SOCIALIZING YOUR PETS.

Socialising Your Pet petshopnigeria 11 July 2011 Hits: 30

All pets benefit from ongoing socialisation to ensure they remain friendly and successful companions. Pets that are well socialised from birth are less likely to develop behaviour problems such as aggression towards people and other animals.
What is Socialisation?

Socialisation is the process whereby an individual learns to adjust to a group and behave in a manner accepted by the group. Socialisation influences the behaviour and actions of young and adult individuals. Socialising your pet involves exposing them to all those things they will regularly encounter as adults, such as people and other animals, in a fun and positive way to ensure they don’t fear these things. Socialising pets also means teaching them to interact acceptably with people and, in some cases, to interact nicely with other members of their own, or different, species.

Why is Socialisation Important?

Socialisation is important because it shapes the personality, temperament and behaviour your pet will develop as an adult. Puppy classes and kitten kinder are a relatively new concept and are designed for puppies and kittens aged 8 to 12 weeks. These classes take advantage of the developmental period is known as the Critical Period for Socialisation which occurs between the ages of 3 and 12 weeks. It is during this time that puppies and kittens benefit most from exploring new places, having new experiences and accepting new situations.

Socialisation is Only Important for Young Pets, Right?

Wrong! There is a common misconception that socialisation is only important for young pets and, while it is true that socialisation for young pets is very important, it is critical that socialisation continues throughout your pet’s life. Many pet owners stop socialising their pet when the pet becomes an adult and this is a mistake. Without continued exposure to other people, animals, places and different situations, some pets may become antisocial. This often leads to behaviour problems including aggression towards people and other animals.

How Often Should I Socialise My Pet?

You should socialise your pet as often as possible. Taking your pet out and about is a great way to socialise them if they enjoy outings. Having guests give your pet treats when they are visiting helps pets to enjoy meeting new people. Remember that socialising your pet is an ongoing process and begins at birth. Providing ongoing and positive socialisation throughout your pet’s life not only helps to reduce the occurrence of behaviour problems but enriches your pet’s life too.

CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH YOUR DOG...

You better watch out
You better not cry
Better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town
He's making a list
And checking it twice.,
Gonna find out who’s naughty and nice 

Arf! Arf! Santa Claus is coming to town…Kids would surely love to see a doggy like me wearing a dog Santa costume with a matching dog Santa hat on. Like Santa Claus, I would be the center of attention. This would be the best holiday costume for me, great for a group picture taking with the kids and my dear master.
owners like my master love to have cute pictures of me. Why? She uses our picture together to make Christmas cards and send them to families and friends. The cards are deeply appreciated because it’s made personally by my master with all her heart.

That is actually the spirit of Christmas expressing and sharing love for each other in every way. Christmas is not about gifts. It’s about LOVE…giving gifts is just one way of showing how people show appreciate and love each other.
Christmas is not about the party either…It is about spending quality time together with family, friends and pets too! People are busy all the time and they consider Christmas as the most important holiday of the year. Why? People plan for it, and they make sure that they spend time with their family, keep in touch, and show their LOVE on this occasion.

CHOOSING A DOG BREED THIS NEW YEAR.

Choosing a dog is by no means a simple thing. There are dogs of many sizes and styles and it is convenient to choose the most appropriate breed for each person. Obviously, it would be a crazy thing to buy a breed of giant dogs like the Great Danes or the Mastiff if you live in a little apartment or a Shepherd dog like the Border collie if you don't have much time to train it or take it out for exercising. When a dog is so excitable for example, it would really get on the dog's nerve if it has to live with little and mischievous children.

However, there are less evident considerations that are also important. For example the molt: there are dogs that loose hair almost the whole year long, while others as the Poodle and the Chow loose very little hair or even no hair at all and therefore are more suitable for allergic people or people who dislike having dog's hair all around the house. Some dogs like the Doberman need very little grooming, something really interesting when the owners think of time as a very precious thing. So, take your time as the year runs out make the right choice for you and your family this coming year.

KEEP YOUR DOGS FROM OBESITY!

