Dog | Pet Picks

Finding a Home near a Dog Park

Keeping your canine companion comfortable is important to all dog owners, and a good way to ensure they get the exercise they need is to live near a dog park. Finding a suitable home near a dog park can be trying, but there are plenty of areas that offer dog parks to suit canine owners.

Check in with your local property management HOA. They can assist you with finding a house near the area you wish. When searching for that perfect home, it’s a good idea to test the walk to the local dog park. Most homes near a park are usually within walking distance. However, if the walk is too long for you and your dog, hopping in a vehicle may be the remedy for this predicament.

Also, you may want to look into a duplex or apartment complex that is near a dog park. These generally have a higher chance of being near the desired area. This may be an option if renting is something you’re more inclined to do before purchasing a house in the area. Be sure that the rental property does allow pets.

Check with the landlord about the deposit amount for pets. Also, some properties don’t allow specific breeds of large dogs. Make sure you look into this thoroughly before moving. Depending on the area you live in, you can typically find more than one canine-oriented park. Check around for the park you think will work with not only your companion, but also your budget.

Filed Under: Care, Pets Tagged With: Dog, Dog park, Pet

Aggressive Breeds Of Dogs As Pets

Dogs are the most popular pets in the world and are parts of a large percentage of households around the world. The bond between man and dog is a unique one in the whole of the animal kingdom. Dogs offer unwavering loyalty to their human masters and the owners also tend to get extremely attached to their dogs. Being one of the first domesticated animals, humans and dogs have been together for millennia. From the time man started settling down and building civilizations, dogs have been by their side. This trend continues even now when many of the uses of dogs no longer exist. Mankind is no longer as dependant on dogs as before but still their popularity never wanes.

There are many types of dogs people keep as pets nowadays, from small Pugs to huge Saint Bernard. However special care is needed while keeping dogs which have been declared as aggressive breeds. Rottweiler, German shepherd, Doberman all have been declared as aggressive breeds of dogs. These dogs have powerful jaws and great bite power. Also they tend to be aggressive towards strangers as they are usually territorial and extremely protective of their masters.

Still, many choose to keep these breeds as pets. These breeds are seldom dangerous to its owners. The problem usually comes when the dog comes in contact with outsiders by mistake. A guest who plucks a rose from your garden may be subjected to the fury of your dog which tends to take guard duty very seriously. Hence the first thing to understand is that even though your dog is adorable and cuddly to you, it will be completely different to an outsider. Hence you should try not to bring the dog in contact with outsiders unless it has been trained to be social since it was a puppy.

Filed Under: Pets Tagged With: Dog, Pet

Top Three Priorities for any Pet

: Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Not every pet is good for cuddling. Try to get a grip on your goldfish and you’ll probably hurt it, and some large lizards and snakes are dangerous. But no matter what sort of pet you’re getting, they all have three undeniable needs you should be prepared to meet. Carefully evaluate whether you can meet each of the following needs for your prospective pet before you commit to a lifetime together:

Food: Mass-produced food like kibble or nutritional flakes is available for familiar pets like cats, dogs and fish. But mo”s general nutritional needs (can you handle feeding mice to that snake?) before you commit to a lifetime together.

Water: Of course pets need water to drink. But that’s not always as easy as setting out a bowl and refilling it every few days. You need to check your large pet’s water periodically to make sure it’s clean and fresh; some cats or dogs may inadvertently (or intentionally) tip their dishes over. If you have a toad, fish or other animal that spends some or all of its life in the water, you’re also responsible for making sure that the water it lives in is clean (and has the appropriate levels of minerals) on a continuing basis.

Space: Animals that live in a tank or cage, like reptiles, fish and birds, have clearly defined “personal” space. Some pets, like hamsters and rabbits, can be taken out of their cage for interaction. And others, like cats and dogs, spend most of their time outside kennels or doghouses. With these larger pets, make sure they have adequate room to roam. Giving your dog or cat that room while keeping it safely confined can be a challenge.

Filed Under: Care, Pets Tagged With: Dog, Fish, Pet

Is a Lhasa Apso the Right Dog For You

Are you looking for a dog that is active but small? Would you like to have a dog but have limited space in the yard? Do you want a dog that will be affectionate but yet entertain themselves around the house. Well, the Lhasa Apso may be the dog for you if you answered yes to these questions.

