How Owning a Dog or Cat Can Reduce Stress

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When thinking of ways to reduce stress in life, usually techniques likemeditation, yoga and journaling come to mind. These are great techniques, to be sure. But getting a new best friend can also have many stress relieving and health benefits. While human friendsprovide great social support and come with some fabulous benefits, this article focuses on the benefits of furry friends: cats and dogs! Research shows that, unless you’re someone who really dislikes animals or is absolutely too busy to care for one properly, pets can provide excellent social support, stress relief and other health benefits—perhaps more than people! Here are more health benefits of pets:

Pets Can Improve Your Mood:

For those who love animals, it’s virtually impossible to stay in a bad mood when a pair of loving puppy eyes meets yours, or when a super-soft cat rubs up against your hand. Research supports the mood-enhancing benefits of pets. A recent study found that men with AIDS were less likely to suffer from depression if they owned a pet. (According to one study, men with AIDS who did not own a pet were about three times more likely to report symptoms of depression than men who did not have AIDS. But men with AIDS who had pets were only about 50 percent more likely to report symptoms of depression, as compared to men in the study who did not have AIDS.)

Pets Control Blood Pressure Better Than Drugs: 

Yes, it’s true. While ACE inhibiting drugs can generally reduce blood pressure, they aren’t as effective on controlling spikes in blood pressure due to stress and tension. However, in a recent study, groups of hypertensive New York stockbrokers who got dogs or cats were found to have lower blood pressure and heart rates than those who didn’t get pets. When they heard of the results, most of those in the non-pet group went out and got pets!

Pets Encourage You To Get Out And Exercise: 

Whether we walk our dogs because they need it, or are more likely to enjoy a walk when we have companionship, dog owners do spend more time walking than non-pet owners, at least if we live in an urban setting. Because exercise is good for stress management and overall health, owning a dog can be credited with increasing these benefits.

Pets Can Help With Social Support: 

When we’re out walking, having a dog with us can make us more approachable and give people a reason to stop and talk, thereby increasing the number of people we meet, giving us an opportunity to increase our network of friends and acquaintances, which also has great stress management benefits.

Pets Stave Off Loneliness and Provide Unconditional Love:

Pets can be there for you in ways that people can’t. They can offer love and companionship, and can also enjoy comfortable silences, keep secrets and are excellent snugglers. And they could be the best antidote to loneliness. In fact, research shows that nursing home residents reported less loneliness when visited by dogs than when they spent time with other people! All these benefits can reduce the amount of stress people experience in response to feelings of social isolation and lack of social support from people.

Pets Can Reduce Stress—Sometimes More Than People: 

While we all know the power of talking about your problems with a good friend who’s also agood listener, recent research shows that spending time with a pet may be even better!Recent research shows that, when conducting a task that’s stressful, people actually experienced less stress when their pets were with them than when a supportive friend or even their spouse was present! (This may be partially due to the fact that pets don’t judge us; they just love us.)

It’s important to realize that owning a pet isn’t for everyone. Pets do come with additional work and responsibility, which can bring its own stress. However, for most people, the benefits of having a pet outweigh the drawbacks. Having a furry best friend can reduce stress in your life and bring you support when times get tough.

dogs: Why Man's Best Friend is Man's Best Friend

For over 15,000 years dogs have worked to earn the distinction of being "man's best friend." Dogs have not only offered love and affection, but worked side-by-side with their human counterpart for centuries. A vast assortment of studies have been conducted to research the physical, emotional, and social benefits of canine companionship.

Physical benefits of dog companionship

Increase longevity after heart attacks. Dog ownership increases the odds for survival in persons who have had a heart attack from 1 in 87 to 1 in 15.

Lower cholesterol and triglycerides. People with pets have been found to have lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels when compared to people who did not have pets, even when matched for weight, diet, and smoking habits.

Decrease blood pressure and reduce stress. Studies of people undergoing stress tests or physical examinations have demonstrated that the presence of a dog lowered their heart rate and blood pressure during testing.

Increase physical activity and functioning. People who own pets often have better physical health due to the need to exercise and care for their pets.

Reduce medical appointments and minor health problems. The use of prescription drugs and the overall cost of caring for patients in nursing homes dropped in those facilities where companion animals became part of the therapy.

Predict seizures. Some people who have periodic seizures have reported that their dogs can sense the onset of a seizure before they can. Now it has been found that dogs can be specially trained to recognize some type of change prior to a seizure, and signal the owner of the imminent seizure. These dogs are called 'seizure-alert' or 'seizure-response' dogs, and can be trained to signal their owners from 15 to 45 minutes prior to a seizure.

Alert to hypoglycemia. There are also animals who alert their owners to episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which allows the owner to correct the level before serious symptoms develop.

Emotional benefits of dog companionship

Adjust to serious illness and death. Children often turn to their pet for comfort if a friend or family member dies or leaves the family. Grieving adults who did not have a close source of human support were also found to have less depression if they had a pet.

Be less anxious and feel more safe. Pet owners tend to feel less afraid of being a victim of crime when walking with a dog or having a dog in the home.

Relax and reduce everyday stress. Pets can help us relax and focus our attention away from our problems and worries.

Have physical contact. This ability to have something to touch and pet is very important. More and more studies show how important touch is to our physical and emotional health.