Obesity is thought to have numerous causes with physical, emotional, environmental, endocrine and/or neurological components. The sedentary lifestyle of the domestic dog, combined with high rates of surgical contraception, may play a dramatic role in the environmental and endocrine mechanisms, respectively. Other factors such as musculo-skeletal problems and/or developmental abnormalities greatly influence the ability to exercise and ultimately contribute to weight gain. The indiscriminate feeding habits including table scraps, poor diet, constant access to food, and other poor eating rituals is a significant contributing factor. Also, competitive eating in multiple dog households may be a factor not apparent to the owner.

SWEET LITTLE THINGS

Mom! what are you starring at?....................mmm... I have no idea!

I don’t have a big head, I just have a lot of fluffy hair… stop by when I am all wet!

Do you really think this scarf complements my eye color..?

HI FIVE!!! love you


Check out my cute eyes. Don't you think i'm sweet?

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR DOG THIS FESTIVE SEASON.

Christmas is an exciting time of the year.
Gifts to buy, decorating to organize, crafts to make, cards to write and send, parties to hold, secrets to keep, and so much more.
The festive season will see us rushing around with barely a moment to spare. That means something will be forgotten, and many times it's our innocent pets.

HOW DO WE CARE FOR OUR NEGLECTED PETS DURING CHRISTMAS?

First, take the dog to a veterinarian. If the dog is reasonably healthy, have the vet give a Rabies vaccine. Never allow your vet to give a vaccine to a sick animal or give several vaccines at once. You will also find out if it is safe to handle the dog.

Remove any parasites. brush or comb the dog to remove any parasites, preferably outdoors. If the vet administered a spot-on treatment like Frontline, don't bathe the dog for at least 48 hours. To remove ticks, collect the following: rubbing alcohol, tweezers, and paper towels. Settle the pup down and rub the alcohol on the ticks, then start plucking those nasty ticks off of him. Be sure to dig the entire head of the tick out as well, because the tick may still survive. If the bites start to bleed, apply pressure on them with a paper towel.

The bleeding will stop shortly. The dog may whine or wiggle if you hurt it, so soothe the animal by speaking softly and petting it.

Groom the dog. Shave matted hair at your discretion, it is usually less painful than picking but can leave the dog somewhat irritated at the sudden loss of fur, rest assured it will grow back quickly enough. Alternatively, carefully use scissors to cut down the center of mats and use a comb to gently pick the mat apart. Feed it. A neglected dog is almost always a hungry dog. When you take the animal to the vet, ask what kind of feeding schedule you should set up. Why? If the dog has a distended belly, and you overfeed it, you could twist its intestines and kill the poor animal. Be sure to provide the animal with clean, cold water as well. Let it rest.Give it some love. It has just been neglected, it searches for a loving and responsible pack. Make it feel loved and let it know that you will care for his future needs because it is CHRISTMAS

NONI JUICE FOR YOUR PETS’ HEALTH

This not a myth, it is a reality. Adding Noni juice to the food of dogs, cats and other animals has been shown to help strengthen animals' immune systems, helping to fight viral and bacterial infections in the chest, skin, mouth and throat. Animals do not experience placebo effects so the benefits of using Noni can be easily seen.

Veterinarians, pet owners, farmers, and racehorse owners have been using Noni juice products with great success. Animals with diverse health conditions such as arthritis, injuries, West Nile virus, food allergies, heart problems, cancer, bowel disorders, muscular-skeletal disorders and other conditions have benefited from these potent Noni products. Noni juice has also been used in combination with alternative medicines for maximum effect and appears to reduce the amount of allopathic medication needed for most animal health conditions.

TO PLACE YOUR ORDER? CALL AND REMEMBER TO USE THIS ID NUMBER: 2394865 WHEN YOU VISIT ANY NONI STORE.

HOT WHETHER SAFETY TIPS FOR DOGS KEEPERS

1.Outdoor pets often suffer from extreme hot weather, especially when they do not have adequate fresh, cool water or ample shade/shelter from the blazing sun. Bring animals inside during hot weathe.
2.Avoid chaining or tethering a dog in the yard. He/she may get twisted and become unable to reach shade or water, or may knock over his/her water dish.

