Bringing a new puppy into your home?
Puppies will grow up very quickly. Know how to train them right and they will become a good natured and well-mannered adult dog.

Before you get a new puppy, make sure you know exactly what kind of puppy to look for and how to raise and train him.

Deciding Which Type of Puppy

The breed, type, size, activity level, hair color, hair length, and gender of your prospective puppy are personal choices and best left entirely up to you and your family. You will probably have read lots of well-meaning advice from pet professionals that advise you, for example, not to get certain breeds if you have children, not to get large dogs if you live in an apartment, and not to get active dogs in the city. In reality, all breeds and types of dogs can be wonderful or problematic with children. It very much depends on whether or not the puppy was trained how to act around children and the children were taught how to act around the puppy. Because of their lower activity levels, large dogs adapt more quickly to apartment living than little dogs. Big dogs just take up more space. And active dogs can live in cities just as active people live in cities. In fact, city dogs tend to be walked and exercised more than suburban dogs. In the long run, it will be you who will be living with your puppy and teaching it to adjust to your lifestyle and living arrangement.

Selecting Your Individual Puppy
It is vital however, in your puppy search that you know how to evaluate whether your prospective puppy is physically and mentally healthy. Research your prospective puppy’s lineage to confirm that his grandparents and great-grandparents all lived to a ripe old age, and to check how many of his doggy family suffered from breed-specific problems. Long life is the best indicator of overall physical and behavioral health and the best predictor that your puppy will have a long life expectancy. Research well and most of all, please take your decision to get a puppy seriously. Each year, several million dogs are abandoned, given to shelters and euthanized, almost entirely because easily preventable and utterly predictable puppy problems were allowed to develop into much more difficult to resolve adult behavior, training and temperament problems. Train your new puppy and you will have a well behaved, loveable, forever family member!

Dog Owners Guide : German Shepherd Aggression

By: Mark Thomas

While German Shepherds may not inspire the ill placed fear of such breeds as Rottweilers and Pit Bulls, they do land on many banned breed lists.

In fact, it is more of a reputation of being aggressive that German Shepherds have acquired. Owners of these dogs will mostly deny that German Shepherd aggression is a concern, but, unfortunately, the number of incidents of these dogs attacking people and other dogs can t be ignored. However, whilst genetics are a factor, the biggest problem is mis training, or even no training, by their owners.

It would be wrong to think that this trait of inappropriate aggressive behavior is displayed by all, or even most, German Shepherds.It is wholly unfair to let the misdemeanours of the minority result in the entire breed being labeled as dangerous or aggressive .That being said, it is vital for owners to learn to recognize the signs of German Shepherd aggression, so that they can immediately begin to work to bring them under control.

Aggression can take many forms.Some German Shepherds only act aggressively towards other dogs. Some will display aggression only if they are approached whilst they are chewing a bone or eating. Others are aggressive toward strangers, and others even show aggression to some human members of the household in which they live.

Don t discount even minor forms of aggression, say to a cat or the postman, because these could easily escalate into something more serious. If you do notice signs of aggression in your dog, proper training and handling can turn the behavior around and, potentially, save your dog s life.

Some owners make the mistake of yelling at or hitting their German Shepherd when he displays aggressive behavior.For the most part, this makes the overall situation worse, as the dog becomes less trusting of humans.By doing so, you are also placing yourself and those around you at immediate risk it is quite possible that your dog will fight back on being hit and will starting biting and leaping at those nearest to it.

Obedience training is a much better solution for dealing with German shepherd aggression. The best results are seen with younger dogs, but don t let the age of your dog put you off from trying it at any time. Even old dogs can learn to be obedient, it just takes a little more time.

You can learn a lot about obedience training through online resources. They will tell you how to read the signals that dogs give off and how to get them to obey your voice commands. You will be able to find general information on the topic, and also specifics for each breed. It s also increasing common to be able to find videos on obedience dog training too, which can really help your understanding of it.

So, online information and videos are the best place to start, and these might be enough in themselves; however, there is also the option of taking your dog to professional dog obedience classes. This are fairly widespread, so you should be able to find one near to you.

Author Resource:-> Learn More : http://mydogtrainingadvice.com/german-shepherd-aggression By Mark Walters.

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Stopping Your Dog From Chasing

By: Mark Thomas

Most dogs enjoy chasing things, with cats, cars and people being particular favorites of theirs. Dogs generally see this as something fun to do, and don t mean any harm by it, but, the fact is, that by chasing they invoke fear in others and can cause unintentional accidents.

