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Informative Articles

Best Age to Obtain an new puppy
Best Age to get Papillon or Phalene Puppies  Buyers have a lot of questions when they are looking for Papillon or Phalene puppies for sale. When is the best age to get Papillon or Phalene puppies is one of the questions. There is a lot of...

Diagnosing pancreatic disease in Pets
The laboratory diagnosis of pancreatic disease in dogs and cats has taken has made some significant progress in the last few years. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is now recognised in both dogs and cats and while most affected animals are...

Dog Training: The Other Ways To Reward And Keep Your Dog Motivated Other Than Food And How To Keep Your Dog To Stay Focus
Keeping the attention of a dog while training is not always easy. Dogs can be easily distracted, and it is important to not allow the training sessions to be sabotaged by boredom. Making training fun for the dog and the human alike is vital...

Top 10 Benefits of Natural and Holistic Pet Care
There are a number of reasons for choosing natural pet foods, treats and supplies. First, use of natural products is consistent with a holistic view. A holistic approach considers all factors regarding your pet's health, not just individual...

When Should I Start Training My Puppy?
If you have a puppy, you must start training early, but do it gently. Your puppy has to have confidence in you before he can begin learning. Remember that puppies are like children - they have growing bodies, short attention spans, and will only...

 
Tips on Hanlding Getting a Second-Hand Dog

It's appealing to see ourself "saving"
an adult dog from an animal shelter but dealing with a dog with a troubled or insecure past can be very challenging.

The good news is that you'll be getting a full size dog so you know what to expect in that regard. He's likely to have at least some rudimentary training, perhaps from shelter personnel.

The worst thing that can happen is that the dog and the owner are not well matched. Inexperienced shelter
personnel might place a strong-willed,
dog with an elderly couple or a
busy couple with young children.

Sometimes, owners over-estimate their
own abilities and under-estimate the
time commitment to handle dogs with
tricky or troubled personalities.

Many older dogs entering a new home
will not behave well. Expect problems
like whining, barking, destroying
things, and toilet mistakes.

That's because the dogs are anxious and do not feel safe in the new home. Do not take this behavior personally and try not to become angry.

Please recognize that the concept of
gratitude is a human one.


It does not
exist in dogdom.

On the other hand, some owners make the opposite mistake and become too
indulgent with these dogs. That will
only increase the dog's insecurity and
may create a dog that can't bear to be
away from its owner.

If you get a second hand dog, you need
to find a middle ground. The dog needs
security, not pity. Be kind but be
firm. You are in charge and you need to show it to your dog.

If you dog anxiously paws at your lap
trying to get attention, ignore him!
You make the decisions on playing,
walking and feeding.

Behavior problems are minimized when your dog feels secure and has a leader (you) that he is confident can protect him.

I recognize that not all shelter dogs
will come with problems, but because
many will, it's best to begin your
relationship on the basis that problems should be expected and dealt with.

In the long run, this will help the dog's new home become his last one.


About the Author
Louise Louis is a long-time dog person
and creator of www.ToyBreeds.com.