3.Hydration is critical to help your pet regulate his/her body temperature. Be sure that pets have access to plenty of fresh, cool water at all times - indoors and out.
4.In homes without air conditioning, use fans to keep air circulating or keep the animal in a cooler area of the house, such as the basement, during the heat of the day.

5.Pets should avoid exercise or vigorous activity during the heat of the day. Instead, take walks in the early morning or cooler evening hours. Avoid hot concrete or asphalt surfaces as they may cause damage or discomfort to the animal’s paw pads.
6.Small dogs, and those with short noses such as pugs and bulldogs, are especially susceptible to heatstroke. However, it is a concern for all pets during hot weather.

7.Do not leave animals in parked cars. Even on a relatively mild 85-degree day in the shade, with the windows cracked, the temperature inside the car will reach 120 degrees in minutes. A dog or cat’s body temperature is approximately 101 - 102 degrees. He/she can only withstand the heat a short time before it becomes a life or death situation.

THE FIVE RISKY PETS TO KEEP

Dangerous pets have become a popular past time over the last decade or so. More and more people are keeping animals that have the potential to seriously harm or kill them. Nobody seems to think that is is a good idea, but every single day we hear of people being hurt by their own pets. One thing that has contributed to this problem is the keeping of exotic pets. These are wild animals that are not meant to be pets at all. When you mix a dangerous pet with an owner that has no knowledge or respect for them, you are sure to have a problem sooner or later. Here are the five most dangerous types of pets to keep, and why they are so dangerous.


Big Cats - This category includes everything from a small bobcat to a full grown lion. People all over the world have tried to contain the raw power of these animals. Many have died trying to do so. Even the smaller bobcat, which is about the size of a large house cat, can be deadly if the situation is wrong. The dangers of a lion, tiger, jaguar, and the other larger cats are clear. They will eat you.

Constrictor Snakes - These large snakes are dangerous for a number of reasons. One, is because they are very powerful. Reticulated pythons, African rock pythons, and anacondas for example, are capable of killing a full grown man simply by constricting. What could these snakes do to a child? The other reason they are so dangerous is because they are notoriously capable escape artists. Can you imagine sleeping well with that knowledge? Even the smaller constrictors such as ball pythons can be dangerous to small children or pets.

Venomous Snakes - These are easily the most common dangerous pets to keep. People constantly underestimate the power, speed, and danger of these reptiles. Any venomous snake is a deadly pet in the making, and you should stay far away from keeping them as a pet. In spite of being experts in their field, snake handlers even get bitten. If they get bitten and are experts, then what chance do you really have?

Scorpions - This is yet another dangerous pet that is often underestimated. The venom in some of these scorpions are just as dangerous and powerful as some of the venomous snakes mentioned above. If you are keeping a scorpion as a pet, you are asking for a painful sting. If the scorpion is deadly, then you are playing with your life.

Dogs - Though the dog is not your typical deadly animal, they do kill. Because of the sheer volume of dogs that are kept as pets, they are the ones that attack humans most often. Though this does not mean you should not keep one as a pet, it might make you think twice about the breeds that you keep. You should make certain that you know how to take care of any breed before taking them on as a pet. Even still, exercise caution around these animals, particularly with children around. The family dog can in some situations be the most dangerous pet of all.

THE DOG'S PRAYER

Treat me kindly, my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for though I should lick your hand between the blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world’s sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in all the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshiper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food, that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.

And, beloved master, should the great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest - and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew, my fate was ever safest in your hands.

INTERPRETING BARKS

Noisy barks, Dr. Feddersen-Petersen explains, relate to "defensive and offensive threats, social insecurity, physical distress." Harmonic barks, however, are used as a signal for social play, in active and passive submission to another dog or person and when making social contact.

Dr. Feddersen-Petersen made recordings for her work while the dogs were engaged in normal behavior, so she was able over repeated sessions to observe how dogs were barking in specific situations. After a while, she says, she began to be able to tell what a dog was doing by its bark.

Dr. Feddersen-Petersen also recorded mixed play barking among German shepherds, poodles and Weimaraners that had noisy and harmonic components, and a "noisy play bark" among American Staffordshire terriers and bull terriers that indicated a turn on the part of the dogs from play to more aggressive behavior.
Like many canid vocalizations, these barks are often associated with physical cues, like a wrinkling of the brow, staring, raised hackles, pinned-back ears, an upright or lowered tail and other submissive or threatening postures, Dr. Feddersen-Petersen says. But, she notes, in a wide range of breeds physical expression is limited because of the lack of a tail, floppy ears and other physical characteristics.

