Getting a New Dog? How To Get One
Choosing a new dog might seem to be a very simple and one way task, but there are indeed a lot a factors to consider. And when one embarks on it, it could be quite a confusing and exhausting task. With proper information at hand, choosing a dog can be a lot of fun. The main point to consider is finding the kind of dog that would fit and complement you, the owner.
Among the things that will have to be considered and discussed before getting a new dog are:
1. Who will have the primary responsibility of caring for and training the dog?
2. The expenses to be incurred for food, dog care, and the rest of the dog's needs like supplies, bed, crate, among other things.
3. The veterinarian that you will choose for your new dog.
Different breeds of dogs fit different peoples's lifestyle. There are dogs that are suited for the elderly, dogs for people with active lifestyles, and dogs for families with children.
Would you get a puppy or a grown up dog? Taking care of a puppy would require more attention and more trips to the vet, while getting an older dog will mean extra effort in establishing a bond between master and pet.

The breed of the dog is also a very important factor to consider. Temparament, activities, and other needs of a dog are sometimes influenced by its breed.
If its a pure breed dog that you want, your local kennel club is the best source of information. It should have access to reputable area breeders. A veterinarian can also provide reliable information where to find breeders for your dog of choice.
If its a hunting dog that you want, I would suggest the sporting breeds like the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever. Breeds of these nature are easy to train and are good with children, but they require an active lifestyle.
For experienced owners, recommended dogs are those from the AKC's working group like the Siberian Husky, the Rottweiler, the Akita, the Bullmastiff, and the Giant Schnauzer. Hip dysplasia is common among these breeds, to be sure to get this type of dog from a reputable breeder.
Small dogs are ideal for apartment dwellers and people with older children. Dogs in this group include the Pug, the Shih Tzu, the Pomeranian, and the Maltese. These small dogs still require training and a fair amount of exercise. These small dogs are very popular today.
People who have a farm and work livestock may want to consider dogs from the herding group like the Border Collie, the Australian Shepherd, the German Shepherd, and the Shetland Sheepdog. The Border Collie is a very intelligent dog that requires a lot of exercise, both physical and mental. If you want to spend a lot of active time with a dog, you might choose a dog like this.
Adoption is also a very good option, since there is such a huge dog population. Assistance in this area can be obtained from your local humane society or dog rescue organization.
When choosing a dog, do take your time. It could be a very enlightening and enjoyable adventure. Do some research, or better yet, talk to dog owners, groomers, breeders, and veterinarians. They have first hand information and they can give you sound advice from their experience. This will help ensure that the dog of your choice will fit into your lifestyle and you'll have the chance to enjoy your dog more.


How To Train A Dog To Stay
In this article I want to explain how to get your dog to stay. Most of the time, when you get up to leave out of a room, your dog will want to follow, especially if they're energetic. Sometimes you will want them to stay in one place.
The first thing you want to do is get a supply of dog treats. Take your dog into a quiet room and have him sit down. Hold out the dog treat in your hand, letting the dog know that you have it. When the dog tries to take the treat, close your hand. Your dog should then pull his head back. When he does this, praise him and give him the treat.
Timing is very important for training your dog to stay. Repeat the process again. Keep doing it until the dog doesn't go for the treat, and instead pulls back immediately.
After the dog is consistenly pulling back each time you hold out the treat, you want to begin the next stage of the process. Repeat the first step again, but wait two seconds after your dog pulls back before handing him the treat. Make sure you only praise your dog and give him a treat while he is remaining still.
If the dog gets up, walk a few steps away and repeat the process again. Keep doing this until the dog sits for at least five seconds. Make sure that you're able to get the dog to stay while you're next to him before trying to get him to stay while you're walking away.
For the next step, begin telling the dog to stay as you show him the treat. Tell the dog something like "ok" or "good" after handing him the treat. If the dog does not site for at least 30 seconds, tell him something like "no" and don't give him the treat.
If your dog continues to make mistakes, try for 15 seconds instead of thirty. If the dog continues to make mistakes this means you're moving to0 fast. Go back to what the dog already understands and build up from this point.
As your dog begins to get better and stays for longer periods of time, take him from a quiet room to an area of more distraction. Do all the steps above over again. This way the dog will learn to follow your commands without being distracted.

