I know you think how great it would be to get the kids a puppy for the holidays. Yes, it would be, but wait until the craziness has settled down. Also, consider the fact that a puppy or other pet is not a toy, an object to get tired of — it’s a lifelong commitment. Make it an important event that involves the entire family when getting a puppy.

When you bring home a puppy, who has been with his mom and litter mates, into a new home with all the chaos of a holiday, it can be so unsettling and scary for the baby. Please consider waiting to take your puppy home. You can give the family a picture of a puppy, or put together a basket of accessories for the pup.

Also, training should begin right away with your puppy — not necessarily the obedience commands, but you need to start housebreaking, desensitizing, crate training, among other considerations of bringing home baby.

After the holiday hub-bub has subsided, then go and pick up your puppy.

adoption, gifts, Holidays, Puppies Hide

Shelter or Rescue??

Nearly six years ago, we were at the Dog Expo held annually at the National Western Complex in Denver. We walked through the rescue group area looking for the Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue group. They were not there that day. However, the Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies was there with two of their dogs. One was a seven month old, the other, seven years. The older dog nuzzled over to us, resting his head on our laps when we sat down. When we learned his name was Barney, the same name as our Rhodesian who had died a few months earlier, we knew another Golden Retriever would soon join our home. Right now Barney is asleep at my feet, secure in the knowledge that he has a forever home with us. I cannot fathom why someone gave him up, but very grateful that we were there that day to have him find us.

Where will you find this new member of your family? There are city and county run shelters in almost all communities. There are also many privately run shelters. Most will do their very best to avoid euthanasia, and use it only as a last resort when they are way too crowded. This is a hard reality that is unavoidable. Many of the private shelters are no kill shelters, and they have to work extra hard for donations to feed and shelter all the critters that come their way.

In addition to shelters, there are rescue organizations for just about any breed of dog you might be interested in. (more…)

adoption, Puppies, rescue, shelters Hide

October was National Adopt a Shelter Pet month. November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month.

Barney enjoys hanging out with his family everywhere they go!

Every day of the year there is a need for homes for shelter pets. Right now the need is especially great, as more pets than ever have been turned over to shelters (or abandoned) as people struggle with job loss and lost homes. We have a promise with our dogs that were we to lose our home and we had to live in our car, they would live there with us. I hope we never have to put that promise to the test, but we do mean it sincerely. The car would get very crowded.

We’ve all seen the Pet of the Week on the evening news. The news organization works with a local shelter to feature a dog or cat each week. Seeing the living, breathing animal right there on your screen makes them real, as opposed to an assortment of pictures of shelter animals. It becomes harder to ignore their plight. Often, they are older pets.

Pets are relinquished for as many reasons as there are people. The owner dies, loses a job or home, someone in the family suddenly has allergies, etc. The point is this – there are many pets waiting for a new family to love. Many are well trained and already acclimated to our busy lives. They just need a new beginning. (more…)

adoption, dogs, Puppies, rescue, senior dogs, shelters Hide

If you’re thinking of getting a puppy there a few important things that help your puppy be a good family member. A puppy that has been secluded and not exposed to other environments could end up being scared and timid. You want your new puppy to accept people, other dogs and new situations.

One way you can do this is to join a group puppy class. Puppy classes are a combination of training and social play time.

If you don’t have access to a class you can take your puppy to places that allow dogs. Some communities have dog parks where dogs are allowed off leash to romp with each other. If your puppy is younger than six months you might want to reconsider being in the company of older dogs as a safety precaution. Some older dogs do not want a rambunctious puppy jumping on them, or being in their space. Some older dogs have no hesitation in biting or attacking a puppy. Make sure you ask the dog’s owner if it’s safe to approach.

Socialize your new puppy at other places that allow them to enter. Stores that allow dogs are Home Depot (some do not), Lowes, PetSmart, PetCo, pet supply stores, and strip shopping centers on the sidewalks. Ask people to give your dog a treat and pet him. When friends and family come to your house, ask them to do the same.

Puppies have just left their litter mates where their social skills got started. They need to develop those skills to help them co-exist in the world with dogs and people. When you take them home, they don’t have other buddies to learn their boundaries when it comes to being with other dogs. Get them out as much as you can. You will want a friendly, confident dog.

aggression, Dog Training Tips, dogs, fear, Puppies Hide