Lift our mood. Pets decrease our feelings of loneliness and isolation by providing companionship to all generations.

Feel less lonely. Pets can help ease the sense of loneliness or isolation we feel.

Have something to care for. Everyone needs to feel needed and have something to care for. Many elderly citizens or people living alone will tell you their pet gives them a reason for living.

Keep active. Having a pet can help us remain more active. We may not only get more exercise from walking a dog, but we also increase our activity through feeding, grooming, and otherwise caring for our pet.

Have consistency. Pets provide some consistency to our lives. Caring for a pet can significantly affect our routine and gives us something to do and look forward to each day.

Social benefits of dogs

Create a sense of closeness and well-being. Families surveyed before and after they acquired a pet reported feeling happier after adding a pet to the family.

Offer a topic of conversation. A study in a veteran's hospital showed that the residents had more verbal interactions with each other when a dog was present in the room than when there was no dog present. Dogs were also shown to increase socialization among persons with Alzheimer's disease in a Special Care Unit of a nursing home.

Promote interaction. Residents in long-term care facilities were more likely to attend activity sessions when an animal was going to be present.

Is there any wonder that the bond which began more than 15,000 years ago still exists today? Dogs have an extraordinary affect on many aspects of the human condition. Their ability to act the clown, be non-judgmental, help us feel needed, offer unconditional love and trust, provide an ear to our troubles, and warm fuzzy fur to hold and stroke ensures them the well-deserved title of "man's best friend."

7 Surprising Health Benefits of Dog Ownership

You may not think so when you get a heart-stopping veterinarian bill — or when all your dog does is laze on the couch and watch TV with you — but dog ownership actually can provide a variety of health benefits.

Anecdotal and scientific evidence have shown that dog owners tend to be healthier than the average person. Here are seven ways that living with a dog might keep you healthy.

They can detect cancer

Scientific reports of dogs sniffing out cancerous growths go back at least two decades. According to a 1989 case study in The Lancet, a patient reported that her dog would constantly sniff at a mole on her leg, and once even tried to bite the lesion off. Prompted by this, she had her mole checked out and found it to be a malignant melanoma.

But dogs are not only good at sniffing out skin cancer, some can also detect bladder, lung, breast, ovarian and colon cancer. In fact, a specially trained eight-year-old black Labrador named Panda correctly detected colorectal cancer in 33 out of 37 samples of people's breath and stool that scientists had collected. Moreover, according to the article in the journal Gut published this year, Panda appeared to be highly accurate at detecting early-stage colorectal cancer.

It's unclear whether such dogs are zeroing in on some unknown, tumor-related volatile compounds, or more conventional substances in body fluids associated with an increased risk of cancer, such as metabolites of cigarettes, the researchers said. However, in this experiment, Panda identified cancer patients even among body—fluid samples from people with inflammation, a history of smoking, or other diseases.

They can keep you active

This is perhaps no surprise to owners that frequently walk or exercise with their dogs. After all, dogs are more likely to beg for a walk or a game of fetch than other house pets.

According to a 2010 study in the American Journal of Public Health, children with dogs spent more time doing moderate to vigorous physical activity than children without dogs.

And this effect extends to adult dog owners. According to a 2006 study done by Canadian researchers at the University of Victoria, dog owners were more likely to participate in mild to moderate physical activity. They walked an average of 300 minutes per week, compared with non-dog owners, who walked an average of 168 minutes per week.

The difference between dog owners and those who do not own a pet may be less dramatic, but still significant — in a 2008 study by the National Cancer Institute, dog owners only walked 19 minutes more per week by comparison.

Regardless, this still hinges on your willingness to walk the dog in the first place. According to a 2006 study by Johns Hopkins University researchers, while dog ownership might obligate owners to walk their dogs, only a fraction of owners walked their dogs at least three times a week, and that fraction was especially among elderly dog owners. Therefore, even though dog ownership might promote walking activity and motivate both the dog and the owner to go outside for some fresh air, you're not going to experience those benefits if you're too reluctant to walk the dog.

They can tell when you have low blood sugar

Some trained dogs seem to detect low blood sugar levels. According to a 2000 article in the British Medical Journal, more than one-third of dogs living with diabetic people have been reported to display behavioral changes when their owners' blood sugar drops, sometimes even before patients themselves were aware of it. In two case studies cited by the paper, the dogs not only detected their owners' falling glucose levels, they even nudged their owners into eating.

It's unclear how the dogs did it, but it's possible that they detected minute muscle tremors, or changes in the owners' scents, according to the study.

And they might be able to learn the skill. Reportedly, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel was recently taught to recognize low blood sugar by the Pups in Prison program at the Junee Correctional Centre in Australia, where inmates helped train service dogs.

They can reduce your risk of eczema

Many parents worry about exposing young children to dogs, fearing it could trigger allergy or eczema reactions. However, preliminary research showed that children were significantly less likely to develop eczema by age 4 if they began mingling with dogs at infancy.

The study, published in the Journal of Pediatrics in 2011, followed 636 children and found the rate of eczema was lower among kids who lived with a family dog. In fact, even for kids sensitive to dog allergens, having a dog did not increase their risk of developing eczema.

But before you rush out to get a dog for your kid, keep in mind that more research still needs to be done in this area. Previous research has shown that dogs can also increase the risk of asthma in some kids.

