What Dogs Are Suitable to First Time Owners?

Dogs are intelligent beings and can easily be trained. Not only that they are fairly emotionally evolved, so, adopting a dog is just like adopting a child. However in order to ensure that you and your lovely pet share the good chemistry and a long sating relationship you need to ensure the dog species is suitable to be adopted and safe for your family members. Here are a few things you should consider especially if you are adopting the pet for the first time:

Safety

The first thing to consider while adopting a dog for the first time is the safety. Though dogs have been domesticated from the times immemorial and a regarded as the best companions of the human being, some of the dog breeds were especially raised to help their owners while hunting. There were others who were raised to be a fighter dog. In fact some of the species are banned in countries like US because of the potential danger they pose to the people. So, you should make sure that the first time dog bred that you are adopting should be safe and has been domesticated by the people as a house dog. Here are the best species you can go for: 

• Corgi 

• Boston Terrier

Playfulness

One of the best features of dogs is that they are playful. Whether you hurl the ball and allow them to fetch or train them the art of standing and shaking the hand, they can easily be trained. But then there are some species that are quite reserved. In fact, some of the species are so reserved that you might fear playing with them or going near them. Hence for the best interest of and your dog it is extremely important that you should ensure that the dog should be playful. Here are some of the best species: 

• Pugs 

• Cavalier King Charles

Size

Size also matters a lot went you are adopting a dog for the first time. If you are living in a small house or a flat then large sized dogs will not be suitable for you. You would rather make its life difficult. You can go for the small dogs. The same is true if you are in a frail health or does not have a strong physique. Not to mention that having kids at home can also affect your decision of adopting a large breed as kids are most vulnerable and you can never be completely sure of the temperament of dogs. What might appear to them as a play could be harmful of your small kid's body! Here are two small sized lovely species: 

• Beagle 

• French Bulldog

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Some Fun Facts About Canine Obesity

It has been estimated that nearly 50% of dogs in our country are obese. This is a startling number considering the fact that we love dogs and do not want these furry companions to have any health problems. But then why is this number showing up? A major worrying factor that results in obese dogs is diseases like arthritis, high blood pressure, certain types of cancer, compromised immune function along with heart and lung disease. It has been researched and found out that dogs that maintain their ideal weight live 15% longer than those who are obese. In fact, if the obesity issue is not resolved in dogs it will shorten the lives of these furry companions.

There are certain dog owners who recognize the fact that their furry companions are a little heavy but they do not fully recognize that their doggy is obese. When a veterinarian suggests a dog owner to make his Fido lose 5 lbs. it often goes from one ear to the next without really taking things seriously. But when you compare the dog weight with human weight you will be able to understand the perspective:

Did you know that:

· 5 extra lbs. on a 12 lbs. Shih Tzu is like 58 extra lbs. on a 140 lbs. woman (This is 42% more weight of the dog than the ideal weight!)

· 5 extra lbs. on a 25 lbs. Beagle is like 28 extra lbs. on a 140 lbs. woman (This is 20% more weight of the dog than the ideal weight!)

· 5 extra lbs. on a 70 lbs. Lab Retriever is like 10 extra lbs. on a 140 lbs. woman (This is approximately 7% more weight weight of the dog than the ideal weight!)

One prime reason for obesity in dogs is overfeeding. It is as if you are pampering your furry pal for being good. But frequent and overfeeding is harmful for the dog's health as it contains lots of excessive calories that need to be burned otherwise it can result in diseases. So, in order to avoid this, follow these steps given below:

· Recognize that your pooch is overweight (Because knowing the problem is half the problem solved.)

· Consult with your veterinarian and ask them to conduct full body checkup of your pooch. It is important to know how obese your dog is and also know how many calories need to be fed to the furry pal.

· Select the best food for weight loss of the doggy. There are wide array of options available in the market to choose from. Consult your veterinarian and then choose the food that maintains lean body mass and strength in the dog.

· Follow a strict exercise regime for your doggy on a daily basis.