A few breeds, like the poodle and the American Staffordshire terrier, appear limited in their vocal repertory, she added, although none as severely as the barkless Basenji. In fact, Dr. Feddersen-Petersen recorded as many as a dozen variations of some types of barking among several of the breeds she tested, including the German shepherd and Alaskan Malamute. She says the often-subtle variations corresponded to "dialects" and were used by dogs in identical situations at different times, for reasons not yet clear.

WHY DOG BARK

The popular understanding of dog barking is almost like a silly riddle: Why do dogs bark? Because they can.
But a small band of researchers around the world, trying to separate fact from speculation, are finding that dogs almost always bark for a reason, even if that reason isn't apparent to humans.
The barks has evolved into a complicated means of communication between dogs and, potentially, between dogs and people, say a group of animal behaviorists, or ethnologists, that includes Dorit Feddersen-Petersen at Christian-Albrechts-University in Kiel, Germany.
Most wild canids including wolves, dogs' nearest relatives bark as a form of close-range communication, researchers say. The wolf's bark one of a number of basic vocal sounds, including hauntingly harmonic howls is short, low-pitched and gruff, often described as "noisy" because it lacks harmonic or tonal qualities identified with more musical vocalizations. The bark is usually associated with defense of den or pups, a warning to back off, a protest, threat or an actual attack, Dr. Feddersen-Petersen said in an e-mail interview.
By comparison, dogs are virtuoso barkers, capable of flights of sonic fancy. Dog barks can be noisy, harmonic or a combination of the two, depending on their context and purpose, says Dr. Feddersen-Petersen. Last year in The Archives of Animal Breeding, an international journal, she published the results of a study comparing vocalizations in 11 European wolves and 84 dogs from nine breeds, including poodles, Weimaraners, American Staffordshire terriers, German shepherds, Alaskan malamutes, bull terriers and Kleiner Muensterlaenders.
The results, she reported, graphically portray how different barks express different emotions, including loneliness, fear, distress, stress and pleasure, as well as a need for care among puppies and serve to alert other dogs, people or animals to changing external circumstances.
"This work on barking is extremely careful and extremely important because it calls attention to the complex social life of dogs that we have barely begun to comprehend," says Marc Bekoff, an ethologist at the University of Colorado who studies canids and cognition in animals.

DOGS AND BABIES....

There is about 100 times more chance of a child being killed by a parent or relative rather than a dog. The unfortunate fact is that the news media sensationalizes the death of a child as a result of a pet attack. These same people call for additional laws on breed bans and additional laws controlling our pets. Well, I like to tell people that dog training is not missile science. Training a dog is pretty much common sense.
Here are few things to think about when bringing a new baby home:
1 - Make sure the dog is fully obedience trained. If you have questions on this you should refer to my training video titled Basic Dog Obedience. The dog should be trained well enough that you can tell it to go lay down on his rug, or in his crate. This means that the dog will go and stay there.
I believe that this kind of training should be done motivationally. In other words, teach the dog to do it for a food or a toy reward. But once the dog understands the command it needs to be reinforced with a prong collar correction if the dog does not mind. I call prong collars “power steering on dogs.” They allow small people to control good-sized dogs.
2 - Get a dog crate and crate train the dog. The crate should NEVER be in the bedroom. If the dog becomes overly excited when the baby cries it can be put in the crate. Give it a bone or a rubber Kong with a little cream cheese or peanut butter in middle to keep him interested and busy.
3 - Never allow the dog in the baby’s bedroom - not even when you are present. The bedrooms (including your own) should always be off limits. This is especially true of the baby’s room.
4 - The dog should NEVER be allowed to be near the baby when it is not being supervised - not even for one minute.
5- Once the baby is born they will bring a blanket with the baby scent home (or a dirty baby diaper) to wrap a doll in. When this is laid on the floor the dog is corrected for going near it. It cannot even go and smell it.
6- When you bring the baby home make it a quiet introduction. Mom should first meet the dog without the baby.
7- Homecoming should not be a loud party. When the baby is brought in, the dog should be placed in a “down-stay” several feet from where mom and baby are sitting. The dog IS NOT ALLOWED to smell the baby. Dogs have an excellent sense of smell. There is no reason to allow the dog to come up and smell the baby as soon as it gets home from the hospital. The dog can smell the baby from across the room without any problem.
If there is any concern about the obedience and control of the dog at any time the baby is present, it should either be on leash or in a dog crate.
6 - Get the dog a selection of new dog toys before the baby comes home. Some people will keep the toys available in a basket in the living room. Others prefer to allow the dog to know that there are new toys but they control when the dog gets access to them. They don't get bored with the toys.