They can help you during seizures

The duties of a seizure dog are similar to those of a seeing-eye dog — to help their owners navigate day-to-day activities, and steer them away from harmful situations. There are many organizations in the United States that train seizure dogs. In most cases, these dogs are trained to recognize subtle behavior or body language changes during seizure events.

But some believe that the dogs are perceptive enough to warn their owners of oncoming attacks, allowing the owners to take seizure-blocking medication, get to a safe place or call for assistance. However, there are very few scientific studies supporting the idea that dogs can detect epileptic seizures ahead of time.

According to two articles in the journal Neurology in 2007, studies on seizure dogs were vulnerable to reporting bias because most relied on patient and family reports of dog and patient behavior. Despite such anecdotes, the study said, some dogs were more likely to respond to psychological seizures, which stem from emotional difficulties and are different than epileptic seizures. In a case cited by the paper, a dog actually triggered a nonepileptic seizure by licking its owner's face.

Although some researchers have cast doubt that dogs are able to alert owners to seizures, most researchers agree that a dog can at the very least provide important support and companionship for patients with epilepsy.

They can steer you away from foods that you're allergic to

Some dogs are good at sniffing out illicit substances and bombs. However, it appears that other dogs' olfactory prowess is better used in detecting allergens.

For people whose peanut allergies are so severe that even miniscule residues in the air can trigger an allergic reaction, a peanut detection dog can come in handy, according to according to training facilities such as the Florida Canine Academy. These dogs, after going through vigorous training, can detect the trace presence of peanuts in a room, such as a cookie left on the table or a candy bar hidden in a lunch bag.

Owners with peanut allergies still have to be vigilant about peanut contaminations in food, and should always carry an epinephrine pen in case of emergencies. However, peanut-detecting dogs can help ease their minds.

They can help you rehabilitate from illnesses

In fact, that is the concept behind many pet visitation programs at hospitals and rehabilitation centers. Therapy dogs can encourage mobility, interpersonal contact and socialization among patients. According to a 2005 review in the British Medical Journal, dogs act as "social catalysts," leading to greater interaction between people and alleviating feelings of loneliness, especially among elderly patients with physical disabilities.

Dog owners are also better at dealing with stressful events, and therefore helping them avoid anxiety-related illnesses, the study said.

Although some studies have suggested that dog owners are significantly less likely to die within one year of a heart attack than those who did not own dogs, those studies were based on a small sample and weren't population-based.

Top 10 Most Elite Dog Breeds

Nowadays there are few things a person can truly count on. Relationships end, careers change, your favorite restaurants fall victim to the health department. Through this whirlwind of uncertainty, one thing remains steadfast; a man’s best friend. For most people, dogs serve as a companion while jogging through the park, or for some people they are almost like a member of the family.

Even fewer people, however, are dog connoisseurs that are willing to pay out the ass for rare breeds of dogs. Most of us, even dog-lovers, consider this to be a ridiculous way to spend money. But, if you have the money, its you fortune to burn through right? The following is the list of the most expensive dog breeds that have fetched some of the most absurdly high collar prices in international auctions”

10. Bearded Collie

The Bearded Collie is ideal for the adventurous Elite. Once bred as Scottish shepherds, this dog prefers to spend his time outdoors. Averaging 60 lbs. this family- friendly breed has become an American favorite since its first appearance in 1967. This breed is known for having an independent personality and thriving in the presence of people. The Bearded Collie has a tendency to display its herding pedigree in the home by trying to herd family members together.

Collar Price: $2,500

9. Pharaoh Hound



This breed is the closest any of us will come to seeing an actual Pharaoh. Tracing its roots back to 4000 B.C in Ancient Egypt, the Pharaoh Hound is the oldest domesticated dog breed. This breed is recognized for its unique ability to blush when excited; its nose and ears turn a deep shade of rose. The Pharaoh Hound requires daily exercise, and has an acute sense of sight and sound.

Collar Price: $4,500

8. Tibetan Mastiff

First imported to the United States in the 1970’s, the Tibetan Mastiff is a loyal, calm, and loving house pet. Hailing from the Himalayan Mountains in Tibet, this breed can reach up to 200 lbs. Although it is not generally the most expensive dog breed, the most expensive dog ever sold was the Tibetan Mastiff for a price of $1.5 million.

Collar Price: $4,000

7. Rottweiler

Never judge a book by its cover. The Rottweiler has a reputation for being an aggressive dog with a powerful, dangerous body. On the contrary they are very loyal dogs that tend to risk their safety for any member of their family. They are ideal guard dogs who are extremely protective of their owners. This breed is truly a man’s best friend.

Collar Price: $5,000

6. Chow Chow

The Chow Chow, known for its distinct blue tongue, come it at No. 5. Don’t be fooled by its fluffy exterior, this breed has an extremely dominant personality. Therefore, it needs a dominant owner who is firm yet gentle. Averaging about 70 lbs. this breed has a tendency to snore loudly, so they are not advised for light sleepers.

Collar Price: $6,000

5. English Bulldog

As classic to Britain as the Queen, the English bulldog fills the No.4 slot. Commonly referred to as the gentlest breed in the world, the English Bulldog is the ideal house pet. They are an indoor breed that does not do well in hot climates (air conditioning required).