The Lhasa Apso is a small dog originally found in Tibet. The name Lhasa is also the name of the capital city of Tibet. The Lhasa is a short dog, longer than it is tall and has long hair. The are born with hair of many different colors from white to dark brown and sometimes spotted. Their ears hang down next to their face and their snout is fairly short. The long hair, often trimmed by the owners to make care easier, parts down the middle of their back and hangs to either side.

The dogs have a great temperament when given the right amount of attention. It is important when raising a dog that they are a dog and have a different social order than humans. Most dogs have a strong pack mentality and have to be treated as one of the pack and not the leader. This is true with the Lhasa Apso. Although a small dog, it is still important to take the dogs for walks. Although they can be happy playing in more confined spaces, such as remaining in the house much of the time they still need to get outside and go for a walk. Many Lhasa Apso love playing in the snow and out in the yard. Having a confined area of yard such as a fenced section will allow the dog to enjoy outdoor play without a leash. The Lhasa Apso is a great breed and if you are looking for a small dog this may be the one for you.

Filed Under: Pets Tagged With: Dog, Lhasa, Lhasa Apso

The Pit Bull Terrier: Completely Misunderstood

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When anyone hears the term “pit bull”, people cringe. Very negative connotation. The truth is there’s no basis for it, because it’s formed out of past experiences and incidents and reports. Not many want a pit bull. They’re too “aggressive” or can “turn on their owners”. That’s what people hear daily. Again, despite the many stories regarding pit bulls, the underlying fact is it’s not at all true.

Pit Bull Terriers are not very violent. Actually, two of the most aggressive breeds are Akitas and German Shepherds. Why do you think Shepherds make good police dogs?

Traditionally, this breed of dog was trained to protect children, even better protect the family. And if you notice–provided your dog’s upbringing is good–your dog is very protective of many things. The terrier can focus on you, the children, the house, even food. It’s in their hard wiring. Anything that a pit bull sees that may be a threat to the household, it’ll go after like a Hound from Hell. Forget burglars, forget other nasty animals, all that stuff; an American Pit Bull Terrier can keep ANYONE safe. And they’re like giant muscles, too. Powerful, sleek, and rather intimidating.

It’s actually hard to see that a pit bull can be so ‘mothering’ and ‘protective’, but they really are. It has to be understood, once again, that it all depends on the training and treatment of this breed. Moreover, ANY breed, with the right care, can be wired for any kind of behavior. Just think about how deadly a pit bull can be if someone trained one to utilize that ability to protect as a form of violence. Yes, pit bulls are deadly. And all you would need to do is direct your dog to attack what you may deem as a threat. And it could be anything: kids, other animals, other people, maybe even yourself.

Yes, pit bulls get a bad rap. But here’s why: it’s not the dog, it’s the owner.

Filed Under: Pets Tagged With: American Pit Bull Terrier, Dog, Pit bull

Choosing Your New Dog

Adding a new member to your household is always exciting. When you’re expanding with the addition of a pet, however, you do have some planning to do before the little guy comes home with you. The first step in choosing your new dog is to decide what your needs are, and what your family can offer the dog. Do you have small children? Do you live in an apartment, or do you have a large yard? Do you have easy access to a dog park? Does anyone in your immediate family have known allergies? The answers to these questions will help you decide on the size and temperament of your new dog.

For those who live in cities or in smaller homes with limited yards, small to medium breeds are usually the best. Beagles and Cocker Spaniels are both known for mild temperament and willingness to please, making them slightly easier to train. You will want to choose your new dog from a reputable breeder to make sure you are not getting an over-bred dog, as those are typically high-strung and can have real personality problems.

If you live in the country or close to a dog park, and you’re willing to put in the exercise time, some large breeds are known to be great with older kids. Labradors and Golden Retrievers are two such breeds, but both will require considerable exercise to keep from being hyperactive. Other large breeds like the Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd and Rottweiler, while good and loyal dogs, are generally not advised for inexperienced owners or those with small children.

Before you choose, make sure to drop by your local animal shelter. You may very well find the perfect pet right there, already house-broken, spayed or neutered, and looking for someone to love. With the number of animals abandoned every day, it would be irresponsible not to consider them.

Filed Under: General, Pets Tagged With: Doberman Pinscher, Dog, Golden Retriever

Tips for Future Pet Owners

While pets are fun and adorable, they are a great deal of responsibility. Before choosing to become a pet owner, it is wise to consider if you are ready for the responsibility. In addition, you will want to give serious thought to the time you will have available to spend with your pet. This may determine the type of pet you may want to consider. You will also need to make sure you can provide food and medical care for your pet. Many new pet owners neglect to estimate the expense of veterinarian bills.