· Note down the weight of your furry pal in the beginning and then monitor it after regular interval.

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Dog Training For Beginners - What Breeds Are Known To Be Difficult To Train?

If you are taking the time to read this, you're probably a "dog person." There are four categories of dog people. First is the life-long dog person, with years of experience. They almost certainly had a dog when they were a child, and got the needed experience in being responsible for their care and training. Then there is the "I like dogs, but don't want one," person. Followed closely by the "We had a dog when I was a kid... but, I only played with it." And, lastly, the "I never had a dog, but want one now," person.

All dogs aren't created equal, especially in the training department. True, there are exceptions to every rule. None-the-less, fact is some breeds are known to be easier to train than others.

Generally, training issues are not from a lack of intelligence. Most often, the problems arise from the lack of the training experiences of the owner! What happens with several breeds are their instincts overpower their need to please their human. Often they are stubborn, strong headed and get bored easily. Some even resent being told what to do! They have been bred to rely on their instincts, such as high prey drive, independence and their senses, especially their sense of smell! It's almost guaranteed, as soon as their nose hits the ground, they don't hear a thing you are saying!

Basset Hound Harder to Train

Beagle Harder to Train

Chow-Chow Harder to Train

Bloodhound Harder to Train

Shar Peis HArder to Train

Afghan Hound Harder to Train

Shiba Inus Harder to Train

Pekingese Harder to Train

A lot of dog trainers will agree, breeds that have a reputation to be harder to train than others often include: Basset Hounds, Beagles, Blood Hounds, Chow-Chow, Shiba Inus, Shar Peis, Afghan Hounds, several terrier breeds, and the adorable little lap dog, fur balls, the Pekingese. As beautiful or cute as they may be, these dogs are not for novices, nor are they for people who are not willing to make a genuine commitment of time and energy to train.

Golden Retriever Easier to Train

Labrador Retriever Easier to Train

Poodle Easier to Train

Australian Shepherd Easier to Train

Border Collie Easier to Train

Australian Cattle Dog Easier to Train

For first-time dog owners, biddable breeds are the ones to check into. They come in all shapes and sizes. They are inherently less independent. They have been bred to connect with their human companion and to work as a team. If it's a larger dog you are looking for, there are plenty in the Sport and Herding groups that are bred to happily interact with their human companion. They include any of the Retrievers and Poodles. The dogs in the Herding group, such as Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, and Australian Cattle Dogs are easy to train because they too were bred to interact with their owner. Looking for a small dog that wants to please, and is recognized to be easy to train, do some homework. Check into the Pomeranian, Papillion, or Cairne Terrier.

Pomeranian Easier to Train

Cairne Terrier Easier to Train

Papillion Easier to Train

Bottom line: If you are a new or inexperienced dog owner, don't start with a hard to train breed. You will be doing an enormous disservice to yourself and the dog. Lack of training is a common cause why dogs are surrendered to rescues and shelters. Do your homework. Find a biddable breed that fits your family and lifestyle. Enroll in a recommended positive reinforcement, punishment-free Puppy Kindergarten or obedience class as soon as you can. You'll be glad you did!

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The Friendliest Dog Breeds To Own

Before considering what type of dog to purchase it is good to know which are the friendliest breeds. Typically, smaller dogs are

actually the most confrontational. Big dogs have a greater understanding of the world and are usually nicer than smaller ones. But in all reality the factor that determines the base for how friendly a dog is depends on

their genetics and breed. Here you will learn about the friendliest dog breeds so that you can make a more informed decision on which pet to choose as a lifelong partner to love and build lasting memories with.

The friendliest big dogs include: Labrador Retriever, Irish Setter, Boxer, Sstaffordshire Bull Terrier, Poodle, Greyhounds, Saint Bernard, and Shepherds. These animals are nice to other animals and respond well to human interaction as well. It is recommended to expose all of these animals to humans and other dogs and friendly pets to help socialize the animals. When an animal is socialized from an early age, or in general, they have less anxiety and in time won't react as negatively or aggressively towards other animals. Part of having a friendly pet is to train it properly and keep it happy by allowing it to interact with other creatures.