Collar Price: $5,000

4. Samoyed

Kicking off the top three is the Siberian Samoyed. This thick haired beauty is known for being playful and social. As many things from England are, this breed is considered highly intelligent. Due to its thick luxurious coat, this breed will require more extensive grooming than its owner. Averaging about 65 lbs. the Samoyed is the perfect easy-going dog for its equally enthusiastic owner.

Collar Price: $8,000

3. Cavalier Kings Charles Spaniel

This tri-colored breed is known for its loving personality shown by its endless tail wagging. On average, this breed weighs in at around 15 lbs. However, like most of us, they tend to gain weight easily so daily exercise is a must. The Cavalier Kings Charles Spaniel is fit for just that, a King.

Collar Price: $10,000

2. German Shepherd



Presenting the breed with the most buck for its bark; the German Shepherd. This dog can be trained as a drug sniffer, rescue dog, a helping aid for the visually impaired, and can certainly ward of your creepy neighbors. German Shepherds require a lot of exercise and can handle strenuous activity. It is ideal for their owner to be the leader of the pack, just as they are.

Collar Price: $8,000

1. Red Tibetan Mastiff



Genghis Khan had one, legend says. So did the Buddha. And now, the prized red Tibetan mastiff, thought to be one of the world’s oldest and most venerable breeds, has another distinction: One of the massive, fluffy dogs has become the most expensive dog ever sold. An 11-month old pup named Big Splash (“Hong Dong” in Chinese) recently sold in the Chinese city of Qingdao for 10 million yuan — about $1.5 million in U.S. dollars. The 3-foot-tall, 180-pound dog is one of a breed that has been around since time immemorial. Tibetan mastiffs are said to have guarded nomad camps and monasteries, and are rarely seen outside of Tibet.

World’s Largest Dog Breeds

Large dogs can bring lots of fun and joy to a household, and kids especially love them. Despite their size, these “gentle giants” are generally loyal, well-tempered and good-natured creatures. If you are considering a large dog, here are several dog breeds consistently found in the top “biggest dogs” lists, measured by weight, height, and length.

Fun Fact!

A Great Dane currently holds the record for World’s Tallest Living Dog and Tallest Dog Ever.

Now, onto the list!

1. English Mastiff

According to the American Kennel Club, the largest breed of dog is the English Mastiff, also known as the Old English Mastiff. Mastiffs are considered the heaviest dog breed, but not necessarily the tallest. They can weigh anywhere from 110 lbs to 343 lbs. The height of a mastiff can range from 25 inches at the shoulder to 36 inches.

Zorba, an English Mastiff, went broke records as the heaviest and tallest dog ever in 1989, with a weight of 343 lbs. Zorba measured over 8 feet from nose to tail and was said to be about the size of a small donkey. Currently,Hercules, a 282-lbs English mastiff with a 38-inch neck, cinched the record in 2001 for World’s Heaviest Dog.

2. Neapolitan Mastiff

Neapolitan Mastiffs are fearless and extremely protective companions. They measure approximately 26 to 31 inches at the withers. Usually weighing about 170 lbs, Neapolitan Mastiffs can also reach up to 200 lbs.

3. Irish Wolfhound

Irish Wolfhounds are said to be the tallest dog breed. Historically, the Irish Wolfhound’s astonishing size, speed, and intelligence made them ideal animals for hunting wolves and boars, though they are quite docile and friendly in nature. With a robust and muscular build, males can attain the stature of a small pony. The Irish Wolfhound can reach up to 7 feet tall when standing on its hind legs and weigh 90 to 150 lbs.

4. Great Dane

Great Danes are considered the second-tallest dog after Irish Wolfhounds. However, from year to year it seems the title of Tallest Dog, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, is held by a Great Dane.

Giant George currently holds the record for World’s Tallest Living Dog and Tallest Dog Ever. George is a 250-pound blue Great Dane from Arizona. He stands 3 feet, 7 inches tall from paw to shoulder. Giant George—who even has his own website—consumes 110 lbs of food each month. He also sleeps on his own queen-sized bed inside the house.

5. St. Bernard

Known for its bravery and aptitude in alpine rescue missions, the average weight of a St. Bernard is between 140 and 220 lbs, and the approximate height is about 27½ inches to 35½ inches. A St. Bernard named Benedictineholds the world record for the Heaviest Dog Ever. Benedictine, who displaced Zorba as the heaviest dog of all time, is said to have weighed 357 lbs.

6. Newfoundland

The Newfoundland is thought to be the strongest of any dog breed, even beating some characteristics of the Great Dane, Mastiff and Irish Wolfhound. Some Newfoundland dogs have been known to weigh over 200 lbs. The largest Newfoundland on record weighed 260 lbs and measured over 6 feet from nose to tail.

7. Leonberger

Deriving its name from the city of Leonberg in south-west Germany, according to legend the Leonberger was bred as a “symbolic dog: that would mimic the lion in the town crest. These proud and self-disciplined animals stand 28 to 31.5 inches tall and weigh between 120 to 170 lbs.

8. Anatolian Shepherd

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a muscular breed with a thick neck and broad head, commonly used for guarding sheep from wolves, bears, jackals, and even cheetahs. It stands 29 to 36 inches and weighs between 90 and 150 pounds.

9. Dogue de Bordeaux (French Mastiff)

The Dogue de Bordeaux is said to have the largest head in the canine world in proportion to the rest of the body. The average Dogue de Bordeaux measures 23 to 30 inches, and weighs 120 to 145 pounds.

