| |
| |
|
Pets Information |
|
|
|
What You Need to Know Before Adopting an Older Dog
Newer doesn't always mean better. Adopting an older dog may be a decision based on you or your family's lifestyle. In fact, many senior citizens opt for this choice because a new, hyperactive and untrained puppy may be too much excitement and work to handle. Sometimes, an older dog has its advantages. It may be more settled, already house trained, leash trained, and maybe even spayed or neutered. With this important decision, however, there are some vital points that you should keep in mind. When adopting an older dog, there is a lot to consider, no matter where you get your dog from- a kennel, a rescue center or a friend. The first thing to research beforehand is the dog's history. Find out if the dog was a stray or where he was found. Being a stray isn't necessarily bad, but it may mean that you have to do some training. And, don't believe the myth that teaching an old dog a new trick is impossible. An older dog may be calmer, allowing you to concentrate your efforts on specific training methods. Obedience school may be an option. Some older dogs may have been kept outside, so you may have to train it for living indoors, or vice versa. Although this will take time and energy, eventually your dog, no matter its age, will learn. At first, out of nervous habit, the dog might use the bathroom anywhere- especially if you are gone. Give the dog time to get used to his new home? it's a big change for him too. Be optimistic. He'll adjust. Overall, training a puppy is harder as they are distracted more easily. During the initial background check, find out if the dog was abused. Just because the dog is shy in a cage or shelter, doesn't mean he was abused or will act shy once he is with you. If the dog was abused, however, he may be overly aggressive towards you or your children. Ask how the dog reacts to the human contact he receives presently. If it's a friend's or family member's dog, all of this may be a lot easier to find out. Next, find out the reason why the older dog is now up for adoption. It makes a difference only if the dog has a violent background. It also makes a difference whether the violence was rooted in the dog's situation (i.e. taunting, hurtful children) or if the dog simply possesses an aggressive dominance over its environment. If you find that the dog was aggressive towards its previous owner, and that it wasn't the dog's temperament, you will really have to think about it. If your dog is going to be around children, it's extremely important that you know ahead of time how your dog handles these little people. Find out what you can from the previous owner or care giver. Some dogs may have been mistreated by children in the past. These dogs tend to be overly aggressive towards children at first so please take that into consideration. Though it can generally be corrected over time and with proper training, your first responsibility is to protect the child's safety. Please remember that most dogs in shelters or rescue clinics are there innocently. They could have been a product of a divorce, death, separated family, or a number of other circumstances. Most of these dogs have no behavioral problems and you will get along together great. The average age of a dog that you'll find at an animal shelter is between six months and one year old, that being their time of adolescence. Finally, while most shelters ensure that their dogs are one hundred percent healthy, you will take your dog to the vet to get a check-up. This cost will likely be included in any adoption fees you pay. Insist that you take the dog to your preferred vet, and that the shelter or clinic will pay. If the dog is not spayed or neutered, then the shelter can recommend a vet and either fully reimburse the cost, or give you a coupon worth at least a fifty-percent reduction. About the Author:
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Do You Know About Boxer Dogs? Boxer Dogs Information - What Are Boxer Dogs? Boxer dogs are great all around dog breeds, distinguished canine and the coolest, most lovable dog out there! Boxer Dogs are medium-built and strong breed that are so named because of its habit of standing on the hind legs to begin a fight and boxing with the front paws. By nature, Boxer dogs are working dogs. Does Your Bichon Frise Eat His Own Poop? Hi,I'm Janet CombsMy mother bred and raised Bichon Frises for 23 years. I have been a Bichon Frise breeder for 13 years. A Look at Discount Dog Beds Many people want to make sure their family pet has just the right bed, but might not be willing to pay the (often quite hefty) price. It's actually more