Allowing your dog to chase anything is an irresponsible thing to do. So, it is important that, as the dogs owner, you see it how others see it, as annoying and dangerous. Don t worry though, it is something that can be corrected with a little time and effort.

It is not as simple as just yelling at or hitting your dog after it has chased something. You might think that doing this would make it less likely to do it next time, but it rarely does. It s instincts will kick in again next time around and the pain it suffered last time will be soon forgotten. Taking a proactive approach, rather than a reactive one, is much better.

The very least that you should is not let your dog be in a situation that allows it to chase in the first place. With dogs who regularly chase after things, this may mean having to keep it on a leash or within a fenced yard. Until you have learnt to predict your dogs behavior and have trained it obey your commands, this must be done to ensure no danger comes to your dog or those who share an environment with it.

To prevent them from chasing an owner needs to understand his dogs cues. It is common for dogs to give some indication, such as a prolonged stare or a lifted leg, before they set off after something. Once you know what it is that your dog does, you can act before it does. You should be able to find this out fairly quickly as dogs are creatures of habit.

The obeying of basic commands is necessary for a dog to stop chasing. You need to teach your dog some basic commands to start with, such as sit down and come here. Once your dog understands these skills it will be easier to stop him from chasing.

So, how do you train a dog to obey voice commands? First you need to find something that the dog really likes, such as a toy or treat. Place your chosen item 10ft from the dog and wait for it to start approaching it. As it starts to move, command it to either sit down or come to you. When it obeys your command, speak in a warm tone to it and let it have the toy or treat.

Get a friend to help you, once it has mastered this part of his training. Have your friend jog by you whilst waving a toy or treat and see what the dogs reaction is. If it starts to chase then give the dog the command to either sit down or come. On obeying your command, give it the reward. Should it ignore you and continue to chase then be sure not to give it a reward, even if you feel sorry for it.

This might take some time and patience, but your persistence will pay off. Remain positive and determined and you should have the problem solved within a week.

Author Resource:-> Learn More : http://mydogtrainingadvice.com/stop-dog-chasing Or http://mydogtrainingadvice.com By Mark Walters.

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Your Dog and Crate Training

By: Gerald Hartenhoff

Though maybe slightly harder than teaching a pup, crate training a dog isn t as tough as some might assume. If done correctly, crate training will keep your dog out of trouble and help him to feel more secure in the house.

The following are a few tips that you can use to help with the crate training process.

Your pet should be able to easily stand and turn in the crate. If they are not able to do those types of things easily, then the crate is not big enough.

You can obtain a special type of pad that is designed to fit just right, or you can use whatever he normally sleeps on. If the bedding is comfortable and your dog likes it, the fact that it wasn t custom fit to the crate is a non issue. Make sure to choose washable bedding that is easy to clean.

If it happens that your dog shows fear when he is exposed to the crate, and very little is known of the dogs past, he may have had a bad experience or had just been left in one way to long and way to often. These issues will require more patience with your pet in order to successfully crate train.

Introduce Gradually

Begin by putting the crate in an area where your pet likes to be. Leave it there and the door ajar. Let your dog go inside at his own pace, don t rush him.

Another tip is to put some treats or favorite toys right at the entrance; this will pique your dog s interest in the crate. After some time, you can place treats inside the crate.

If your pet goes inside of its own accord, you can have a go at shutting the door (just don t exit the room; make sure your pet knows you are there). In the beginning, for a few minutes you should leave it closed.

You can slowly increase the amount of time the dog spends in the crate by closing the door for increasingly longer durations.

Next, for a few minutes, exit the room; slowly raise the amount of time you are gone.

Unless your dog is secure with the current step, do not proceed on to the next one.

The worst possible thing you can do for your dog is to,” punish then crate”. Your dog will associate negativity with the crate by doing this. He needs to learn that it is a good place to live without any fear or tension associated with it.

After you have successfully accustomed your dog to the crate, he may be left in it for a few hours.

Some people make the decision to put their dog in a crate while they are at work. Some people crate dogs overnight. Do not do both. If you crate your dog in the day while you are working, in addition to the period when you are asleep, then your pet might spend over 16 hours per day in the crate; more time than they will spend outside of it. This is not acceptable.

Crate training will take a significant amount of time if done properly. Although it could possibly take several weeks or even months, having your dog crate trained is truly worthwhile. During training, it s important to reward your dog while he s in the crate so he starts thinking that going into the crate is a good thing, and not some kind of punishment. Just take your time and don’t rush it. Your dog will be crate trained before you know it.