It is important that big dogs get outdoors as much as possible—at least two long walks a day—as their energy requirement can be 25 percent higher than that of small indoor dogs. All that spent energy will require a hefty amount of food to keep your hungry companion fit and healthy, but it is recommended you give your large dog three smaller meals, rather than one large one. This will prevent overeating, as bloat is the number two killer of large dogs after cancer.

Also, know that large dogs are prone to bone and joint problems, and diseases like arthritis, hip dysplasia, and obesity. So before making any final decisions, ensure you will be able to properly care for your new furry friend.

3-foot-7-inch Great Dane world's tallest dog

Guinness

This photo released by Guinness World Records shows Giant George, a Great Dane from Tucson, Ariz., stands 3 feet, 7 inches tall from paw to shoulder, which is three-quarters of an inch taller than his closest rival, Titan, a white Great Dane from San Diego. Sitting under Giant George is owner David Nasser.

A 250-pound blue Great Dane from Arizona gives new meaning to the term "big dog."

Guinness World Records says Giant George from Tucson is the tallest dog ever on record.

Guinness said today that he stands 3 feet, 7 inches tall from paw to shoulder, which is three-quarters of an inch taller than his closest rival - Titan, a white Great Dane from San Diego.

The 4-year-old Titan took the title of world's tallest dog in 2009 after Gibson, a Great Dane from Grass Valley, Calif., died of bone cancer.

Guinness officials say there were conflicting reports about Giant George's height, so they sent a judge to verify it.

Newborn dogs lovely images

 Sleeping newborn puppy

 lovely newborn dogs

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Caring for a new puppy

Caring for a new puppy-Get ready for the fun.. You’ve found the puppy of your dreams, transported him safely home, now you need to get to grips with the immediate realities of caring for a new puppy: 

• Where is my new puppy going to sleep?
• What am I going to feed my new puppy? 
• What essential items do I need for my new puppy? 

These are the essentials of new puppy care. Your puppy has got a lot to learn in a very short period of time. Our job as dog owners is to make the learning process as easy as possible. So let’s start with: 

Where is my new puppy going to sleep? For all of its very short life your puppy has snuggled up to its canine family every night. Secure, and safe in a world that usually isn’t larger than the playpen that has confined her for the past 8 weeks or so. Now she’s in the wider world, her family are no longer around. At bedtime it’s guaranteed that she’s going to be feeling pretty anxious about things. 

Hopefully, your chosen breeder was wise enough to have provided you with a blanket that was imprinted with the scent of her canine family to help her overcome the early days of separation. If that’s the case, use it as her first bed. If not use a blanket or old quilt as her first bed. 

Place it in a secure box, pen or crate. Line the area with a couple of layers of lino or polythene, and cover that with several sheets of newspaper. Where this is located is your decision, but if you want to reassure your puppy, and speed up the bonding process, place it in your bedroom. 

Why the bedroom? Just the nearness of you, your comforting smell, and being able to see you, will reassure your puppy. It will also help in the socialisation of your new pet. Dogs are social animals. That means that they need company; to interact with you, and with your family and friends. 

Sharing your sleeping quarters for a few nights can help your puppy get over these first few scary nights. If you plan for your pup to sleep elsewhere in the longer term, simply make the move after a week or so. A better method, which your pup will hardly notice, is to gradually move her complete bedding to its final location on a daily basis. 

What am I going to feed my new puppy? Your puppy’s mother should have commenced weaning the litter from her own milk at around 4 weeks of age. The breeder would have overseen this natural process, and then given the litter their first lessons in lapping milk from a saucer. The breeder would have begun feeding them 2 very small meals per day, escalating to around 5 meals per day at seven weeks of age. This might sound a lot, but it is far better to feed little and often as a puppies' digestion can easily be upset. At 8 weeks of age the mother has ceased to secrete milk, and the puppies are fully weaned. 

This is where you enter the picture. It is imperative that the breeder of your puppy informs you how many meals per day your puppy has been receiving, and in what quantity. She should also give you at least a few day’s supply of that food. If you decide to change to another food, do it very gradually. At this early stage you should make a decision about your dog’s future diet. This page on Dog Feeding should help you to decide.

At 3 months of age you can cut out one meal per day, and at 4 months three meals per day should be sufficient. You can still give your puppy milk; goat’s milk being the nearest consistency to a dogs. Cod liver oil is a good supplement. 

Your puppy is going to need plenty of good, fresh, nourishing food- but don’t overload her. Make sure that food bowls are kept scrupulously clean. Left-over food should never be given the next day. Be sure that your puppy has always got clean, fresh water available.

At 7- 9 months most puppies, in most breeds, are fully grown, but they’re not fully developed until around 12-18 months of age. 

What essential items do I need for my new puppy? Walk in to your local pet shop and ask this question. Better still walk in and just cast your eye through the dog section. Trousers, coats, exercise machines, a seemingly endless array of toys and treats, collars, crates, leads, brushes, combs and on and on. 

These items are all that you need at the puppy stage: A small food bowl, a small water dish, some form of suitable bedding. Apart from these 3 essential items your puppy is going to need some toys, a soft, tufted brush, and a light training lead. Find out more about these below.

