![two puppies playing](//cdcssl.ibsrv.net/cimg/www.curatedcontent.smb/730x401_85/147/choosing-dog-main-628147.jpg)
Select your new dog with your lifestyle and living situation in mind. In addition to your new family member's personality, consider its temperament, size, and coat as well. Some breeds have traits that may be objectionable in certain circumstances, such as hyper excitability or a tendency to bark. Your veterinarian is a valuable resource and should be consulted before you acquire a pet of any kind.
Breed Selection
There are two types of dogs--purebred and mixed breed. The 124 recognized breeds are grouped into seven categories: hound, working, terrier, toy, sporting, non-sporting, and herding. There are thousands of mixed-breed combinations. Each purebred or mixed-breed dog has a unique personality. Dogs originally bred for a specific purpose tend to retain these characteristics. These dogs may require additional training and patience. Selecting a specific breed does not guarantee a particular behavior, but choosing offspring from animals with desirable temperaments does increase one's chances of getting the best pet. Mixed breeds can be as beautiful, intelligent, loving, and companionable as purebreds.Veterinarians, breed-specific books (usually available at libraries and pet stores), and dog shows are excellent sources of information about individual breed characteristics and needs.
Friend or Protector?
Most dogs, even tiny ones, bark when strangers approach their home or yard. This bark is usually enough to deter intruders. A pet should not be trained as an attack dog. Attack-trained dogs require special handling and knowledge to prevent accidental injury to people, including members of your own family.
-
Client Survey
Download & Print Client Survey
If you do not already have AdobeReader® installed on your computer, Click Here to download.
Please download the Client Survey, and fill in the requested information.
You can either email, mail, fax, or hand in your completed survey.
Read more
-
Understanding Pet Behavior
Because our pets can not raise their paws and tell us when something is wrong, we as owners need to know what to watch for to know when our pet is ill.
The Dog Scoot Boogie
A dog dragging his hind end across the floor is his way of telling you his anal glands are full and need emptying. Anal glands
Read more
-
Three Keys to Successful Potty Training for Your Dog
Potty training your dog can be easy or difficult...the difference is in how much time and dedication you are willing to put into training. Follow these simple tips to get your puppy on the right path to accident-free living.
Set a schedule:
Decide on a schedule and stick to it. In a family situation
Read more
-
Ferrets Can Be Furry Family Too
Fragile Ferrets Entertain Families and Friends
Your new family pet will provide you with entertainment and laughs as he or she climbs and crawls through tubes, hoses, boxes, clothing and pipes.
Keeping your ferret safe and secure in your home is easy with a bit of advanced planning.
Create or
Read more
-
Family Friends Aren't Always Furry - Think of Feathery Friends!
Transitioning a Bird into Your Home
When including a bird of any size and species in your household, take time before the transition to prepare. Use these tips to welcome your new bird and create a happy experience for your family.
Choose housing with bars or slats that are only half the width
Read more
-
Printable Games & Puzzles
Mac's Pet Word Search
Pets in Space Scramble
Cosmic Pets Crossword Puzzle
Read more
-
Introducing Your First
Pets aren't the only ones who need a little (or a lot) of help adjusting to life with a newborn. No matter how much you plan ahead, the addition of a new family member may be difficult for your pet. Remember, your dog or cat was your first "baby" and is used to being the center of your attention. So
Read more
-
Internet Reunites Lost Pets and Owners
Everyone loves the amazing stories of dogs and cats who travel long distances to find their way back home or even locate their owners in a new city. Unfortunately, these happy tales are the rare exception to the rule. For every pet that makes it back after leaving, there are tens of thousands who
Read more
-
Heart Disease in Cats
Cats are wonderful pets. In fact, they outnumber dogs as pets in the United States. It is estimated that 60.2 to 62 Million cats are kept as pets; one-third of all households have at least one feline friend. It is important for cat owners to be aware of a stealthy disease that may affect as much as 15
Read more