Author Resource:-> Gerald has been involved in all aspects of the dog business for a number of years. For more dog training tips visit http://mydogtrainingadvice.com

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What Vaccinations Does Your Dog Need?

By: Coleen Smith

You may be surprised to hear that there is no universal protocol for dog vaccinations. There are a few things that are required by the county, like Rabies. There are some vaccines that every dog should get, because there’s a good chance of contracting the disease and/or because the disease is deadly or very contagious. Beyond that, it’s up to you with your veterinarian’s recommendations, to decide which vaccinations to get.

Many veterinarians recommend the vaccination schedule that comes with the vaccinations. This probably makes sense to them because it’s the closest thing to a ‘standard’ that’s available. Most of their clients come in and ask for whatever vaccines their dog needs, trusting that the veterinarian knows what that is or that there is some standard. In this case, it makes sense to just make sure that the vaccines are covered. Better than facing an unhappy client when their dog gets sick even though they came in for vaccinations. But it is possible to overvaccinate. For example, you shouldn’t give a sick or weak dog any vaccines they don’t absolutely need.

Most experts agree that dogs should be protected against canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV 2), canine distemper virus (CDV), canine adenovirus type 2 (CAV 2), and rabies virus (RV) because they are highly contagious and potentially fatal.

Have your puppies vaccinated against distemper, parvo, and adenovirus, not before six weeks, and at least once after the age of 12 weeks. They should get a rabies vaccine after 16 weeks. This means that for the first few weeks, you puppy needs to stay away from any dogs that haven’t been vaccinated. If that’s not possible, talk to your vet about how early you can get the vaccinations and what the risks are.

For all of the other available vaccines, ask your vet about the diseases they protect against. How is it transmitted? How common is it, especially in your area? Is the disease treatable, and if so, how many dogs recover? If the disease kills many dogs who get it and the disease affects dogs in your area, you should get the vaccine. If you’re on the fence, the age and health of your dog may influence your decision.

If you don’t know which vaccines your dog has had and whether they’re current, your vet can do a test to find out if your dog is protected. Talk to your vet about whether it’s better to test or just go ahead and give a booster shot.

Many dog owners go to low cost clinics for vaccinations. If you do this, you need to know which vaccines to get, and you need to keep track and get booster shots when necessary. If you don’t pay for an office visit, you won’t have the opportunity to consult with the doctor. Many veterinarians offer vaccination clinics once a month at their office. Technicians give the shots, and you won’t get a consultation, but at least the vet’s office will keep the records and remind you when it’s time for boosters. If you’re going to do that, you could discuss the options with your vet the first time you bring your dog in for a checkup or for something else. If there are no changes in your dog’s general health, then go to their vaccination clinics.

Managing your dog’s health care is much like managing your own or your children’s health care. Don’t go in blindly. Ask questions, make decisions with the help of your vet, and get the best care for your particular dog.

Author Resource:-> Coleen is the mom of one very special Chocolate Lab named Snickers. We love our favorite veterinarian in Newport Beach at http://www.lidovet.com. Dr. Earl loves pets and takes the time to answer questions. http://www.lidovet.com/ourfamily.html Also check out http://www.ocpetnews.com

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How to Handle Puppy Mishaps With Neighbors

By: David Beart

We’ve all been there before . . . we wake up to find that our dog has dug up the neighbor’s prize winning begonias, turned their blue rain boots into a one of a kind chew toy or grossest of all, left a little “surprise” right in front of their mailbox. (Double gross out factors for those discovered without shoes.)

You’ve been there right? Me too. Time and time again, I’ve found myself “in the doghouse” with neighbors on the wrong end of doggie disaster. Sure we all mutter that our angry neighbor’s resemble the Wicked Witch of the West in the comfort of our own home, but when it comes to dealing with these little mishaps in public how do you handle them with class and manage to keep the peace?

We know how Dorothy could have avoided those dreaded words “I’ll get you and your little dog too!” Read on to find out how you too can avoid those flying monkeys with a little simple error etiquette.

Poop Whoops!

Perhaps the most common doggie uh oh is the poop whoops. One minute Fluffy is out in your yard sweetly sniffing in the grass next to the house – the next he’s circling the rose bush in your neighbor’s yard.
For a dog un leashed, it can be rather tempting to have the “grass is greener” syndrome when taking a potty break. Dogs as you know are “territory markers”. Sometimes they have trouble determining what’s theirs and what’s not . . . especially when it is right in front of their nose.