Just like children pups need toys: They need to chew and to play. For a puppy everything is a toy. It has to be dragged, chewed, shaken, and on occasions- swallowed. Your puppy can't tell the difference between the rubber ball that you bought her, and your slippers, best shoes, electric cables, favourite hat, etc.

It's your responsibility to make sure that your puppy is denied access to dangerous and forbidden items. 

There's many safe, chewable bones, balls, rings, etc, on the market. Kong's are an excellent example of a safe and fun puppy toy. There’s even a hollow type that you can fill with a treat. Your puppy will love chewing these- especially when he’s teething.

Don't give your puppy too many toys. If the choice is large, she’ll think that everything is a toy- and that’s what your trying to prevent.

Keep one "special" toy to one side. This “special” toy only comes out when you play with him. This is an early part of training and relates to you as a leader. By only allowing him access to this "special" toy when you permit it, your sending out a subtle message to your puppy, letting him know exactly who is in charge. 

Learning to love his leash: The first time you slip a collar on your puppy and attach a lead, it’s a foregone conclusion that the reaction will be one of fear, and often panic. You need to take a more subtler route to achieve your goal.

Make sure that his first collar is very soft, and the right fit. Once you slip it on make sure that you can place two fingers beneath the collar, and your puppy’s neck. Just before you feed him put on the collar. This will definitely be forgotten once he catches the smell, and then the sight of his dinner. 

Take it off straight after the meal, and then praise him. Repeat this process, and gradually lengthen the time that he’s wearing the collar. Now to get the lead on: Attach a piece of string, wool or cotton to the collar about the length of a leash. Roll a ball and encourage him to chase it. Pick up the end of the cotton leash, without allowing it to become taut, and just follow him around. Again repeat these actions over the next few days, until it becomes perfectly natural. 

Finally the big day has arrived. Attach a light training lead to his collar at dinner time. Call him to eat, allowing the leash to drag behind. Remove it after the meal. Repeat this several times. Next, call him for his dinner, only this time pick up the leash, take up some of the slack and follow him to the bowl. 

Repeat over several days. Through the association of nice things--food and play--with the collar and lead, your puppy will be well on his way to learning how to love his leash.

Grooming-an essential part of caring for a new puppy. Creating a bond between you and your puppy is vital. Grooming is probably the easiest and most fruitful method of developing it.

Start grooming your puppy from day one. He’s at his most receptive stage right now. Just make sure that the first brush that you buy is very soft. You’ll need to keep the grooming sessions short, but on a regular basis. Speak to him as you lightly brush. Be sure to make it enjoyable for him, and don't forget the treat at the end of each session.

Due to the various breed requirements some coats require far more care and attention than others. Even if your dog comes from a breed with an easy care coat you should still spend time grooming your puppy for two important reasons. One is psychological and the other is physical.

Firstly: Each time that you groom your puppy your taking control of a situation. Your acting as a natural leader, and thereby relaying a clear message to him that establishes the order of things in your household. Or, in the canine world, your the pack leader, and he’s one of the pack. 

Secondly: It will maintain your dogs coat and skin in tip top condition. It will also keep you aware of any parasites that have taken up residence in your new pup’s coat. 

Caring for a new puppy involves several important aspects. If you want, a well mannered, well adjusted adult dog, then you need to find out all about socialising your puppy.

Keeping Your Dog Busy

Dogs are very intelligent animals and they blossom in environments where they have plenty to do. City dogs are often required to spend substantial periods of time inactive. "In the old days", dogs lived on country properties and spent their days exploring the grounds, scrounging from the compost, trotting after the tractor, rounding up the livestock, playing with the kids, and napping under the shade of an oak tree. The average urban dog experiences a very different reality: after 7-8 hours of sleep, they get a brief morning walk around the block to eliminate, followed by a well-balanced breakfast served in a bowl. The dog then snoozes while the owner prepares for his/her day, takes a long nap on the bed until the dog walker comes at mid-day for a 30 minute leashed walk in the park, followed by an afternoon nap until the owner comes home. The lucky dog will spend another 30 minutes walking with the owner about the neighborhood, maybe share a quick game of fetch in the hallway, have dinner and a cuddle on the sofa watching TV with the owner before bed.

Couch potato dogs will relish this sedentary lifestyle but most dogs, if given a choice, want to be active! In fact, some dogs can't hack the cushy city life at all and instead, drive their owners crazy, racing around the house, tearing the pillows, and digging up the flowers. Why do dogs have so much energy?

Most breeds of dogs were developed to perform specific jobs for people, such as guarding, herding, or hunting; work that demands physical stamina and mental concentration. When we choose to open our home to a dog, it becomes our responsibility to meet the behavioural needs of that dog by providing appropriate outlets for his physical and mental energy.

"No Pain, No Gain"

A tired dog is generally a good dog! Dogs need physical exercise. The average dog benefits from a minimum of two outings per day. If left to their own devices, dogs tend to be most active morning and evening, choosing to sleep mid-day. Off-leash exercise is best, provided the dog is trained not to run away or get into other forms of trouble. Being off leash allows the dog to monitor his own exercise - he can run when he feels like it and rest when he needs it. This is especially critical for puppies because their growth plates have not yet closed and too much exercise can result in orthopedic problems that plague the dog the rest of his life.