Nice small dog breeds include:

Beagle, Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier, Boston Terrier, Bulldog, Havanese, Toy Poodles, and Pugs. Look to get one of these dogs if you are interested in having a smaller 
animal that is going to respond in a friendly manner towards other dogs. The great thing

about owning a smaller animal is the fact that they are less expensive as a whole to care for. Choose your dog wisely and take into consideration how well the animal will fit in your household when you decide to add a new pet to the family.

While dogs do have innate mannerisms and behavior, nothing is more telling of how a dog acts more than how it is trained and treated. Even the friendliest dog breeds can turn out to be aggressive and confrontational if they do not understand how

to act around other animals or people. The best way to ensure your dog is friendly is to get it at a young age and train it properly. Help your animal form good habits early so that it does not lash out at others when it is in the presence of company.

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Beagle Obedience training "Terry"

A video from Phaidon Papadopoulos on obedience training for a Beagle.

Simple Dog Grooming Basics

Every dog needs to be groomed. Whether you have a shorthaired dog that simply needs to have a brush rubbed over him or a Maltese with a long, flowing coat that requires continual care, your dog needs for you to attend to his grooming needs.

If you have a shorthaired dog then your dog's grooming requirements will be much simpler than those of a longhaired dog. For most shorthaired dogs all that is required is that the dog be brushed regularly. Brushing your dog once a week is usually sufficient. However, there are some shorthaired breeds that can be notorious shedders. Labrador Retrievers, for instance, are, perhaps, the worst shedding dogs of all breeds. They may require daily brushing during some parts of the year to keep their shedding hair from piling up in the house. Other shorthaired dogs, such as the

German Shorthaired Pointer

German Shorthaired Pointer and the Beagle, also shed profusely. So, just because you have a shorthaired dog it doesn't mean that you are off the hook as far as grooming goes.

Collie

If you have a longhaired dog or a dog with a medium length coat you can count on a great deal more grooming. Some dogs with medium length coats, such as the Collie or the Sheltie, nevertheless have a thick double coat so the coat needs frequent grooming to avoid tangles and mats. Many of the Nordic or Spitz breeds also fall into this category.

Dogs with genuinely long coats, such as the

Yorkshire Terrier, the Maltese, the Setters and Spaniels, Afghan Hounds and other dogs, need to be brushed several times per week or even daily.

Boar Bristle Brush

If you're brushing a medium or long coat you can begin with a good brush, such as a boar bristle brush or boar bristles and nylon bristles mixed. (Boar bristles are good for spreading around the natural oils in the coat.) Brush the coat with the texture of the hair in the direction it naturally grows. For dogs with thick double coats you can brush a second time against the grain and then brush back the natural way the hair lies.

Pin Brush for Dogs

For dogs with long, flowing coats you can next use a pin brush to separate out the dog's furnishings and make sure they're free of tangles. The pin brush is a brush set with metal pins that separates the long hair. It should not be used on the dog's body since it will scratch the skin.

Next you can use your comb to gently comb out the long hair.

Dog Comb

All dogs will need to have their ears cleaned, their teeth brushed and their nails trimmed weekly. You can use a good ear cleaner from your vet or find one at your pet supply store. There are good products for brushing your dog's teeth at your pet supply store, too. Most dogs don't mind having their teeth brushed if you use one of the dog toothpastes that has chicken, peanut butter or beef flavor.

Nail Clipper

To trim your dog's nails you can use nail clippers or a rotary nail trimmer. There are several good rotary nail trimmers available to pet owners. They work by sanding the nails down a little at a time. If you introduce the trimmer to your dog in easy stages your dog shouldn't object.

Rotary Nail Trimmer

These are the basics of grooming your dog. Remember that your dog's appearance is a direct reflection on you. Your dog can't do these things for himself. It's entirely up to you how your dog looks. Make him look good.

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