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Puppies learn through trial-and-error. They are constantly testing out new things to see what pays off for them--- “Will banging on my food dish get me fed?” “Will jumping on you get me your attention?” Puppies learn by carefully noting your reactions to their behavior, continuing to do what works out to their benefit. The learning period of a puppy is in their first 16 weeks, so using this time to take control and teach him how to behave on YOUR terms is essential. Here are a few guidelines to help lead your pup in the right direction during this period.

• Supervision is key when bringing home a puppy. One of the most common mistakes people make is letting a puppy roam around, exploring the house when coming home for the first time, and then punishing him when a mess is made. The puppy isn’t aware of what is right or wrong yet, so supervising and taking out your pup when you notice circle-and-sniff behavior is important. Even if you’re not home to watch over him, set up an area in a bathroom or laundry room to avoid any mishaps.
• Going around yelling “No, no, no!” is an ineffective way of training your puppy. Instead, reward him for doing good things. Reinforce your puppy’s good behavior with a treat or kind words, letting him know that he did was good and acceptable.
• Teach your puppy rules that you want him to carry on as he gets older. Sure, it may be cute for your little buddy to try and jump on you and sleep on your bed at night now, but when he grows up to be a 100-something pound Great Dane, it gets a little inconvenient. Make life easier for you and your pooch, teach him good behavior when he’s young instead of trying to fix unwanted problems when he’s older.
• Hitting your puppy is NEVER okay. You want him to know you are in control, but you also want him to trust you. Hand-feed your puppy and pet him while he eats--- let him know your hands are powerful, but never a threat.
• Teach your puppy not to bite.  When playing, use words like “gently,” cueing him off to mouth more gently. When he does this, praise him for playing nicely.
• Taking field trips with your puppy is a great way to promote good behavior and courage around people. Introduce him to as many people, animals, and places as possible, and then reward him for being so brave.

It may take some work to get your puppy ready for his new home and life with you, but in the end it is definitely worth it! By taking these steps, not only are you encouraging good manners, you are also setting up a strong relationship between you and your puppy.

It’s understandable that you want to spend money on your pet. They are definitely worthy of a little gift every now and then, but when money is tight, less money spent is better. Your pet will love you whether or not you spend loads of cash on them, so, how about giving them priceless gifts that really only require your attention? Check out these “gift” ideas that will make you pet and your wallet happy.

The gift of health

It’s no secret that pets have their own issues with obesity, so one of the best gifts you can give to your pet is making sure they are healthy. Regularly take your animal to get some exercise; even just going out for a walk is helpful. In fact, getting your pet exercise may even help you stay in shape! As far as a healthy diet, your pet can’t exactly head out to the drive-thru window or use the microwave---the owner is the one provoking the bad eating habits! Be sure to give your animal the proper portions at meal time, cut back on those treats. Your pet will be forever thankful.

The gift of time

Sadly, it’s not unusual that many pets end up spending most of their lives alone. People gets busy with work or school and rarely are at home. So it is truly a gift to your pet to have time to spend with you! Obviously you can’t avoid work or school considering those are pretty essential, but the time you spend on the internet or watching television can be replaced by playing with your pet. Always look for opportunities to hang out with your little buddy!

The gift of training

A well-trained pet typically has a better relationship with his/her owner. Through training, a pet and its owner are able to establish a good means of communication and get to spend more time together. Don’t know where to start? Call up your veterinarian for referrals to a local trainer.

The gift of safety

Making your home a safe place for your pet to live is crucial! Lock up those cleaning supplies and put those toxic plants out of reach. Most importantly, don’t forget to put a collar and ID tag on your pet. This is the best way to ensure that if your pet gets out, he/she will make it home safely.

So go ahead and show your love to your furry friend! Remember, it isn’t about how much you spend. It’s the thought that counts; even when it comes to our pets. 

With the holidays and winter vacations coming up, have you been worrying about what to do with your pets when you travel? Pet sitting is one of the best options that you could choose. Just because you want to go away doesn’t necessarily mean that your pet wants to do the same. There are many benefits that come along with hiring a pet sitter that will make your vacation a little less stressful.

A tremendous benefit of pet sitting is that your pet is able to stay in their familiar surroundings. They know where everything is and won’t have to go through that uncomfortable feeling of not knowing where they are or what is going on. Whether your sitter comes over a few times per day or stays at your home, your pet will be more comfortable and less likely to act up. Not only will a sitter take care of your pet, but they are usually more than willing to do other tasks around the house such as turning lights on/off, picking up the mail and newspaper, watering plants, etc.