difficult to find designer and luxury dog beds especially for oversized pets than it is to find discount dog beds for average sized animals. The Neurotic Dogs When pondering whether my neurosis is learned or genetic, I often turn to the family dogs, Frazier (9) and Jake (4), and see the likelihood of a learned origin. My parents' characteristic anxiety has effectively seeped into both dogs' personas. Are You Feeding Your Cat The Right Food? What should you feed your cat to make sure he or she will have the necessary nutrition? What is the ideal mix of food to help your cat live to the limit of it's life span?To answer these questions, one should look at the diet of a feline in it's natural habitat. In the wild, a cat eats almost exclusively animal tissue. Tips that May Help Your Arthritic Dog Arthritis refers to inflammation or swelling in a joint. The cause can be abnormal bone or joint development, instability of the surrounding ligaments and tendons, damage or injury to the joint, an infection, or injury caused by the immune system. Bast, The Beloved Protector of Cats She is the protector of cats, women and children. The ancient Egyptians celebrated her feastday on October 31 with convivial merry making, music, dancing in the streets and drinking with friends - the sort of holiday we would recognise instantly. Im Allergic To My Cat! Having a cat allergy came as something of a surprise to me. Growing up, I had many pets - cats, dogs and birds. Aromatherapy for Pets Pets can enjoy the therapeutic effects of aromatherapy as much as humans can. Aside from possibly eliminating bad odors and giving your pet a pleasant perfume, essential oils also serve many practical functions such as boosting your pet's immune system, fighting off bacteria and viruses, preventing the growth of yeasts and molds and repelling insects. Buying a Custom Bird Cage Many of us dream of having a beautiful, exotic bird perched on our shoulder, accompanying us around town. At the end of the day, though, our feathered friend must return to its cage. Scottish Terrier Dogs - Important Facts Scottish Terriers are short-legged dogs, at a height of ten to eleven inches, comparatively heavy-boned, yet deceivingly trim. They are agile and sporty pets. Telepathic Communication With Animals Animal Communication, or telepathy with animals, is as common an occurrence in some people's lives as it is an oddity in the lives of others. Telepathy is an energetic exchange between two sentient beings for the purpose of communication. Is A Premium Dog Food Really That Much Better For Your Dog? ==========The Scoop on Premium Dog Food========If you're interested in premium dog food, then I probably don't have to tell you about the importance of diet in keeping your dog active and healthy. You already know you want something better than "average" for your furry friend. The 5 Things You Should Know Before Breeding Cats The cat population is astronomical. Most experts agree that average cat owners should spay their cat, not breed. Toys are GOOD for your dog Did you know that dog toys are actually good for your dog, and not just an indulgence on the part of the owner?There are all kinds of uses for different types of toys.First, starting as puppies, toys give your dog a distraction from other would-be toys like your couch or your favorite pair of shoes. Why Should We Get Kittens as Pets? Kittens are and have always been adorable creatures. Of course, these youngsters are also playful, naughty and mischievous as well. Rimadyl the Wonder Drug - Or Is It? If Your Dog Suffers From Arthritis, Consider The Natural Alternative:Rimadyl was hailed as a wonder arthritis treatment for pets when it came on the market in 1997. Over the next 3 years, due largely to an aggressive marketing campaign by the manufacturer, Pfizer, Rimadyl was prescribed for 5 million dogs. Dogs Get More Human Every Day First pet stores began selling clothes for pets. Then kennels upgraded from a wire cage to four-star hotels for man's best friend. Dog Food - Which Diet is Best for Dogs? Why The Food You Give Your Dog Matters!If you're like most dog owners, you probably assume that commerical dog foods with brand names that are easily identifiable - Purina, Iams, Pedigree, etc. - must be good for your pets, right? After all, millions of pet owners buy them and feed them to their beloved pets, and surely they wouldn't all give their dogs something harmful. Canine Bloat What is Canine Bloat?Bloat refers to the bloating of the stomach. Essentially it is a build up of gas in the stomach which is unable to be released.
|
| home | site map | First Rate Hosting |
| © 2006 First Rate Hosting Powered By First Rate Hosting |