The most extensive exercise should be in the morning, after a good night's sleep. If you wait until the evening, you've forced the dog to remain sedentary all night AND all day, which is a lot to ask. This is particularly true if you plan to leave the dog alone all day. A moderately sized dog, from a terrier to a retriever, should be out for 45-60 minutes in the morning and at least 30-45 minutes in the evening.

Strenuous aerobic exercise is best for healthy, physically sound dogs. If your dog has been a couch potato, check with your veterinarian before embarking on an exercise program with your dog. Off leash running and play with other dogs permits your dog physical exertion and social contact with others of his species. If you plan to frequent city dog runs, your dog should have impeccable manners with other dogs and with people. Mature dogs don't always like the close confinement of a dog run and are more likely to behave aggressively, especially if there are rambunctious young dogs present.

Even dogs with orthopedic problems need managed exercise to keep the muscles strong so they can support weak bones and joints. Swimming is great exercise for any dog but is especially beneficial for unsound dogs, like those with hip dysplasia.

Owners with high-energy dogs can enjoy including their dogs in their own exercise programs, such as running, roller blading, or cycling. Sustained running like this is a wonderful way to expend excess energy and keep a dog fit but, just like people, it is crucial to build up your dog's stamina for distance. Make sure you give your dog an opportunity to urinate and defecate before you get going, especially if you exercise them on lead. Keep in mind that dogs don't cool themselves as efficiently as people - they pant rather than perspire. If you require your dog run to keep up with you, make sure he has frequent opportunities to immerse in water. This allows for rapid cooling.

Every morning, my dogs run while I ride my bike. I ride on a bike trail that runs alongside a stream so every few minutes, the dogs take a quick dip. When it's really hot, they even dunk their heads under the water! As long as they can keep wet, my dogs are able to run for several miles, even in summer heat waves.

Training a dog to run alongside you while you roller blade or cycle can be a bit of a challenge, especially if your dog likes to chase bunnies or squirrels. Your dog must be taught that it is unacceptable to chase animals while exercising with you. Some dogs can learn this on just a regular collar, while others need to wear a training collar, such as a choke or pinch collar, to ensure everyone's safety. There are attachments for bicycles to prevent the dog from knocking the bike over. A solid-leash device, called the Springer, is attached to the bike frame and the dog is connected to the bar. These are available from some pet stores and through pet supply websites.

For those owners averse to physical exercise themselves, fetch games are great but take care if your dog likes to catch air going after a Frisbee or ball. They often land hard and, if it happens enough, this can cause long-term damage to bones and joints. Another option is the doggy treadmills. For a few thousand dollars you can have the latest in dog exercise equipment! From what I hear, if trained properly, dogs love to run on treadmills. I've also heard of owners training their dogs to run on their own treadmills designed for humans. Often these treadmills have been collecting dust in the basement for years.

"Will Work for Food"

They say that if people don't use their brains, cells begin to deteriorate. I have no reason to assume that dogs are any different. Dogs love to solve problems, especially ones that involve food.

Food toys are a great way to enrich your dog's world. All animals enjoy spending time and effort obtaining food. In fact, it has been shown that, if given a choice between free food and food that requires work, such as searching or manipulating an object, animals prefer to work for their food. For instance, squirrels would rather be given peanuts in the shell than ones already shelled. So rather than give your dog his food in a bowl, for free, give him a puzzle to solve. Offer the dog his dinner in a Kong, a Goodie Ship, or a Buster Cube (see below for detailed instructions). Hide small containers of food around the house and release him to go find them. Take his bowl of food and toss the kibble into the backyard so he has to snuffle around in the grass to find the small pieces of kibble.

Training is another excellent way to stimulate a dog's brain. In general dogs love to learn and even old dogs can learn new tricks. You can practice basic obedience manners, teach parlor tricks, or set up a few obstacles in your backyard so your dog can demonstrate his agility. Short sessions of 5-10 minutes once or twice a day is best. Keep it light and fun for the dog (and for you!) by using food, play, and plenty of praise and enthusiasm.

If you want more formalized stimulation, try agility or flyball training. The sport of agility involves teaching the dog to jump, climb, and weave through various obstacles. Most dogs love to use their bodies and they love to "play" with their owners, so agility is especially popular among dogs. A well-trained agility dog responds to various commands, including turning right, left, going ahead, flipping behind, sit, down and stay. Flyball is a relay race between teams of dogs - one at a time, dogs on a team will race over a set of low jumps to a special box that, when triggered by the dog, releases a tennis ball at top speed. The dog catches the ball and returns over the jumps to the owner. The first team with all four dogs across the finish line, each with a ball, wins! Flyball is a very noisy activity because most dogs tend to cheer their teammates on with frantic barking. Serious flyball competitors are pretty noisy as well and tend to resemble hockey moms or soccer dads!

In addition to obedience, agility, and flyball, there are unlimited activities for owners and their dogs, such as tracking, search and rescue, pet therapy, clicker training, freestyle, and so on. Check out the book "201 ways to enjoy your dog" by Ellie Milton (1990, Alpine Publications).

How to stuff food toys

The Kong: Mix the dog's kibble with some small treats and something sticky, like Cheese whiz, peanut butter, or tinned dog food. Fill the Kong completely with this mixture and place it in the freezer. Frozen is more difficult for the dog to get out and it is less messy for your floors. Some dogs will lick at the Kong until it is empty; other dogs will learn to toss it around so bits of food fall out. The average dog takes about 20-30 minutes to empty a Kong. The Kong can be cleaned in the dishwasher (no detergent is necessary).