When “poop” happens, simply be a good neighbor and clean up the mess as soon as you notice it. If the neighbor points it out instead, even if you aren’t sure that it was your dog, simply use the “honor system”. Honor their concerns, apologize and simply go clean it up. Sometimes it’s better to have a little egg on your face than to be in an all out chicken war.

Chewed Treasures

And to this we all say “Good grief!” We walk outside, it’s a perfectly sunshiny day . . . and then we see that brand new Nike of the neighbor’s kid sitting beside our tire chewed into oblivion. Yes . . . at first we must admit, we blame it on the neighbor being crazy enough to leave their shoes on the front porch. I mean after all, how dare they taunt your pup that way?! But in all reality, we know that if their dog came and ran off with our brand new shoes we would be pretty ticked too.

In this situation, step into their shoes . . . think of how you would feel. In this instance, simply explain that you aren’t sure what happened but it seems that Fido got off his leash. Take a peek at the size in the shoe and purchase a pair of new shoes; they don’t have to be as expensive. It’s the gesture that counts.

Flower Faux Pas

Here today, gone tomorrow . . . that was the story of Mr. Wilson’s rosebush and Dennis the Menace’s horribly disobedient dog. When this happens to you, the best thing to do is know that this is not going to be un noticeable. Unlike a little wayward poop that may disappear into a tall patch of grass, any gardener is going to notice their hard work dug to bits.

Be neighborly. Head out and buy a new plant. Offer to plant it for your neighbor with your apologies. While you may be tempted to let it go, remember that if you stay on the good side of your neighbor’s temper they will be less likely to call the dreaded dog catcher if they mess up again. And a ten dollar rosebush is much less expensive than a two hundred dollar “no leash” fine.

When it comes to doggie disasters, we know . . . it can be tempting to let bygones be bygones. But even when we aren’t feeling very neighborly and even when our grumpy neighbor seemingly deserves that steaming pile of poop on their front steps . . . we have to remember that when we became puppy parents we took on the reasonability of their actions. Don’t get caught watching Toto carried away in the bicycle basket . . . simply use a little etiquette and you may find that your own Wicked Witch of the West begins offering up those garden scraps to your furry friend.

Author Resource:-> David Beart is the owner of the http://www.petyak.com . Our site covers pet related topics from cat and dog information to raising tropical fish and caring for birds.

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Happy Howl o ween Costumes For Dogs

By: David Beart

When it comes to Halloween, there’s nothing more fun than carving a few pumpkins, dressing up the kiddies and creating the perfect scarecrow to grace our front yard. While we dish out so much dough for all those bewitching home additions and store bought costumes for the kiddies, when it comes to dressing up our adorable “fourth child”, aka our charming Chihuahua or our dashing Dalmatian, often times the cash just isn’t there.

If you’re thinking of dressing up your fuzzy one, you don’t have to break the bank. With a few simple add ons and items that you may already have lying around the house, you can have your pup sporting the most spook tacular look in the family in no time flat.

The Sweetly Spooky Spider

This costume idea is super simple. Requiring only a small amount of simple sewing our sweetly spooky spider design will turn your little pooch into an adorable arachnid quicker than you can say “Abra Cadabra!”

Start out with a simple doggie t shirt that you already have in pup’s closet, a yard to two yards of fabric (according to the size of your dog. Large dogs will require two yards. Small lap dogs will require only one) and a small amount of pillow stuffing. Measure your pup from the middle of his back down to his feet. Subtract one inch from this measurement. This will be the length of your “spider legs”.

To create your spider legs, simply cut out 8 “legs” according to the measurements you just took. For a smaller dog, create skinny legs to avoid “puppy overload.” (You don’t want any toppling mini poodles!) For larger dogs, you can create heftier legs.

When cutting, just keep in mind that you will want to create enough width in your legs to sew and stuff each one. If you aren’t sure what width to use don’t worry. The charm of homemade costumes is that they do have flaws which make them even more kitschy and adorable.

Once you get the right length and width, fold the “leg” strips in half length wise and begin to sew the edges shut. If you aren’t one for sewing and plan this as a one time use costume, you can simply use a small strip of hot glue instead. Once you get about one inch to the top, begin to stuff the legs. You can use a pencil or ruler to help you get the stuffing into the longer areas. Then sew or hot glue the “leg” shut. Once you complete all eight legs, attach four legs to the both sides of the tee shirt. Make sure to leave enough room on the very top for your spider’s eyes and mouth.

