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Dogs go through a few different sensitive periods during their lifetime, when it comes to their physical and behavioral development. Some of these periods are quite important, due to the impact they’ll have on the dog’s personality and behavioral health. We can identify nine different phases; in this article, we’ll discuss some of the particularities of each of them. Phase One The first phase is the fetal period. This includes the development of the fetus up to parturition. During this period, the puppy will be influenced by the mother’s experiences. If she’s exposed to high levels of stress, the puppies will be prone to develop anxiety and fear. It is also during the fetal period that the male’s brains will go through a masculinization process, due to the production of testosterone. This will make them more likely to exhibit typical male behaviors such as urine marking, roaming, inter-male aggression and...
Continue reading » Behavior, Dog Health, PlanningNo Comment There are so many dogs waiting for a forever home. The best place to get a dog is an animal shelter. Especially the American Pit Bull Terrier. You may be thinking different things as you see that name, like they are scary or they are a very bad breed. First of all, a pit bull is not a breed, and secondly pit bulls are only bad if they are raised a badly. However, sheltered pit bulls have been know to love a person even after they’ve been through a rough life in the past. Adopting Adopting a pit bull or any dog can be rewarding for you and your dog. The pit bull will have a lot of personality traits, and since it’s been in a shelter it was most likely abused, abandoned, or used for dog fighting which sometimes can bring up aggressiveness in the dog. A pit bull ...
Continue reading » PlanningNo Comment Puppies bite. In fact, sometimes we may even wonder whether we’ve adopted a baby crocodile instead of a dog. After a week with our new puppy, our hands are marked, our clothes are filled with wholes and our minds are desperate! Does this mean we’ve adopted an aggressive dog? Will he bite people in the future? The truth is, this is a perfectly normal behavior for puppies. Just like human babies, they discover the world with their mouths. Since their mouths are filled with tiny, pointy, sharp teeth, it hurts. If it didn’t hurt, they would miss the opportunity to learn an extremely important life lesson: bite inhibition. Imagine the following scenario: two young puppies are happily playing with each other. They nibble, mouth and bite each other. All of the sudden, one of the puppies enthusiastically bites his sister; she yells and moves away from him. The young puppy...
Continue reading » Behavior, PlanningNo Comment Now-a-days, it is as easy to find a dog trainer, as it is to find a McDonald’s. They’re everywhere and the number of dog behavior related professionals keeps growing. We can find Facebook pages, websites, ads on the local newspaper and several business cards being displayed at veterinary clinics and hospitals. Since the prevalence of behavioral problems in dogs seems to be increasing, this could be a good thing. When the demand increases, so should the offer. However, the problem lies on the lack of legislation and certification when it comes to animal behavior professionals. Dog training isn’t a regulated profession. Legally, it doesn’t exist. As a consequence, anyone can wake up in the morning and decide to start working as a dog trainer; no one will force you to study, to become a certified professional or to be evaluated. And, unfortunately, most dog trainers aren’t adequately educated professionals and...
Continue reading » Planning, TrainingNo Comment Dogs and babies aren’t incompatible. On the contrary, when a child has the opportunity to grow next to a doggy friend, the benefits are immense. Living with a pet can help children develop their nurturing skills, responsibility, empathy and communication skills; they can also learn how to be empathetic and kind. Some studies have shown that dogs can help kids develop their self-esteem, create and maintain healthier social relationships and also exercise more regularly (which decreases the incidence of obesity and weight problems). They can also contribute to a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. Unfortunately, things may not go as smooth as desired once the baby arrives. This is why you should invest on preparing your dog to accept the presence of the baby. Here are a few tips on how to do it: Go to the internet and search for baby sounds. There are plenty of videos with babies...
Continue reading » PlanningNo Comment Photo: Douglas Aanimal Shelter After purchasing or adopting a new dog, you may be given the decision whether to spay or neuter. Most reputable breeders or dog rescues will require the dog be sterilized, but if given the option, there are many reasons why the small investment is the right decision. I really suggest you read my article named “Do Your Truly Want That Puppy? Be Prepared for What They Don’t Tell You!”, this subject is one of the reasons New Dog Owners was created! Contrary to popular belief, raising puppies is not “fun” Many pet owners decide not to spay or neuter their dogs because they feel that having at least one litter of puppies would be an enjoyable experience for the entire family. However, owners do not consider that puppies require round-the-clock care for the first 8 – 10 weeks of their lives. The mother, no matter how...
Continue reading » Dog Health, PlanningNo Comment For many dogs, visiting the veterinarian can be stressful, or even downright terrifying! Our furry friends have no way of understanding what’s going on, after all, and not only are they introduced to unfamiliar smells, sounds, people and animals, but sometimes they have to undergo procedures that might be startling or even uncomfortable for them. It’s no wonder that so many pets hate the vet! Unfortunately, though we might just want to give in and avoid the vet altogether, regular health care is important for your dog, and it might be needful for your dog’s doctor to administer a medication or perform a physical examination on your pup. Teaching your dog to stay calm at the vet’s office is an important skill that benefits every dog – and owner, too! First, you want to start by establishing a positive, consistent and trusting relationship with your dog. A close bond will...
Continue reading » PlanningNo Comment Dogs are lovable creatures and owners most definitely build up a bond with them over time. However, dog owners face the most difficult time of their lives when their dog expires. While death is inevitable, there are a number of ways and methods through which owners can cope up with this irreplaceable loss. For all those grieving owners, here are a few tips you may consider: Respect the Grieving Process: Dog owners, upon the death of their dog, usually fail to understand that, like any other grieving interval, the death of the dog also has a grieving process. Experts recommend acknowledging this process and absorbing oneself into it. The first step is indeed acceptance. This means that denial won’t get you anywhere. Accepting that your dog has really expired, is really the first step little step that will lead you to eventual peace of mind! Reach out to others who...
Continue reading » Planning, Randon StuffNo Comment The fresh air of the great outdoors is calling your name, but you want to share this relaxing yet adventurous vacation with your best furry friend, right? Before setting off down the trail or pitching your tent at the local state park make sure you pick up these 5 essential items! Contain Some Fun Even the most reliable recall off leash needs some containment. A dog play pen should always be considered for the down time after your day time fun. Relaxing is a big part of your camping trip, so why shouldn’t your dog have a safe, shady spot to kick up his paws and enjoy the sounds of nature? Look for an appropriately sized dog play pen that include a top to provide shade and collapses down in a snap for easy travel. Bed Time You may not want to share your sleeping bag with your dog, so...
Continue reading » PlanningNo Comment Dogs are incredibly social, highly intelligent creatures with a gift that allows them to love humans unlike any other animal on the planet. Unfortunately for the dog, however, humans must lead lives within the human society that includes being away for 8 or more hours a day, vacations, and a social life with other human beings. Your dog is lonely. Does he really need another dog friend? Ask Yourself… Can I handle two dogs? Think about double the training, vet care and grooming requirements. The dog you pick to be your current dog’s companion may not be the same breed and need different grooming tools and techniques than what you are used to already. For example, if you have an American Pit Bull Terrier and wish to adopt a Shihtzu to be his companion, you will have to learn all about your new chosen breed’s health and grooming needs. While...
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