The Goodie Ship: Use any moist treat to stuff in the cookie cutter shapes of the Goodie Ship. There are different sizes and shapes of ship. Goodie Ships can be cleaned in the dishwasher (no detergent). Dogs seem to prefer the medium-sized ball ship, maybe because the toy fits in the mouth so the dog can use a lot of force to squish it and get the food out.

The Buster Cube: Only kibble and similar sized hard treats should be used in the Buster Cube and its mimics. The dog rolls the Cube around the floor, as the food falls out. The Cube is quite noisy, especially when the dog bangs it into furniture and walls, but it has a nice feature: it can be set to "easy" for the dog to learn and then "hard" once the dog has figured it out. Sometimes the dog gets so into rolling the Cube around that he forgets to eat the food! I use the Cube for my small dog because he gets substantially less food than my large dogs and, if I give him his meal in a bowl, he finishes much quicker than the large dogs. Rather than making him watch the other dogs finish up, I give him his meal in the Cube and it takes him about the same time to eat as the others.

House Training a Puppy

The simplest guide to house training a puppy on the internet!

This article will teach you how to house train your puppy (or adult dog). It will show you how to train your puppy to go to the toilet in a designated spot (not just anywhere in your home!).

The key to house training

The key to house training is simply getting your puppy to eliminate in the designated spot as much as possible and to stop him from going in the home. If you get him to go in the designated spot as often as possible, and avoid accidents inside the home, he will eventually start taking himself to his toilet spot automatically when he needs to go.

The designated spot

Most people train their puppy to go to the toilet outside on the grass. You can also train your puppy to go inside on a piece of newspaper or litter box.

You should only teach your puppy to go to the toilet inside if you live in an apartment building and don't have access to a patch of grass outside. Why would you want your dog to do his smelly business inside when it's just as easy to train him to do it outside?

Always take him to the same spot or patch of grass. If you're in a rush to get him to his toilet spot you can pick him up and carry him. Otherwise let him follow you to the spot so he can learn the way there.

Treat and praise

Always treat and praise your puppy when he goes to the toilet in the correct spot! You want him to learn that when he goes to the bathroom in the correct spot good things happen to him.

Be careful not to treat and praise him to early, or you might interrupt him before he has completely finished going.

Be careful not to treat and praise him to late. If you treat and praise him when he's coming back in the house he'll think he's being rewarded for coming in the house. And he won't know that you're actually rewarding him for going to the toilet in the correct spot. So treat and praise him immediately after he finishes goes to the toilet in his designated spot.

Accidents

Accidents will happen! You should expect many accidents while you're house training your puppy. However, the more accidents you can avoid the faster he will become house trained.

If your puppy starts to go to the toilet in the home, calmly pick him up without saying anything to him and take him to his designated spot. Put him down and let him finish in the correct spot and then treat and praise him for doing it where he is supposed to.

Go back inside and clean up the accident with paper towels. Use white vinegar or a commercial odor remover (available from a pet store) to remove the smell from the carpet. If you don't remove the smell he will likely soil that same spot, inside the home, again.

Note: If your puppy eliminates somewhere in the house without you knowing, all you should do is clean it up. You should never scold or punish your puppy for making a mistake inside, especially not after the fact. Dogs are unable to make the connection between a punishment you are giving them now for something they did five minutes ago (or even five seconds ago). And punishing your puppy for making a mistake does not speed up the house training process.

The cue

You can have a special word that gets your puppy to go to the toilet when you ask. To teach him this word, or cue, say the word, for example: "potty," when he is eliminating in the correct spot. Then praise and treat him when he finishes, like you normally would. After a week or so of you saying the word while he eliminates, he'll learn what it means. You can then say the word when you take him to his toilet spot to encourage him to go to the toilet faster.

Take your puppy outside frequently

While you're house training your puppy, it's your responsibility to take your puppy to his designated toilet spot before he needs to go. But how do you know when he'll need to go?

Puppies always need to go to the bathroom a few minutes after they eat or drink. So always take him to his spot after he eats or drinks.

You can establish a feeding schedule so that you know when he has eaten and therefore when you need to take him to the toilet.

House training feeding schedule:

Age of dog	Meals per day	Meal Times
0 - 3 months	4	Morning, noon, afternoon, and evening
3 - 8 months	3	Morning, noon, and evening
8 - 12 months	2	Morning and evening

After each of these scheduled meals take him outside to the toilet and wait for him to go.

Other times you should take him out and he'll probably need to "go" are when he's excited, after he's been playing, whenever he wakes up from a sleep, after exercise, before bed, and after he's been in his crate.

You should also give him plenty of other opportunities during the day to go to the toilet in the designated spot by taking him to the spot every hour or so during the day.

Watch him closely

During the day, keep a close eye on him. If he starts to sniff the ground, walk in circles, bark, squat or becomes restless, rush over and calmly pick him up and take him to his spot outside. Treat and praise him when he goes in the correct spot. You may want to purchase some puppy gates to confine him to the same room you're in so you can keep a closer eye on him.

Summary

If you provide your puppy with plenty of opportunities to go to the toilet in his designated spot, and diligently avoid accidents inside the home, he will eventually learn to take himself to that spot or alert you with a bark or by standing at the door when he needs to go.