Doodle will enjoy the time spent training. Doodles of all kinds tend to do really well with crate training and potty train fast- as long as you are consistent. Even the smartest breeds need consistency to know what to do, so be sure you are training on a schedule, the same way each time. Don’t be surprised if you’re young golden learn the basics early- sit, down, and stay with ease.

Due to their high energy, it is not uncommon for owners to feel frustrated with training a Goldendoodle. Unintentional training is real and can be a big problem when we let any negative emotions into training. Dogs are such agreeable creatures that it’s easy to forget that they are much more in tune with nonverbal cues than we are because they are masters in nonverbal communication! Not only that, they can smell changes in our body so your Doodle knows if you’re unhappy. Make training fun, and if you feel yourself getting exhausted or frustrated try again another day!

If you are ready to start potty training Chihuahua, there are some basic things you should know. First of all, because this breed is quite smart, it does not have to be a difficult task. By following these tips, you should be able to potty training your Chihuahua quickly and painlessly.

Potty training Chihuahua should start at about 7 weeks, but you should expect a few accidents in the months ahead, even after you consider the dog trained. But by starting early, you can speed up the timeframe.

Because dogs have the instinct to keep their beds clean, potty training Chihuahua should include some kind of kennel training. You should especially decide to keep your dog in a kennel during the night. In this way, the dog learns to hold its bladder and bowels during the time it should be sleeping. Let the dog out at the same time each day and immediately take it to the place where it should relieve itself.

Consistency is one of the most important factors in potty training Chihuahua. If you have a dog that is going to go outdoors, let it out every morning and after every meal.

Unless you have a dog that is living completely indoors, you should always reinforce that it should relieve itself outside. When they go in a spot, they are likely to go to that spot to relieve themselves again and again. Use gates to keep the dog away from carpeted areas or areas where they have peed before.

Also, know that these dogs are very sensitive to praise and affection. Potty training Chihuahua means giving it love when it does what you want in terms of peeing and pooing. Because your Chihuahua wants to please you, it will learn how to behave as far as relieving itself. Lavish your dog with praise and affection when it does what you want, and ignore it when it makes a mistake (other than cleaning it up, of course). He or she needs to know what he did right and what needs to be improved.

You should know that accidents will happen. You shouldn’t punish the dog, especially by hitting it, when this occurs. Instead, go easy on the dog and reinforce good behavior rather than punishing it when things go wrong. You have to be patient when potty training Chihuahua.

While accidents do happen, try not to let the bad things overshadow what your puppy is doing right. If you make a mistake like keeping them crated too long, accidents are going to happen. You have to train yourself as well as your dog.

The German Shepherd belongs to the top three smartest dog breeds, with the mental capability of a 2.5-year-old human child. Many dog experts agree that the German Shepherd isn’t only the most intelligent, but also a very trainable dog. That’s because they have such a fast and retentive memory, which helps them understand and remember words that are important throughout training, as well as the tricks they learn from you.

Their intelligence comes from the days of their ancestors, as intelligence was needed as working dogs in the field, specifically in shepherding. After all, a dog will require the sharpness and attentiveness, as well as the logic to watch out for their herd. While shepherding (hence, the name!) isn’t a popular job as it was before, German Shepherds still have the same mind and are more focused on their owner, making them smart protectors, too.

Furthermore, these dogs were, and still, are a part of the police, and they are service workers. These K9 dogs have been a part of the police force and army as bomb sniffers, protectors, even as mercy dogs to bring first aid to soldiers. Besides being such intelligent breeds in noble professions, they are also easily trained for acting and are part of the silver screen because of their skill.

Be patient while training and also map sure that your dog feels that he’s a part of the family! You’re training him to be a part of your family, so love them as much as you would your kin and they’ll live for long filled with loyalty and love.

German Shepherds are some of the most interesting and smartest breeds around. Considering their origins and the heavy training they go through as puppies, you can see why they’re such an intelligent and protective breed that deserves recognition. It’s what makes them such an excellent dog breed to own!

Young children are a bundle of fun and a bundle of energy. As they learn and explore more about the world around them, they’re happiest when doing so with a buddy. And who better to share exciting adventures with than a furry four-legged friend?

It can take a ton of energy and a lot of patience in order to spend lots of time with kids. They’re delightful and imaginative, but they don’t always understand boundaries or limits, and, it’s pretty difficult to wear them out. Luckily, there are several breeds have plenty of patience and a ton of energy that often perfectly matches the needs of little kids.

Of course, all dog personalities — no matter what the breed — can vary greatly. And plenty of dogs, especially those that come from rescue shelters, may have backgrounds that are either unknown or may not be conducive to hanging with little ones all the time. So be sure to take the time to get to know, train and understand the needs of your dog before you let them hang out with your kid. But many dogs who grow up with the children (and plenty of those who are introduced later to families) will gel immediately with their young human friends.

Here are some tips for introducing your new puppy to your young children.

~Set boundaries for your children – Since children can understand do’s and don’ts its best to start by setting a boundary with your little ones. Help them understand proper touch and the importance of using a calm voice when meeting a new puppy.

~Provide sufficient space – Your puppy won’t want to cornered when meeting your children so ensure that the setting is open so that your new puppy can wander free toward and away from your children

~Feed first – Hungry puppies are always nice. Take time to feed your puppy and don’t mix the introduction to your children with feeding time