If you love dogs and are thinking about getting one, you will want to consider whether you have the necessary time to spend with your dog. Dogs are pack animals and love being with their pack and they need attention. Dogs also require training and this takes time and patience. This is where many new pet owners fail miserably. They end up with an unruly pet, which they cannot manage. Dogs need exercise and you should make sure you are going to be able to provide the necessary exercise to maintain a healthy pet.

If you do not have a great deal of free time available, you may want to consider a cat as a pet. Cats still require care and attention, however, most will gradually become more independent. You do have to provide enrichment activities but training will be minimal. You also do not have to worry about walking the cat and cats do very well as indoor pets. You will have to contend with keeping a litter box clean, preferably daily. Cats do not like to use a litter box that is not clean.

All pets require care and attention. Before deciding on a pet, you must make sure your are prepared for the responsibility and have the time for a pet in your busy lifestyle.

Filed Under: Pets Tagged With: Dog, Ownership, Pet

Ownership is NOT a Trivial Decision

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The decision to own a pet, ANY type of pet, is not trivial. It should be made with the appropriate gravity and degree of seriousness warranted by a decision to take responsibility for another life.

The first and most important question is ultimately ‘what sort of lifestyle do I have and how can a pet be incorporated into it?’ Notice here that the most important question is not ‘what sort of pet do I want?’ Some animals are very high maintenance while others are lower. If one’s lifestyle is such that a person is out traveling for business or otherwise occupied several days and nights a week, a higher maintenance pet such as a dog might not be the best choice.

After lifestyle is taken into account, living space must then be evaluated. A Great Dane is probably not the best for someone living in a one bedroom apartment on the sixth floor with no elevator. Guinea pigs, perhaps, might be a better fit. Certainly, the cavies won’t run up and give doggie kisses when returning home, but that might not be a bad thing if the dog is bounding over a coffee table and knocking over a lamp in order to do so.

After lifestyle and living space, environment is the next item to be thought of. Is the species of dog peaking your interest one of the loudest and most obnoxious types of barking dogs available? How will neighbors appreciate being disturbed by the seemingly never-ending barking, especially if lifestyle and living space were not also taken into consideration? Or does the landlord have a dander allergy that might be aggravated by your new cluster of long haired hamsters?

Finally, once all of these other things have been taken into account, the question can be asked ‘what kind of pet do I want?’

Answering these other questions first might make the answer to the last one a little easier.

Filed Under: Pets Tagged With: Dog, Great Dane, Pet

Winterize Your Dog: Tips to Keep Your Dog Safe and Healthy in the Winter

When the cold winter weather hits, everyone is concerned with winterizing their homes and cars but seem to forget that Fido needs to be winterized too. Keep this checklist handy to keep your dog warm, safe, and healthy all winter long.

- Schedule your dog for a checkup with the vet
Have the vet check to see if your dog has developed any health conditions that requires special monitoring and care. Conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, hormonal imbalances, and autoimmune disease can compromise your dog’s ability to regulate body temperature. Dogs with arthritis will require specially prescribed medicines to help with joint pains exacerbated by cold temperatures.

- Keep the garage off limits
Dogs are attracted to the sweet smell and taste of antifreeze which is a potent poison to their kidneys. Rat poisons, poisoned rodents, and even driveway salts can also be a lethal combination to your pet’s health and safety.

- Think warm and comfort
Older dogs, short haired dogs, small breeds, and those with medical conditions can benefit from a warm sweater and boots. Consider purchasing a heated pet bed to keep your dog snuggly warm throughout the cold winter months.

- Keep your dog dry and free of snow
Keep the fur around your dogs paws trimmed and use Vaseline on their paw pads and nose to keep them soft and crack free. All natural pet deicers can be sprayed on active dog’s paws and underbellies to allow them to run and play in the snow without building up and forming ice balls. After a walk or coming in from the outside, make sure that you wipe away snow, ice, and salt from your dog’s coat and paws to prevent skin irritations and frostbite.

Following these tips along with recommendations from your vet will insure your pet a safe environment from the harsh winter elements.

Filed Under: Care, Pets Tagged With: Dog, Pet, Vaseline, Winter storm