Finish with your choice number of eyes created with simple felt and a cute smile made from ribbon or fabric paint. And wah la! A sweet spider costume for your little sweetie in less than thirty minutes!

Last Minute Looks

No time for sewing, prepping and buying? Here are several looks that are as simple as pie and still every bit as adorable as the real deal.

“Last Minute Moo”

Got a black or white doggie tee and a few fabric scraps or spare pieces of felt in the craft box? Then you have all the makings of the cutest moo cow in town! Simply cut out a few “spots” from those white or black fabric scraps. Hot glue the spots to the back of the shirt for an instant moo moo in the making.
*Hot Howl o ween Tip: Got a little bell lying around the house? Slip it on your pup’s collar. Have some pink fabric either in the sewing room or from an old t shirt? Cut out an “utter” shape, hot glue the sides together, stuff with fluff, toilet paper or cotton balls and attach to the underside of pup’s shirt.

“Hairy Pupper”

Got an old solid color t shirt and scissors? Then you’ve got the beginnings of Hairy Pupper, the great doggie wizard! Simply cut a “cape” shape from the t shirt leaving “strings” on either side at the top of the cape. This will be the cape’s tie. Use other old scraps to create stars for the back of the cape. If you have fabric paint or glitter this works even better. Attach the stars to the cape and you have conjured up the perfect “spell” for cuteness!”

From spooky spiders to marvelous moo cows and everything in between, with just a little creativity you can dream up the perfect bewitching looks for your four legged friend sure to “charm” the socks off everyone they meet. From our family to yours, we wish you a very happy and oh, so spooky safe Howl o ween!

Author Resource:-> David Beart is the owner of the http://www.petyak.com . Our site covers pet related topics from dog training and cats to raising tropical fish and caring for birds.

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There’s always been some controversy over whether you should give treats (i.e. dog biscuits or MilkBones) when you are training a dog. There are advantages and disadvantages to giving treats to a dog when you are training him. This article will hopefully clear up any confusion you might have.

Now, some people say, “Of course! Give the dog treats so he’ll obey you. After all, you won’t get his attention if you don’t give him anything he enjoys.” On the other hand, some other people will say, “No, don’t give the dog treats! He’ll be only obeying you for the food.”

There is truth to both the opinions stated above. The dog does need some incentive to obey you, right? But also, what if they dog does begin to work only for the food? What then? If he’s not hungry and doesn’t really want the food, then he doesn’t have any reason to obey you!

So should you use dog treats? The answer is YES, but in moderation . Don’t give the dog a biscuit every single time he obeys you; instead, sometimes just praise him excessively instead. Also, don’t make the “prize” too big or you’ll be overfeeding him. For example, break a biscuit in half or even cut it into three pieces so you’re not feeding your dog too much when you train him.

Here’s another idea for training young puppies. Don’t feed them biscuits at all – just use adult dog food pellets. The pellets are big enough to be a treat for the young puppy’s tiny mouth, but small enough that it won’t overfeed the puppy.

Another very important point I’d like to make is that you shouldn’t train your dog to obey you only for the food as a reward. Although you might not consciously be doing this, it’s easy to slip into the habit of just rewarding your dog with a treat every single time he does anything remotely good.

Instead, you want your dog to think of you as the “strong master,” or the “alpha” over him, so that he obeys you because you’re the master and because he wants to please you, not just because you have a treat. You can do this by praising him a lot in a high voice when he does something good and in a deep, “you’re in trouble” voice when he does something bad. You want him to distinguish between the voices and figure out that a high voice means “good” and low means “bad” and whenever you do the low voice, you are not pleased with him.

I hope this article has helped you in training your dog. I hope you have much success in developing a well-behaved, friendly dog!

Author Bio
100% Free Dog Training e-Course! http://www.dogobediencetraining123.com/freetips

Are You Prepared to Give Your Dog First Aid If Needed?

As a dog owner, you may find yourself needing to give your dog first aid. Whether a car accident has occurred or your dog has collapsed from health related problems, there are some things you could prepare yourself for. Dogs are curious creatures and sometimes get into dangerous situations. When they get into trouble, it will be your job to help.

Nobody expects you to know everything a veterinarian knows. But, don’t sell yourself short. Many of the problems a dog faces are similar to those of our own. Until you can get your dog to a vet, he or she will depend on you. And, sometimes the care you provide along the way will make the difference when you get to your vet. Having the supplies you need on hand will really help you to be effective.