DOG AND PREVENTING DOG BITES.

Like many kinds of pets, no matter how small or cute they are, dogs need to be respected as animals that, under certain conditions, could hurt you. You can respect a dog by giving it space and following certain rules. These rules not only keep the dog happier, they can protect you from getting bitten.
Millions of dog bites happen every year in the United States and Nigeria off course. Of those, close to a million require medical treatment, like a trip to the doctor. No one wants a dog bite, but how do you prevent one?

Use Your Dog Manners
When we say to use your "dog manners," we don't mean you should eat off the floor or pee in the yard! We mean you should follow certain rules when you meet or spend time with dogs — especially ones you don't know.
If you meet someone new, maybe your mom or dad showed you how to shake hands and say, "Nice to meet you." Well, you can also have some equally good dog manners. That means taking certain steps every time you meet a dog or spend time with one. Dogs will love that you're so polite and, best of all, they will be less likely to bite you!

How to Offer Bland Food to a Vomiting Dog

I saw this article while surfing the net nd i thought it would be very useful for dog lovers.

When offering food, Dr. Levine recommends a gentle, bland food that will be easy on the stomach, like boiled skinless chicken or boiled hamburger (with the fat strained away) served with plain white rice or cottage cheese.
“When you first offer food, you need to offer just a little – only a bite or two. Once four hours has passed with no vomiting, a little bit more can be offered. Repeat this process until the dog is eating one-third of his usual meal size, served three times a day for three full days. Then, gradually phase in the dog’s normal food over the course of three or four days, as a sudden food switch may trigger a relapse,” Dr. Levine recommends.
Over-the-counter medications like Pepto Bismol can also be helpful in some instances. Always check with your vet before giving over-the-counter medications to your pet, as certain drugs cannot be given to certain patients, particularly if a dog is already on another medication.
For dogs that experience chronic stomach upset and vomiting, prescription bland foods, like Hill’s Prescription I/D Food, may be recommended.
In many cases, vomiting can be successfully treated at home with some simple measures, but it’s also key for dog owners to know when it’s time to visit the vet. Warning signs that indicate a serious problem include vomiting blood, projectile vomiting, a distended, tender abdomen, pale gums, an inability to hold down fluids or repeated vomiting with no improvement within 18-24 hours.

HOW TO TREAT NAUSEA IN YOUR DOG

Nausea is something that each and every dog owner will have to deal with at some point or another. Understanding how to treat this common ailment at home with unique feeding procedures and supportive care can often mean the difference between a quick recovery for a vomiting dog or an extended stretch of illness that leads to the vet’s office.
“Dogs are notorious for eating what they’re not supposed to, whether it’s an unfamiliar food, your shoes, a rock, or your child’s dinner, so vomiting is among the most common ailments you’ll see as a vet,” explained Dr. Michael Levine, DVM.
Gastritis or inflammation of the stomach lining is a leading cause of vomiting in dogs. Gastritis can be triggered by an unfamiliar food item, a non-food item or by a virus.
“The first step to treating a vomiting dog involves allowing the stomach to rest – food and large amounts of fluid are only going to worsen the inflammation that’s causing the upset,” explained Dr. Levine.
In the case of a dog with a more minor stomach upset, food should be withheld for twelve hours. If the dog's vomiting continues, an additional twelve hours of fasting is often necessary to allow the stomach to recover