You could also hire a professional pet-sitting service to watch your pet while you’re away, which many people do. However, you need to do a little research before you hire just anyone to be responsible for your beloved animal. The following pointers will help you determine if the service is right for you:

• Be sure they are bonded and insured
• Ask for references
• Contact your family and friends for referrals

Whether your sitter moves in while you’re away checks in a few times per day, you must be comfortable and trust the person you are hiring. You don’t want to spend your entire vacation worrying if your pets and your home are in good hands. If you choose to go for a younger individual to pet-sit, be sure that there is parental supervision somewhere in the picture. Also, if you have a close friend or neighbor who also has a pet, you could both engage in “trade pet-sitting.” Trade pet sitting is when you make an informal agreement that you will help each other out with taking care of animals when the other one is away. This way you don’t need to be concerned about payments or the care of your pet. Trade pet-sitting is one of the best options to choose because your friends will treat your pets the way they would want you to treat theirs, and vice versa. Your pet will also appreciate it since they will be more familiar with the person, rather than a stranger coming in and out of the house to give them food and water.

Enjoy your holidays and vacations this year knowing that your pets are in good hands! Happy holidays! 

For many, the holidays are a free pass to indulge in whatever sweet treats may come their way. Whether they are chocolates, candy canes, brownies, or cookies, all we humans have to worry about is fitting into our jeans at the end of the day. For our pets, however, sweets can prove to be a serious hazard. As you are probably aware, chocolate is toxic to man’s best friend.

Why is Chocolate bad for my dog?

• The first problem is that sweets are high in fat. A fatty meal can create a lethal metabolic disease in pets called pancreatitis.
• Chocolate is toxic because of the theobromine. Theobromine can cause vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, tremors, and in severe cases, death.

Toxic doses of theobromine are 9mg per pound of dog for mild signs, and up to 18 mg for severe signs. Milk chocolate contains 44 mg / ounce of theobromine, semisweet chocolate contains 150 mg per ounce, and baking chocolate contains 390 mg per ounce. It takes four days for the affects to leave the dog’s system.

The key is to be vigilant and watch your pets and make sure your children know not to feed the dog chocolate. To be cautious, always reach for a dog biscuit when you want to treat your dog.  This will make sure you have a safe and happy holiday with wonderful memories to share with your whole family: pets and all.

We all know that kittens are adventurous and daring creatures. They like to tackle your toes and hide inside the box their cat tree came in, waiting for the right time for a sneak attack! With that said, your new kitty is bound to find some hazards in your home, so why not do your best to prevent this? Here are some tips to keep your feline friend out of trouble.

• Wrap those electric cords in tape and hide them behind furniture or under rugs. Kittens seem to think they are fun to chew on and play with. If you have ever seen National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, however, you know what happens when a cat and an electrical cord are combined!
• What cat doesn’t love to rummage through the garbage? When you throw away things like chicken bones, make sure to put them in sealed containers! If you have a sneaky cat who could break into the White House, child-proof locks may be necessary.
• Yes, you love your beautiful bird of paradise, but don’t you love your new kitty even more? Some plants are toxic and can really harm your cat! Visit this site for a list of safe plants and toxic plants: http://www.catscans.com/plants.htm
• Pick up after yourself! Don’t leave pins, buttons, and rubber bands lying around. Your cat WILL get curious and WILL choke on them!
• Lock up those deadly chemicals and cleaning supplies! Remember, cats are curious creatures and won’t hesitate to get into those nasty substances and potentially be poisoned. For more information, check out this website: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/

Your new kitten sees your home as an amusement park. It's a place full of adventure and excitement. Protect the newest member of your family and be sure to take all the precautions to keep him or her out of harm's way!

The holiday season is upon us and one of the best gifts to receive for a child is a dog. One crucial element in purchasing or adopting a dog is choosing the name that is right for your new addition to the family. While in the process of getting a dog, have names in mind before you bring the dog home for the first time. When the dog first arrives, you must start using the name so the new addition will be familiar and will adapt easier to its new surroundings.

Picking a name is always an interesting process, but when choosing a name you should select a name that has meaning to your family. Be creative, because like your child, you want your dog’s name to stand out and not be generic. Traditional names are outdated for dogs such as Spot, Sparky, etc. Avoiding aggressive names for family dogs is key.

Here are some ideas for finding a good name:

• Words from nature (star, moon, shadow)
• Human names you like
• Words related to your faith and personal beliefs
• Characters from movies or books that resonate with you
• Words from your favorite song or poem.
• Words from history or culture that are significant to you

Remember that your dog’s name will have great significance to you and your family as you go through life together. Every dog and animal you have will always have a significant impact in your life and will create memories that will last forever.