Having the supplies you need on hand will really help you to be effective. Rolls of gauze and tape are handy to slow or stop bleeding. You can also find some great blood-clotting topical products too. Hydrogen peroxide is an effective disinfectant . An old clean blanket is essential for wrapping a dog in shock. We frequently give a product called Nutrical to dogs when they appear to have a low blood sugar. A first aid kit should also include: ammonia water, antibiotic treatment, hydro cortisone ointment, eyewash, and antihistamine. Also, absorbent cotton, gauze rolls or pads, scissors (preferably with rounded tips), tweezers, a rectal thermometer; syringes (without the needle) for giving oral medications, elastic bandages, an enema bag, soap, and a plastic bowl for preparing dilutions.

Take some time to read those books you have in your doggie library. They will help you get familiar with first aid procedures for your dog. But, don’t delay taking your dog to the vet when needed. Keep your vet’s phone number handy in case you need him. If you think your dog may need professional care in the middle of the night or on a weekend, consider calling your vet and advising him. He may have some good advice or instructions to help you reach him.

Author Bio
Alton Hargrave offers advice and resources for those interested in dogs. His website, Dog-Daze.net contains honest information regarding all breeds of dogs, diseases of dogs and how to maintain your dog.

Most dogs, especially older ones, develop a sense of pattern in their daily lives. Transporting them to new places or doing something that could disrupt those habitual patterns can be upsetting to them.

Experts say that old pets are more likely to have health problems. Common to senior pets are deafness, blindness, and arthritis. As dogs get older, they are more prone to kidney, heart, and liver diseases. Sometimes your pet won’t get around very easily. They might be experiencing arthritis and other degenerative conditions. Keep in mind that if your pets are not used to being boarded, or are not boarded properly, their health problems might worsen.

Planning to board your dog

When you are planning to board your pet, do not hesitate to drop by your chosen kennel beforehand. Speak with your kennel personnel regarding the care of your geriatric pet. Perhaps the kennel has a special area where older pets stay, or maybe they offer special services for senior dog care. Whatever health problems your pet has, be sure to discuss them thoroughly with your kennel personnel before boarding. The kennel staff will be better able to recognize problems with a particular condition if they know what to look for. Be sure to observe the following:

Make your reservations early at the chosen kennel. You will just get disappointed if you book your reservations at the last minute. The best kennels fill up quickly and are booked months in advance. You should also find out what types of payment they accept, what types of equipment you should bring with your dog, and what kind of food they will feed him.

Prepare your pet for boarding. Dogs, just like people, appreciate a break. They enjoy being in new surroundings. Once they get familiar with the place, they will probably have an exciting and marvelous time. For dogs that have never been boarded before, consider some short overnight stays to help him or her get used to boarding.

Check in during office hours. Make sure to bring all the paperwork needed by the kennel. The kennel needs to know your name, address, phone number, your veterinarian’s name and phone number, and where you can be reached when you go away. So in case of emergency it will be easy for them to reach you. If your pet has any special problems that are not covered in your check in forms, point them out to your kennel operator.

This will help your kennel take better care of your pet. Most kennels have special services they provide. They sometimes provide a special diet for your dog or a special boarding place away from the general pet population. Kennel personnel provide nice resting and exercise places for your pets; they may even give your dog soft music to release their stress. Discuss your pet’s individual needs and health conditions in advance, along with what to do if something changes. Remember, your kennel owner is in the business of boarding because he/she loves animals.

Relax and enjoy your trip. Remember that your pet is in good hands. Your pets will probably get more care and attention than they would in your home.

Many older pets have underlying conditions or undiagnosed illnesses that are not readily noticeable. Stress plays an important role regarding your pet’s health. Stress can be caused by a variety of factors: being away from home and loved ones, a new environment, other dogs and cats, new noises, smells and people associated with a kennel, a change in food or water… the list goes on.

Whatever triggers a stress reaction also triggers physical changes in your pet. We may see physical signs of vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, lethargy, or increased respiration. Stress helps animals (and people) cope with a situation. However, when stress is not relieved or reduced sufficiently, the body does not have a chance to rest. This is why your pet can become ill away from home, even when he appeared normal when you dropped him off. Be sure to check for these conditions when you pick up your dog and find out what triggered them.

Author Bio
Katie Simpson is a longtime dog lover. For more tips and strategies for caring for and enjoying your canine companion, be sure to visit her Brilliant Dogs.

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