Michael Colucci is a technical writer for a free dog training resource site at Free Dog Training
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Dog Grooming How To and Tips
No matter how cute your dog is every dog succumbs to stinky dog syndrome at one time or another. Dogs need to follow proper hygiene practices similar to humans and you are the one to help them do this. It is important to engage in pet grooming so that your dog does not end up having the infamous dog odor and matted, dirty fur. You need to keep them in tip top shape.
Pet grooming entails a depth of grooming services that you need to do perform on your dog often. The most basic pet grooming service that you should do is to give your dog a bath. This pet grooming necessity often makes your dog run for the hills, so following are tips to help you bathe your dog successfully.
You want to make your dog's bathing experience a pleasant one so they don't shake in terror the moment you show them the bathtub. Therefore, make sure the bathroom is comfortably warm. Gather pet grooming bath supplies together before bringing the dog into the bathroom. You don't want them to cower in fear while you stumble around searching for their doggy shampoo. Path grooming bath supplies include dog shampoo, bucket, towels, and hair dryer.
Once you have your pet grooming supplies ready then go find your dog. Bring them into the bathroom first and then turn on the water. Pet them and comfort them while you are waiting for the water to become a warm, soothing temperature. Keep smiling and make a bath sound like it is the best thing since sliced bread.
You can bathe your dog in the bath tub by using a bucket to splash water over their body. You can also find a hose with a sprayer at the end at your grocery or home supply store. This can be very helpful as it speeds up the washing process.
You can wash your dog with your hands, but there are also rubber textured mittens available on the market. These pet grooming gloves work well to gently scrub your dog clean while giving them a massage at the same time. This massage technique will help your dog to not only take the bath without problems, but actually enjoy it.
There are several pet grooming dog shampoos to choose from. Some pet grooming shampoos are medicated against fleas and ticks. You can also find scented shampoos and shampoos that are made for dogs with sensitive skin. The type of shampoo you will use in your pet grooming can depend on the time of year.
For example, some dogs have allergies in the late fall or spring that prompt them to need hypoallergenic shampoo while in the winter they need a more moisture rich shampoo. The important thing is to use shampoo that is specifically created for dogs. Never use dish soap or your own shampoo as this can likely plague your dog with painful skin irritation. Consult your veterinarian and dog groomer for shampoo recommendations.

Once your dog is in the tub you need to make sure to wash water over their entire body. Place a small amount of shampoo in your hands and start by washing the top of their head. Do this with extreme care as you do not want shampoo to seep into their eyes. You can cover their eyes with your hands and rinse in the direction away from their eyes. You can also use eye drops prescribed by your vet that will ward against any shampoo that has accidentally snuck into their eyes.
Continue this process by massage in a small amount of shampoo on their back working your way around their entire body. It is critical to rinse thoroughly so that you don't have any shampoo build up that can be an itchy situation for your dog.
Dry them first with a towel as they shake their entire body as well. Don't forget to gently wipe the inside of their ears and paws with the towel to remove an excess water or moisture. Moisture left in their ears can lead to wax and bacteria build up which leaves them prone to ear infections in the future.
Next you need to continue your pet grooming by drying your dog with a hair dryer. Use the medium setting that is not too hot and test it on yourself first to ensure you won't burn your dog. Hold the hair dryer at least six inches from your dog's fur and work your way from the dense fur on your dog's back to their legs and face. Continue pet grooming until your dog's fur is almost dry, but not completely. You don't want to risk burning their precious skin by drying their hair for too long. You can brush through their hair as you dry it to give it body and style.
It is a good idea to give your dog praise and encouragement during and after this pet grooming session. This will help to improve their behavior during the bath which could save you from being drenched in their splashing water. Bathe your pet as often as necessary. Some dogs require more frequent pet grooming while others can go a longer period of time. Consult your veterinarian and pet groomer for advice about your particular dog.
Bathing your pet can also be a great time to bond with your canine companion while removing their stinky dog smell in the process!


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