10 Reasons Why It's Great to be a Dog

1. If it itches, you can reach it. And no matter where it itches, no one will be offended if you scratch it in public.
2. No one notices if you have hair growing in weird places as you get older.
3. Personal hygiene is a blast: No one expects you to take a bath every day, and you don't even have to comb your own hair.
4. Having a wet nose is considered a sign of good health.
5. No one thinks less of you for passing gas. Some people might actually think you're cute.
6. Who needs a big home entertainment system? A bone or an old shoe can entertain you for hours.
7. You can spend hours just smelling stuff.
8. No one ever expects you to pay for lunch or dinner. You never have to worry about table manners, and if you gain weight, it's someone else's fault.
9. It doesn't take much to make you happy. You're always excited to see the same old people. All they have to do is leave the room for five minutes and come back.
10. Every garbage can looks like a cold buffet to you.

WEATHER TIPS FOR OUTDOOR PETS.

does your pet spend a lot of time outdoors? If yes, here are few could weather tips to help you keep it warm. Let him get acclimated gradually to dropping temperatures. Once a pet is acclimated to either warm or cold, a long dose of the other extreme is hard to take. Outdoor pets need a sheltered place that is well bedded with DRY straw, shavings, blanket strips or other insulating material that traps warm air. Also, remember that animals drag a lot of moisture into their bedding areas from snow, rain and mud. Check it often and change it whenever it is wet, or your pets can't keep themselves warm. Northern dog breeds such as Huskies and Malamutes who actually work in the winter pulling sleds need more calories.

Cold Weather Tips for Your Pets

Antifreeze is attractive to pets and is deadly, even in very small amounts. In cold weather, keep your pets away from antifreeze solution, and promptly clean up any antifreeze that spills. Most urban pets spend the majority of their time indoors, and don't have tolerance for extremely cold weather. Do not leave your pets outdoors unattended when the temperature gets below freezing! Pets must build up a thicker coat and get their footpads toughened for snow and ice. Pets that get too chilled could develop hypothermia or even frostbite. Ear tips are especially susceptible to frostbite.
Dogs with very short coats have the least tolerance for cold. Extremely short-coated breeds include Greyhounds, Dobermans, Boxers, Boston Terriers and Chihuahuas. These breeds shouldn't go outside without a sweater or a coat. Small dogs with short coats (such as Chihuahuas, miniature Pinschers, and miniature Dachshunds) are especially vulnerable to cold. They may not tolerate any outdoor exercise in extremely cold weather. Please help your pets in this cold weather.

Dogs and kids

It seemed like a good idea at Christmas. The children are older now and my daughter has begged for a "Yorkie" for three years in a row. But by February, we were seriously doubting that we had made the right decision adding a dog to our family.

I forgot the round-the-clock attention and care that a baby requires, even if it is a dog. It's certainly beyond the ability of a child to care for a dog, no matter that she promises to do all the feeding and walking if you'll just "please, please buy her a dog".

At five months, the puppy's favorite game is "run and cuss". He picks up something he knows he is not supposed to have and runs away from me as fast as he can. I chase after him like a fool, cussing and yelling, "Drop it!" Oh, it's great fun.

Then last week while I'm eating lunch, I see that he has my sunglasses. Instead of running after him, I told him in my most serious voice that I was not getting up and he better just drop it. To my amazement, he dropped the sunglasses and looked at me. I grabbed a treat and praised him. Then, he ran off and found something, came to my feet and dropped it again.

Now that "Drop It" is his new favorite game, I have hope again that we can get through the rough times. He's still learning, and he really love bacon-flavored treats.

I've learned that it makes more sense for a family with kids to adopt or buy a dog that is past the puppy stage. Housebreaking a puppy is very time consuming, and the puppy's needs most often require adult attention.

Different breeds have their own benefits and drawbacks. Our Yorkie doesn't chew up shoes or furniture; but he's an inside dog, so housetraining was a challenge. He's active and playful, but prone to get into trouble without lots of attentive play.

A large outside dog is no problem to housetrain, but will need plenty of protected running room outside. He's notorious for chewing everything in the house. Our lab ate an entire plate of freshly made divinity from the kitchen counter in an instant one Christmas.

If I haven't convinced you to put off getting a dog, these sources will help you choose the right dog and make it through the first few months.